Burberry

Celine's POV 

Maryjane parked in front of the apartment. 

" We're here!" She announced 

It was my first time here so everything was very knew to me. 

It was obviously nothing like the mansion that I had left behind and that was exactly why I chose it.

It had warm lightning, soft walls with tall windows that caught the golden afternoon light like it has missed me too.

"Home sweet home" Maryjane blurted out in front of me as she wheeled the last box into the living room. She had a smug grin on her face.

She had insisted on helping me furnish the place, right down to the candles and throw pillows , I had gladly accepted her offer. I mean, she was an interior decorator afterall.

" Yes home sweet home" I repeated silently as I glanced through the apartment. I was soo excited to begin this new phase of my life.

I watched as Maryjane walked towards the kitchen and then opened the fridge. " See...well stocked with food" 

I gave her a grateful smile. " What would I have done without you MJ? " I asked rhetorically and then added. "thank you " 

" You know this is the least I could do Celine...I am your best friend " she replied as I walked towards my bedroom.

Finally, a place where I could have my peace.

" You do know that my place is still very welcome for you..... this place is cute and all, but you need noise and laughter, you need candlelight wine nights with your emotionally chaotic best friend " She gestured dramatically as she spoke.

I smiled at her words as she continued " This place has creepy hallways and your neighbour smells like expired beef jerky" She stated out loud as we both laughed at the joke.

" You know that's not true MJ, don't be mean" I said in-between laughs 

" Fine!" She surrendered and then added as she tossed the keys into my palm. " I set up the internet and security like you asked .....you are all set "

Maryjane didn't push, she never did.

" I can't thank you enough MJ" I replied her 

" So..... I'd see you tomorrow at the office?" She asked 

" Absolutely " I replied her affirmatively.

Once Maryjane left, the silence stretched long. I decided to take it slowly, one breath at a time.

I was alone, really alone and for once, it didn't feel empty...it felt like mine.

I subconsciously reached for my fingers.

The finger that had worn Rowan's wedding ring for 2 good years. I had left the ring on my bed-stand before leaving the house that morning. The morning I decided to leave Rowan Sinclair for good. But then, why do I all of a sudden feel like I miss it? This can't be right. 

Wanting to busy myself in order to drive away the unwanted thoughts, I stood up from the bed and walked barefoot across the living room, relishing the softness beneath my feet. I then walked into the kitchen to open cabinets, ran my hand along the counter top, and straightened a crooked lamp. Every moment grounded me.

This was mine, the life I had chosen.

I moved back into the living room to relax there when I heard a sound. 

A soft, heavy creak. 

It wasn't from the window but from behind me. 

My body immediately snapped into alertness. Was I imagining this? Is my mind trying to play some sort of trick on me? Numerous questions began to run through my head all at once.

I turned my eyes to scan the hallway. I had locked the door, hadn't I?

I heard the sounds again, this time louder, like movement and it made me scared to death. 

"Who's there? " I asked out loud 

There was no response. And this got me more agitated. I had left my phone in the bedroom so there was no way I could call for help.

I immediately sighted the pepper spray that Maryjane had insisted that I kept, thankfully it was on the table beside me.

The entire house felt colder and tighter. 

The hallway light flickered twice. I rose to my feet with adrenaline buzzing in my ears louder than my breath. 

The empty room was half open, I was sure that I hadn't left it that way after checking it out with Maryjane. 

My heart began to beat faster. I moved slowly, silently stepping towards the room. 

Then I saw him, a man standing inside. 

He was tall, broad shouldered and was facing the window, unbothered by the fact that I might hit him.

I immediately gasped silently as I was ready to take action and spray him but as if on cue, he turned to face me as he raised both hands in the air.

" Who the hell are you?" I blurted out immediately whilst lifting the pepper spray to his face.

" I'm not here to hurt you" he replied 

" You need to give me a good explanation before I spray your face!" I continued with a firm tone. Even though I was scared deep down, I wasn't going to go down without a fight. " How did you get in?" I continued 

" My name is Alex...I was hired to protect you" he stated 

A confused expression immediately came upon my face. What the fuck was he talking about?

" You've got the wrong person" I blurted out 

"No...you are Celine Sinclair " he said firmly.

I wanted to correct and tell him that I was no longer a Sinclair.... that I was Celine Dunphy, but I didn't. I needed to understand what was going on first.

"Who hired you? ......how did you even get in?" I asked him 

" I'm afraid but I can't tell...... but I can assure you that it is someone who has your best Interest at heart " he explained 

I still couldn't comprehend what was happening. Firstly, why would I even need protection? Who then would do this? It definitely can't be Maryjane because there was absolutely no reason for her to hide this from me. 

My family didn't care about me. There was only one person left..... Rowan. But then why would he even bother about me? He didn't even hesitate to sign the divorce papers so why then would he go to the length of hiring me a body guard? Ofcourse it can't be Rowan.

" I don't need a bodyguard" I stated firmly " you're lucky that I haven't sprayed you yet, this is trespassing you know!" I said out loud 

" I apologize for that.....I shouldn't have come in without permission " he apologized 

" Please leave before I call the police.... this is your last chance " I blurted out 

" Okay.... I'd leave...but I can assure you that sooner than you think, you'd see reasons why you need me" he replied and then added. " The world you walked away from, .....it's not finished with you yet " 

His words pierced my soul. What on earth is happening?

I watched as he began to slowly walk towards me.

" What are you doing?" I asked immediately 

" I want to leave " he replied with his hands still raised " can I leave please?" 

I slowly took a few steps out of the room, giving him space to pass through till he got to the front door. It was then that I got to realize that I had forgotten to lock it after Maryjane left. 

After vaguely promising to return soon, he walked out of the apartment.

I slowly took a deep breath as my heart was still racing, but my hands didn't shake.

The old Celine would have probably panicked, called Someone or hidden. But I didn't, not this time.

But then, I couldn't help the numerous questions that I had. What on earth was he talking about? Who sent him and why do I need protection? 

His answers had been too vague and careful. He responded like he had read my file somehow. 

Was Maryjane right? Is staying alone not good for me? But then I thought she said that she had installed the security to this place? 

I locked the door , walked back into my bedroom and then curled myself into a ball, still shaken from the experience.

Just then, my phone vibrated on the bed. I picked it up expecting a text from Maryjane but instead, it was an unknown number, ..... with one message.

I curiously opened it to find no text, but a photo.

My picture. 

It was a photo of me taken from outside the apartment, while I was standing in the kitchen. The realization of things started at dawn on me as I stared at the screen with blood draining from my eyes. 

I began to hyperventilate as my heart thundered. 

I was being watched. And this was serious.