Out-Of-Character
Dan, please… talk to me, please. I didn’t do anything to that woman! Please trust me. Let’s talk! That was Brian’s latest message to Danica.
She broke up with Brian after discovering that he had played a role in Lily’s predicament years ago. Their one-year relationship had been great until it wasn’t. His friends were insane! She had once celebrated Brian’s birthday with them, but she had never suspected that they were keeping something secret.
When she suggested partnering with Lily, she assumed that Brian simply didn’t like her friend, without considering that his connection with Lily was more complicated or darker.
When her schoolmates spread information about Lily’s past on their school forum, she learned that Brian was one of the men who had mentally abused her friend. Then, to her utter bewilderment, the police arrested Brian in connection with an abduction case.
She didn’t think twice about ending their relationship after that because he seemed to be a man hiding behind the facade of a respectful boyfriend!
Lately, Brian’s messages had been unsettling. Even though she kept it a secret, his messages were growing increasingly controlling and dominant.
Danica: Brian, please stop texting me! We’re finished! Not only did you hurt Lily, but remember, you have an ongoing case with Carmela!
Brian: I didn’t do anything to her, Dan. Please believe me.
How could she believe him?
She no longer wanted to communicate with him. To prevent him from calling her, she added Brian’s number to the block list, which he had changed countless times.
Danica met their client and assisted her with an ocular. Everything went smoothly until a strong grip suddenly halted her arm as she exited the building. When she saw Brian, her eyes widened.
“B-Brian!” Danica exclaimed.
“Why are you doing this to me?!” Brian looked toward the building she had just left and accused her with rage, “Did you meet your new lover here, huh?”
Danica glanced at the people walking by casually. “Let go of me!”
“You are mine, Danica! We were fine until you met Lily! Why do you have to end things with me just because of her?”
Danica kicked him in his most vulnerable spot, and he hissed in pain. Brian had never experienced this before.
“Fuck!” he cursed, clutching his aching groin.
Their commotion attracted unwanted attention, which Danica detested. She quickly distanced herself from him while he writhed in pain.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
“Danica!!!” Brian yelled, paying no heed to the onlookers who had gathered to watch.
Danica felt her feet burning from the high heels as she ran, and her chest pounded with anxiety. She lost track of time as she sprinted. Suddenly, she heard a car horn beeping beside her and saw Kael driving with the window down.
“Danica!”
“Oh, my God!” Upon spotting Kael, she felt like she had found an ally and was on the verge of tears. She scanned her surroundings but couldn’t locate Brian.
“Are you alright?” Kael asked.
“T-there’s a stalker chasing after me!” She was ashamed to admit that the man she referred to was her ex-boyfriend.
Kael followed her anxious gaze. “Hop in before I cause a traffic jam.”
Danica flung open the passenger side door and jumped inside. She couldn’t stop her body from trembling.
“Where should I take you?” Kael asked.
He pulled himself closer to secure her seatbelt. Seeing him at such close proximity, Danica swallowed, admiring his smooth skin and perfect form. His scent enveloped her senses, nearly causing her to forget about her stalker-like ex-boyfriend, whom she desperately wanted to avoid.
“I-in my apartment,” she stammered, considering going home to sleep in her own place instead.
But seeing Brian entering the building astonished her. Danica was too trembling with anxiety to open the door, observing her ex-boyfriend’s uncharacteristic behavior.
She covered her mouth, unable to fathom that this would be the result of their separation. Danica recalled giving him the combination to her apartment door, a thought that now terrified her and sent shivers down her spine.
Kael noticed her trembling in fear.
“Is that your stalker? The one with the hat who had just entered the building?”
“P-please… Get me away from here,” muttered Danica, avoiding everyone’s gaze.
Kael nodded. “Hmm… I’m going to visit my mom. Do you want to come with me?”
With numerous thoughts and worries swirling in her mind, Danica couldn’t comprehend what was happening and didn’t bother to answer. It took a few minutes until Kael’s sedan arrived in front of an immense house in an exclusive neighborhood.
“W-where are we?” she asked.
“Didn’t I mention that I was going to see my mother? Let’s go inside!” Kael opened the door on her side.
Even though she had only known Kael for a few weeks, she had already met his sister. And now, he was letting her know that she would meet his mother in a matter of seconds, causing her cheeks to heat up.
Stop, girl!
“T-thanks!”
Kael retrieved a bag of food from the back seat.
“I made this at my apartment after my brief meeting because my mother loves the food I prepare.”
“Is this the perk of being the boss? You get to go home early,” Danica said, amusement evident in her tone. She realized her earlier fear had gradually dissipated without her noticing.
“As if you don’t know!” Kael replied before mimicking her voice. “‘I want this, and I want that!’ I’m not as bossy as you are.”
“Shut up!”
Kael grinned and led her inside.
“I’m here!” he announced, opening the front door.
“Sir Kael!” greeted a helper
“How are you, Joy? You’re looking even more beautiful, aren’t you!”
The woman’s smile widened, clearly appreciating the compliment. “Really?! Thank you! Come in!”
“Is that Kael?” They found his mother reading a book inside.
“Mom!” Kael hugged his mother and kissed her on the cheek, while she curiously gazed at Danica.
“Hello, Mrs. Escarrer!” Danica greeted with a cheerful smile. “I’m sorry for any inconvenience.”
His mother turned to Kael. “Lauren told me you have a new girlfriend. Is this her?”
Kael smiled brightly. “What do you think?”
“I approve!” Danica’s cheeks remained flushed in response to Mrs. Escarrer’s straightforward statement.
Her cheeks burned with heat. It was the first time she had received such a compliment, even though she wasn’t romantically involved with Kael. Yet, it didn’t prevent her heart from racing.
As Kael’s mother headed to the kitchen to prepare the dinner they had brought, Danica playfully hit Kael’s arm.
“Hey! What’s your deal?!” she asked in an irritated whisper.
“Why? What did I do?”
“Why did you lie to your mom? I’m not your girlfriend!”
“That won’t be a lie if it becomes true one day,” he laughed.
She grimaced as she kicked him in the leg, feeling the leather of her heels scrape her skin.
“Hey!”
Noticing how uncomfortable she was, Kael picked her up and carried her to a single-seater sofa. She wanted to scold him for various reasons but hesitated to create a scene.
Before her, Kael knelt and examined her foot. Completely entranced by his presence, she felt like she had lost touch with herself, and the earlier anxiety seemed to have vanished.
Now, Danica was anxious for a different reason.
Kael removed her shoes before gently massaging her feet.
“I-it’s dirty!”
He raised his eyebrows. “I’m an engineer, babe. I’ve touched things you could never imagine, and I’m certain your feet are clean.”
Babe?!
His mother returned with a platter of snacks. “What happened to your girlfriend?”
“Do you have any medicine, Mom? Her foot got blistered.”
“You can find it in that drawer,” Mrs. Escarrer responded before giving her son a playful scolding. “What kind of boyfriend are you? You should buy her comfortable shoes.”
“Yes, Mom!” Kael winked at Danica. “Stay right there, princess.”
Danica covered her cheek, which, in her humble opinion, had turned as red as a tomato.
This is bad… Really, really bad!
It’s entirely his fault if she ends up liking this man!