STRANGELY SAFE

THANE

I tried her line again but got cut off by Nina’s incoming call. I sighed and picked it up almost immediately.

“Not now, Nina,” I said before she could speak.

“Wow. Dude, you don’t even know why I’m calling.”

I forced myself to calm down. “Then start talking. I really don’t have time.”

My eyes were still scanning everywhere.

“Your mum’s here again… to see you. Luckily your dad isn’t around.”

“You know what to do.”

She exhaled. “I think it’s different this time…”

“Is she bribing you too now? Because last time I checked, you were never the type to meddle in someone else’s mess. So what’s this?”

“That’s harsh, Thane.” She paused. “And—”

“I’m sorry, Nina, but I need to go. This is really bad timing. Just tell her to stop coming to look for me. That’s it.”

I hung up and headed straight toward the ladies’ restroom. Just before I reached it, Rachel appeared out of nowhere.

Relief first washed over me and then annoyance spiked àinstantly. I didn’t waste a second. I stormed toward her.

“Hey…”

I didn’t let her finish. I grabbed her hand and dragged her with me, not stopping until we reached the room where I’d left her earlier.

She yanked her hand free, her eyes blazing. “What did I do this time?”

“Do you have any idea how worried I was? I was looking everywhere for you. I told you to wait here.”

She scoffed. “Does that include not using the toilet if I needed to? I had a full bladder, so I had to…”

“You could’ve at least taken your phone with you. There’s a reason it’s called a cellphone, right?”

She rubbed her forehead like she was the one who had every right to be frustrated.

“You’re not my babysitter, Thane. And I honestly have no idea why you even care whether I’m dead or alive. Now, if that’s it, can we leave?”

She’s so impossible.

And honestly… she’s right. Why do I even bother?

She glared at me and bit her lip furiously.

“Fine. Let’s go.” My eyes dropped to her lips. “And stop doing that. Someone might get the wrong idea.”

I started walking but I caught her rolling her eyes before I looked away.

That did something to me too. I don’t even know why I don’t feel like myself anymore since she moved in.

Or… maybe it’s all the drama still messing with my head.

The second we reached the car, I opened the door for her.

“I have hands.” She mumbled and snatched the door from me.

I didn’t respond. I just walked around to the driver’s side and got in.

RACHEL

I told him I had a regular place I loved to shop for dresses, but he insisted it looked like one of those places where they donate used clothes.

If I hadn’t stopped myself, I would’ve punched him right there.

So… here we are. At a fancy boutique with dresses that probably cost more than my school fees.

The woman in charge approached us. She seemed to already know Thane.

Maybe he brings plenty of girls here.

“Hello, Thane.”

“Bonjour, Marie,” he greeted her in that annoyingly charming voice.

“Good to see you, my friend,” Marie replied in English, though I caught the Frenchish accent in her tone. She turned to me, studying me. “A new girl?”

“Ah, nah. This is Rachel. My stepsis.”

God. At this rate, he’s going to announce it to the whole world.

Marie smiled warmly. “Oh! My bad. Nice to meet you, Rachel. I’m Marie.”

I forced a smile. “You too.”

“So… what’s your taste?”

Finally. We’re talking about why we’re here. I was about to answer when Thane cut in so smoothly. 

Does he ever mind his own business?

“She doesn’t really have a taste, Marie. Just show us anything that fits her height. Something for someone short.” His eyes scanned me again. “And round.”

“Alright, stop teasing her. She’s fine,” Marie said lightly before turning to me. “What’s the occasion?”

“Oh, it’s just a—”

“A gala. Nothing serious.”

God.

I shot Thane a deadly glare before facing Marie with another tight smile.

“Right.”

She gave us that cute, knowing smile, the kind that says I see the vibe.

But no. There’s no vibe here. Definitely not. This is just an arrogant guy messing with a girl trying very hard to stay calm.

We tried four dresses but Thane still found something wrong with each one.

By the fifth round, I was already exhausted and irritated. I yanked the zipper up harder than I should have.

“Aw!” I gasped.

A sharp pain shot through my thumb.

“Rachel!” I heard Thane’s voice, but I didn’t answer. I looked down at my slightly bleeding thumb.

“I’m coming in,” he said… and before I could stop him, he already barged inside.

“Shit. Is that blood?”

I stepped back, covering my exposed chest. “What are you doing in here? This is the women’s dressing room, for Christ’s sake—”

He didn’t answer. He just grabbed my hand and examined it.

“You should’ve been careful. Look what you did to yourself.”

“Stop touching me and get out.” I snapped. What was Marie even doing, letting him in? 

He frowned.

