Death had said he was ready when I was to take me on in the security office where I would have a job watching surveillance cameras. It paid as well as Polished did. I hadn’t told Adrik as yet. It was only a couple of days ago that Death mentioned the job when he wasn’t around. But really, anyone could guess I would never go back to Polished, even when I’d healed, because of my scars.

I wasn’t at the stage where I was supposed to be proud to wear them because it apparently showed how strong I was. To me, they were ugly and reminded me of a night I wanted to erase from my head. It reminded me of parents who tortured their son because they believed he sinned.

I couldn’t wait for the day those marks on my skin wouldn’t disgust me, anger me, upset me. Until then, I just had to keep going. Even at my darkest times when I thought about ending my life, I knew I wouldn’t, because… well, I wanted to live.

I wanted to love.

That special kind of love that Lucas and Kylo had.

That special kind of love where only one person was made for you.

And I couldn’t help but think that Adrik might be that one for me.

He’d stuck with me when I was cruel and mean. He’d stuck by my side since that day, and it wasn’t him wanting to fix me. He was patiently waiting, willing to be a part of this fucked-up situation and to be there for me when I finally found myself. Found peace.

He cared before the attack.

He wanted me when I’d wanted him, right from the start.

Why else would a man have someone watched? It wasn’t that he didn’t trust me. He was watching over me.

I had completely fallen for Adrik Mikhaillova, and knowing this, I reverted into a young schoolboy with his first crush. I fumbled and bumbled around him, stuffing up my words and actions.

It was lucky I knew Adrik found me amusing… well, if his lip twitches and smirks were anything to go by.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever understand what Adrik saw in me, but it must be something special, because he slept at my side every night. He read or would talk when I wasn’t in the mood, even when I’d been a prick and ignored him.

Though, it was always hard to ignore Adrik.

My psychiatrist always got this small smile on his lips when I spoke of Adrik, especially when I explained how stubborn and annoying he was because he wouldn’t leave me alone. I was sure he found everything Adrik did cute.