Chapter 4: Maxine

Cat gave Danika a full tour of the house, moving from room to room with excitement as she pointed out everything—from the spacious living room to the cozy kitchen.

“And this,” Cat said, pushing open a door with a proud smile, “is your room.”

Danika stepped inside slowly, her eyes scanning the space. It was simple but beautiful. Clean. Peaceful. It already felt like somewhere she could breathe.

“I love it,” she said softly. “I knew you would,” Cat grinned.

They spent the next hour unpacking—laughing, talking, folding clothes, and arranging things until the room slowly started to feel like home.

By the time they were done, exhaustion hit them hard. “I am not cooking,” Cat groaned, dramatically dropping onto the bed.

Danika laughed. “Same. Let’s just order something.”

“Best decision you’ve made today.” After eating, Danika sat back and picked up her phone.

“I need to call home.” Cat nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll just… rest my eyes for a bit.”

Danika smiled before dialing, the call connected, and almost immediately, a small excited face filled the screen.

“Mummy!!!” Emily squealed. Danika’s face lit up instantly. “My baby! I miss you so much!”

“I miss you more!” Emily replied, bouncing happily. Behind her, Mrs. Paige appeared, smiling warmly. “How was your trip, sweetheart?”

“It was long,” Danika sighed, “but I’m fine. I’m settling in.”

“Good. You look tired.”“I am,” she laughed softly. “But I’m okay.”

Emily leaned closer to the screen. “Mummy, I had dance today! ”Danika’s eyes softened. “Really? How did it go?”

“I did sooo good!” Emily said proudly, standing up and trying to demonstrate a small spin. “My teacher said I was amazing!”

Danika clapped softly. “Of course you were. My baby is the best dancer.”

“I wish you were there,” Emily mumbled. Danika’s smile faded just a little. “I know, baby… I wish I was there too.”

There was a brief silence before she quickly brightened again. “But you have to keep practicing for me, okay?”

“I will! ”At that moment, Cat suddenly appeared beside Danika, squinting sleepily at the phone.

“Heyyy Emily…” she mumbled, waving lazily. “Aunty Cat!” Emily giggled.

Cat smiled but didn’t last long—her head slowly dropped onto Danika’s shoulder. “She’s gone,” Danika whispered, amused.

Mrs. Paige chuckled. “You girls should get some rest.

“I will,” Danika nodded.

“I love you, mummy!” Emily said quickly.

“I love you more, baby.”

“Not more than me! "Danika laughed softly. “Always more.”

After a few more goodbyes, the call ended.

Danika turned her head and looked at Cat—completely knocked out. “Seriously?” she muttered with a small smile.

She carefully shifted, trying not to wake her, but there was no point. Cat was dead asleep.

With a tired sigh, Danika stood up and walked to the second couch. She dropped onto it, pulling a pillow under her head.

The silence wrapped around her.

For a moment, she stared at the ceiling… thinking of Emily, of home, of everything she left behind.

Then slowly, her eyes close

And she drifted off.

*The next morning*

Cat woke up to someone shaking her violently. “Hmmm… ten minutes…” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

“You this lazy bitch—you need to resume work today!” Danika snapped.

Cat’s eyes flew open instantly. She jumped up and turned to the wall clock.

Her eyes widened. “Ahhh! Why didn’t you wake me up?!” she shouted, running around in panic.

Danika folded her arms, leaning casually against the wall. “Oh, sweet Cat… you should have seen the way I was shaking you.”

Cat groaned, rushing to get ready.

A few minutes later, she came running out fully dressed slightly breathless while Danika stood in the kitchen making toast and coffee.

The smell filled the air. “God, you’re a lifesaver,” Cat said, grabbing the food quickly.

She stuffed a bite into her mouth before turning. “How do I look, Danika?”

Danika raised a brow. “You’re not doing makeup?”

“I’ll do it on my way,” Cat replied, already gulping down her coffee. “Of course you will.”

Cat grabbed her bag and rushed toward the door. “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late”

“Bye!” Danika called after her but the door had already slammed shut.

She sighed. “Typical.”

After finishing the dishes and cleaning up the house, Danika went through a quiet morning routine.

