???: "Y/N, open your eyes! Y/N, wake up!"
I heard a familiar voice calling out to me, filled with urgency and desperation. Slowly, I forced my heavy eyelids open, my vision blurry as I tried to focus. The first thing I saw was… James.
Confusion washed over me as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. My head ached, and my body felt weak. Then, it hit me—I had been kidnapped last night. My heart pounded in my chest as I quickly scanned the room, trying to figure out where I was.
My breath caught in my throat when I realized the truth. This place… It was my old house.
James: "Are you okay?"
I stared at him, still in shock. My heart was racing, and my mind was struggling to piece everything together.
"What... what am I doing here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
James: "I don't know, Y/N. I was just passing by this route when I noticed that your house was open. I got curious and came in to check… but then I found you lying on the bed."
I froze, my thoughts spiraling. Someone... I tried to remember, but my mind felt like a foggy mess. Then, an idea popped into my head—an excuse, a lie.
"I-I was just here to pick up some of my things," I said hesitantly, avoiding his gaze. "But then it started raining, so I decided to stay for the night."
I didn't know why I lied. Maybe it was instinct, or maybe it was the unsettling feeling gnawing at my chest. I can't trust anyone here. Not yet.
James: "Ah… okay. Well, take a bath and freshen up. I'll wait outside," he said as he stood up.
I nodded quickly. "Okay."
With that, he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. The moment he was gone, I exhaled shakily and locked the door. Slowly, I turned to the mirror.
My reflection stared back at me—disheveled, pale, and exhausted.
What is happening to me?
I took a long bath, hoping to wash away the strange uneasiness in my body. But no matter how much I let the warm water soothe me, I still felt an odd discomfort—almost like a dull pain lingering under my skin.
With a quiet sigh, I stepped out, dried myself, and grabbed some fresh clothes. After getting dressed, I finally decided to go see James.
When I entered the living room, he was sitting on the couch, looking at something in his hand. As soon as he noticed me, he held it up.
James: "Hey, you dropped this here," he said, handing me my phone.
I took it from him. "Oh… thanks."
Glancing at the screen, my eyes widened when I saw the time—9:15 AM.
I'm late!
James must have noticed the panic on my face.
James: "I'll drop you off at the office," he offered casually.
I hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "O-okay, that would help."
Quickly, I grabbed my things and headed outside with him. He was already waiting by the car, and just as I reached the door, he pulled it open for me.
I slid into the seat, still feeling uneasy about everything that had happened. Something was wrong. I just didn't know what yet.
James: "Are you okay, Y/N?"
I nodded quickly, even though I could tell he wasn't convinced.
James: "You look... pale."
I shook my head. "No, I'm okay, James. Really."
He studied me for a moment before nodding.
James: "You know, I bought this car from my friend."
I forced a small smile. "That's great."
He glanced at me, as if waiting for a bigger reaction.
James: "Don't you want to celebrate? Maybe have a party or—"
I sighed, leaning my head back against the seat. "James, I'm really happy for you, trust me. But I'm just… tired right now."
James: "Okay, okay," he said, raising his hands in surrender. But then his tone softened. "But… you've changed, Y/N."
I shook my head, looking away. "You don't know anything, James."
He suddenly placed his hand over mine, making me freeze.
James: "Trust me, Y/N… I know everything."
I let out a dry laugh, brushing it off. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."
I didn't take his words seriously, but a strange feeling settled in my chest.
A few minutes later, we reached my office. As I stepped out of the car, my eyes landed on Cassie. She had just been walking by, but when she saw me with James, she immediately stopped in her tracks.
Her eyes darted between us before she started walking toward me, her expression unreadable.
Cassie: "You're late, Y/N."
I nodded, not in the mood for a lecture. But then she turned to James, a smirk forming on her lips.
I glanced at him, and to my surprise, his expression had darkened. He looked… angry.
James: "Y/N, I—"
Cassie: "Y/N, you know he paid me to be his girlfriend?"
My breath hitched. My eyes snapped to her in disbelief.
"W-what?"
Cassie: "You heard me right. He paid me to be his girlfriend. I think he wanted to make you jealous."
I slowly turned to James. His face had lost all color, and in his eyes—I saw something I didn't expect.
Fear.
James: "No, Y/N, I can explain! I—"
I took a deep breath, pushing down the overwhelming rush of emotions building inside me. "I'm late for work, James."
I turned on my heel, ready to walk away, but his voice stopped me.
James: "I'll see you at Emma's house."
I hesitated for a second before replying, "Okay."
The moment I said it, he let out a relieved sigh.
James: "Thank God," he muttered under his breath before heading back to his car.
I shook my head, trying to focus as I started toward my office. But before I could take another step, Cassie grabbed my wrist.
Cassie: "Don't trust him, Y/N. He's dangerous," she warned in a low voice before letting go and walking away.
I stood there, frozen, her words echoing in my mind.
Dangerous?
I swallowed hard.
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