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My stomach is full of butterflies as I get to my feet. Is this him chasing me down? I hope so. I know it’s crazy to hope for that when I’ve already made up my mind that he’s not interested, but a girl can dream. I move slowly toward the door. There are another few bangs on the door and I frown. It’s a little aggressive. Maybe he just can’t wait to see me again…maybe he’s so driven by his lust for me he’s unable to control himself. Yeah right, when pigs fly.
“Coming,” I call out, hoping to stop the banging.
I don’t want the other neighbors to come out and see what's happening. If Will is here then we have to try and be discreet, at least until we figure out what it is that we’re going to do about us.
But the banging continues. I have to answer the door soon or the entire building will be in an uproar. I give myself a moment, taking a deep breath. I lost my senses because of Will earlier. I want a clear mind when I see him again. I don’t want to make bad choices.
But when I open the door, it’s not Will waiting for me.
It’s Matt.
I cover my mouth in shock. He’s standing right outside the door, a bunch of red roses in his hand and a leering look on his face. His wide framed glasses amplify his creepy gaze and his neck is swallowed up by a turtleneck. Everything about him just screams creep, because that’s exactly what he is. How the hell did he find me here?
“Elle,” he says, his lips forming a smile. “It’s so good to see you. I hope you don’t mind me dropping by like this.”
I take an involuntary step back away from him, too shocked to say anything. Of course, I mind him showing up. I never told him this address. I never told him anything about my personal life. Surely this is grounds for a restraining order, finally? How did he even get inside the building?
“You need to go,” I manage to choke out, terror rising in my chest. Only a few moments ago, I was so excited at the prospect of seeing Will again. Now, I feel more alone than ever, forced to face this creep alone as usual.
“I only just got here,” Matt says indignantly, stepping toward me. I try to slam the door in his face instinctively, but he sticks out his foot to stop me, his face calm as though any of this is normal behavior. I shake my head at him.
“How did you even get in? How did you know to find me here?”
He shrugs with an easy smile. “I saw you earlier. I figured you must live here now. Someone let me in. I’ve been standing outside with these flowers all evening. I mean, you forgot to give me your new number the last time I saw you. I had no way of getting in contact with you, babe. It killed me.”
I’m shaking hard now. This guy is so damn deluded. What makes him think I want anything to do with him? I’ve spent the last year running from him. I’ve had multiple new phone numbers to stop him from contacting me. I’ve changed jobs because of him. I’ve been to the police station more times than I can count to try and report him. And now he’s here, in a place where I should be safe from him. He’s standing there with a dumb smile on his face and flowers in his hands like he thinks this night is going to end well for us.
But it’s not.
“I-I don’t want you here,” I stammer, cursing myself for being so nervous.
I don’t want to show that kind of weakness in front of a man like him. A man who feels like he has control of me, and in a way, I guess he does. He’s controlled my life because he keeps invading it, trying to fit in where he doesn’t belong. When is he going to get the picture? He’s not the man I want.
I desperately wish Will was here right now.
I watch as Matt’s face falls. He frowns like he doesn’t understand. “Why don’t you want me here? I love you, Elle. I’ve loved you for such a long time. It just feels like you keep slipping away from me…”
“I’m not slipping away,” I hiss. “I’m running from you. We’re not in love. I don’t even know you. Please, if you care about me at all, just leave me be. You’re scaring me.”
I watch Matt’s face darken. His expression resembles that of a child who hasn’t gotten his way. Now, I know I’m really in trouble. I try to shut the door again, but he stands firm, no matter how much I push.
