It took a couple of wrong turns before I finally found Alexander's garage. I paid the taxi driver, jumping out of the cab and running up to the garage. My heart was pounding so hard that I could hear it beating in my head.

The door to the garage was open and Alexander stood in the middle working on a piece of his. He turned at the sound of my footsteps and a smile spread across his face. It fell as soon as he saw the expression on my face, dropping the tool he was using and rushing over to me with open arms.

"Olivia, what's wrong?" He asked enveloping me in his warm arms.

I felt tears prickling my eyes as soon as the security that his arms provided wrapped around me. He moved after a moment and cradled my face with his hands, his thumbs rubbing away the tears that were endlessly flowing out. "Baby, what happened?" Concern etched his features.

"Aaron..." I began as he tensed and a frown settled on his face.

"What the fuck did he do?" He asked enraged. It was so out of character for Alexander to be angry. He was usually so in control of his emotions. He looked menacing when he was angry.

"Alexander..." I trailed breaking out in sobs again. The entire night of Tim blackmailing me and assaulting me and Aaron being so beyond selfish came crashing down.

Alexander placed his large hand at the back of my head and kissed my forehead, "Shh, let it out, baby. Everything's fine."

After a moment, I finally settled down enough to talk, "Aaron proposed to me," I finally cried out.

"He... did what?!" Alexander bellowed, anger radiating off of his body.

I nodded, "Aaron's dad is the client behind your new building project," I continued, "He said if I didn't marry Aaron, he'd pull out of the contract and destroy your credibility as an architect at the firm."

Alexander's gaze burned as he looked at me, "I don't give a fuck about that job. He can say whatever he wants."

"But, Alexander, I'm not going to let my bad judgment call ruin things for your future." Obviously I would never agree to marry Aaron but I also didn't want Alexander to become bitter at losing out on a chance for his future career because of me.

"You're my future, Olivia. Nothing else matters." He arms held me tightly, gazing upon my face as he spoke. His steady heartbeat was a testament to the fact that he meant the words that he said.

His hands travelled from my back to my face where they caressed my cheeks. His eyes fluttered down to my lips, which were probably swollen and red from all the crying I had done that night. His head inched to mine and I could smell the sweet pine fragrance emanating from him.

Then all of a sudden, his lips were touching mine, softly at first, his pillowy, warm lips just barely caressing mine as the intensity began to grow. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and my knees began to feel a little bit weaker. Alexander clung onto my form tighter as a result, pressing and moving his lips in a way that made my toes curl. His tongue slid past my lips for just a moment, touching mine tentatively and leaving an electrifying feeling within me. He was gentle at first before becoming more heightened, more curious of the intricacies within.

He kissed me like no one had kissed me before. It wasn't demanding, it was seeking a proximity and an intimacy with my soul.

Without realizing it, my hands had travelled underneath his shirt and were wandering the solid planes of his back. They drew patterns along his sides as he let out the smallest shudder.

We pulled away momentarily, our hot breaths intermingling, our noses touching, our chests heaving. It was a precious moment I didn't want to end.

After a few moments of standing in silence room, Alexander asked, "What did you say to Aaron?"

I looked away sheepishly. I wasn't proud that I hadn't said anything. I wasn't able to face my fears in the moment. "I ran away," I explained honestly.

He sighed, "I want to show you something." He planted a quick kiss on my lips before holding my hand in his much larger one and pulling me towards the piece he was working on when I arrived. He placed me in front it, but the image was far from what I wanted to see.

He had clearly carved me, but this version of me was so much different than the sketch I had spotted in his room. This Olivia had downtrodden, hopeless eyes, lips that were tugged downwards, a back that was arched inwards, and frown lines set across her face. Her limbs were shackled down by chains and the weight of it brought her entire figure lower to the ground.

I just stood there, staring at my worst version of myself looking back at me. Why would Alexander spend hours carving this? What did he expect me to say about this nightmare of an image? It was like looking at a naked portrait of myself, all of my flaws flaunted for the world to see.

"It's just a rough version," He stated softly.

"Okay." I replied in monotone.

"I just thought of you when you were having a tough time standing up for yourself," he began and I pulled my hand from his, feeling that prick of hurt wash over me. "You're angry," he stated.

"No, I'm great," I responded sarcastically.

"I'm sorry, it was just on my mind. It's part of-"

I cut him off, "I get it." I turned around and walked out of the garage.

"Wait! Olivia!" He called to me.

I swivelled on my heel, treacherous tears beginning to fall. I swiped at them with the back of my hand, "What?" I asked harshly.

His eyes softened at my demeanour, "Baby, I didn't mean to make you upset. I started this early on when we first met."

His hand reached out for me but I took a step back. I saw the look of hurt flash across his eyes. I couldn't bare to look at him. I felt embarrassed and unworthy.

"You know, maybe that is me, Alexander," I stated, looking away from him.

"Olivia, it's not you. Not anymore." He replied softly.

I gave him a grating look, "Who am I kidding? It's funny because I am that girl. That girl who doesn't say what she means and who says yes when she shouldn't. I can't change that. But, you know what I'd never do? I would never spend hours carving out every worst flaw that I found in someone. Every secret fear that they wished other people wouldn't pick up on, scratched into a piece of wood forever. I wouldn't intentionally hurt someone I cared about." At this point the tears were streaming down my face and I couldn't stop them. I was tired of trying.

"You don't understand. This isn't the only-"

I put a hand up and he stopped talking, just gazing at me, "I understand enough. I need to go." I stated turning away from him and walking away, never wanting to stop.

"Olivia!" I heard from behind me, "please don't walk away from me. Olivia, baby, just listen to me!"

I turned back once more, "Just give me some time, Alexander," I pleaded, my voice cracking, my eyes leaking.

He had an anguished look on his face and I could see the struggle it took for him to give me space.

I turned around once more and continued to walk. I walked and I sobbed feeling more hopeless than when I first arrived.