ONE DANGEROUS MAN

Six years ago, when I got thrown out of Auntie Cam's home, 'Die...you fucking bitch.' Samantha had said loudly.

Looking back now, I sort of wonder why they hated me so much. I tried to get along with them, but they just didn't seem to even want to share the same breathing space as I. Somehow, I wonder the kind of life they are living right now. Though, I know it's an extremely comfortable one.

It's funny how I shared the same roof with them in a really fancy house...still, it didn't feel like home. They never hid the fact that they didn't want me there. While everyone had dinner and breakfast at the table, I would always eat in my room. They made me trek to school every day, when the twins were always driven to school by the car. No matter the celebration in the house, they locked me in the room...away from their guests...I was invisible. I was unwanted.

Last night, I had really great time with Miles. It feels so good to finally have a best friend. Sometimes, I wonder why he's so good to me. He's older than I am. He holds a way higher position in the company. He is comfortable financially too. Miles is just up there...he probably even shouldn't be talking to the likes of me. But he is always so nice, and I'm comfortable around him. Just the thought of him makes me smile because he's such an amazing person.

I roll to the edge of the bed to check the time on my phone. I realize I slept a lot. It is 5pm on Saturday evening. A yawn escapes my mouth and I stretch on the bed. My eyes widen and I pick back my phone. There's a missed call from Miles but that's not what caught my attention. There's a message from an unknown number, and I think I know exactly who it is—even before reading the text. He had sent the text message last night and it's been lying there on my phone...I was fast asleep. I had no idea.

I sit upright on the bed, folding my legs while I read the message. Immediately I read the first line, I roll my eyes.

Caroline Ann...Your name is as beautiful as you, you know that? I bet you just rolled your eyes. Easy, I'm not trying to be all cheesy. Okay maybe I'm just trying to mess with you, but then I do mean what I said.

Hey, you didn't forget our plans did you? Do you want me to come pick you or you want the address to the bookstore? Anyways, text me okay? Good night beautiful.

I roll my eyes, dropping my phone by the bedside. I get on my feet, walking into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. When I finish up my business in the bathroom, I scurry back to bed to pick up my phone. I scoff, my hands typing away on the keyboard.

Good morning, handsome. Thank you for messing with me, I think it's becoming your hobby now. I remember our plans vividly, thank you very much. I must say I do have quite a good memory, considering you disappeared into thin air, and I almost forgot you along with the plans.

Kindly text me the address to the bookstore.

I head to the kitchen with my phone in hand. I haven't shopped groceries so I can't make something to eat. I sigh, opening the fridge and bringing out a bottle of water—-even the fridge is empty. If I wasn't so tired from going to the movies last night with Miles, I would have gone grocery shopping. My phone beeps, and I drop the bottle on the kitchen island...grabbing my phone.

How nice of you to call me handsome. I'm glad you remember our plans, and hey...I didn't disappear. I've just been really busy. You should blame our boss.

You know what I think? I think you are just as interested in me, as I am in you. You miss me, don't you Caroline?

I drop my phone, grabbing the bottle of water and downing it fast. The last drop enters the wrong pipe and I start to cough. I reach for my phone, my hands moving on the keyboard.

And you want to know what I think? I think you are just bored. You keep messing with me for fun.

Send me the address before I change my mind.

My phone beeps almost immediately.

☹

I roll my eyes, but almost jumped when my phone starts to ring—-it's him.

'Why so rigid, Caroline?'

I feel the edges of my lips curl into a small smile when his awfully familiar voice fills my ear. I keep silent, my eyes shutting close.

'Caroline...' his deep voice drawls out slowly, and my eyes open.

The way my name rolls off his tongue...like he's so used to saying it like a prayer. I lick my lips, grabbing onto the phone tightly. My lips start to part slowly and I wonder what to say now. All of a sudden, my mind's gone blank.

'Yes?' my voice comes out tiny.

He keeps silent, and then I heard him exhale on the other side of the phone.

'I missed you.'

Three words...just three simple words, but they did things to me. A soft gasp escapes past my lips, and I didn't know what to say.

What is he doing? My eyes keep twitching, and I feel heat rush to my face. He says he missed me. The three words play repeatedly in my head. These are simple, harmless words and yet these same words made my heart jump. He is dangerous...very dangerous.

'Stop messing with me. Send the address already or forget it.' I force out, biting down my lower lip awkwardly.

I heard him chuckle on the other side of the phone, and I start to massage my temple with my free hand. This man has a knack for making me nervous. His words always find a way to affect me, and make me react in ways I normally won't.

'Or you can text me your address. I'll come over to yours, and we can go to the bookstore together.' He says.

There is no point arguing with him. From what I know, this man is one persistent human being...overly confident, and seems like the type that won't backdown no matter what.

I muster a groan. 'Fine.'

After dropping the call, I text him my address and he shoots back a reply almost immediately.

See you in an hour ☺

I scurry back into the bathroom. I wash my hair, taking a quick shower. By the time I finish drying, and stretching my hair with the straightener, thirty minutes had gone fast. I put on a full slip dress that stops at my ankle...it's a navy floral dress, and sleeveless. I gel my hair in a slick back ponytail. I complete the look with my only pair of white sneakers, black leather jacket, and an old black sling bag.

The doorbell rings immediately I apply gloss on my lips. I glance at myself one last time in the mirror before rushing to the door. I exhale, opening the door. My eyes land on his familiar handsome face. I watch the edges of his lips curl into a warm smile, and he mutters in his deep voice,

'Now, this is the part I tell you just how beautiful you look tonight.'