Chapter 2 Observed

• Ever felt like you were being watched all the time, but didn't know who and where your watcher was?
• Well, I felt that way all the time. At home, at college, walking down the street, accompanied or not.
• I was starting to think that I was becoming schizophrenic and that I would need urgent treatment for my disorder.
• There were times I imagined someone in the shadows of my room, watching me sleep. I was so scared I couldn't close my eyes.
• Ever since my father died, I've had the impression that he haunted me, and it was like torture. It wasn't enough that my sister tried at all costs to keep me out of the house, or anything that belonged to our family, for simply wanting everything just for her.
• Luckily I had Anthony who, ever since this tragedy happened, has been taking care of me. Sometimes I think he overreacts with his overprotection, but deep down I know he does it because he loves me.
• I didn't want to come to this place, I hated closed places, noisy and full of people I didn't even know, however, my friend, Eva, insisted for two weeks that I accompany her to this party with the excuse that I didn't want to be alone, the problem was, she disappeared twenty minutes ago, leaving me alone by the bar.
• The place was crowded and very noisy, which bothered me. I looked through the crowd and couldn't find her, she was probably right next to some stranger who bought her a drink.
• She was my only real friend, so I gave in and came, but now it seems that Eva no longer needed my company and there was still the fact that even though I was in this place, something was watching and bothering me.
• Getting through the crowd was difficult and I'm sure by the time I get home I'll be reeking of alcohol as I nearly got drenched by a man who spilled the liquid on me.
• I've never been to places like that. He preferred to stay at home studying and reading good books. When my father was alive, he always told me to enjoy my youth while there was still time, but I hated having to do something just because it was typical for my age group. I've always been like that and I'd like to live in peace, without the problems of adolescence.
• Since I didn't know the area, I also had no idea how to get home. There weren't many taxis and I thought I would have to walk to my house.
• He knew that the next street was busier with cars, and it would be easier to take a taxi. The problem was that to get there, I would have to walk a few meters in the dark on the street where the nightclub was located.
• I mentally cursed myself for having given in to Eva's blackmail, who didn't even care if I was killed or kidnapped by a stranger if I left the place alone.
• I took a deep breath before leaving where I was to face the weird street. I wasn't that scared, however, anyone who saw the locality could tell that it was the den of perverts waiting for their next victim.
• It didn't take long for that strange feeling to come back to me, causing butterflies in my stomach that almost paralyzed my legs. I forced myself to keep walking, praying it was just my paranoid head pissing me off again.
• "ELLEN!"
• I stopped midway when I heard my name being shouted with an intonation of fury. At the moment I was too scared to identify whose angry voice was calling me. It was obvious that it must be an acquaintance, as I didn't announce who I was inside the club, in fact, I hadn't talked to anyone other than my missing friend and the bartender.
• I turned slowly and met the furious eyes of my cousin, who was striding towards me.
• Once I confirmed it wasn't anyone who could kill and dismember me, I took a deep breath and let my tense shoulders slump.
• "God, Anthony, do you want to scare me to death?" I said as soon as we were face to face.
• Even with the poor street lighting, I could see how beautiful he was. It was undeniable that my cousin was one of the hottest guys in Los Angeles, and I knew that a lot of women chased after him. Anthony never paid attention to any of them, which left me wondering why someone like him, at his age, hadn't been in a relationship yet.
• “What do you think you're doing here?" He asked still quite furious. He was quite tall, and very strong. When he got mad, like now, I felt like he was going to swallow me up. "Do you want to be killed or something?"
• As if his physical size and his bad face weren't enough, I still had a crush, or rather an avalanche, for him. His blue eyes were piercing, his strong-featured face and beard gave Anthony an unusual good looks, if he wasn't a very busy businessman, he would have a career in fashion.
• That's why whenever he got into a fight with me, or just watched me do something, my heart was pounding in my chest like a car engine, my palms were sweating, and it was hard to think of anything.
• "Believe me, I thought the same thing, but it seems it's quite difficult to get a taxi here, and I wouldn't wait around for a miracle to happen." I justified myself.
• "I wouldn't have needed a taxi if you hadn't come." He spoke getting closer and making me really scared.
• Sometimes it felt like Anthony was a big brother who was always looking out for me or scolding me. The problem was that my body didn't see it that way and that was worrying.
