CHAPTER ONE : THE STRANGE MAN

Rosa's POV

"Thank you for walking me home," I smile up at my fiancee, Leonardo. He looks down at me, bright eyes connecting with mine. His eyebrows knit together, arm wrapped around my waist securely.

"There's still a way to go. Are you sure you want me to leave you here?" He said,

I smile at how overprotective he is. It's one of the things I adore about him. I nod my head, my dark curls bobbing around my shoulders.

"Of course, it's like a two-minute walk up this road. It's late; you should go."

I lean up and wrap my arms around his neck, pushing the back of his head so that his lips meet mine. He kisses me slowly, his hands resting against the waistband of my shorts. I pull back and rest my forehead against his, looking into his blue eyes.

"Happy one-year anniversary." I murmured, the smile permanently fixed on my face. Leonardo traces the skin that's exposed around my stomach, his fingers causing me to shiver in the dark night.

"Happy one year, baby!" He whispered, pulling away from me. He kisses two of his fingers before reaching over and placing them on my lips, just like he does every time we say goodbye.

"Catch you later." He smiles before turning around and sauntering off down the street. I watched him go for a few minutes, admiring his beauty from afar, as he drove away through the night. I turn back around, my thoughts spinning with the memories we created tonight.

My lips are set into a permanent smile as I continue the rest of the short walk home. It's past midnight, the trees lining the street swaying softly to and fro from the light summer breeze. I can still smell the heat in the air, and I inhale deeply, loving the scent.

I'm only a few doors away from home; I can see my little red car parked in front. The curtains are drawn, and I know everyone would be sleeping now. There was a little spring in my step as I hum to myself, bending down to tie my shoelace. It has become undone, and I didn't fancy face-planting the floor.

The low rumble of a car engine can be heard coming up the road behind me, but I ignore it, thinking it would pass. It continues to grow louder as it approaches, music blaring from inside. The car slows down, irritated by voices coming from inside it.

I turn my head briefly, glancing warily from the corner of my eye. It's a dark blue sedan, the windows completely blacked out. I feel my heart begin to rave as the sound of male voices can be heard coming from the inside. The door suddenly swings open, and I watch in horror as a figure is thrown out of it onto the street.

I quickly scurry to hide in the shadows, my heart thumping wildly against my chest. The figure groans loudly, hitting his head hard against the concrete as he falls. The car door immediately slams shut and speeds off down the road, leaving him rolling around the floor in pain. My eyes widen, and I back further up into the wall. Remaining hidden.

The fair-skinned figure kneels onto his knees, coughing and spluttering. He doesn't know I'm watching him. I turn to see the distance between here and my door, a few seconds if I run. I don't want him to see me in case he's dangerous, so I figure I'd wait until he's gone.

The street lamp next to him illuminated his appearance, and he rose to his knees, clutching his stomach tightly. My eyes widened further as I noticed a deep cut on his forehead, bleeding down the side of his face.

His face, his complexion, is golden and tanned, almost as if he's been on a three-month holiday. My eyes widen like two saucers as I notice the structure of his sharp jawline. His eyes are large and the color of hazelnut, complete with a set of thick lashes. Even with the pain on his face, he's not a bad sight to look at.

He wavers a little on his feet, a small sound of discomfort coming from him. He's wearing a plain grey shirt, the fabric clinging to his shoulders and back. The rest of his look is all fair: skinny jeans and trainers. A leather jacket is lying on the floor next to him. My eyes travel down to his exposed tattooed arm. The skin is covered in multiple dark tattoos. The only ones I can make out are the detailing of skulls. I'm too far away to see any others.

My grip on my house keys tightens, and I position one between my fingers as self-defense. You can't trust anyone these days.

I realize as he stands up straight how tall this guy is. His broad shoulders and wide stance scream danger, and I squeeze my eyes shut, praying that he doesn't find me lurking in the shadows. He doesn't make an attempt to move, groaning in pain as he lifts up his top to inspect the damage. My breathing hitches in my throat as my eyes scan over his body.

"Oh my God!" I whispered inwardly to myself.

Tanned, muscular, and toned. His stomach ripples as he moves, and I feel my mouth dry out, averting my gaze. It feels wrong. Another sound of discomfort comes from him, and I turn back to find him leaning against the wall, inhaling deeply. He doesn't look too good. The blood on the side of his face is streaming down his neck, and I chew on my lower lip, uncertain of what I should do.

"Should I call an ambulance?" I thought to myself.

I slowly stand to my feet, the grip on my keys tightening. He doesn't hear me, and I think about making a run for it now. I can feel my heart beating in my ears, adrenaline running through my body. As soon as I take a step forward, he freezes and spins around. I can't help but freeze on the spot, my eyes wide as if I've been caught in a lie. He simply stares at me, dark eye narrowing.

My heart stops beating for a moment, and I blink several times, both of us staring at each other silently.

"Who are you?" He asked, breaking the silence between us. His voice is a low rumble, smooth and velvety. I swallow the lump in my throat, glancing around for anyone who can save me. The street is deserted; no one but him and.

"I have to go." I muttered, fear building up inside my stomach. I turn to walk away, walking those few steps until I can get safe.

"Stop!"

I immediately freeze, turning back around to find him taking slow steps towards me. My eyes widened further, and I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out then. "I'm dead!"

I'm frozen in fear, rooted to the spot. His steps are slow, his face contorting in pain as he drags himself towards me. I took a step back, and he narrowed his eyes further, one perfect eyebrow raising at my action.

"Don't even think of running, Emily."

 I sank in a deep breath, the grip on my keys tightening.

"I don't speak Spanish." I muttered dumbly, my thoughts buzzing inside my head. Why didn't I let Leonardo walk me straight home?

He let out a low chuckle, his eyes glinting in the dark night. His hand is still clutching onto his stomach, and he stops approaching me once he's a few feet away.　　

"You don't speak Spanish, yet you know I was speaking Spanish!"

I drop my eyes to the floor, his burning gaze causing goosebumps to travel up my skin. The safety voice inside my head was screaming at me to run, my legs twitching to get away from the danger.

"Look at me when I'm speaking to you." He growled at me, and at that moment I noticed he mistook me for someone else, I guess his girlfriend or fiancee, named Emily.　

Despite his injuries, his voice is strong and confident. He reeks of self-love and arrogance.

"Don't come any closer." I warned him, my voice trembling as I raised the key in my hand to show him I was armed.

He takes a look at the jewelry wrapped tightly between my fingers before his eyes begin to scan through my body. He takes another slow step forward, and all of a sudden he falls to the ground, and his eyes close.

"Wake up!" I screamed at the top of my voice as I rushed to his side, trying to get him up.