12. Just Like Me

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~••♡•▪| KORI NOVIKOV |▪︎•♡••~



Here's what I've learnt about Ares during my 2 days at his house. He was practically an orphan. His father was murdered and his mum skipped town. His full name is Arestis and his father was Greek.

I learnt that he was 6 years my senior and that he had been on his own since he was 16.

Just like me.

Although, our circumstances were different as to why we were by ourselves. He somehow understood my struggles.

He, however, refused to understand why I needed him to take me home. I didn't know what Gene was capable off and I certainly didn't want to be  on the receiving end of it.

So, it was safe to say that Ares was not happy when he pulled up outside my apartment. I made sure he had dropped me off at a time when Gene wouldn't be home.

I also had to leave everything that he had bought for me behind and he was extremely unhappy with that.

"I don't understand why you can't just give yourself a break," he groaned, turning the car off.

You'd think that he and I had been friends for years with the way he behaved. I didn't say anything to him as I got out of the car.

"Promise me, you'll call me if you need anything?"

I nodded my head. Ares made sure to give me his number incase of emergencies.

"I'll be here early morning to take you to work," he said as he fished out his wallet.

He pulled out a few notes and handed them to me. It was more than I earned in a month and I stared at the wad in shock. 

"I can't accept this, you've already done so much,"

"Please just take it, it'll make this much easier," he was an extremely persistent man. He shot me an angry glare and I snatched the money from his hand.

He smiled as if to say 'See, wasn't so hard.' I didn't argue. It wasn't the time or place.
We bid each other farewell and I watched as his car disappeared from view. I quickly went inside. 

Thankfully I chose the right time and Gene wasn't home. I quickly went into my room and hid the money in the same place I hid my laptop and other important belongings. 

________________

I knew I couldn't avoid Gene forever and unfortunately I had run into him the next morning.

"Well, glad you listened for once and came back," Gene scoffed as he lugged himself to the couch.

"Next time you pull that shit, I'll burn everything you own,"

I stayed silent as I grabbed my bag from the counter. I was trying to keep my communication with him to a minimum.

I knew I was in a toxic environment,  but he did give me a place to stay. So, sometimes you just had to pick your battles.

Ares: I'm outside.

I read the text on the screen and made my way downstairs. Ares leaned across , pushing the door opened for me as I hopped into the car.

I smiled at him.

He smiled back.

The energy between us had completely changed and I was dying to see more of his soft side  that for some reason gave me butterflies.

Kori Novikov | 18+Where stories live. Discover now