Forget Me Not,For Exs Still Love: CryxReader_Ch.23

Rated: T (for teens due to strong language)

Read of your own free will...

You have been warned...

Pairing: CryxReader

_____________________________________________

I stared back at him, dumbfounded for a second. 
"Can I help you?" I asked in an annoyed tone, sending him hints.
"What is a bellissimo uccellino, like yourself, doing sitting alone in a city of romance?" 
"I'm not." I quickly answered, "My friends are running a little late."
"Really?" he said, unconvinced.
I gave him a defensive glare, "Yes." 
"Hm." he took a sip from his glass. 
"You know what," I said, grabbing my cellphone and notebook, "I can wait for my friends elsewhere."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait." he said reaching out, "Stay. I'm sorry if I had offended you. I just saw you sitting here... alone and just thought..." He gave me an apologetic smile.
His hazel eyes pleaded with his expression. But I wasn't deterred. This was a stranger, in a foreign country, that had been watching me from afar for the passed who-knows-how-many minutes, a huge red flag to stay away from said person.
My eyes narrowed at him, "No."
I turned and began walking away.

I suddenly heard the screeching sound of a metallic chair backing up followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. 
"Why not?" he asked running in front of me. 
His very existence was starting to annoy me. I growled under my breath. 
"Because one, you seem very annoying. Two, your Italian accent sucks. You literally make Super Mario Brothers look less stereotypical. And three, my mother taught me to not talk to strangers."
"Well that ship has pretty much sailed, darling." he said.
I rolled my eyes and walked around him. 
"I'm surprised you caught that." he answered, making me stop, "Most girls usually eat that bit up." 

I shook my head and continued walking. The last thing I wanted was to be kidnapped by some foreign psycho. It's not like my brothers would Liam-Nesson me back to safety. I could picture my brothers just shrugging it off with an "Eh" and hang up the phone. Ugh.
"Come on." he whined.
I ignored him and walked in any direction just to get away from him. 
"You're the first chick I've met out here to see through my act."
Act? It was an act? And that's when I thought about running.
"At least let me buy you a drink." he offered. 
"No, thank you." 
"And what's wrong with having a drink?" he asked, following closely behind.
"Would you like to answer that question alphabetically or chronologically?" I asked, turning to look at him, now walking backwards. "Look you're a weird guy that I just met. I have absolutely no interest in-"
He suddenly sprinted for me, grabbing onto my arm as I began to fall back. My mind took time to react to what just happened. I turned to look in back of me to see no more of the stone side walk. A second passed and I was immediately pulled onto the stranger. 
"Watch your step." he joked. 
I quickly pushed him away with a mumbled thanks. 
"See, I'm not a bad guy." he said. 
"You're following me." I pointed out, "You're practically a stalker." 
He put up his hands, "Okay. I can see I approached you a little wrong but-"
"Approached." I scoffed. 
"Look, I'm just here visiting my grandparents-"
I half laughed, "And what makes you think I would believe anything you say." 
Oh my God, I'm talking to my stalker.

A girl suddenly ran up behind him, "Is everything okay here?" 
He immediately grew frantic, "See? This is my sister."
He grabbed her wrist and made her hand wave toward me with a small voice saying hi. 
"She's a brat." he said and kissed her on the cheek. 
I lifted my eyebrow. She looked at me and rolled her eyes.
"Yes." she groaned, "He's my brother, okay." She turned to him, "Come on let's go already." She looked at me and grabbed onto his arm, "I'm sorry about my idiot brother bothering you." she said and began pulling him away, "Come on. Mom and Dad are waiting."
He pulled out of her grasp and turned to me with his hands up. 
"I just want to talk."
And it continues...
"No drinks. Just walking. I'll keep my hands in my pockets at all times. Swear to God. If I don't, you can dunk me in the Canal." 
I sighed at this. His persistence was something else all on its own. 
"Technically, I did just save your life." he pushed.
I shook my head, annoyed, "Fine."
"Really?" he and his sister said simultaneously. 
"The last thing I want is to be followed to my hotel by some weirdo so..." I shook my head once more. 
"Annoying a girl to say yes." his sister tsked, "How low can you go, brother?" 
He nudged her, "I'll catch up with you guys later."
"You sure you don't want me to come along." she asked me. 
"I don't mind." I shrugged. 
Her brother sent her an annoyed glance.
She raised her hands up in defense, "Fine" She said, walking away, "I need to look after Mom anyway. If she drinks any more whine, kid's are gonna be scarred for life." 
A chill suddenly went down my spine. She laughed and waved as she entered the square, approaching a middle aged couple. 
"And those would be our parents." he said,following my gaze.

