CHAPTER 10

Martinez was going to tell Philip today. I wanted the truth out. Honestly, I did.

I had suggested telling Philip in the first place. Still, seeing him taking care of his walker daughter changed things.

He wasn't the calm and in control leader I thought he was. Instead, he was a man out of touch with reality. He couldn't deal with rejection and I was afraid of how he react if he found out. What would he do to me? What would happen to Martinez?

I make myself get out of bed and get dress.

When I walk into the living room, I see Philip sitting at the table drinking coffee.

"Good morning, Andrea,"he smiles at me from across the room. I slowly walk over to him, nervously.

"Morning. Martinez hasn't stopped by today, has he?" I asked taking a seat beside him.

"No. Did he have something to tell me?" Philip gazes at me skeptically.

"I just know he normally comes by in the mornings to go over your schedule. I was curious that's all," I said getting up to pour some coffee.

"You two have gotten close. Haven't you?"

"Yes," I admitted.

"I remember not to long ago, the two of you were fighting all the time. You said he was an asshole. Now we keep finding you two together. Care to explain that to me?"

"I misjudged him," I said simply.

His eyes are shinning at me, and I can't read his emotions. Is he angry, sad, turned on, or something else completely? It's hard to say at this point. I can't read him.

"Your newfound friendship hasn't crossed any lines? Has it?"

This is my chance to tell the truth, I thought. Just be honest with Philip. Maybe, he could handle the truth. I take his hand, and look into those soft blue eyes of his.

"Anything you need to admit? Did something happen between you two? I can't shake this feeling you are hiding something," He asks again.

"No. Nothing has happen between Martinez and I," I said squeezing his hand.

"Good," he says, sighing with relief.

"I should go help Milton with his research. I promised I would," I said after a few moments of silence.

"Don't be gone long. Or go anywhere else. I need to know you are safe," he says kissing my cheek.

"I can fend for myself. I did for eight months out there. You don't need to treat me like a child. Because I am not," I said hoping give me a pass for the day.

I needed more time to talk to Martinez than the hour I was normally with Milton.

"You are the most important person in my life. Ofcourse I am going to protect you. Go help Milton and then come right back," he says forcefully.

"Okay," I said walking out of the apartment. As soon as I walked outside I saw him.

Martinez with his beautiful dark eyes staring at me.

CHAPTER 11

"I am going to tell him. Right now," Martinez said softly taking my hands.

"You can't. I am sorry. Things aren't what they seem. And this has nothing to do with you. If anyone should tell, then it has to be me. He trusts me," I breathe.

"You never wanted to tell him did you?"

"I was going to tell him. This morning, but I couldn't. I just don't know if he can deal with this. He is coming unhinged. You have to believe me," I pleaded.

I know he is mad at me, and I don't blame him. But he doesn't know what I know. He didn't see her. If I could only explain what I saw.

Would he even believe me?

"Please, don't be made at me," I said taking his hand.

"Just fuck off, ok? I shouldn't have opened myself up to you. I knew it would end up this way," he replies letting go of my hand. I can hear angry and frustration in his voice.

"God, you know what Philip has done for me. He took me in and was my family when I had no one. He gave me a shoulder to cry on when Michonne left me. He listened to me talk about Amy. And this is going to kill him. He says that he loves me. I don't want to hurt him," I said tears springing to my eyes.

Philip couldn't deal with reality and I felt like I couldn't leave him. What would he do to me if I did? What would happen to Martinez?

"I don't want to hurt the Governor either. He is my best friend. Saved my asses several times. But what is going with us, isn't something you find everyday. It's too rare to lose. I really feel I can make him understand," he whispers, his voice low.

I place my hand on his face,feeling the roughness of his facial hair.

"You can't make him understand," I said as looking into those brown eyes again.

"We should talk about this more. Come with me. Let's go to my apartment," he says licking his lips.

"But what if someone sees us together?"

"Then they will see us. I don't care," he says taking my hand.

In that moment, I couldn't think about anyone else. There was only Martinez and me. Nothing else mattered.