Chanyeol: Something came up. I'm going to be late.

You: Ok.

You: Where are you now?

You: The movie is starting soon. Are you nearby yet?

You: Chanyeol?

I sighed as I stared at my phone again, hoping that Chanyeol had replied to my earlier messages.

Nothing.

It was already half past ten in the evening and I had been waiting outside the cinema for almost two hours. Where could he be? And why was he taking so long? I started to worry as grim thoughts entered my mind. What if something bad had happened to him on the way? Could he have gotten into an accident?

I switched my phone on again and tried dialling him this time. His phone was ringing but he didn't answer. An elongated tone invaded my ear as my call went straight to voicemail.

Out of frustration, I huffed. I was getting tired of waiting and being in the dark both literally and metaphorically. What if it was all a prank to him? I kept thinking. If I didn't have grim thoughts, I had doubtful ones as I tried to rule out every possible reason as to why Chanyeol was really late. And the more I thought about it, the more I became uncertain as to which one of the possibilities could actually be worse.

What if Chanyeol was just leading me on when he said that he wanted to go on a date with me this evening? Or what if he really got into an accident and he might be suffering at this precise moment while I'm here, waiting for him to arrive?

I was about to ring the other EXO members when I suddenly felt something drip onto my head. Sprinkles of rain had started falling and, it got heavier as every second passed by. I scowled, Just my luck. As best as I could manage in platform heels, I raced towards a nearby café that was still open. There, I sat down as I tried to pat myself dry. I checked my face in the mirror and saw that thankfully, my make-up hadn't smudged.

"So much for surprising him," I said aloud.

Hyun-suk had spent a few hours helping me get ready for my date with Chanyeol. He had gone through the effort of doing my makeup and curling my hair so that it cascaded down my partially exposed back in ringlets of curls as I was wearing a pink off-shoulder dress. After much debate on what to buy, Hyun-suk and I managed to pick out an outfit that was modest yet flattering for my figure. It was an A-line dress that ended just above the knee. Hyun-suk had given me his thumb of approval after he had finished styling me to his taste. After he had finished, he had instructed me to wait outside the cinema to see if Chanyeol would notice my fabulous transformation and to report back to him once my date was over.

I stared at my reflection glumly. I felt bad for Hyun-suk because he had invested so much time and effort yet it had amounted to nothing since Chanyeol hadn't turned up.

I sighed despondently as I checked my phone again. Still nothing.

Maybe I should head home and forget about this date? I thought to myself. But before I did, I decided to ring the EXO members, back at the dorm, to see if Chanyeol had gotten in touch with them. If anything, there was one person in the dorm who would tell me straight if Chanyeol was at home.

"Hello?" I heard him say. "Nami-ah, is that you?"

"Hi, D.O-ah" I replied weakly.

I heard D.O clear his throat, "What's up? How come you're calling? Is there something wrong?"

I sighed as I told him, "Chanyeol hasn't turned up."

"What?!" I heard D.O shout. "Why? Where is he? Why isn't he with you?"

"I don't know" I responded wearily. "That's what I wanted to ask you. I was wondering if he's gotten in touch with anyone back at the dorm."

D.O replied, "No. None of us have heard from him. Last time any of us saw him was back at SMHQ. We left at the same time. He was meant to take a taxi and meet you at the cinemas over an hour ago."

My heart sank. So Chanyeol wasn't at home either.

"Have you tried calling him?" D.O asked. "Is he not answering?"

"It keeps going to voicemail."

As D.O thought of what to say next, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. "Excuse me, miss. Mind if I sit next to you?" I turned around, my phone still next to my ear.

"Omo!" I exclaimed as I saw who it was.

I had forgotten that D.O was still on the phone with me. "Hello? Nami-ah? What is it? Has Chanyeol arrived?"

I quickly replied, "It's okay, D.O-ah. I'm with a friend now. I'll call you back later." And I hung up.

The stranger walked to the seat opposite me and sat down as he placed a tray, carrying a cup of coffee, down on the table.

"What brings you here, Nami-ssi?" Ryuk asked as he smiled at me. "And I must say," he said while glancing me up and down, "you're looking very beautiful this evening. I almost didn't recognise you."

I blushed at his compliment. "I was waiting for someone," I told him and then my voice grew quiet as I remembered how Chanyeol hadn't turned up. "But, I guess he's not coming."

Ryuk must have seen my forlorn expression because then he asked, "Were you waiting for someone special? A... boyfriend, perhaps?"

I averted my gaze, my cheeks feeling warm. I nodded slightly.

I heard Ryuk let out a breath of disapproval. "He's such a douche."

I peeped up at him and saw that he had a scary expression on. "How dare he leave a charming young lady like yourself alone at this hour? Honestly!"

