The cheers faded into a thick, humming silence.
I instantly saw faces around me gradually blur, nothing but a swirl of noise and color. At this point I wasn't hearing the music anymore, or the laughter. Only the pounding rush of blood in my ears, drowning everything else out.
Brenton.
He was here.
He was currently standing comfortably and half-hidden among the crowd, leaning casually against a pillar like he belonged there. I was still staring at him when his head tilted slightly, the corner of his mouth curled in a familiar, bone-chilling smirk. Like he hadn't tried to murder me the last time we stood this close, not just about the attempted murder he also planned to destroy me using every little opportunity he got.
I was feeling so tense as panic clawed up my throat. I stumbled forcefully and took a step back, to regain my balance but I almost missed my step, my fingers fumbling for balance. I could barely breathe, couldn't think. The polished floor started to feel like it was staggering under my feet.
Run.
But my legs refused to move. I mean I couldn't make them move. All I could do was stare, frozen in horror, as his hand lifted in a slow, ridiculing wave.
A silent message I knew all too well.
I see you. I still owe you.
I suddenly felt my chest tighten painfully.
No. No, no, no. Brenton wasn't supposed to find me.
He wasn't supposed to at all.
I mumbled to myself in fear.
I had changed my numbers and cities. Immediately after the incident, furthermore, I forcefully tried all I could to leave the past behind including all that had happened. I ended up burying that chapter of my life like a corpse in the ground.
I now felt like my past was about to sprout out again and this time around more destructive things might happen.
He was still staring at me smiling like a man who had all the time in the world.
When someone brushed against my shoulder, it jolted me. I stumbled again, colliding into a hard, steady chest behind me.
"Easy," a deep voice murmured near my ear.
I cringed, panting, but the scent that wrapped around me wasn't Brenton's suffocating cologne. It was crisp, clean, and familiar.
Him the man who had offered me a lifeline when I needed it most.
Alexander supported me easily, his large hands warm on my arms.
"Are you okay?"
He asked while leaning down to catch my eye. His brows drew together, worry flashing in his gaze. I overlooked it though because it was all an act.
He shook my head, I was too afraid to speak. If I opened my mouth, I might scream. Or cry. Or crumble into a thousand broken pieces.
Alexander followed my gaze toward the crowd, but by the time I blinked, Brenton was gone.
Vanished.
As if he had only been a ghost summoned by my worst fears.
I was still trembling but forced myself to smile up at the man holding me.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered gently, for a second I hated how thin and tense my voice sounded. "—I think I just got dizzy for a second."
He didn't believe that I was so sure because he didn't look convinced. His hand brushed my lower back gently, steering me out of the crowd with quiet authority.
"Let's get you some air," he said looking at me.
I nodded mutely, grateful for any excuse to move, or rather escape. I couldn't stand another second with so many bodies pressing in around me, any one of them possibly hiding him.
We both stepped outside, I instantly got the feeling of the cool night air and I must say it was so refreshing I could feel it hit me like a slap. I sucked in a shaky breath, gripping the balcony railing so tightly my knuckles turned white.
He stood beside me, his presence solid and steady, as always I guess, saying nothing for a moment.
Just giving me space.
I should tell him. I should open my mouth and confess everything that I am no longer just some girl trying to rebuild her life. That I was presently being hunted running from something. Someone.
But the words stuck in my throat like glass splinters.
Would he believe me? Would he still want me under his roof if he knew the danger I might bring to him?
Knowing fully well that he is a high-profile individual. A lot of thoughts were running through my head.
All these thoughts twisted my stomach into knots.
"Talk to me," Alexander said with an unusually calm and concerned tone. "Well, you don't look like someone who just got dizzy."
Tears stung the backs of my eyes. Almost immediately I was about to blink them away, suddenly he turned to face me, he raised his hand and brushed a finger on my cheek gently wiping the tears off my face. I tried not to give in to his sudden care. I quickly turned, preventing him from seeing me blush under the intensity of his sudden touch. I distracted myself by staring hard at the twinkling lights of the city below.
"Actually I thought I saw someone I used to know," I finally managed to say something after the long silence. With a raw voice though. "Someone… I hoped never to
see again."
He was silent for a beat, processing that. Then he spoke, voice low and steady. "An ex?"
I withdrew again, too raw to pretend otherwise.
"Yeah kind of," I whispered. "Something like that," I added.
More than an ex I would say. He is more like a demon wrapped in a man's skin.
I heard the sharp breath he drew in. Felt the tension ripple through him.
His hand moved toward my back, and it rested lightly at my back, not possessive, but anchoring.
"You're safe here," he said quietly. In a strong reassuring tone.
"You have me now."
The words hit harder than I expected. A lump rose in my throat.
Safe.
I wanted to believe him so badly.
But deep down, I knew better.
Brenton didn't give up easily. He didn't stop until he had ripped apart everything I loved.
And if he was here now if he had found me again…
Then this nightmare was way too far from over.
Or rather a newly added part of my worst nightmare.
The thought of this alone creeps me out.
From somewhere deep in the city, a siren wailed, long and lonely.
And I realized
This wasn't the end of my fear.
It was just the beginning.