I sent him a glare of distrust. 
He lifted his hands in defense. 
"Hands in pockets, sir." I ordered.
He immediately stuffed them into his pebble colored pants' pockets. His hazel eyes then flashed me a puppy-eyed glance. I scoffed his way and began walking. 
"And where are we headed?" he asked.
"To the Grand Canal." I answered. 
He nodded, "In that case, you're going the wrong way." 
I sent him a look from the corner of my eye. 
He shrugged, "I've been coming here for years visiting family." 
He stopped and nodded in the opposite direction. I walked with him, silent. 
After a minute of silence, he cleared his throat, "I thought the whole reason of walking together was to talk."

My hands balled into fists then relaxed, "So, where are you from?" 
"I'm originally from Pennsylvania, but spent my college years in Britain at UOL." 
"When did you graduate?"
"Two years ago." 
"What was you major?"
"Biology..." he answered, "I'm sorry, but when did this become an interview?" He looked around, "Is there a job I was going up for today?" He eyed his appearance, "I'm a bit under-dressed."
A smile peeked at the corner of my mouth. 
"And finally, we get a smile." he cheered.
I shook my head with a half chuckle.

"So you're here on a class trip."
I sent him a defensive glare.
He cleared his throat, "Your pen." He pointed toward my notebook.
My pen from the university hung onto its metal coils. 
"Hands in pockets, sir." I ordered, eyeing him.
He immediately did so. 
"By the way, I never got your name."
"Likewise." I said, looking onward as we walked passed crowds of people. 
"It's (stranger's name)."
I could tell he was waiting for me to answer. 
"_________" I said reluctantly.
"___-___" he repeated. 
"So, _____, how about after this, I take you out-"
"Taken." I didn't let him finish. 
"Ah." he was silent, "That explains my failed advances." 
"Is that what you call it?" I asked, "In my country, we call it stalking." 
He smiled at my remark, "Yes... You're the first complaint I've gotten."
"Surprising. Are you sure it wasn't out of pity?" I asked. 
"Ouch." he answered, pretending to be in pain. 

"But... if it makes you feel better, it's only tourists that fall for it." 
I shook my head, "No."
"No?" he chuckled. 
"And what happened to these enchanted mistresses?" I asked.
"Enchanted mistresses... I like that." he smirked, "They turned out as one night stands and 3 day maximum relationships."
"Ah." I answered, "And where do I fit into all this?"
He almost tripped, "Well... you know."
I lifted one eyebrow. 
"Oh come on." he stumbled, "Everyone does it."
I shook my head.
"No?"
"No." I answered.

Awkward silence filled almost two blocks between us. 
"Eh-uh." he stuttered, "Enough about me, let's talk about you."
"Nothing to talk about." I answered. 
"Look, the whole reason I approached you was because you looked so lonely."
I stopped. 
"And I'm wiling to bet it has something to do with you being taken, hm?"
"That's none of your business." I said.
I sighed in frustration. 
"Look, guy trouble, I've been there myself."
I looked at him, clenching onto my notebook. 
"Oh come on."
I leaned on one leg, stubborn. 
"Okay." he whispered and started walking once more. 
I thought about it. 
I'm not confiding in a stranger. However... he is a guy...
I caught up with him. 
Think of it as... research.

I looked at him from the corner of my eye, silent as I thought of the right words to say. 
"Let's talk scenario." I said.
"Hm." he answered. 
"Let's say there's this person who is with this guy and is kind of confused when the person hears a girl on the phone with the guy." I started, "And the guy, tells the person that it's just... an old... friend."
I looked at his reaction. 
He nodded, "So this person is a bit curious if he is telling the truth or not." He shrugged.
"And the guy has some major issues with his ex." I added, "As in... manipulative bitch from hell." 
He nodded, "Wow. Guy's got issues." 
"Mhm." I answered. 
"Well, there are many answers. But I believe the best one is for this person to state his/her fears to him. I know it sounds corny but communication does help. If this person keeps quiet, the guy will continue to be oblivious. Trust me, I've been there." he sighed, "One second, it's going smooth, then the rocky slopes form and... presto, problems that are too complicated to fix arise and... it's downhill from there."
My eyes drooped at this.
"But... if communication was added to the equation, it probably wouldn't have ended that way."

