Daniel heaved a sigh as his eyes moved behind his lids, struggling to crack them open, he rubbed at them before letting out a soft groan and stretching in his place on the bed. Grunting when he felt a heavy weight on his chest and something tickled his chin causing him to blink open his eyes.

Blinking away the bleariness, his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at the top of Tessa's head, her arms wrapped around his torso as she slept blissfully with her ear against his heart. And Daniel remembered how she had gotten shaken up by a bad dream she had last night, running to him for solace and eventually fell asleep.

A part of him supposed he should wake her, but instead of moving her, he pulled the duvet the both of them and gently stroked her hair.

He did not know how long he remained lying there, but eventually having gotten bored, he had begun playing with his phone: checking emails, responding to texts, and playing games.

Tessa shifting on his chest had him get distracted and the phone slipped out of his grasp, falling on his face as he held back a groan of pain, trying his best to remain still as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Glancing at the girl in his chest, he watched her exhale heavily before he pushed her hair to one side, trailing the back of his hand down her cheek as she shuffled over him.

With a disgruntled sigh, she sat up, her legs on either side of him and petulantly rubbed her eyes. The duvet pooled down her back and around her waist as Daniel watched her in silence, one hand beside him with the other on her knee. Tessa blearily blinked at her surroundings, pouting as she rested her hand on his stomach, the sudden touch having him hold his breath.

"Morning," He called out to her and Tessa's gaze shot up, seemingly realizing that he was there as well.

"Can I go back to sleep?" She rested her head beneath his chin and snuggled into his warmth. "You're so warm,"

"A couple more hours of sleep never hurt anyone," Daniel found himself replying as he wrapped his arms around her waist and shifted so that both of them lay on their sides. 

Gently stroking her back, she hummed in content and tangled her legs with his as he watched her slowly drift back to sleep. He waited a moment longer before untangling himself from her and sat on the edge of his bed and ran a hand through his hair, knowing that he shouldn't be doing this.

"I need to get laid." He muttered to himself before standing and going to freshen up.

Taking a quick shower and getting dressed, he started on making breakfast. While he was dishing it up, Tessa pattered out of the bedroom, hugging herself as she made her way to the bar stool and settled down.

"It's cold." She complained as Daniel chuckled, placing a plate in front of her.

"Eat up."

Picking up the fork, she started on eating as Daniel looked down at his phone screen, his fingers dancing over the keyboard as he sipped his coffee.

"What are we doing today?" Tessa asked after a couple of minutes of chewing.

"Well, I'm going over to a friend's place," Daniel informed as he didn't lift his gaze from the screen, a small smirk making its way across his lips as he read the incoming text. "And I don't know about you."

"Oh." She responded, realizing they won't be spending time together. "I could ask Annie if she wants to spend the day together."

"Look at you." He smiled up at her. "Growing your social life. I'm glad you're making new friends."

"Yeah...I like them."

"That's good."

They both finished their breakfast as Tessa went to change and message Annie, getting a rather enthusiastic response to her offer to the mall. Changing into a pastel yellow sundress, she pulled on a pair of black pumps before putting her essentials into a purse.

She had stepped out just in time to see Daniel dressed to go and grabbing his car keys before she called out to him.

"Casanova?" She called to him with a teasing smile as he tensed at the nickname, turning to inquire what before his eyebrows shot up at her attire. "Could you drop me to the mall on your way to your friends?"

"Sure..." Daniel trailed, grabbing his keys and making his way out and Tessa at his heels.

They didn't talk much on the drive to the mall as the radio played between them.

"Text me when you get home," Daniel instructed as he stopped before the entrance.

"Yes, sir." She smiled with a salute as she pushed open her door and made her way out as Daniel watched her go inside.

Sitting quietly for a moment, he put the gear into the drive before resuming on his way. 

The drive to the apartment complex wasn't a long one but felt like an eternity for Daniel. Finally arriving at his destination, he was quick to get out of the car and make his way up to the fourth floor.

