Melanie

I stand in the kitchen of my new apartment, carefully arranging groceries in the cupboards. Evie is by my side, helping me put away the items we bought during our grocery shopping spree. The excitement of having my own place still lingers, making mundane tasks like organizing groceries feel special.

"And you just kissed him on the cheek? Are you five years old?" she asks incredulously, her hands still busy with the vegetables she's loading into the fridge.

I chuckle at her comment, a warm feeling spreading through me. "Well, it felt right," I respond, shrugging slightly.

Evie groans, shaking her head. "Mel, you've got to stop overthinking these things. If you like the guy, just go for it."

I continue putting away the groceries, considering Evie's words. "It's not about overthinking. I just... I felt uncomfortable kissing him on the lips."

She throws up her hands, a bag of lettuce in one and a questioning look on her face. "Uncomfortable? Why? He's into you, girl. You should've planted one right on his lips."

I glance at Evie, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "I don't know, Eve. It felt like the moment had passed, and I wasn't sure if he wanted me to kiss him."

Evie throws up her hands dramatically. "Oh, you have to be fucking kidding me, Mel. What are you waiting for? A written invitation? The man practically oozes longing every time he looks at you."

I grab another bag and start putting away its contents in the cupboards. "Why hasn't Marcus initiated a kiss then? Maybe he's not into it."

Evie sighs, leaning against the fridge. "He's probably being respectful and doesn't want to pressure you. I mean, how many guys do you know who respect boundaries like that?"

Rolling my eyes, I continue unpacking. "I get it, Evie. You like Marcus."

She grins, not denying it. "Guilty as charged. But you have to make the first move, or at least let him know it's okay for him to make it. But seriously, girl, do something. It's painful to watch."

I sigh, realizing she might be right. "Okay, I'll do that."

Evie folds a grocery bag, her eyes rising to the ceiling, a dreamy look on her face. "Then Marcus will kiss you, hold you in his arms, and make you his. Happily ever after."

I nudge her playfully. "This is real life, Evie, not a fairytale."

She counters, "Well, tell that to your prince charming."

I chuckle at Evie's theatrics. "You're impossible, you know that?" I tease, wrapping up the last of the groceries.

As we make our way to the living room, Evie sighs dramatically. "I wish there were furniture in here."

I reassure her, "Tomorrow night, there will be. The place will look completely different once my furniture arrives."

Evie side-hugs me, excitement radiating from her. "I'm so thrilled for you, Mel. This place is going to be amazing."

Just as I'm about to respond, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, and Evie waggles her eyebrows mischievously. "Is it Marcus?" she teases.

I glance at the screen and see it's my landlord. "No, it's Mr. Henderson," I reply, swiping to answer the call. "Hey, Mr. Henderson."

"How are you, Melanie?" Mr. Henderson's warm voice comes through the phone.

"I'm good, thank you. How about you?" I reply, wondering why he's calling.

"I'm fine. Listen, there's a tenant who mentioned that he'll be moving out in a couple of months. I thought maybe your friend would like to take a look at the apartment."

My mind races, processing the information. "We're actually at my apartment right now," I say, excitement bubbling up.

Mr. Henderson chuckles. "Great timing then. If you don't mind, I'll give the tenant your number, and he can reach out to you."

"Absolutely, that sounds perfect! Thank you so much, Mr. Henderson," I say, genuinely grateful.

"No problem at all, Melanie. Have a good night."

"You too," I reply, ending the call.

I slip my phone back into my pocket, a mischievous grin forming on my face as I turn to Evie. "Guess what," I say, the excitement evident in my tone.

Evie, looking a bit clueless, asks, "What?"

I can't contain my smile as I spill the news. "Mr. Henderson just told me that a tenant is moving out of this building in a couple of months."

Her eyes widen, as if trying to process the sudden turn of events. Evie stares at me, momentarily speechless. Concerned, I ask, "Are you okay?"

In a low mutter, almost as if she can't believe what she's hearing, Evie asks, "Are you serious?"

I nod, unable to hide my own excitement. "Absolutely. Mr. Henderson is going to give the tenant my number, so we can go and look at the apartment."