I looked over to see three gondolas ready to board for the tour. If I get off on the right stop, the hotel would only be a few streets away.
"Well," I turned to him, "this is it. A deal's a deal."
"Hang on a sec." he said, "Look, I've kind of blew it today. But... tomorrow's a new day and..."
I sighed, "Look I already told you-"
"Let me be your tour guide tomorrow." he begged, "I mean, it's the least I could do after this... whole ordeal." 
I gave him a questionable look.
"Just meet me back in the square tomorrow, same time." 
I shook my head, "(stranger's name)-"
"If you don't meet me, I'll take the hint. Promise. No approaching or following..."
I nodded, "Well, I do have a 10 page essay to write." I crossed my arms, "And you promise no stalking, annoying..."
"Yes, yes, yes." he agreed, "You can even put a leash on me if you want."
"Too far." I answered. 
He laughed, "I was being serious."
"I'll think about it."
He shook my hand, "Great! Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow."
"You have got to be the most weird person I have ever met." I said.
"I'll take that as a compliment." he walked off with a small wave.

I boarded the gondola and took the boat tour. At my stop, I got off my stop and walked a few streets down to the Hilton Molino Hotel and went up to my room. Surprisingly, my roommate was nowhere to be seen. I took time to unpack, ignoring the fact that my roommate took over most of the drawer and closet space. I then collapsed on the bed, taking out my cellphone.

Four missed calls?
I pressed the caller ID and called the number back.
"Hey." he answered.
"Hi..." I shyly answered, "Sorry, I must've put my phone on silent."
"Yeah..." he said, "Any cool sights?"
I chuckled, "Didn't really have the time to enjoy it." 
"What do you mean?"
I rolled my eyes, "It's a long story. I'll give you the summary. I now have a stalker that then turned into my savior and now wants to be my tour guide."
"A stalker?" he sounded a bit surprised. "______, I hope you're being careful out there." 
I turned over on my bed, eyebrow raised, "And what if I'm not?"
"That's no laughing matter, ______." he sounded serious.
I sighed, "Don't worry. I am." I joked, "I guess I have no choice. It's not like Liam Nesson's gonna save me."
He scoffed. I could tell he was rolling his eyes, "That's not funny, ______. Just... be careful out there."
"I do not know who are. But I do not a specific set of skills to save my girlfriend. So I won't find you, but I will kill you somehow." I joked in deep voice.
"I'm serious, ______."
"I know, I know. I am too."

"So..." I finally asked, "Is there something you wanted to tell me?" 
He was silent for second, "No. It was nothing. I guess I... got a little worried for no reason."
I frowned.
Why?
"Ryan..." I said, "If... something's wrong-"
"No, nothing like that. Just... nothing."
"No problems I should know about...?" I hinted, "No surprises..."
"Everything's fine over here."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah... Couldn't be better."
For some reason that remark hurt.

"What about you?" he asked, "Is everything okay over there?"
My mind immediately remembered (stranger's name)'s advice. I froze, nearly unable to answer.
"I-" my throat seemed to stop the words from flowing out.
Tell him, my thoughts roared, You need to tell him what's been happening, why you've been acting the way you have. Get your words out there already!
I sighed in defeat, "No. Everything's fine so far. The stalker trouble has, hopefully, been dealt with."
You_ are_ officially_ a coward.
"I see..." he answered. 
"Look, uh... I'm kind of exhausted so... I'm gonna go." I finally said. 
"Okay. I'll... talk to you later, then."
"Yeah." I answered.
"Goodbye, Ryan." 
"Goodnight." he answered, "Love you."
I answered back when my phone beeped and the screen went black.
It had died. Were my words heard?
I smothered my face into a pillow with a muffled groan.

Why does everything have to be so complicated?