Walking down the hall, he texted his 'friend' he was outside before being informed that the door was open. Twisting the doorknob, he entered the silent apartment, seeing candles set around the place while in the middle stood a woman, smiling at Daniel in a silk robe.

"Hello, officer." She spoke in a sultry manner while biting her lower lip. "Long time no see." She added before unraveling her robe, allowing it to slide down her shoulder and onto the floor as Daniel's eyes darkened, his jaw visibly clenching.

"Hello, beautiful." He responded huskily, covering the distance between them in three long strides as he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him before molding his lips to hers.

Tessa soon came to realize that shopping with Annie was going to be a long trip. That girl was a shopaholic and would drag Tessa to hell with her. They first went to every clothing store available, from where they only bought a limited amount of shirts before gushing over shoes and purses before finally going into the makeup aisle.

Annie talked nonstop about the makeup brands as Tessa stared at her in confusion, not understanding a single word that left her lips.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Annie finally asked, catching the bewildered expression on her friend's face.

"I have no idea what gibberish you're sprouting."

"What do you mean you have no idea?"

"I've never really used makeup, so I have no clue what you're saying."

Instantly Tessa was being stared at as if though she had grown another head. Quietly, Annie grabbed her hand before tugging her along, ranting about how unbelievable she is and never told her something like that.

Annie spent the next couple of hours teaching Tessa about makeup and what is what and how to apply it. It was draining, to say the least, and by the time they had bought all sorts of makeup, they were starving.

Both of them ate together with laughter before they decided to stroll around the mall, just talking and chatting about mundane matters and Tessa found it amazing how much she could speak.

Eventually, they decided to head back home since it was starting to get late. Both of them took the bus as Tessa walked down the street and towards her apartment complex. Pulling out her keys from her bag, she unlocked the door before making her way into the elevator, telling Daniel that she was on her way up.

Stopping at the sixth floor, she walked down to her door before unlocking it, a bag full of makeup and another with a few clothes in the other hand as she entered.

"Hey, you're back." Daniel's voice greeted from the kitchen where he was grilling up some steaks. "I was starting to get worried."

"Sorry for that." Tessa apologized with a chuckle. "Annie went crazy when she found out I knew nothing about make up." She informed as she leaned against the counter, picking up a piece of carrot and chewing on it.

"That girl made it her own personal mission to teach me all about 'being a girl'."

"Really?" Daniel asked with a chuckle.

"Oh, yes," Tessa commented with a laugh. "She taught me all about contouring and highlighters. Which eyeliner tip best suits which eye shape. Eyeshadow and lipsticks and outfits and shoes and blush on and foundation, concealer. The list is never ending and she had me buy all that."

"I don't see the point in buying so much makeup." He spoke with a shrug. "Useless, really."

"Of course." She had to scoff teasingly, looking at him with narrowed eyes and a humorous smile. "Boys don't understand the troubles girls go through."

"Boys don't understand." He agreed wholeheartedly with a nod as he flipped the steak. "But men do."

Tessa had to stare at him in amazement as those words left his mouth.

"To a man, there is nothing more valuable than his girl's happiness and to a boy, her exterior beauty." He informed nonchalantly. "A man, who loves a girl, wouldn't go for something as temporary as her looks. He'd rather have her happy, glamour or not."

She stared at him with a slightly open mouth, as he glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, a small smirk making its way across his lips before he turned to look at her. He opened his mouth to pass a teasing remark before his eyes narrowed slightly.

"What's this shimmer on your cheek?" He asked in confusion as he rubbed his thumb over her cheekbone, getting a glittery powder onto the pad of his thumb. Instantly, Tessa wiped the back of her palm against her face, seeing it to be the highlighter they had tested out.

"Oh." She realized. "It's just hi-"

"-Who is this?" A feminine voice interrupted sharply as both Daniel and Tessa turned to look at the source.

At the end of the counter stood a stunning woman with glowing porcelain skin and enrapturing green eyes. Her red hair flowed behind her in elegant waves as she was wearing a well-fitted knee-length red dress with a golden belt. Her jewelry glittering in the light as her red lips were pursed in distaste.

