*two months ago

I watch, never taking my eyes off of her as the elevator doors close, separating me from the one thing I care about. Her tear filled eyes look down refusing to look at me as I fight the urge to pry open the door, grab her and hold her until she'll listen to me.

The doors close and I stand there leaning against the wall with my hands on either side of the elevator. She's gone and she never wants to talk to me again...she hates me. My hands ball into tight fists and I turn around, my whole body rigid with anger and my breathing hard as I stare at Amanda "well now that she's gone" she scoffs picking at her nails

"You did this" I growl, holding back from screaming

I almost turn to chase her, chase her into the parking lot and fall on my knees and beg her to listen to me but I can't take my eyes off the piece of shit in front of me.

"Yeah I did, you're welcome" she says flipping her hair over her shoulder and walking down the hall back into my penthouse

I follow hastily after her "you're welcome? You're welcome?! Are you fucking kidding me" I scream slamming the door behind me, both things making my head pound in the rhythm of my heart

"Yes Vincent you're welcome, I saved yours and her ass" she says sitting on the white couch

I take a step toward her but hold back, my fists tighten "what are you talking about?" I say with clenched teeth

"Your dad you idiot, he called me and asked if you were still seeing that girl. He said he had heard some rumours and I said yes because you, being the love struck puppy you are, still wasn't over her. He said he was going to take back the company and ruin her if you kept this up. So yes you're welcome because I then told him that I would talk to you, before I got here I called him again and told him you were breaking it off with her tonight at dinner" she says

I turn, pick up a lamp and throw it at the white wall and it shatters across the floor "fuck! This was you're solution? Tricking and manipulating me to say those things so she would hear and hate me?" I ask trying to keep my cool

"Well I hadn't planned on her hearing but it worked" she shrugs

I turn away from her and lean my head against the wall, my fists begging to smash against it. If this stupid bitch would have told me I could have handled it my own way, now her being the selfish woman she is made the girl I love think I hate her.

"You should have told me! I could have prevented all of this" I tell her

"What so you could ruin your life and hers? Don't you understand Vincent? You would ruin her and her you, your Father would take back the company, you'd be a laughing stock! I won't, as a frie-"

"Oh don't you dare play that, you did this because you're a selfish bitch" I snap

"Whatever, think what you want" she waves me off, rolling her hazel eyes

I pull out my phone to call Adeline to tell her, beg her, to hear me out. Beg her to understand that Amanda manipulated me and what my Father threatened, maybe she'll understand and take me back. I can't leave it like that, I can't, I can't be without her, I can't have her hate me.

I scroll through my contacts and find hers, before I can hit call, my phone is slapped out of my hand. It falls to the ground and I hear the screen shatter "what the fuck!" I scream staring at Amanda, is she trying to get me arrested? Cause I'm really close to doing something stupid if she doesn't stop being fucking psycho

"You idiot! Did you not hear what I was saying?! You can't be with her, you can't call her, you can't see her. You know your Father better than I do but I gathered if he's as head strong and stubborn as you, he will stop at nothing until you stop this, if you try any secretive shit he'll find out. He won't let you ruin his reputation for a woman, especially for a married one" she says with each word her voice getting calmer "it's better this way, I know if you try to explain this to her you will both want to fight it, but Vincent you can't ruin her life" she says

I feel uneasy, I don't know what to do, I want to be with Adeline more than I've wanted anything. But what would my Father do to her? What would he do to me? I'm not scared of him but Amanda's right, the mans crazy and he won't stop till he gets what he wants. Would I be saving Adeline by staying away from her? It'll kill me, I know it will but if my Father says anything to Theo what would he do? There's something about Theo, he's not keeping Adeline around for no reason, he needs her for something and if someone threatens to take her away before she can serve her purpose for him I don't know what he'd do. But I love her, I truly do, what I said to Amanda was a lie. I was just so angry that she kept saying Adeline would go back to Theo I didn't know what to say when she asked if I loved Adeline. If I said yes Amanda would continue taunting me about how Adeline doesn't love me or how she'd leave me for her Husband. I figured if I lied and said I didn't she would leave me alone about it...I never imagined Adeline would hear the whole thing and...leave me without letting me even explain.

