THE WARNING CHAPTER 36 - THE WARNING +25 BONUS MAYA I was glad the stupid get - together was finally over and the only th any stress again . that was on my mind was taking a nap . I didn't want I entered my room and prepared to lay on the bed until my phone started vibrating . I was charging my phone and it laid on the bed stand post since I was charging . I checked the caller id , surprised to see that it was Larry . And not only has he called but he's been calling me for over an hour . Almost ten missed calls . What could be so important ? My phone stopped ringing and I decided to ignore him . Until my phone rang again . I stood there with a shocked expression on my face and decided to pick the call . It's best to get this over with . " What do you want ? " I asked , going straight to the point . He chuckled softly . " Aren't you so Cocky ? It's not like I'd expect you to be any different since you're winning this . " " What the heck are you talking about ? " I asked , trying not to sound pissed . Even though I was feeling anger submerge through me . " Aren't you taking this thing a bit far ? You want revenge , right ? Is that the case ? " I noticed that he growled his words . He sounded broken , not the usual confident Larry that I knew . This was so different . " A - Are you drunk ? " " Why don't you answer the question ? " He replied . " Please , Maya . Let's settle this amicably . I believe there's a way we can talk this out instead . " I realized there and then that he's drunk . There's no way Larry works sound so vulnerable even going as far as begging me . He's drunk and saying things he'd probably regret once he's sober . I sighed . " Why don't you take a nap first ? When you're all better , then you can repeat this and maybe I'll listen to you . " He scoffed . " I'm not drunk . I know what I'm saying , Maya . I do . " I didn't want to prolong this matter any further . There was no use talking to him , he wasn't himself and he could barely comprehend anything I was saying . ト He said , " You finally got what you wanted , Maya . Are you happy now ? " I froze I couldn't believe what was coming out of his mouth , and to think that he sounded so broken . He sounded like he's in so much pain . " We can solve this , Maya . I know we still care about each other . You can't possibly forget about everything we've shared in the past ? " I was shocked by his audacity ti being this up when he's the one who fucked everything . " Larry , you should- " Before I could finish my sentence , my bedroom door suddenly opened . I turned fast and saw Marvin standing there , his eyes 1/3 THE WARNING +25 BONUS narrowing when he noticed I was on the phone . " Who's that ? " he asked in a low voice . I froze , not knowing what to say . But before I could answer , Marvin walked over quickly , his long strides making me step back . He grabbed the phone straight from my hand without warning . " Hey !" I protested , but he ignored me . He put the phone to his ear . " Who is this ? " His tone was sharp , cold . There was silence for a moment , then Larry's voice came through , low and rough . " It's me . " Marvin's jaw tightened . " Larry . " Larry let out a short , bitter laugh . " Ah ... the great Marvin . I should have known you'd be listening in . " " I'm only going to say this once , " Marvin said slowly , his voice deep . " Stay away from Maya . Don't call her , don't text her , don't even breathe in her direction . If you do ... things will get worse for you . " There was another pause , then Larry laughed again , but this time it sounded darker , colder . " Worse ? You think I'm scared of you ? Marvin ... this isn't over . Not by a long shot . " Then , before Marvin could say anything else , the line went dead . Marvin slowly lowered the phone from his ear , staring at it for a moment like he wanted to crush it in his hand . I swallowed hard . " What ... what did he say ? " Marvin looked at me , his expression unreadable . " Nothing worth repeating . " I didn't believe him , but I didn't push . My stomach felt tight . Larry's voice ... the way he sounded ... it didn't feel like an empty threat . It felt like he meant it . | Marvin walked over and placed my phone back on the nightstand , almost too calmly . Then he turned to me . " Maya , listen to me . I don't want you talking to him . At all . If he calls again , you block him . If he tries to come near you , you tell me . Understand ? " I nodded slowly , even though my mind was still spinning . " I didn't know he'd call ... I wasn't planning to- " " I know , " Marvin cut me off gently , but his eyes stayed hard . " But Larry is desperate right now . And desperate men are dangerous . " I bit my lip , my hands fidgeting at my sides . " Do you think he'll try something ? " Marvin's gaze softened for a second , like he didn't want me to worry . " Don't think about that . I'll make sure he doesn't get anywhere near you . I promise . " But his words didn't calm me . If anything , they made my chest feel heavier . Promises were just words . Larry wasn't the type to give up easily . Marvin walked closer , placing his hands on my shoulders . " Look at me , " he said firmly . I looked up at him . " As long as I'm here , no one will ever hurt you again . I mean that , Maya . You're safe with me . " I nodded again , but deep down , my stomach twisted . I didn't feel safe . I felt like a storm was coming , and no matter how much Marvin tried to shield me , some of that storm was going to hit me too . Marvin gave me a small smile before pulling me into a hug . His arms were strong , steady . But while my face was pressed against his chest , all I could think about was Larry's voice , that bitter laugh , and the way he said , " This isn't over . " 2/3 THE WARNING The words kept replaying in my head , over and over , like a warning I couldn't ignore . +25 BONUS 3/3