Chapter 2: Jeremy Deluca

Nadia's POV.

What the fuck!

My hands ran to my chest as I suddenly became self-conscious.

I was a girl after all, and he stood in front of me, his eyes visiting every corner of my body.

"How… how's this even possible?" he mouthed, more to himself than to me, as he kept on ogling.

I wrapped my arms around my body as my chest tightened some more.

My cover… it was blown.

Was he going to rat me out?

Tell the coach and the others?

If he did, then…

My dad's treatment… he wouldn't be able to get treated.

His life…

No!

"Please," I shrieked, stepping back as I felt overwhelmed by his gaze.

His gray-bluish eyes gleamed as he looked at me, and I found myself stumbling back, his scent of citrus invading my nostrils.

"What the heck are you doing?

Playing ice hockey?

Dressed like a freaking dude?" he scoffed as he grew closer.

"Step back," I charged. "Please, I beg you, stay back," I said more slowly as I stretched out my hand, my body still moving back.

"Okay then," he stepped back, his hands up in surrender as he tilted his head.

"Now speak!" he charged, his voice more stern.

"I... Please... I need...

Don't tell anyone, please. I beg you."

His presence was belittling, the smirk on his lips a clear sign of mockery.

"I... I just... I need to play for this team.

Please, I... I need the money, please."

Tears stung my eyes as I choked, feeling more embarrassed about how much of my skin was exposed.

"What?

Are you crying? Awwn... Did I make you cry, pretty boy?" he pouted, trying to mimic my voice, and I gulped, a tear falling down.

Why did he have to be a jerk?

"Please... don't tell anyone," I shuddered as I shivered, the room's chilled air still on my skin.

"Ok then... I won't tell anyone," he said, and my shoulders fell.

"Really?"

"Really..." he repeated, but his narrowed eyes proved otherwise.

"But..." he started, taking a huge step, closing the distance between us.

"What do I get in return?

Huh?

What do I get in return for keeping your pretty little secret?"

He was just an inch away, his heavy citrus-scented breath lingering on my face, his gray-bluish eyes holding mine in an intense stare down.

"I..." I swallowed hard on dry air as I was lost for words.

What could I possibly give him?

I didn't know who he was.

But from the diamonds on his wrist and neck, the richness of his skin, and his citrus scent which stood strong against the foul smell of the dirty jerseys, I knew he was stinking rich.

And me?

A girl who had to tie up her breasts just to save her father.

There was nothing I could give.

"I have nothing... nothing to give you.

I'm broke, okay? That's... that's why I'm here.

I'm sorry, please let me go." I pleaded as his closeness had begun to sting my skin.

His hand rose to my face, and I gasped, my insides twisting as I felt an overpowering urge to scream.

"That ain't true, peaches. Everybody has something to offer..."

His thumb brushed gently against my cheek, and I shivered, biting on my lower lip, regret and fear clouding my thoughts.

"You do too," he said with a smirk, his eyes bright and glaring.

Within a twinkle of an eye, I gave in to my intrusive thoughts and pushed him—

With all the strength I could muster, as hard as I could.

He stumbled back, chuckling.

What a weirdo.

"Stay away from me. I have nothing to give you," I said, as I ran to the other corner of the room, taking a towel hanging on a locker shelf and pressing it to my chest.

He opened his mouth to speak, but a knock landed on the door.

Bang, bang.

And I flinched, my heart racing like never before.

Oh Lord, please save me.

I turned to run into the shower room, but he grabbed me by the arm and threw me to his chest.

"Where are you running to?" he groaned as he took off his jacket.

He laid his oversized jacket on my tender curled shoulders and placed his index finger on his lip.

"Shh."

The knock came again, this time louder, erupting with urgency.

"Who's there?" he asked, his eyes on me as he held me, standing put.

"It's Chris... the janitor wants to clean and lock up. What the heck are you still doing in there?" the strange voice barked, and I felt my body heat up.

"Oh..." he mouthed, his eyes leaving mine.