Everything felt… still. She paused for a moment, her hands resting on the counter.

She missed waking Emily up. Missed her little voice.

Shaking the feeling away, she grabbed the remote. “Okay… no sad mood today.”

She curled up on the couch and turned on a movie, letting the sound fill the empty space.

After the second movie, Danika stretched lazily on the couch, staring at the ceiling. “I’m bored as hell,” she muttered.

She grabbed her phone and checked the time.

With a small sigh, she stood up. “A walk won’t hurt." The air outside was cool and refreshing, carrying a calm that felt almost too perfect. Danika slipped her hands into her hoodie pockets as she walked through the neighborhood, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

At first, it felt nice. Peaceful.

But the further she walked, the quieter it became.

The houses thinned out, the street growing emptier. No voices. No cars. Just the faint sound of wind brushing against trees.

Danika frowned slightly. “Yeah… nope,” she muttered under her breath. “This is giving horror movie vibes.”

She turned, ready to head back “Where you going, pretty?”

Her steps froze. Three… no, four guys stepped into her path, blocking the road.

Danika’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes sharpened. “I think you took a wrong turn,” one of them said, smirking.

Another stepped closer, his gaze roaming over her. “Or maybe she came looking for us.” Danika crossed her arms slowly. “Move.”

They laughed. “Oh, she’s got attitude,” one said.

“I like that,” another added, taking a step closer.

Danika didn’t move an inch. “I’m not in the mood,” she said coldly. “So I’ll say this once move out of my way.”

The tallest one tilted his head. “Or what?” There was a brief silence.

Then

“Or she’ll make you regret it.” The voice came from behind them.

Before the men could even turn properly

Thud.

One of them hit the ground. “What the?!”

A figure moved fast too fast.

Punch.

Kick.

Another one dropped, groaning in pain. Danika’s eyes widened slightly as she watched the scene unfold.

The stranger dressed in dark clothes, face partially covered with a veil moved like they’d done this a hundred times before.

Precise. Controlled. Dangerous.

“Who the hell are you?!” one of the guys shouted, swinging wildly.

The stranger dodged effortlessly and drove a punch straight into his stomach. “Someone you shouldn’t have crossed,” the voice came again calm, almost bored.

Within seconds, the remaining men backed off.“Let’s go, man!” one of them hissed, dragging the others.

They ran.

Danika blinked, her gaze fixed on the stranger.

The figure stood still for a moment… then reached up and slowly pulled off the veil. Danika’s brows lifted in surprise.

It wasn’t a man. It was a woman.

Tall. Confident. Slightly built but strong in all the right places. There was something effortlessly cool about her something bold.

In one word?

A total tomboy.

She turned to Danika and gave her a small, easy smile. “You okay?”

Danika let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Yeah… I am. Thanks to you.”

The girl shrugged casually. “They were annoying. ”Danika let out a soft laugh. “That’s one way to put it.”

There was a brief pause before she added, “Thank you. Seriously.” The girl extended her hand. “Maxine.”

Danika took it. “Danika.” Maxine smirked slightly. “You can call me Max.”

“Max,” Danika repeated, nodding. “Nice to meet you… even if the situation is a little dramatic.”

Max chuckled. “You handled yourself pretty well back there. Most people would’ve panicked.”

Danika shrugged lightly. “Panicking wouldn’t have helped. ”Max studied her for a second, impressed.

“I like you already. Danika smiled faintly.

“So… do you always show up out of nowhere and beat people up?” she teased.

“Only when I’m bored,” Max replied, slipping her hands into her pockets.

They both laughed. “You live around here?” Max asked.

“Just moved in,” Danika replied. “Still getting used to everything.”

“Well,” Max said, glancing down the road, “you might want to avoid this part for a while.”

“Noted." There was a small silence before Max stepped back.

“I should go. ”Danika nodded. “Yeah… me too.”

They held each other’s gaze for a second longer than necessary.

“See you around?” Max said.

Danika smiled slightly. “Yeah… I think I’d like that.” Max gave a small wave before turning and walking off, her figure slowly disappearing into the quiet street.

Danika watched her go.

She turned and began walking back home, her mind replaying everything.