“What are you doing walking in on someone half-naked? Just leave.” I glared at him.

I held the dress tightly against my chest to keep it from falling. He just stood there, staring at me like I was speaking another language.

“I was worried about you, and all you’re thinking about is me seeing you naked?”

Is he serious right now?

“Excuse me? Is that supposed to be funny?”

He rolled his eyes. Before I could react, he pulled me closer.

“What’s the worst that could happen? I’ve seen everything before, remember? And they’re not even that big…”

“Shut up!” I glared again.

He chuckled lightly.

I should’ve been furious. But the second he lifted my thumb and pressed it against his mouth to stop the bleeding, my body went still.

Like completely still. I forgot how to breathe. Everything just… froze.

When he pulled it out, I was still staring blankly.

“See?” he muttered. “I stopped the bleeding. If you keep making me worry about you like this, it just means I can't get my eyes off you. Not even for a second.”

I blinked, unsure whether that was sweet… or dangerous.

He stepped closer and turned me around gently. I tried to twist away, but his hand settled firmly on my shoulder.

“Don’t move,” he warned softly. “Or I’m going to have to force you.”

My eyes rolled on instinct, but my body betrayed me.

I went still. And I know it felt wrong. Every part of it did. Yet my heart wouldn’t stop drumming.

When his fingers brushed my back, heat spread through me, fast and reckless, I almost gasped but I clenched my fists instead.

I must. I have to stay still.

“I’m sorry about… Raymond,” he murmured behind me.

The name alone tightened my chest.

“But if he ever touches you like that again,” he continued, his voice lower now, controlled, “I really won't hesitate to kill him for real.”

My heart dropped.

Not because I thought he was exaggerating. But because I knew he wasn’t.

And for a second… it felt strangely… safe.

Chapter Seventeen: 

RACHEL

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Uh…”

“There.” He cut in. “You’re set.”

I forced a stiff smile and turned toward him. “Thank you,” I said quietly.

He led the way out. Marie clasped her hands together the moment I stepped out, her eyes litting up like she had just seen something rare and beautiful.

“Cette robe est faite pour vous,” she said with a broad smile.

“What?” I responded, confused.

“This dress was made for you. It’s so perfect,” she translated, smiling even wider.

I hadn’t even properly looked at myself because of— God. I shouldn’t think about what happened in the dressing room.

She gestured to one of the staff, who wheeled over a full-length mirror. I stared at my reflection, surprised by how beautiful I looked.

Just a simple, white, knee-length flare dress. Harmless. And elegant.

“Just a final touch.” Marie stepped behind me and pulled down my ponytail, letting my hair fall over my shoulders.

“Now that’s a ten.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

She nodded, then winked at Thane. The two of them spoke quietly in a corner before he walked back to me.

The minute we got into his car, it suddenly hit me. He wasn’t dressed up.

He doesn’t plan on going like that… does he?

I was about to ask when he started pulling off his shirt.

“What the hell are you doing?” I shouted.

He glanced at me. “What does it look like?”

He started unbuckling his trousers.

My hands flew to cover my face. “You do realize this is inappropriate, right?”

“Changing in my car is inappropriate? That’s new.”

I heard fabric rustling and the sound of his belt fastening again.

“It wouldn’t have killed you to do that inside before we left. Do you always have to show off your…”

I stopped myself. There was no way I was finishing that sentence out loud.

He chuckled softly. A second later, the engine roared to life.

I slowly lowered my hands. He was already dressed. His white shirt on, black blazer over it. The top buttons were still undone, his hair slightly messy.

But he still looked… You know. Annoyingly hot. I hate that I noticed.

Finally, Thane pulled in front of the venue, killed the engine, and stepped out of the car.

My eyes wandered to the guests walking in with their partners. Mum didn't mention a red carpet. I expected a big three-star hotel.

But this? This was far more intimidating. I adjusted my dress nervously.

“You don’t have to be nervous.” Thane walked around the car with a proud grin and held out his arm for me. “I’m here.”

I rolled my eyes but took his arm anyway.

As if he were the star of the night, reporters and paparazzi suddenly swarmed toward us, cameras flashing, even with the bouncers trying to hold them back. 

Thane, of course, looked like he was enjoying every second of it.

Just as we stepped onto the platform, a hand grabbed him from behind.

We both turned, but I barely got a proper look before he swore.

“Fuck.” His face twisted with horror. “Mum?”

My eyes widened. Despite the noise, I clearly heard him say mum.

Wait. This woman is his mum?

He dropped my arm immediately. “I’ll meet you inside.”

And just like that, he dragged the woman he’d just called his mother away with him.