"He's not that bad" I hurriedly mentioned. "He must have his reasons..." but even I didn't know why I was defending Chanyeol. What if he really did jilt me?

Ryuk wasn't convinced. He stood up abruptly. "Well, I wouldn't be any better if I leave you here on your own." He quickly downed his coffee and gestured for me to stand up too. "C'mon Nami-ssi. I'll take it upon myself to be your escort for tonight."

I was startled, "Oh, no, Ryuk-ssi. You don't have to do that--"

But he wasn't having any of it. "I insist." He smiled at me warmly to reveal his yellowing teeth. "You always give me a can of coffee every day and I feel bad that I don't give you anything in return." He thought for a moment and then added, "I know, why don't I take you out for dinner? How does that sound?"

"Ryuk-ssi, it's okay, honestly--"

"Please, Nami-ssi. Let me help you out. You must be hungry already."

As if on cue, my stomach grumbled and I placed my hand on top of it as if it would mute its gurgling. I blushed, "Yeah... I am kind of hungry now" I admitted.

Ryuk was pleased, "So shall we go now? I know a really good restaurant. It will be my treat."

I got up reluctantly and checked my phone once again. Chanyeol hadn't replied at all. I furrowed my brows as I stared at his name on my phone. "Okay," I consented. "I'll have dinner with you."

Ryuk smiled slyly, "Excellent. We can take my car."

As Ryuk led the way, I hastily typed a text message to Chanyeol. I was annoyed at his unresponsiveness and the longer he left me hanging, the more I started to believe that he had intended to stand me up outside the cinema. Well, if he was going to be a total ass by making me wait then, I'm going to play petty and just leave.

I glanced back at the cinema one more time before I got into Ryuk's car.

The cinema was still open and people were leaving now, probably because they had finished watching a movie. And it was most likely 'La La Land'-- the film I was meant to be watching with Chanyeol. Disappointment overwhelmed me as I thought about how excited I was, to not only watch the film but, to also spend time with Chanyeol. He had raised my expectations only to let me down. And I was tired of being played around by him.

"Chanyeol, you pabo," I said out loud, before climbing into the car.

~*~

Ryuk hummed along happily to the song playing on his car radio. The radio crackled slightly as he passed under a tunnel, causing the sound of static to offend their ears momentarily. But even though the music was bad and his car was old, he couldn't help a wicked smile from appearing on his face. After all, something good happened this evening.

His goddess was right beside him.

While driving, he took a sneak peek at Nami, who was busy staring out of the car window in front of her. She was quiet, as if in deep thought. Probably thinking about the bastard who had stood her up in the café.

Ryuk's wicked smile didn't falter. It didn't matter to him what Nami was thinking or if she was romantically involved with someone. Why should he care? It won't make a difference now, that he had her. And he was going to make sure that she will never escape from him.

"How much further is it?" Nami suddenly asked him. She was staring at the road intently and was starting to look around.

"It's just a little further ahead. We'll be there soon."

Nami looked at him dubiously. From the corner of his eye, Ryuk could see that Nami was starting to get nervous.

"It must be a really good restaurant if you're willing to travel so far away from the centre of town" she joked. But Ryuk noticed that her voice sounded unsure.

He flashed her a quick smile, "It's one of the best out there. You'll definitely love it."

Nami gave him a brief smile before leaning back in her seat again. Ryuk could feel that she was starting to become wary of him. He steered the car to the right as a large, square building came into view.

Nami watched as Ryuk pulled up in front of its driveway and from the headlights of Ryuk's old car, she could see that the building in front of them appeared dilapidated and abandoned. The surrounding area seemed deserted and derelict as graffiti was scrawled across the cement walls and litter occupied the gravel road. Nami felt a surge of anxiety as she peered through the window. The place Ryuk parked in front of didn't look like a restaurant at all. It looked like a forsaken warehouse.

"We're here" Nami heard Ryuk say. She heard him unbuckle his seat belt.

Nami turned to him, "Erm, Ryuk-ssi. This doesn't look like a restaurant..."

She watched as his face, shrouded by darkness, turned to face her. He had a sinister smile, his yellowish teeth glinting from what light escaped from a nearby lamppost. Nami felt a chill shoot down her spine. "You're so beautiful, Nami-ssi..." Ryuk's voice was gruff and deep. "I really admire you..."

Nami backed away inherently, her instincts coming alive as they advised her to be cautious of him.

Something was definitely wrong.

"Th-thank you, Ryuk-ssi" she stuttered, "but I think that this has all been a mistake" she glanced at her phone, "I think my boyfriend is looking for me now. Maybe I should call one of the EXO members to--"

"No!" Ryuk suddenly shouted, making Nami flinch. "Don't mention any of them while you're with me." His slanted eyes focused on her as if she were a target. "Now you're with me, I will make sure you get treated the way you should do. Those idols don't deserve you at all. All they do is take advantage of your good nature." He leaned in closer so that his face was no longer obscured by the shadows.