• "Are you upset because I came?" I asked almost whispering. "What are you doing here?" I questioned him as soon as I realized the coincidence.
• My cousin was the most closed man I knew, he never went out to clubs or parties, which weren't necessary, of course. He hated being in the presence of strangers, as did I, and this coincidence put me in doubt.
• “Let's get out of this place." He said, ignoring my questions.
• He took my arm and practically carried me closer to his car, which I didn't see when we entered the club.
• "Anthony, let go of me, I can walk without you having to carry me." She said getting irritated.
• “I'm not one to play games, Ellen, so you better obey me." She spoke rudely.
• She was finding it strange the way he was acting, because my cousin was a kind and caring person to me. He was the person who supported and protected me, but now he was acting crazy just because I came to a club.
• His convertible car wasn't too far from where he was, and I was surprised I didn't notice him when I got out. Anthony really was out of his mind, and that worried me.
• He opened the car door and waited for me to get in to close it. He had no idea why he was so angry. Despite having taken a certain risk by coming to this place, it was nothing so serious. Or at least nothing had happened yet. As soon as he got in and started the car, my cousin kept his pissed off expression and didn't say anything else.
• We drove in complete silence and I knew I'd still hear a few things when I got home.
• It reminded me of my father. If he were alive, he would also scold me for taking a chance on a dark and weird street, but he would be happy that I finally got out of the house.
• In the family mansion, only Becca and I lived. She was the typical annoying sister who teased about everything. It was obvious that she would talk for hours due to what happened, but not because she cared, but because she loved finding a reason to piss me off.
• I was never one to do such a thing, nobody ever had to tell me off and now I felt like a kid. Once he parked in front of the mansion door, he stayed for a few seconds before opening the door and getting out.
• Anthony came around and opened my door and I didn't move a muscle for fear of going out and having to listen over and over. Before putting my foot out, I looked at him, who refused to look at me.
• Now I could see his face exactly. He was angry and yet he was beautiful. I wanted to beat myself up for admiring the beauty of the man who was much older and who is my cousin. Although there are no blood barriers.
• "I didn't want this to happen, but I wasn't comfortable in the club to be alone and I decided to go home." I said trying to change the atmosphere of tension.
• I got out of the car, still worried about stepping on a minefield. This situation was new, so I didn't know how to act.
• His blue eyes were gray from the lighting. After he grew a beard, his face became even more serious and somber, which left me with a mixture of fear and desire. Sometimes when he looked at me, I felt like I was going to melt in front of him. Even without any experience, I knew when a man wanted a woman, and I often thought I saw it in his eyes.
• It was as if Anthony had a dark, unknown soul. Despite having grown up with him by my side, I had the impression that I didn't know him, I didn't know what was going on in his head and that he wanted to swallow me alive.
• Anthony was our only cousin. His parents had already died. He was always protective, and after what happened with my father, he took matters into his own hands. Becca already had her way in life, but I was the youngest, I had just turned eighteen and started college.
• "Promise me you'll never put yourself in danger like that again." He demanded still looking at me with superiority. "I won't always be there to protect her." He spoke touching my face affectionately, even if his look showed something else. His touch was like embers on my skin, triggering an unusual desire in my body. "You don't know how much I want this, but I'm a busy person and I can't be everywhere."
• The question I asked earlier was still in my head, but his look and touch made me forget everything, and I felt that any minute my legs would betray me, denouncing what was going on in my head.
• Pull yourself together, Ellen, he's her cousin, they would never look at her that way.
• "Don't worry." I said touching his hand that was still torturing me. "I don't plan on going to places like that, they're not my style."
• "Excellent." She spoke as she walked away, breaking her spell. "Come in, it's late."
• He had his back to me, looking like he didn't want to look into my eyes anymore. He could see the tension in her broad back. I didn't know what I had done to make him uncomfortable.
• I have lived with Anthony since I was very young and every year he becomes a mysterious and dark person for me. Sometimes being sensitive and loving, giving me comfort and peace, and other times being bossy and treating me like crystal. I hated seeing him being the older guy who took care of me, because this guy I didn't know, he turned into a stranger.
• Even though he's thirty-four, I've never seen him with a woman or anyone else. He knew that since his parents died, the man had become more reserved and focused on work.