When I saw James was in a deep sleep, I moved slowly, not wanting to wake him up. He must have been really tired—he was sleeping like a baby. Smiling softly, I placed a pillow in my spot and hugged it before quietly stepping away.
As I was about to leave, James mumbled in his sleep, "Ahh, Y/N, don't go."
I chuckled lightly, shaking my head at his unconscious words. After making sure he was still asleep, I went to my room and lay down. Just as I was about to drift off, my phone buzzed loudly, cutting through the silence.
I reached for it groggily and answered, "Hello?"
A chillingly familiar voice responded, "Miss me, baby?"
My body tensed immediately. I knew that voice all too well—it was that stupid thief.
"Why are you calling me?" I asked sharply, gripping the phone tighter.
He chuckled darkly. "Did you think I'd just let you go? You even changed your house, huh?"
I sighed, already regretting picking up. "Don't call me again."
"Oh, and not just that," he continued, his voice laced with amusement. "You even gave that idiot Kayden my number."
My heart dropped. "What?!" I gasped, completely taken aback.
"Baby, I'm not an idiot like basterd Kayden," he taunted.
My mind raced. How did he know about that? "Why are you calling me? What do you want?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Meet me."
"No! Why would I do that?"
"Well… let's just say if you don't, I can easily pay a visit to your little friend's house too." His tone was laced with malice.
Panic surged through me. "Don't you dare!"
"Try me… what was her name again? Oh yeah, Emma."
"How do you—" I swallowed hard. "You stay away from her!"
"Then you know what to do, baby. Just meet me. And I'm so, so angry with you."
I exhaled sharply, clenching my jaw. "Fine. But promise me you won't hurt anyone."
He chuckled again. "Don't worry about that."
"Meet me in the—"
"No," he cut me off. "You're going out tomorrow with your friend and her boyfriend, right?"
I stiffened. "How do you know that?"
"I have my ways, baby… Now, listen carefully. Go with them. And when you're alone, I'll be there."
"Why not just talk over the phone instead? There's no need to meet."
"Because I want to touch you… feel you… kiss y—"
"Enough! I am NOT meeting you—"
"Are you sure?" His voice was a dangerous whisper.
I gulped. "Fine. But don't do anything stupid."
"We'll see… Now sleep, baby. You have work tomorrow."
The line went dead. I sat frozen, gripping my phone, heart pounding wildly. I tried to sleep, but the anxiety gnawed at me. After tossing and turning, I finally played some music to calm my nerves and, after what felt like hours, drifted off into uneasy sleep.
---
The Next Morning
"Y/N, get up. You have to go," James's voice broke through my sleep.
I rubbed my eyes groggily. "Okay, okay."
Before I could move, James suddenly pulled me into a warm hug. "Good morning, Y/N," he murmured.
I frowned, pulling back. "Ahh, why are you acting like a boyfriend?" I teased.
He smirked. "If you want me to be, I will."
I rolled my eyes. "Shut up, idiot. You already have a girlfriend." I grabbed my clothes and went into the bathroom to get ready. After changing into a loose white T-shirt and pants, I was about to leave when James stopped me.
"Y/N, have breakfast."
"Ahh, I don't have time. You can—"
Ding dong. The doorbell rang.
"It must be Kayden." I opened the door and saw him standing there, smiling. Before I could say anything, James appeared beside me and grabbed my wrist.
"Y/N, you have to eat something before you go." His gaze shifted to Kayden, who was suddenly looking a little irritated.
Kayden grabbed my other hand. "Y/N, we'll eat at the office. Now let's go."
James smirked. "Ahh, Mr. Scott… take care of my Y/N, okay? She's a little clumsy."
I pinched his stomach. "Ow!"
Kayden's jaw tightened. "You don't need to worry about her. And yeah, you have your own girlfriend to worry about, right? I'll handle mine."
There was a long, tense stare between them. I looked between the two, confused by their silent battle.
James finally sighed. "Y/N, bye."
James leaned down and suddenly kissed my cheek. "Bye, Jamei," I said, flustered. Kayden pulled my hand and led me to his car. He opened the door for me, and I sat down, noticing his stiff posture.
Once he got in, he asked, "What was he doing in your house so early in the morning?"
"He stayed over last night."
Kayden's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "What… why?"
"Because he landed late last night and came over to meet me. We offered him a place to stay."
He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Okay."
As he reached over to buckle my seatbelt, his fingers brushed against my cheek. He paused, frowning, and then gently wiped my cheek with his thumb. My eyes widened as I realized—James had kissed me there earlier.
Kayden exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. Without another word, he sat back and started the car. We drove in silence to the office, where we quickly got busy with work, too occupied to meet again during the day.
But even as I worked, my mind kept drifting back to that phone call. What did that thief want? And how the hell did he know so much about my life?
After some time, I hear the office phone buzz. I pick it up.
Kayden: "Y/N, come. We'll eat something."
"I'm n—"
Kayden: "That's an order, Y/N."
I sigh. "Okay."
I walk over to Kayden. He's ordered food—lots of it.
"Are you planning to invite all the employees?" I ask.
He shakes his head.
Kayden: "I didn't know what you'd like, so I ju—"
"Okay, but this is a lot. We should share with them."
He nods and calls someone to pick up the extra packages. After that, we eat.
Kayden: "So, what are you d—"
Before he can finish, the office door swings open. I look up and see Mr. Annoying. He smirks the moment he spots us.
Mr. Annoying: "Y/N, baby! I missed you."
He spreads his arms wide, and I suddenly remember—I have to hug him.
I walk toward him slowly, hesitating, but he pulls me into a tight embrace.
Mr. Annoying: "What about a smile?"
I force a small smile. "H-hi..."
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kayden get up. His expression darkens, and without a word, he storms off, not even glancing at us.
"S—" I start, but Mr. Annoying cuts me off.
Mr. Annoying: "Don't worry about him… baby. Now, give me a good kiss."
I quickly shake my head. "No, I'm at work."
He sighs dramatically.
Mr. Annoying: "Aah, okay, I get it. Well, I have a shoot coming up, so meet me in two days. I have a surprise for you."
"O-okay…" I murmur.
---