"I met him during law school," I start, trying to find the right words to actually formulate a good enough sentence. "He was sort of my first ever serious relationship. So I wanted to be good at it. Like it was just some kind of game or sport I wanted to play and become varsity in. I wanted to be good and my thoughts were so stupid." 

"For me, to be good was to make it seem like I am such a chill and cool girlfriend. So in the end it lead to him taking me for granted and me being manipulated to the point that I didn't even know which was right or wrong."

I paused, trying to hold back the tears that usually came when I narrated this part of my life. Lee was silent most of the duration of my story telling but I knew he was listening and it made me reach the point of comfort wherein the words spilled out of me like it was tired of being held back. Like my heart had finally gotten tired of carrying so much baggage that was never supposed to be mine in the first place. 

My last relationship had been horrible. Which was why I had found solace in the movies by Peter Jackson. Why my passion for writing ignited and when I was asked why I wanted to become a lawyer if my real passion was for writing I'd say it was for everyone like me, who were manipulated into silence and guilt for something as innocent as being in love with someone who turned into someone who was not good for them. 

I have not even realized I was crying until I felt Lee's warmth wrapping itself around me and I exhaled, feeling like I have been drowning for a while now and I could finally let go of that last breath. It was time my heart felt like it could come home to me now, because I was already in a safe place. A safe enough place. 

"I'm sorry it had to happen to you," his voice muffled by my hair and silent sobbing sounded like music to me. "I'm sorry it has to happen to a lot of people. I'm glad your passion for writing didn't die in your fight to protect people who have gone through what you have gone through. Abusive relationships are so common it's sad." 

"The worst night was a few weeks after our anniversary," my voice shake as I try to conjure up the memory. I wanted to let it out, hoping it would be the last time. "Paige had found me unconscious. It was...the last straw, for her. So we moved in together and I sort of just blocked my ex from everything. Paige even ordered a court order wherein he could not come within 30 meters of me." 

I laugh despite the tears and Lee hugs me tighter. I lean into his embrace, wishing I had met him sooner but if I had, would I have been given this same chance? I didn't think so. Everything happened for a reason, and I would be okay if this was mine. 

--

It was time to finally leave the mansion and I felt a little defeated. It was nice to be there. I felt invincible and far away from everything that ever scared me. I am aware of my hands and the hands that clasped it. My eyes turn to Lee and I felt the same fear and excitement I have always felt when I was preparing myself for the movies. It was still hard to believe it was his hands that clasped mine now. It feels like a dream. 

When we arrive at the apartment, Lee takes us upstairs and Paige immediately gets ready for a shoot she had postponed because of our mini vacation, leaving me and Lee outside the apartment. He smiles, running a thumb across my cheek and I feel my skin burn underneath his touch, but it was a good kind of burn. The one that sent the butterflies in my stomach into overdrive. 

When we finally say goodbye, I have a permanent smile on my face as I close the door behind me. Paige is putting her heels on as I plop myself on the sofa. 

"I won't be long," she struggles as she runs around looking for her bag. "I hope. Will you be okay here alone for a while?" 

I nod, watching her rummaging through our bag rack. 

"It's on the table, love," I tell her and she sighs and bows to me before grabbing her black purse from the table and running towards me. 

"They are going to kill me," she says, placing a soft kiss on my head before her heels tap their way out of apartment. "Call me if you need anything. Order anything you like for dinner, and add a meal for me I might be hungry or hungover when I get back." 

She doesn't wait for my response as the door closes behind her hurried walking and I am left alone in the apartment. I stretch, thinking about what to order for dinner and make my way towards the window. I could see the bust street below, people passing by. I stretch and decide to order pizza and walk back to the sofa to look for my phone. 

I find it in my bag with a message from Lee saying he would be busy tonight and might not get to reply but to just text him with anything random anyway. So I send him a monkey emoji before walking towards our fridge where me and Paige stick the numbers of the pizza places we order from. 

