Azalea's POV:

After Dante left, I decided to have a shower and changed into a comfy outfit. Then, I decided to clean the house. Last night's pizza boxes and popcorn bowl were still on the table.

Tying my hair into a bun, I played some music and started cleaning. A few hours later, I finished developing the software that Dante wanted. I sent an email to Liam, telling him that I completed it.

He sent an email back to me, telling me that he gave me a break for one week. So, I called him.

"Hiiiiiii !!!" I yelled into the phone.

"Stop yelling, crazy woman ! I'll become deaf one day !" Liam said.

"Hehehe...." I laughed, awkwardly.

"Why are you giving me a break for one whole week ?" I asked him.

"Well, you worked hard for almost a month and that too, adjusted yourself in a new work space. So, I decided to give you a short break." He explained.

"Well, thanks. But you're not doing this only because we're friends, right ?" I asked him. "I don't want any special treatment, Romeo."

"No. Of course not." He denied. "I would a give a short break to anyone, who did what you did. Plus, I thought that you would like some time to yourself."

For a second, I was confused. Why would he say that last line ? Has Dante told him about the threats ?

Oh my God ? What if Dante told him about Nikolai ? Its not like I didn't want him to know. But, every time Liam asked me about siblings or anything, I would say I didn't have any.

"Liam, what did you mean by that ?" I asked him.

"Uh...I-I have to go now." He stammered. "I...uh...have to take my cat out of the microwave. Bye now !"

Heh ? Cat ? Microwave ?

Weirdo.

Since Dante said that he would pick me up later in the tomorrow, I decided to start packing. I picked out an outfit for tomorrow and tried to pack the rest.

I'm more of a 'I have never worn this, but what if I suddenly need it' type of a person. I managed to for everything I needed in one large suitcase.

Oh...I need pads. Dang it !

Do I have to go ? It is about 7:00 pm now. I don't feel like leaving the house. But what if I need them when I'm in Dante's house ?

After debating in my head whether I should go or not, I finally decided to go.

I changed into a white over sized sweater and black skinny jeans. I walked out of the apartment with my keys and purse.

While I walked to the store, I realized that I was walking towards the same store that I had helped a stranger, probably, a year back.

I wonder if he's alright now. I thought to myself.

After I bought what I needed, I made my way towards my apartment. While I was walking, I felt like someone was watching me. I quickened my pace, but just a little bit.

I walked towards the park since I knew that there were going to be many people there.

Before I could take the turn to the park, I was pulled behind by my arm. I immediately let out a scream, not because I was scared, but to attract other people's attention.

"Stop screaming, bitch !" He shouted, clamping his hand on my mouth, making my voice almost inaudible.

This ass here, then put one of his filthy hands on my waist and slammed me on the wall of the building behind me.

"You better start watching your back now, little girl. He's coming for you. We all are." He threatened.

"Yeah, right !" I said.

The asshole looked very muscle-y. Is that a word ?

He was wearing a ski mask, so I couldn't see his face. Wrapping his fingers on my neck, he started choking me.

"You won't be free for a long time." He said.

Oh, honey ! You messed with the wrong woman ! I curled my hand into a fist and mustered up all my strength. Aiming at his nose, I punched him.

Thanks for teaching me that, Mom.

His hold on my neck loosened and the ski man stumbled back a little. I took this opportunity to knee him where the sun doesn't shine.

"And you, won't be having kids for a long time." I said, smirking.

Fuck you, dude. That will teach him manners. I walked, no, I ran. I ran back home.

After I reached home, I shut the door and locked it. Resting my back on it, I tried catching my breath.

I really have to start working out.

Walking towards my room, I kept my purse, keys and the things I bought on the bed. I decided to have a quick shower too. I don't want to sleep all sweaty. That's just nasty. I entered the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror.

There was already a gruesome bruise formed on my neck. It was red and swollen. I quickly went to the kitchen and pulled out the ice pack from the fridge.

After keeping it on my neck for while, I lifted it. It looked a less swollen now, but it wasn't much of a difference.

I had a shower and changed into my pajamas. Before going to bed, I checked my messages. There were a few from Kim, a few from Liam.

I opened all of them one by one.

Liam had sent a few memes to me. I texted back to him,

Kim asked me how I was doing and said that she wanted to go to a club this week since we hadn't had a girl's night out recently. I called her.

"Yeah, sure. I'm down for a night out." I say, excitedly.

We spoke to each other for a hours and I told her everything. From the 'going to stay with Dante' to the sleepover and the water fight this morning.

"Girl, as your best friend, I think I need to tell you this. So...I think you like him." She said, stressing the word 'like'.

"Oh ? Are you kidding me ? I don't like him."

"Oh, Lea." Kim sighed. "The first sign of liking someone is denial, you know."

"Pfttt...." I scoff. "Yeah, right !"

"Well, I gotta go now. But remember what u said....Goodnight, Bitch !" She yelled the last part into the phone.

"Goodnight !"

"Byeeeee..."

Chuckling, I end the call and keep my phone on the bedside table. Cuddling with the pillows around me, I drift off to sleep with one thought in my mind,

Do I ? Do I like Dante ?

----------------------