"I don't understand."
"There's nothing to understand. Until I decide it's safe for you to go home, you're staying with me."
"Excuse me, but when did you get the idea I'd do what you say, Hotshot?"
"You don't have another choice."
"Oh really? And if I refuse? You'll lock me in here?"
"If I have to."
I set my food down and turned to him in disbelief. He, on the other hand, kept eating as if he hadn't just threatened me.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. If I didn't stay calm, this would end badly.
"No matter your reason, I don't want to live in the same house as you, Kerem. I'm perfectly happy living alone in my own place. Since we're done talking, you can take me home now."
When he turned to me, his earlier ease was gone.
"I'm serious, Duru. Argue all you want—it won't change anything. You're staying with me until I make sure your place is safe."
"Out of curiosity, how long will that take?"
"Probably a week or two."
"Do you even realize what you're asking? How can you expect me to just agree to live with a man I have no relationship with?"
"If that's what you're worried about, you'll have your own room and your own things starting tomorrow. And if you need anything else, all you have to do is tell me."
"If you think saying this will reassure me, it really didn't. You're making me feel like a mafia mistress, Hotshot."
His entire expression changed. His jaw tightened, his eyes darkened from that caramel color I loved into something far more frightening, and I instinctively stepped back.
"Don't ever use that word for yourself again, Duru. I don't even want to hear it as a joke."
Judging by his reaction, pushing that topic further was a bad idea.
"Whatever. I don't care if you split the house in two, Kerem. I'm not staying with you. If I have to, I'll stay with friends."
"I don't remember offering you options, Sunshine."
My calm finally snapped. I jabbed my finger into his chest.
"Who do you think you are? My boyfriend? My owner? Two weeks ago, you told me to act like I didn't even know you. Now you're talking about living together? Do you think I'm one of those stupid girlfriends who come and go whenever you say? You picked the wrong person, Hotshot. Unlike them, I don't take orders from anyone."
Before he could respond, I stormed toward the door. But before I could reach it, he grabbed my arm and spun me around.
"Do you know how I felt every time I heard your scream in the background when that bastard called me last night, Duru? How helpless I felt thinking of all the things he could do to you before I got there? Do you know what went through my mind when I found you on the ground, covered in blood, and thought I was reliving the nightmare from six years ago? I was too scared to even check if you were breathing."
He paused.
"Do you know how terrified I was when I thought I'd lost you? Girlfriend or not, you matter to me. And no one is ever going to hurt you because of me again. Do you understand?"
We were standing so close that his voice—on the verge of shouting—and his gaze felt overwhelming. My anger dissolved into shock. I'd never imagined he could feel this way. I'd thought he only saw me as an annoyance who'd ruined his plans by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Maybe after what happened last night, he felt indebted to me. That was the only explanation that made sense. Feeling guilty wouldn't be strange under the circumstances.
Once the shock faded, I nodded and gently pulled my arm free.
"I'll think about what you said. We'll talk again tomorrow. I'm too exhausted to argue anymore tonight."
He sighed and nodded.
"Fine. You sleep in my room. I'll take the couch."
Without another word, I grabbed my bag and went up to his bedroom. I set my things aside and collapsed onto the bed. There were a million things to think about, but I was so drained that all I could do was sleep.
As my eyes closed, I lifted the blanket with the last of my strength and pulled it over me.