{ #5 } Eclipse Of The Moon (MxM || 18+)

Chapter 32 - Temperance Is A Virtue

Determined to be on my best behavior, I have honestly been quite respectful of Ivan's conditions so far except for that one laxing occurrence which earned me additional homework. Today hasn't been much of an exception. I worked my ass off all morning long, had lunch with Ivan, and returned to the library as soon as he had left right after he had finished his meal, but then there was this essay in lit that didn't passionate me.

At 3pm, I treated myself with a snack, and for some reason, I suddenly fancied a cigarette. I could have gone to the gym or used the pool, but it wasn't long before I remembered that Ivan had returned my wallet with the rest of my cash. Today being Thursday, he wouldn't be back home until 4 or 5 tomorrow morning, Anita had already left, and I could easily hide the pack in my bedroom.

Although it was easy to sneak out of the house and lock it thanks to a set of spare keys, I still had to wander for a while in the unfamiliar residential neighborhood until I found a place where they sell cigarettes. However, luck was on my side as there was such a long line behind me that the salesman didn't bother requesting my ID. All in all, I was out for barely forty-five minutes, which isn't that bad in itself, but being in a lazy mood when I got home, I grabbed my CD player from my bedroom and settled in one of the comfortable lounge chairs on the terrace.

Last week, I received the package that Joshua had promised and damn, he was right; I literally fell in love Evanescence. If their next albums remain in the same register, they might as well become my favorite band, or at least one of them. Ivan doesn't really like them, he says their lyrics are so dark and their music too commercial, but what do I care? Despite the numerous spiritual references, their songs speak to me in so many ways with their powerful arrangements and the singer's beautiful voice. In any case, what each individual feels when listening to a song is inexplicable, it's a matter of perspective. All I know is that Amy Lee's voice doesn't fail to send tingles down my spine and that songs like My Last Breath, My Immortal and Bring Me To Life raise goosebumps on my arms.

I should be catching up on my homework now, but I can't resist listening to another song, so I light up a second cigarette and lie back down, closing my eyes with the first notes of Haunted. Yes, just one last song, then I will go back to work. I will also have to go hide the pack of cigarettes and lighter under the mattress of my bed and to eliminate all traces of incriminating evidence, like ashes and butts.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I can't help a roaring scream of terror when my body suddenly gets pulled up from the lounge chair, my headphones and player falling in the process. My heart is racing in my chest like it rarely has, I am ready to fight whichever intruder broke into the house, and yet, when I see the man I am facing, I freak out more than I would have in front of a robber.

Ivan's eyes are dark with rage and I might be exaggerating, but it feels like his entire body is quivering with tension. In the three weeks I have known him, I don't think I ever saw such anger radiate in his expression; he is clearly fuming and it almost scares me.

What the fuck is he doing here anyway? And why isn't he yelling at me already?

I'm in a state of such bewilderment that when he holds his hand out – without a word – I don't hesitate to drop the brand-new pack and the lighter in his palm, nor do I wait another second to butt out my cigarette into the ashtray on the floor. Once done, Ivan grabs a firm hold of my arm and drags me back inside the house.

"Explain!" he growls as he unceremoniously makes me sit on the couch, and I wish I could find the strength to curl up in a corner, but my body is frozen from the coldness of his tone.

There's that and the realization that I have completely fucked up breaking his trust.

"I'm so sorry, Ivan..." I mumble contritely.