Abella Sterling (Female P.O.V)

October 20, 2074

After zipping up my bridesmaid's dress, I turned to admire it in the changing room mirror. The burgundy dress fell past my ankles, sweeping the floor with every step. Its off-the-shoulder design elongated the length of my neck while its soft fabric hugged my ample curves without being excessively tight. A split ran up the left side, stopping mid-thigh. And even the slightest movement provided the perfect view of my toned legs.

Most brides wouldn't dare choose a dress like this for fear of being outshone but not Cris. She didn't care about that. She just wanted her friends to look good on her special day.

I twisted to the side when a light tap sounded on the door. "Abella!" Saint called.

"Yeah?"

"Your phone kept ringing."

What now?

Softly groaning, I opened the door and took my purse from Saint's outstretched hand. After mumbling a quick thank you, I rummaged through my bag until I found my phone at the bottom.

"Oh yeah, I couldn't ask you earlier, but what were you and Logan talking about before I entered the kitchen?" I asked, scrolling through my list of missed calls.

There were five of them. The first two I scrolled past, given they were long-distance numbers, but the last three made me pause. All of them were from a private number. Usually, I wouldn't give calls like these a second thought, but with everything happening lately, I couldn't help but be a little unnerved and curious.

My finger hovered over the re-dial when I suddenly realized Saint hadn't answered my question. I looked up at him, and my breath stuttered when I saw his hooded gaze leisurely traversing the length of my body.

"Saint?" I softly called, ignoring my coiling stomach muscles as his eyes continued course.

He didn't respond, so I tried again. And this time, his eyes snapped up to meet mine.

"Yes," he said, his voice slightly husky.

The corner of my lips quivered at the twinge of pink staining his cheeks, but I resisted the urge to laugh. After all, I couldn't blame him. The dress Cris chose was eye-catching.

Deciding to move past Saint's slip-up, I repeated my question.

"Uh..." He cleared his throat and took a step back. "He wanted to fake being sick to get out of seeing your dad."

"What?!" My phone slipped from my fingers, landing with a thud inside my purse. "Why?"

"He thinks seeing him will cause you more stress and that it's better to wait until after the competition is over."

"I can handle a little stress from the game."

"Well, he didn't mean just the competition."

"What else is there?"

He sighed. "He knows about the serial killers and thinks that's the only reason I'm here to protect you."

"Oh my..." I breathed out, brushing my fingers through my hair. "How?"

"It seems everyone was talking about it at school."

"Oh god." I slumped against the wall with my purse dangling from my arm. "I need to talk with him. I should've talked with him."

How could I be so stupid?

I had foolishly thought I was protecting him, but I hadn't once considered the consequences of him finding out the truth another way. And now he knew.

Saint gently cupped my elbow. "If you want, I can be there with you."

"Thanks, Saint. I appreciate it, but I think it's something I need to do by myself." I flashed a smile to soften the blow of my rejection of his offer.

"Okay." He smiled back before turning away.

And as soon as he walked off, a bit of regret hit me.

No matter how many scenarios I tossed over in my head about how this conversation with Logan would play out, all of them had the same unpleasant ending. There seemed to be no other way. But maybe with Saint there, he could provide some assurance that everything would be alright.

I started to call him back when a giggle came from behind me. I turned to see Cristina's smiling face.

"I saw that." She said in a sing-song manner.

"Saw what? We were only having a conversation."

She hummed disbelievingly. "It didn't look that way to me. So tell me, what's going on between you two?"

"Well, you need to invest in some glasses because nothing is happening."

But to be honest, I wished there was.

I knew a relationship of any kind should be the last thing on my mind, but I couldn't ignore my feelings. It had only been a few days, and I was already falling back under Saint's spell. Except this time, it went beyond that of a childhood crush. Every day was a constant battle to keep my feelings at bay, and Cris's need to play matchmaker wasn't helping.

"Stop lying, Abella. I'm not blind. He has been watching y-"

"He's a bodyguard Cris." I deadpanned, crossing my arms over my chest. "His job is to watch me."

"Yeah, well. He's certainly taking full advantage of his job since he's been devouring you with his eyes all day."

She was right, but I wouldn't admit it. I couldn't afford to pursue a relationship when so much was at stake.

And could we even be together?

I mean...weren't we ethically bound to remain platonic?

I didn't know. And I certainly couldn't casually ask him. This was quickly becoming too complicated.

It felt like I was navigating through murky waters, and it was best to tread lightly, or things could turn awry fast.

"No, he hasn't. Now, will you please drop it?" I asked with a tight smile while shooting glances down the hallway, where Jill stood conversing with Saint.

"No!"

My eyebrows slightly rose at the return of the Cris I knew and loved. Now, if only she could be as firm with Mrs. Clarkson.

"Not until you tell me the truth." She continued planting her hands on her hips. "Because I don't believe nothing has happened between you two when you're both consenting adults, and it's painfully obvious you're both attracted to each other."

Her voice dropped towards the end as a man hunched over a rack of dresses pushed it past us.

"Well, it's the truth. And with all the drama going on lately, I think it's best to just not right now. I can't have anyone else become a target because of me." I softly admitted while looking down and off to the side.

My family and friends were enough. I wouldn't give these assholes the chance to harm someone else I cared for.

She rubbed my arm. "I hate to say this, but isn't it possible he already is one because he's trying to protect you?"

"Yeah, but I just can't, Cris."

"I understand, but if you change your mind and need some alone time, I'm willing to babysit for your sake and..." Her chin dipped low, and her eyes flicked toward my pelvic region before returning to my face. "Hers."

"Oh my god," I muttered as heat spread across my cheeks.

The sudden clatter of metal hitting the floor let me know her words and actions hadn't gone unnoticed. I glanced over my shoulder to see the man picking up the hangers off the floor before lightly smacking Cris on her arm.

"Ouch," She pouted and rubbed her arm, making me roll my eyes at her dramatics.

"I'll keep your..." My mouth repeatedly opened and closed, struggling to find the right word. "Kind offer in mind."

"You bett-"

The sound of a camera shutter repeatedly clicking made us both turn toward the man. He stood frozen halfway behind the rack with his phone pointed in our direction.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?!" Cris demanded, causing the man to jump back into the wall.

"What's going on?" Saint inquired, appearing by my side with Jill.

"He was taking pictures of us!" I rushed to explain as the man pocketed his phone and slowly backed up.

"Who is that?" Jill asked.

My head whipped towards her. "What do you mean?! Doesn't he work here?"

"No."

Saint and I briefly looked at each other before turning back to see the man take off down the hallway.

"Shit! Stay here," Saint instructed before following after him.