Mara pov
I shitted, moving to the corner of the seat, my chest aching. I had been worried about him. I had cried for him. And it was all a game.
"I hate you," I whispered.
"Good," he replied. "Hate is much more useful than pity."
The car smelled of metallic sweet syrup, oozing from the fake blood on my hoodie. I sat as far away from him as I could, pressing my shoulder against the car door. My hoodie was ruined. The red liquid from the fake "blood" was starting to dry, making the fabric stiff and sticky against my skin.
"Ewww… I look like murder." I pressed my palm against each other trying to clean the stain.
"Stop pouting," Lorenzo said. He was leaning back, his long legs crossed. He had put his mask back on the moment we left the alley.
"It's a waste of energy." He mumbled.
"I am not pouting," I hissed, my voice cracking.
"I am wondering how someone can be born without a soul. Did the doctor drop you on your head, or were you just born this way?"
He chuckled. It was a dry, raspy sound that provoked me more. "I was born into a world that doesn't care about tears, Mara. The sooner you learn that, the longer you'll live."
He tapped the glass partition. The driver slowed the car down and pulled over near an exquisite hotel. The street was quiet, lined with trees and golden streetlights.
"Get out," Lorenzo ordered.
"What? You're dumping me here? Covered in this?" I gestured to my cloth.
"In your dreams," he said. He pushed a heavy paper bag into my lap. "Change. We have a dinner date."
I looked inside the bag. There was a dress. It was dark green, the color of moss, and it was soft and slightly heavy in my hands. There were shoes too, black heels that looked really expensive.
"Zara, this cost a fortune." I muttered, glancing at the brand tag. Lorenzo looked at me in disbelief and he signaled the driver to step out for a bit. "If you're done admiring, get dressed."
"Wait…..where am I supposed to change? Inside this car? I looked around nervously. He didn't respond. He Just turned his back, giving me a small batch of space.
I cursed him under my breath, I wore the gown from my head , after removing my hoodie. I had only my black tank top on and when the gown covered my body, I pulled my trouser from under.
"Be quick, Nobody is watching." He finally broke the silence between us." I tugged at the zipper, but it stuck halfway. My hands were shaking, and I muttered "zip is stuck." I didn't even turn back.
"Here," Lorenzo said, leaning slightly closer. His fingers pressed lightly against the zipper, guiding it up while fingers touched my skin, my heart skipped.
"Thanks," I muttered, my cheeks heating up a little. I hated that he saw me like this, struggling with a dress in the back of his car, but at least it was done.
The zipper slid smoothly to the top, and I straightened, tugging the dress lightly into place. "Finally," I whispered.
"Now you have to woe a man for me with your feminine charm."
"I am not going to seduce anyone," I said, shoving the bag back.
Lorenzo leaned closer. The dark lenses of his mask felt like they were burning into me. "You want to see Lina tomorrow? You want her to keep getting those fancy chocolates and the best doctors?"