When I finish ordering I decide to open my laptop and check for updates from my agent. There was none, but there was a message from an unknown sender. It was probably a virus, I immediately delete it when my phone dings. It was probably Paige. She must have forgotten something. I check my phone but it was from an unknown number. I frown, opening the text but it was blank. Then my phone rings, it was the same unknown number. 

I stare at it, doubting if I should answer but answer it nonetheless on the 8th ring. 

"Hello?"

There was nothing on the other end before it clicks and the call ended. Something inside me was screaming danger but I try to ignore it. It was probably a wrong number. Nothing to worry about. Then the doorbell rings. And I freeze from where I was standing. I was sure it wasn't the delivery guy. I had just ordered. It was impossible they had already gotten my order. I swallow, sending a text to Paige saying I was scared and there was something wrong. What should I do? Or could she send someone here to check on me. 

I also send a text to Lee. Telling him something weird was going on and I was afraid. Instead of checking who was at the door, I run towards the bedroom and even text my agent. Asking if she could drop by and our landlord. I was being paranoid but it was only because I was afraid I would have another panic attack. Or it could be one of Lee's crazed fans here to kill me or teach me a lesson. 

The doorbell rings again and spam Paige with texts. Then someone knocks on the door. It was subtle at first then it turned into a loud banging making me shrink myself smaller on the bed. I felt the panic inside me rising. I was sure it wasn't Paige. She had a key. Lee would not bang on the door like that.

When it stopped I breathe out and wait a few minutes before walking back down and peeking out the window, maybe I could see who it was. I see the pizza delivery guy come down from his bike and walk towards our building. I run to the door and wait. 

When the doorbell rings, I wait for a beat before a voice comes from the other side. 

"Delivery for Dan?" 

I hold my breath and open the door slowly. When I see the delivery guy in his uniform I open the door and hold on to the pizza. 

"Did you see anyone on your way here?" I ask, signing the delivery form. He shakes his head, but he looks like he was worried about me. It was probably the way I sounded or look. 

"Why? Is there something wrong miss?" 

I was grateful for his genuine concern and look at his name tag. "No, Jonathan, I just- There was someone here, banging on my door. Probably just a drunk didn't realize this was the wrong room." 

"Are you sure Miss?" He asks, and he doesn't seem the least bit convinced. I sighed and gave him a grateful nod. 

"Yeah, thank you." I hand him a tip and he nods his head. 

"I'll look around Miss, and call the cops if I find anyone suspicious." 

I watch him get on the elevator and lock the door behind me. I place the pizza on the table and walk towards my phone. No replies. I try to calm myself and head to the window. Jonathan's delivery bike was still by the street. He was really checking the place out. I hold on to my phone lightly when it rings. It was a message from Paige. 

Stay inside. Got bad news. I texted Lee already and Luke. Don't open the door for anyone. I'm on my way back. 30 minutes. 

I stared at her text, feeling my heart beat against my chest loud and fast enough I was afraid it would break out of it. My phone rings. It was the unknown number again and I ignore it. I peek out the window again and find Jonathan riding his bike. He looks up like he knows I am there and signals me to stay inside but he didn't find anything or anyone suspicious. I wave good bye and hold my phone tighter. 

Lee texts me a few minutes later. 

On my way. 

Then Paige. 

Stuck in Traffic. Tempted to walk. 

Then the unknown number. 

I finally found you. 

My heart flies to my throat and I almost drop my phone. The loud banging starts again and I stare at the door. 

"Danny?" His familiar voice fills the empty room like a tsunami wave and my phone falls on the ground. 

"Please? I just want to talk. Let me in, Dan." 

-----

Authors note: Kind of short and yes sorry, it turned dark real fast. But don't worry, I promise you won't regret reading through the end. Lol I always enjoy putting dark scenes in my stories, just dark enough to make it exciting. 

Hope you enjoy it. xo