I sit on the couch running my hand through my hair and resting my face in my palms. But what about Adeline? She knows nothing about what I was just informed, she'll think everything I ever said or did was a lie but it wasn't, not a single damn word or action, I love her more than I love anything. Would I rather her think me a monster, liar, piece of shit womaniser who played her or...would I rather protect her from the wrath of my Father and Theo. But leaving her alone...what if Theo does something again, she has no one to go to, her parents are pricks and she hardly has friends. I still want to be her person to run to, to make her forget about him and anything else, I want to be the one she loves and spends every waking moment with but...I can't be.

"Fine" I sigh quietly "I won't contact her" I say looking up at Amanda who actually looks sorry for me

"Good choice...for the both of you" she says "I'll get you a new phone and have them transfer all the information...except hers" she says, I look up at her and the last part of her statement makes my heart clenches, our last conversation will be me begging her to stay and now she'll become nothing but a memory to me

"Leave" I tell her wishing I could have handled this without hurting Adeline

I hear her heals click against the floor as she walks over to the door, she walks out with a last glance over at me and shuts the door behind her, leaving me all alone.

I went on a rampage when she left, I couldn't stop myself. The one thing that made me happy, that made me a better person, and the one thing I cared about is no longer mine and no matter how bad I want her I can't have her. Why me? I never cared about anything and the one time I do this is what I get, that's why I became what I was, I didn't want to feel like this. I didn't want to love something else because the more people and things you love the more you have to loose.

I broke three mirrors, two I punched and one I threw the book at, which made it fall off the wall and shatter. By the end of the night my home looked like hell and I was sitting on the floor with my head in my hands and my knees pulled up to my chest. Tears glaze over my vission, only making me angrier when I think back to how she looked at me...when she begged me to leave her alone and when she screamed that I didn't love her, tears rolling down her soft flushed cheeks. I wanted to yell to her and the rest of the world that I was in love with her, I was more in love than with her than anyone loves anything but I can't and I didn't.

I don't cry, I don't apologise, and I don't fall in love but when it comes to Adeline I've done it all and still I can't get her to stay. She deserves better I try to tell myself but me being the selfish man I am I want her to be mine. I want her to know she'll be safe, but how can I knowing she lives with Theo. I know if I try to reach out to her my Father would find out one way or another and then tell Theo. Then what would he do to her? I would only make it worse by talking to her...but my body craves to hold her, my heart begs to be near hers, my eyes cry to see her, my lips yearn to touch hers, and my ears listen for her voice. What am I going to do without her? She was the one, the one that changed me, the one I chose to fall in love with.

And now I have to live without her

Two months later

I sit there staring aimlessly down at my desk, papers scattered around me. My head bobs as my eyelids hang low on my eyes, close to closing. I shake my head and try to focus on my work, which seems to be the only thing I've allowed myself to think about. It's been two months since I've talked to Adeline, two months since I've held or hugged her, since I've heard her voice. I take a deep breath and open my eyes wide.

But at the thought of her my heart immediately feels like a thousand pounds. I've done nothing but work constantly to keep my mind off of her. In the past if I was ever stressed or thinking too much on something I would simply call up Amanda or go find a woman to spend the night with. But now the thought of touching another woman besides Adeline makes me grimace.

I'm torn from my thought of her smile when a knock shakes me from my imagination "come in" I call out sitting up taller and forcing my frown into a straight face

In walks my assistant/intern who pretty much answers phone calls then sends the line to me. He files and other pointless things that I am more than capable of doing but my Father told me it looks good if we hire college kids.

"Yes George?" I ask, not really having the patience to deal with his awkwardness today.