Nami gasped in horror as she saw his face come into view. His mouth was contorted into a twisted smile. A smile which was laced with malevolence and bad intentions. Ryuk slowly approached her, "I'll treat you right... my goddess."

At this point, Nami's instincts were like wailing sirens, telling her to get out the car and make a run for it. She collected herself hastily and uttered, "I-I'm sorry Ryuk-ssi but, I have to go--" she quickly opened the passenger door as Ryuk made a lunge for her.

"Come back, my goddess!" she heard him shout after her.

Nami scrambled to her feet as she fell out of the car. She couldn't run properly with platform heels on but, the fear of being caught by Ryuk was enough motivation for her to keep moving. Her heart drummed against her chest as she struggled to make a run for it.

Her mind was in anarchy. What should she do? How can she escape? How did she end up in this dangerous situation?

Adrenaline pumped through her body as she ran for dear life towards the forsaken warehouse. Her platform heels slapped against the wet, concrete floor as she finally reached the entrance. Echoes of her footsteps and her panting resonated around the derelict land, making her painfully aware that she was alone. Her breath was short and fast as she struggled with opening the door. It was bolted shut. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon" she urged, as she tugged at the handlebars. "C'mon!" she screeched, almost pleading for the door to open for her.

And just as she managed to pry it open, she suddenly felt a violent tug from behind her as Ryuk's beefy hand smothered her mouth while the other wrapped itself around her waist, capturing her in his unwanted embrace.

Nami screamed out of fear and surprise.

"Shh... Shh... Shh..." Ryuk whispered in her ear as Nami resisted him, her cries muffled by his hand. "Why did you run, my goddess? I just wanted to protect you." Ryuk gazed at Nami's face from behind and saw that her almond-shaped eyes were teary and wide with fear. She was breathing erratically as her petite hands clawed on his, trying to tear herself free from his grasp. "You shouldn't do that my goddess, you won't like it when I'm angry."

Nami quivered as Ryuk assaulted her ear with his gruff words. She struggled against him vigorously but his arms were so thick and so tightly capped above her mouth that, it was difficult for her to pry him away.

Ryuk held onto her tightly, suffocating her as he pushed himself against her. Nami's airway had been completely blocked by his hand and she was starting to get dizzy. Stars danced across her vision as Ryuk hoisted her up and dragged her back to the car. But before Nami passed out, in a last ditch attempt, she mustered all the strength she had and, kicked him hard in the shin with the heel of her platform shoes.

Ryuk let out a screech of pain as he buckled over, loosening his hold on Nami at the same time. She gasped for air as she was finally released and, hastily scrambled back onto her feet as she attempted to make a run for it for the second time. As Nami ran for her life, she remembered that she had her phone with her and quickly took it out. With hands shaking with terror, she accessed her speed dial.

"Please, please, please, please, please, answer, please, Chanyeol..." she chanted as she listened to the ringing on the other end. She kept running forward, tears springing from her eyes as she tried to keep her panic at bay.

"The mobile phone you have called is currently unavailable..."

"Shit!" she exclaimed in a harsh whisper.

And then, she let out a terrified scream as yet again, she felt a violent tug from behind her as Ryuk was upon her once more.

"You're making me angry, my goddess!" he growled. But before he could capture her again, Nami had twisted his arm around and swept her leg from behind him, causing him to fall flat on his back.

Ryuk fell down with a loud thud, stunning him for a few seconds as he tried to recuperate from Nami's unexpected judo throw.

In that few seconds, Nami sprinted towards the abandoned warehouse, in the hopes of finding somewhere to hide and to escape from Ryuk's grasp.

As Nami scurried deeper inside the dark warehouse, she realised that she had dropped her phone when Ryuk had charged at her for the second time. Nami briefly thought about going back for it but, the thought of confronting Ryuk for the third time deterred her.

Tears of fear welled up in the corners of her eyes and her throat felt dry and tight from running.

As she explored the warehouse, Nami found a crevice between the wall and what looked like some machinery and hid there. She crouched down and whimpered in fear as she willed for help to come.

Maybe it was the feminine clothing or maybe it was the fear but, Nami felt naked in her current form. She felt vulnerable and she didn't feel strong enough to confront Ryuk even though, she had never been afraid of anyone before.

For the first time in her life, Nami was frightened and she prayed in desperation that someone would come and save her. "Please, help me, Chanyeol. Please..." She whimpered into the darkness. "Please, Chanyeol... save me..."

~*~

Author's Note:

Hi reader, thanks for reading chapter 37 of Our Little Dorm Mother.

What do you think will happen next? Will Chanyeol come and save her?

Stay tuned for the following chapters...