"Tessa," Daniel spoke redirecting her attention to him as she watched him offer his hand to the woman, who smiled flirtatiously. Placing her palm into his waiting one as he pulled her towards him, and he wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'd like you meet my girlfriend, Amara."

"Amara, meet Tessa." He continued. "The girl I was telling you about."

"Pleasure meeting you." Tessa smiled once she came out of her stupor, holding her hand out to her.

She watched as Amara eyed her in disgust and felt judged for some reason. Amara didn't even bother shaking her hand before turning towards Daniel, giving him a sultry smile as she pushed herself against him.

"Danny baby." She purred at him as he looked at her in confusion, not understanding why she didn't shake Tessa's hand. "I'm hungry."

"Dinner's almost done." He spoke uncertainly, catching sight of Tessa grabbing her shopping and quietly making her way to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Once he dished up the elegant dinner of steak with boiled vegetables and mashed potatoes, he set it on the table. Three plates for three people. Amara instantly sat down, calling out to Daniel as he walked over to Tessa's bedroom. Knocking on the door, he stepped inside, finding her trying to organizing all the makeup she had bought with her new clothes laid out on the bed.

"Come, Bambi," Daniel spoke as she looked up at him. "Dinners made."

She looked at him uncertainly and shuffled on her feet.

"I don't think that's such a good idea..." She trailed.

"What? Are you not hungry?"

"No...It's just...I don't think Amara likes me very much."

"Come now." Daniel coaxed gently. "She is just not very open to new people. Give her some time to get used to you."

"Still...I don't want to be intruding."

"You won't be." He assured as he held out his hand to her, urging her to join them for dinner. "Come on, Bambi, I want you there, and besides I didn't stand in the kitchen for nothing."

Hesitantly, she placed her hand into his before he led her outside, Tessa instantly catching sight of the dirty look Amara was giving her as Daniel helped her get settled across from them. The dinner started off in tense silence as they ate quietly.

"So...how was Annie doing?" Daniel asked Tessa in hopes to stir up a conversation and put an end to the tension.

"Annie was-" Tessa started before being cut off by Amara.

"-Danny baby! The food is absolutely delicious!" She exclaimed as she turned to be facing him, cupping his face in her hands before smashing her lips to his. The suddenness catching him off guard as Tessa sat uncomfortably.

Pulling away from him, Daniel stared at her with furrowed eyebrows and pursed lips as he understood what was going on. Sitting straight, he played around with his food, having lost his appetite.

"Danny, what's the matter?" Amara cooed at him, as she leaned into his side and Daniel felt conflicted about her actions. He momentarily glanced up, seeing the unease across Tessa's expression as her entire body was rigid with the tension of having to sit in the middle of this.

"Bambi, could you give us a minute, please?" He asked her as she was instantly out of her seat and all but running into her room, slamming the door behind her--grateful to be away from the awkwardness.

Instantly, Amara sat straight, her arms crossed over her chest and glared ahead. Standing from his seat, Daniel walked away a little before turning around to face his girlfriend.

"Bambi, huh?" She spoke with venom lacing her voice. "So you guys are on a nickname basis."

"Yeah. So?"

"So?" She spat at him. "How about the fact that you didn't give your own girlfriend a nickname, but you have a rather endearing nickname for a complete stranger."

"She's not a stranger. She's been living with me for over three months now."

"Three months! And it didn't occur for you to tell me that you have a cute little teenage girl living in your apartment?"

"I did tell you, Amara. I told you the day she moved in."

"No, you didn't!"

"What does it matter if she's living with me? It's not like she's hurting you." Daniel stated in agitation, his anger flaring at her words.

"What do I know what you two do behind closed doors? It's just the two of you all alone. The possibilities are endless!" Amara exclaimed in anger.

"Amara." He spoke slowly, warning her not to cross that line. "Stop it."