"I came to take my wristwatch. Forgot it in my locker after the game.

Go on, I will join you in a bit," he said, and the person behind the door groaned, but eventually left.

As his footsteps became inaudible, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in.

"Thank... thank you," I said, pulling away, clinging to the hands of the jacket.

"Hurry up and leave." He turned, walking away but stopped at the door.

"See you tomorrow, peaches," he smirked with a wink, opened the door, and left me breathless.

***

I barged into the house, my shoulders aching from carrying the load of the bag of groceries I bought on my way back.

My eyes went to the wall clock that sat on the cracked wall, and I hissed as I realized how late I was.

"Mom, I'm back!" I called out as I dropped down the bag, releasing my shoulders from the burden.

I stretched and flexed my arms with a loud groan as I got a bit of relief.

Mom walked out of the kitchen, her stained apron around her waist and neck.

She glared at me, her face twisted in annoyance.

"What?" I asked with another groan as I slumped into the couch.

"Why are you so late?

Nadia, it's your first day, and you're already coming back so late... it's past five, for goodness' sake." She sneered, taking off her apron and tossing it on the dining table.

"It wasn't my fault..." I quickly tried to defend as the memories from the locker room sped into my mind.

That jerk.

Why did he have to be there, and at that time?

How was I supposed to deal with him?

"I'm sorry, Mom... I got delayed.

Had to wait till everyone left before I could change," I apologized, my mind cussing over his words.

"Did you get the drugs?" My brows furrowed.

"Did you get your father's drugs? I told you to get them, didn't you?"

My eyes widened as I jerked up.

Oh shit.

I knew I was forgetting something.

"I'm sorry, Mom... I will go get it now." I grabbed my bag and strode out without giving her a chance to scold me.

I glanced at my wristwatch as I stood in line, my feet noisily tapping on the marble floor as I cussed under my breath.

How could I forget his drug?

It was almost ten, and the damn shop closed by exactly ten.

I was nowhere close to the counter.

A few minutes later, the attendant yelled, "Customer number thirty-five will be the last person we will be attending to."

The rest of the waiting customers groaned, some cussing out as they moved out of the line.

Wait, what?

Waited in line for two hours for nothing?

"Rude.

I walked away and out of the building.

I had to get Dad's drugs no matter what.

***

I walked through the bright, busy streets, my hair dancing with the wind as I searched every drug store without any luck.

I was late.

I got off from one taxi, boarded another, and then another, searching for a drug store until I got dropped off at a humongous building with the description 'Decula Pharmaceutical'.

I hurried in, my hope rekindled as I glanced at my wristwatch.

It was almost midnight.

"Hey, ma'am... You there in a hoodie," a voice shot after me, and I stopped in my tracks, turning to see who it was.

"What are you... Why are you here?

Running in like some lost rodent."

The lady dressed in a fancy dress queried, and I swallowed hard, her tone hostile.

"I... I want to get some drugs.... I..." I swallowed the rest of my words as she began to guffaw.

"What?" She scorned, clearly amused.

"What do you think this is?

Get the fuck out before I call the security. We don't entertain petty thieves and homeless people here." She jeered, her eyes on me with disdain.

Ok, no way.

"There's no need for you to be rude," I refuted, refusing to be intimidated.

"I want to purchase drugs, so who are you to stop me?" I asked, trying too hard not to look belittled, and her face twisted as she clicked her tongue.

"Seems I will have to throw you out myself." She walked to me, grabbed me by the arm, and began to drag me out.

"Hey, let me go.... Get your hands off me." I pushed her off, and she tumbled, but soon, two guys dressed in uniform rushed to us.

They grabbed me by the arm and continued from where she stopped.

"Let me go!

Hey.... Let go of me.

Let me go!" I protested to no avail as their grip was strong, so strong that I could hear my muscles snap.

We were almost at the exit when a familiar voice roared with absolute command, "Let her go this minute."

We all froze as my stomach churned to the familiarity of the voice.