Evie's reaction is priceless. She covers her mouth with her hands, eyes widening even more than before. Then, in an explosion of joy, she squeals, jumps up, and wraps me in a tight hug. "We're going to be neighbors! I'm so happy, Mel! Thank you for talking to your landlord!"

Returning her hug, I laugh. "You're welcome, Evie. I'm just glad things worked out this way."

As we release each other, Evie's eyes are still sparkling with excitement. "This is amazing. Imagine, living just a floor away from each other. We're going to have the best time!"

I can't help but share in her enthusiasm. "It does sound pretty great, doesn't it? I'm looking forward to it."

Evie, still brimming with excitement, asks eagerly, "When is the tenant going to call you?"

I glance at my phone, anticipating the call. "Any minute now, I suppose. I told Mr. Henderson that we're both here in my apartment."

Evie grins, clapping her hands together. "This is so exciting!"

I chuckle, sharing in her enthusiasm. "I'm excited too. Can't wait to help you get everything you need for your new place."

Evie sighs dramatically, her eyes sparkling. "I hope that apartment has a fireplace. Otherwise, I might just end up living here all the time."

Giggling, I reply, "I don't mind that at all, Evie. You're welcome anytime." The thought of Evie living just an elevator ride away fills me with warmth, and I'm genuinely looking forward to this new phase in both our lives.

My phone rings, and Evie and I can't contain our excitement, both of us squealing in anticipation. I quickly take my phone out of my pocket, and we exchange eager glances. "It's an unknown number," I inform Evie, my heart pounding with a mix of nervousness and curiosity.

Evie's eyes widen with excitement. "This is it! Answer it, Mel!"

I chuckle at her enthusiasm and answer the call. "Hello?"

A voice on the other end, one I hadn't expected, says, "Melanie?"

My smile falters as I ask cautiously, "Who is this?"

Seeing the change in my expression, Evie looks at me with concern. "What's the matter?"

I shake my head, trying to process the situation. "I don't know."

The voice on the phone persists. "Melanie, it's Daniel. You didn't recognize my voice?"

My heart skips a beat, and I freeze. Daniel? Why is he calling me? I blocked his number; I didn't want to talk to him anymore. Why is he using a different number to contact me? I manage to stammer, "Daniel?" and the unease in my voice is evident.

Evie's expression morphs from excitement to anger, her eyes narrowing as she asks loudly, "It's Daniel? What the fuck does he want?"

Daniel hears her and asks, "What was that? Who said that?"

Ignoring him, I take a deep breath and confront the situation. "What do you want, Daniel?"

He responds, "We have to meet."

I can't help but mock his request, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, we have to? Really?"

His voice grows stern, almost angry. "Don't be like that, Melanie. You know you belong to me."

I shake my head, frustration building up. "No, I don't, Daniel, you know why? Because I'm not an object, okay? It's over, and you need to accept that."

Daniel's tone sharpens, and he insists, "I won't accept it. We will meet, and you need to stop resisting."

"It's over between us, Daniel," I assert, frustration creeping into my voice. "Don't call me again."

Daniel remains defiant. "You'll come back to me, Melanie. I know it."

"No, I won't," I reply firmly, determined to put an end to this.

He insists, "You will. And you should stay away from Marcus."

My patience wears thin, and I retort, "You can't tell me what to do, Daniel."

His threats escalate as he warns, "If Marcus touches you, I'll make him regret it."

Anger boils inside me, and I raise my voice, "Stay away from Marcus!"

"I will if Marcus stays away from you," Daniel declares, his tone cold and final. With that, he hangs up the phone, leaving me seething with frustration and a sense of foreboding. I share a worried glance with Evie, who has been silently listening to the unsettling conversation.

Evie's concern is evident as she implores, "What did Daniel say, sweetie?"

I meet her gaze, my voice barely above a whisper. "He threatened Marcus," I admit, my eyes welling up with tears.

After everything Mallory went through with Matt, who seemed sweet, kind, and caring before turning into someone capable of kidnapping her, my mind races with the possibilities of what Daniel could do. Matt's transformation was unexpected, and now I fear that history might be repeating itself in a different form.

My thoughts swirl, and the chilling realization that I need to protect both myself and Marcus from Daniel's unpredictable actions sinks in.