"Why, Daniel? Why should I stop? She's eighteen and lives with you, she's cute and a girl. You're a guy-"

"-Amara."

"-Are you fucking her?"

"That's enough!" He bellowed in anger, staring at her with raging eyes. "I have had it with your insecurities and suspicion! Not every guy is like your lying cheating ex!"

"That's low." She chuckled humorlessly, staring at him with disappointment. "Now that's low."

"As if your words are so high and mighty."

"Alright! Fine!" Amara exclaimed, looking at him expectantly. "If you want me to stop, answer just one question."

"What?"

"Me or her?"

"Excuse me?" Daniel guffawed, staring at her in amazement as she asked the question, laughing at her words.

"Answer the question, Daniel," Amara demanded. "Me or your precious little Bambi?" She hissed in disgust as if though just talking about Tessa was a sin.

Almost instantly his laughter died down as he clenched his jaw, crossing his arms over his chest and stared at her in annoyance.

"Me or her, Daniel? Whose it gonna be, huh?"

A chuckle escaped him as he shook his head, his entire posture relaxing and smiled down at her softly, covering the distance between them before cupped her face in her hands.

"Don't be stupid, baby." He cooed at her with adoration as he rubbed his thumb over her cheek, watching as her scowl melted away, her eyes looking up at him hopefully. "The answer is so obvious, you shouldn't be asking me such a thing."

"It's my Precious. Little. Bambi." Daniel smirked down at her as her eyes widened in shock. "Don't be such an idiot, baby. I choose her." He continued as Amara's mouth fell open in disbelief.

"Now, get the fuck out of my house."

The silence around him was heavy with smoke, the lights turned off as the only source for navigating around the room was the open window through which the moonlight streamed in, accompanied by the hustle and bustle of the city life. Daniel sat quietly on the edge of his bed, still wrapping his head around what just transpired an hour ago.

He broke up with his girlfriend of eight months.

Eight months of commitment. Gone.

It didn't matter if she was gone, Daniel thought bitterly as he took another drag from the cigarette. She forced this upon herself, treating Tessa badly and viewing her as a threat.

Just as the thought registered in his mind, a knock sounded on his door. He didn't bother responding as he brought the cigarette back to his lips. The sound of the door creaking open broke the silence as Tessa's shadow stood in the doorway.

"Can I come in?" She sniffled uncertainly.

Daniel didn't say anything and exhaled the smoke over his head. Tessa didn't seem to need any confirmation as she pattered inside, standing before him as he wouldn't meet her gaze. Sniffling, she kneeled in the space between his legs and stared at the buttons of his shirt.

"I-I heard you two fighting." She admitted meekly. "I-I'm sorry you fought because of me."

"I'm sorry for coming into your life, Daniel." Tessa continued hoarsely, causing his movements to falter. "If...if I wasn't in your life you wouldn't have had a criminal in your house. If I wasn't in your life you wouldn't have had to lie to your colleagues or fight with your girlfriend and have to choose between me and her."

"You should have chosen her."

"And why should I have chosen her?" Daniel asked finally, staring at the top of her head with a poker face. "Why should I have chosen her, Tessa?"

"Be-because she's your girlfriend!" She exclaimed as if though it were all the explanation needed.

"And you're my responsibility."

"No, I-I am not."

"Well shame, because I made you my responsibility when I intervened in that court hearing. And there is nothing you can do about it."

"B-but I ruined your life!" Tessa exclaimed, angry at herself for making Daniel go through this misery when he has given her nothing but happiness. "I-I ruin everyone's life."

"I'm the one who just broke up, and you're the one crying." He chuckled at her, cupping her chin into his fingers as he lifted her face to be looking at him. "I haven't cried over a girl since the sixth grade. You don't either."

"But...but..."

"Hush..." Daniel soothed, as he smoothened away her hair, wiping her tears from her cheeks. "Your gradual progress in life gives me more joy than Amara ever could."

"I chose this, and there is no one to blame for it, so don't feel bad, Bambi, because I'm much happier with you in my life than without."