"Oh right" he fidgets, his tie is loosely done and shirt halfway untucked from his slim body, his hair is curly and wild and his eyes large "your Father-"

"I've told you before, if he calls tell him I'm not here" I groan

"Well-"

"Son" I hear a deep familiar gruff voice say

He pushes through George and George gives me an apologetic and scared look, I roll my eyes at my Father "thank you George" I say staring at my entering Father

George shuts the door and my Father looks around my large office. I stare at him holding my balled hands under the table. My eyebrows pulled together, I've refused to see or talk to him. I did what he asked, I stopped seeing her, I don't want to see him.

"Father" I say clenching and unclenching my jaw

He goes over to a table behind one of the two couches and grabs a scotch glass, he pours himself some of the dark liquid and turns to me. His large build and slight gut shows under the dark gray suit he's wearing. His jaw is covered with a short greying beard and his hair is combed to the side, his green eyes look at me with a glint of approval but after looking me over he frowns.

"I expect the CEO of a company to always look his best" he says taking in my appearance, if I look anything like I did this morning I understand his disapproval. Bags hang under my eyes from lack of sleep, my slight stubble has grown out. My cheeks are sunken in and I'm sure my hair looks messy...but at least I'm dressed to standard "but none the less there's a celebration at hand" he says pouring another glass and handing it to me

He reaches out to hand it to me but I just stare at him, he rolls his eyes and sets the glass down in front of me "we've hit our most sales since you became CEO of this company this month" he says smiling a proud smile

I don't say anything because I know if I do I'll blow up and he'll get every ounce of anger I've balled up inside for the last two months.

"I'm very satisfied with the amount of attention you've put into the company, I'm glad you took my advice" he says smiling and taking a sip of the scotch

I stand, pushing the chair back with my legs feeling my anger ready to break out and unleash on him. He looks me up and down and raises an eyebrow, daring me to say something. I inwardly curse and sit back down, taking a swig of the scotch and empty the continents into my mouth, letting the harsh burn of alcohol trail down my throat.

"Glad I'm keeping up to standards" I say through clenched teeth

He stares at me "enough of this angry talk, what's the matter with you? Is it that girl?" he spits

Even with that I keep my cool, literally holding my desk to keep me down "that's none of your business, you've said what you need to and congratulated me, you can leave now" for my and your sake I say mentally

"I think I'll take my leave when I see fit" he says setting the glass down on my desk "now Vincent you should be thanking me for making you break it off with her, trust me it wouldn't have ended well..." He trails off with a sad sigh but he quickly recovers and clears his throat "looked at what you've accomplished, Amanda made it seem like you were fine with all of this" he shrugs

"Amanda likes to think she's knows me better than she really does" I tell him

"Please tell me you didn't fall for the girl?" He groans, I stay silent giving him his answer "oh son" he shakes his head "I knew you were like me" he says so quietly I can hardly hear

"I'm nothing like you" I snap

"Well not anymore" he says "now you'd gone and fallen in love" he tisks "I think I like the other Vincent better"

"I thought you wanted me to stop and get married?" I growl trying to keep my composure

"Well I did before you ruined who I set you up with, acting like a boy" he scoffs

"Why can't I be with her?" I demand

He stares at me and looks at me like I asked what four plus four was "Vincent" he says "I didn't raise a fool, you can put two and two together? She's married to a very rich and well known business owner, you'd want to be caught up in a scandal? Could you imagine the sales we would loose with people knowing you're wasting your time with a married woman?" He says becoming bewildered at just the thought, a hidden sadness hidden in his tone

"What about me!?" I ask "I've done, my entire life, what you've wanted, I took over the business and ran it well, I went to all the best schools, got the best grades and never went against you're word but now, now that I've found happiness you want to take it away from me!" I yell unable to keep in my words

"Yes, if that happiness threatens everything you and I have ever worked for!" he remarked back

I stand and turn, throwing my hands in my hair, yanking at the ends in frustration "you're one hell of a selfish man" I growl

