Chapter 6: Jealousy
I arrived at Richard's place and sighed, dragging my bags in.
"So, I'll take the couch out here and you can take the bedroom up there. The sheets are all clean and there are locks on the doors and windows even though we're pretty high up."
"Richard, you're very sweet and I can't thank you enough for helping me out." I paused not sure how to put my words.
"But...?" He said.
"But nothing." I smiled at him. "I really like you."
"I like you too." He smiled at me. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'll be here for you."
"Thanks. Good night and sweet dreams!" I gave him a small wave before I went upstairs and found myself in a beautiful bedroom. I closed the door and changed into my pajamas. Slipping into bed after I'd brushed my teeth, I fell asleep. Sometime later, I heard a soft knock on the door. I looked at my alarm clock and it was four am. Puzzled, I opened it and Alexis was staring at me with red eyes. "Alexis! Are you alright?"
"Oh, sorry Serena. I thought my dad was here. I won't bother you." She sniffled.
"Wait a minute, calm down. You're not bothering me at all." I led her in. "Maybe I can help you out?" I said as kindly as I could.
"Well... I had a bad dream. It was about you and Dad... I don't remember much but it seemed like someone was after you two... I don't know... It was just so scary because I couldn't do anything to help you and when I did finally get there you two were already... I'm sorry, I shouldn't burden you with this." She bit her lip. Instinctively I put my hand on her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug.
"No matter what happens, you'll never be a burden to me. And I promise you that your dad and I aren't gonna die by some crazy psycho." I could tell my words comforted her. "Do you think you can get back to sleep?" I asked her. She nodded, wiping her cheeks. "Good. Then let's get you back to bed." I walked her back to her room. Once I made sure she was tucked in, I started to go back to my room when I noticed Richard passed out on the couch. His blanket was on the floor and he looked cold. Smiling a bit, I went downstairs and put his blanket back on top of him. This is how we lived for a few months. Then one day, I answered the door and I saw Kevin standing there.
"Hey, Serena... Um, I know I'm not supposed to be here, but I had to come." He said. I raised an eyebrow and let him in.
"Rick isn't up yet." I said, getting a mug out for coffee. I set it on the counter.
"I'm not here for Castle. I'm here for you." Kevin took my arm and twirled me around. He planted a passionate kiss on my lips. Roughly, I pushed him away.
"Kevin, what's gotten into you? You KNOW Rick and I are dating!" I said, my voice louder than I meant it to be. Kevin looked quite different than he had the other day.
"You shouldn't be dating a playboy like him! He'll only end up hurting you and I can't stand that thought... Serena, as crazy as it sounds, I still love you and I won't let anyone else take you from me!" Kevin declared, a fiery passion in his eyes that I'd never seen before.
"What's going on down here?" Richard asked, followed by a yawning Alexis and Martha.
"I was saying to your girlfriend that she deserves better than you and you know it!" Kevin shouted.
"Ryan, are you drunk?" Richard asked, taken aback.
"Yes, but I mean everything I'm saying. I love Serena Carter with all of my heart! Do you?" Kevin asked as Javier burst into the apartment. I gasped.
"There you are, Ryan. Man, I turn around to lock the car and you're already flying up the stairs? What the hell, dude?" Javier sighed and dragged him away. The door closed and I stood shell-shocked at what had just happened. Richard sighed.
"You know... This has happened too many times for me to ignore it." He said. I looked at him in surprise.
"Richard, what do you mean?" Martha asked.
"Ryan's been badgering me at work about whether or not Serena and I are going to settle down and get serious. I told him that I didn't know. The last time I did, he yelled at me saying I was a lousy boyfriend and then he left." Richard shrugged. I sighed.
"He's always been the jealous type… But really, Rick… Are you serious about me? I mean, do you see us living together like this?" I asked.
"I… I don't know." He sighed. I looked into his eyes.
"You're not in love with me, are you?" I said. He looked at me and I thought that was the first time he'd ever truly seen me. He shook his head. Strangely enough, that didn't bother me. "So, this is where we end our relationship…" I bit my lip.
"I'm so sorry, Serena… I never meant to hurt you…" Richard held his head in his hands.
"I'm not upset. Really! Actually, I'm rather relieved to hear you say that… I guess I thought I was in love with you, but then again… when I saw Kevin just now… I don't know… The way he looked at me…" My voice trailed off.
"Then go to him. Explain what happened and how you feel about him… Well… maybe wait until he's sobered up…" Richard said. "You're still welcome to stay here, if you want. I won't make you stay."