CHAPTER 2: Where Is Styles Potter - 1

IVANNA POV

Ivanna!

A ray of light shines through the blinds.

I curse, covering myself with my pillow as best I can, ready to go back to sleep.

The anger is still running through me, I can feel it even though I'm half groggy from lack of sleep.

I've barely been able to sleep, Sandy and Alicia were a fucking mess when they suggested we have one of their famous "girls' nights."

To top it off, I have to get up right away if I want to get to work on time for once in my life.

Fred is tolerant but if he keeps this up I doubt he'll be able to make it through the rest of the year without kicking me in the ass.

In my defense, I hate getting up early, so I always try to get the night shifts when the bar is packed and I usually manage to get some nice tips.

I need it if I want to pay my bills.

This time, however, I have no choice.

Kim is sick and I'm the only one with free spots on the rosters to cover for her.

We're at full capacity.

That's what happens in the Washington summers, people go out to have fun and spend the whole night out partying.

How I envy them...

If I had worked yesterday, I would probably be arriving home at this time.

Luckily, it was my day off and I took advantage of it to go out and have fun with my friends but today, reality returns to its course and it's time to work.

The price you have to pay for being independent.

It's six thirty...ten more minutes and I swear I'll be moving my ass out of bed.

However, a loud knock on the door of my small shared apartment snaps me out of my stupor and puts me on alert.

I nearly fall over in haste to open the door after putting on the first thing I find lying on the floor which turns out to be a worn-out house top and a short summer skirt.

The stifling August heat is to blame.

I've just woken up and I'm already sweaty.

I must urgently take a shower and...

I curse the bitch!

What is my little brother, the compulsive gambler doing knocking on my door as if Lucifer himself were chasing him at six thirty in the morning on a damn Wednesday?

I'll kill him if he gets into another mess, I swear I won't help him this time...

Ivanna!

Open the door, please!

I need help, they're going to cut my balls off if they catch me! — he screams like a lunatic, so I have no choice but to open the door and drag him inside by his shirt.

As soon as we are safely out of sight of prying eyes, I confront him.

When will he get it through his head that I hate him calling me that, like when we were kids?

What have you been taking, styles?

Do you know what time it is? I snapped, glaring at him.

Thank goodness, Sandy my roommate and best friend since I was fifteen, isn't here or she would kill us for waking her up.

Only then do I notice my brother's disastrous appearance.

He looks like he hasn't slept in days, his pale, terrified face screaming at me that he's in something big before he runs to hug me and takes refuge in my lap.

I was stunned.

You have to help me, they're going to kill me if they find me — he stammers, scared like I've never heard him before.

Okay, I'm starting to get very worried.

Hey, calm down.

What happened?

Who's going to kill you? — I ask him, needing answers to understand what the hell he has gotten himself into now.

He pulls away from me and manages to calm down enough to explain to me what this is about.

Ivan, I've messed with someone I shouldn't have, okay? You shouldn't know anymore.

He pulls at his hair in frustration and inhales deeply, his mind racing.

I stop him by grabbing his shoulders to stop his hyperactivity.

He's making me nervous and I'm of no help here.

To top it all, I had not showered.

I was half-naked and I was about to be late for work and get kicked out and on top of that, I was really pissed off because they woke me up.

If I thought that was the worst, I'm amazed at what comes out of his mouth next.

Just let me stay with you for a while until the waters calm down.

I won't bother you, I swear — he begs.

My first impulse is to refuse or ask if he's joking but the bleak expression on his face makes me think twice.

I'm not so heartless as to leave him hanging like that, especially if someone dangerous is looking for him to settle the score.

I want to ask him a thousand questions but I'm practical enough to recognize that, lnow is not the best time.

I snort, before nodding, defeated.

Okay, let me talk to Sandy and if she doesn't mind, you can stay... — his face lights up and I relax completely.

The bastard knows that these gestures are my weakness but I can't guarantee anything.

As long as you can make yourself comfortable...

He thanks me a lot and settles down on the sofa.

I make him some tea but he's still very upset and that worries me.

How serious is this? That's what I need to find out.

I am relieved to see that there is at least no sign of bruises on his face.

It would not be the first time he has been given a beating as a warning.

Make yourself comfortable for a while, I have to get ready for work — I tell him, which causes a glimpse of fear in his almond-shaped eyes.

But he quickly hides it and nods, murmuring a weak thank you and a smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

I pity him... he always wanted to be different from our father and he has ended up becoming a replica of him.

I remind myself that it's not like him, Styles has been there for me when I needed him.

At least when he was in his right mind, of course but he's my family, I can't just leave him

I head to the bathroom, racking my brain to find a solution to his problem and I concluded that if he doesn't tell me anything, there's no way I can help him.

I need to know what he's involved in and who he's with, I just hope they're not gangsters because I don't have a dollar to leave the country.

God, what you have to do for your brother... only to be called a selfish bitch.

It should be noted that the person who said this to me was the least likely person to act like a saint.

My ex-friend, Mila Ferrer.

Fuck her.

I'm about to take off my clothes when I realize I've left my cell phone in the living room.