"I did it for you're own good, you'll thank me one day, you won't even remember her name in a month" he says leaning over desk, his face asking to be punched

"She was going to leave him, then could we be together?" I ask leaning towards him

"No, this girl obviously changed you to be someone you shouldn't be. God knows she wouldn't actually leave him, they never do...like I've told you before. Now hopefully you'll find someone more suitable" he says

His statement flames me at my core "Get out" I demand, holding back from yelling countless amounts of cuss words towards him

"How d-"

"Get out!" I say sweeping some of the papers off my desk

He bows back surprised at my action, her pulls down his suit jacket and stands with his chin high "we'll talk later" he says walking to the door

When he opens it he turns back "we all make sacrifices for-"

"Don't" I snap knowing what he's about to say, he sighs and walks out.

I stand there to fired up to sit down, I've got to get out of here. I know I can't work another damn minute after that. I know where I need to go right now.

*
I pull up and park on the narrow road, I lock my car looking at the slightly suspicious people around. Damn it, I wish Annie would just let me give her the money she needs to move her store and live somewhere nicer, there's an apartment above the book store that she lives in but she deserves so much better. I shake my head at the stubborn lady I'm about to be met with.

I walk down the gum filled sidewalk and spray painted buildings until I come to the familiar corner shop. I smile looking at it, memories of my Mother taking me here play in my head. I hold the door for a woman who walks out holding her new book, she smiles at me and I give a small nod. Walking in the familiar smell of books and a tinge of mildew fills my nose.

I turn to the counter to see Annie turned around trying to balance a picture of her and Jo, it's old, still in black and white, there young selves stand together holding each others hands and look into each other eyes. She reaches up high but seems to only be able to touch the corners. I smile and walk over to her, I reach up above her short body and center the frame on the wall.

She turns and looks at me, her face becoming softer "Vincent you scared me" she says getting down from the short stool

"Sorry" I say

She looks at me with wide eyes "did Vincent King just apologise?" She says, I frown and nod

"I guess I did" I say rubbing the back of my neck, even when I'm not with her I'm change

She looks over my face and I look away trying to seem normal "don't try that, I know you Vincent now come here" she says walking out behind the counter and into a little room hidden behind a dark curtain. A fire place is lit to the right and two chairs sit in front of it, the whole room is filled with boxes of books and a window lets in the glumly grey light from the clouded sky outside.

I follow in after her and sit in one of the chairs across from her "come on, tell me" she says waving her hand to her

I sigh and lean back "it's Adeline" I say

Her eyes widen and now she sighs "the young lady you brought here?" She asks and I nod "what did you do to the poor girl?" She asks

"I fell in love with her" I say resting my elbow on the armrest and my head in my fingers

She gasps quietly "Vincent" she says in surprise "what's wrong with that? This is amazing news, I knew you two had something, there was no denying that" she says smiling at me but my frown still remains

"I can't see her anymore" I say quietly feeling my throat tighten as I close my eyes and see the elevator doors closing taking a crying angel away from me

"Well of course you can" she shake her head, not understanding

"No...I can't" I sigh

I explain everything, I tell her about the night she came to me. How I held her in my arms that night and didn't let go. I told her about how content I was just being in her presents. I told her that Adeline said she loved me and in that moment I could have died of happiness. I tell her about how Adeline told me she had to go back to Theo, I tell her how mad it made me to think that Adeline was leaving me even though I knew she loved me and wasn't really going back to Theo. I was just so frustrated that she couldn't just stay with me...I understand now, I know she can't just drop everything. I was being immature and that's how I got myself here. I tell her how I stormed out and when I came back Amanda was there, I go on to explain what Amanda made me say. I told her how Adeline heard everything and wanted nothing to do with me, how she begged me to leave her alone and not to touch her. I tell her what Amanda said and all the things my Father threatened to do if I didn't leave Adeline. I tell her that I have to stay away because I can't let my Father or Theo hurt her. I tell her how miserable I've