Chapter 153: There’s A Thin Line... CATHERINE I don’t know why... I felt something was off with Ares. Maybe the private business didn’t go well or something. Regardless, he was colder and more detached when he fucked me throughout the night. It felt more maddening and raw, like he didn’t see me as a person but as a tool. I shook my head. I’m probably just exhausted mentally and physically, thinking deeply on something that clearly wasn’t there. Not that I didn’t enjoy it, it was just... I don’t even know what word to use. My body can’t function properly without feeling the aches like a beast that has taken a chunk out of my flesh. My poor ass was gonna fall off if Ares kept assaulting it. Ugh! I collapsed on the floor, not having the strength to lift a finger. I was in the middle of packing up a box, but I can’t do shit right now. My phone rang, and Tori’s name popped up. Shit! I sat up and grabbed my phone, taking a deep breath before I picked. "Don’t...! Don’t waste your breath, you evil munchkin." I shut my mouth. "No need to come at me with anything, the words will go right through my other ear and not record in my brain." "Toriiii!" I drawled. "I was worried, you know. I heard nothing from you for the last two days. That’s it! We’re seeing, right now!" "Actually..." "Actually, what? You better not tell me no." "I’m going on a honeymoon with Ares." "WHAT?!" I had to take my phone away before she damaged my eardrums. "Calm down!" "No! I have been calm, but hell no, it doesn’t work. How can you stay calm in this situation? First, you get attacked, and now a fucking honeymoon? Is this even a contract anymore?" My heart raced at her words. "O-Of course it is! This is just to give the media something again. You know, the usual. It’s not like we’re gonna have a real one. We would just hang out somewhere and stay put until we are back." "O...kay...? But let’s not forget the fact that you were attacked. Honestly, why do I get the feeling that you’re not shaken by this? You were attacked by a fucking hitman. Girl! You only see that shit in movies." "I am... shaken..." "Catherine!" I sighed. Here goes nothing. "Tori... Ares, he’s um... he’s mafia." There was a long pause on the line before she formed words. "What did you say?" "That thing I wanted to tell you that day, that’s it." "Are you telling a joke right now?" "No, I can’t joke about this. This is why I want you to have an open mind." "An open mind?" She huffed. "Yes..." I clenched my fist. "An open mind" "I think you should terminate this contract right now. I-I could find you a job. You can get the money, it may be slow or not enough, but at least you don’t have to be in whatever this is, because this draws the line. This is not about resisting your boss because if what you’ve just told me is actually what’s going on, then you need to pull out. It’s already dangerous as it is." I closed my eyes and released a heavy breath. "I can’t, Tori. I can’t." "What do you mean you can’t. This is—" "I have to complete the months. That’s what I signed." "Are you being serious right now? Are you telling me you can’t terminate?" "Yeah?" "Why the heck would you sign something that doesn’t give you power to do that?" "I-I..." "Ugh, I should have known! Had you been honest with me from the start, then I would have taken a look at that contract myself before you signed away your soul!" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞 "Tori!" I snapped. "It’s not that serious, I’m not in any danger and—" "Mafia, you said mafia. I have read tons about that shit, and you just dropped that Ares King is a part of the crime syndicate, the Underworld. Do you have any idea what that means?" "Yes." "No, you don’t. Because the Catherine I know wouldn’t bat an eye to eject. Is Ares forcing you or something? Is he... is he holding you against your will?" "NO!" "Then let me understand why the fuck you can’t redraw!" I opened my mouth, but the words didn’t come to me. My hands trembled as I held my phone in place. "Jesus...! I don’t believe it." "What is it?" "You have feelings for him, and I don’t mean your desire or lust or whatever words you’re going to convince yourself because that’s bull—" I ended the call before she could finish. I found it difficult to swallow saliva, my system shutting down temporarily. "N-No..." I closed my eyes, stuttering. "S-She’s wrong. This is just Tori making fun of me." I quickly dialed her number back, and she answered. "Seriously?" "Y-You’re wrong. I don’t have feelings for him." Silence held the line before a heavy breath came through. "I wish I could believe you, munchkin." "I’ll prove that I don’t." "Okay, what?" "Things like that are easy. I told you it’s all about the fucking and it is. When I was with Dan, I got those flowery feelings, those blushes and shit like that, but with Ares, I don’t. It’s all sexual compatibility, chemistry, or whatever, and that doesn’t count." "..." "Tori, just say something!" "What do you want me to say? Because I don’t know what to say. It’s just... from the way you’re reacting, I actually believed you when you said that—" "Believed? What are you talking about?" I asked, amused. Tori didn’t wanna speak, and I knew it. "Tori, talk to me. You’re making me nervous." "I think you’ve been in love with Ares for a while now, but you never fully admit it or understand. You know... You did mention loving Dan was different, maybe this is too." "That’s—" "There’s a thin line between love and hate, Cat."