Leaning forward, I rested on the counter and ran the tap while taking a glass and filling it. I gulped down half the content before I put it down. I took a few deep breaths as I stared out the window at the backyard.

When I looked back down at the glass of water, I saw a hand gripping the counter on either side of my body.

The largeness of the hands and how one of them had a skull covering the knuckles was enough of a hint to know who it was.

It was also obvious as to who stood behind me because my body reacted instantly. Goosebumps covered every skin molecule and heat travelled me from head to toe.

I knew that I was trapped and caged in between the kitchen counter and his body so I turned around. I kept my head straight and faced his stomach. I crossed my arms and did not look up at him.

He reached out and placed a finger under my chin and tugged gently so that I was looking up at him.

Stone's voice was laced with desperation as he lowly let out "I need to see you."

There was so much that I wanted to say but nothing left my mouth. I just watched him silently and counted the number of times his jaw clenched.

"You are so stubborn." He pointed out, his dark gaze penetrating me.

"Then get rid of me." I challenged.

"No." He growled as an emotion I could not quite decipher crossed his face.

It was like the idea of getting rid of me hurt him to even think about.

I could see it. The devastating hurt. The longing. He could also see it in me. I saw the pain in his eyes and I knew that he could see the pain in mine.

"Why did you leave like that?" He interrogated, his volume dropping an octave.

"Last night, I could not sleep." I answered him as I moved the hair out of my face "All I could think about was how much I was dreading waking up and trying to say goodbye to you again."

"You do not have to." He assured me as leaned down until our noses nearly touched "You are so scared of losing people but it is you that is running away. I am not going anywhere. It is you trying to leave me."

All I could do was shake my head.

"I should not have left without telling you." I confessed before I told him "I am really really sorry."

"You don't need to apologise, Ella." He kept his eyes trained on my face when he uttered deeply "You need to tell me that you will not do it again."

I thought I was going to cry again so I moved my head towards the floor and studied the tiles intently.

He pulled back but he kept his hands where they were so he could keep me caged in.