I walked back to the house, my heart fluttering—confused and restless at the same time.
Tracy was in the kitchen, cleaning up while softly humming to herself, as if nothing had happened.
I sank into the couch and pulled out my phone.
Me: Use me to your advantage? What do you mean by that?
The reply came almost instantly.
Li Wei: I meant you could tell me more about Kenya. Don't overthink it hahaha
I let out a small breath.
Me: That's what you meant? I knew that… I was just messing with you.
Overthinking.
He wasn't wrong.
It was practically my specialty—imagining things that didn't exist.
My phone buzzed again.
A photo.
My fingers hovered for a second before I tapped it open.
It was a screenshot.
Our chat.
He had saved my name as "Deer."
A small smile formed on my lips.
Me: What's this?
The typing dots appeared… then disappeared.
Then came his reply.
Li Wei: That's how I saved you in my phone. Deer.
I couldn't help but smile wider.
Li Wei: I have to go back to work. I'll text you in the evening.
Me: Okay… take care.
I placed my phone beside me, staring into nothing, still smiling.
A light tap on my shoulder made me jump.
"What's got you smiling like that?" Tracy teased. "I barely see you smile like that."
"Wait—are you leaving?" I asked.
She grabbed her purse, grinning.
"Girl, I love your house… and that fine man walking around in it," she said, winking. "But I already had plans with my sister."
She waved and walked out.
And just like that—
I was alone again.
---
I changed into sweatpants and a tank top, stepping outside for some fresh air.
Greyson stood nearby.
"I'm taking a walk around the neighborhood," I said quickly. "Don't even think of following me."
I didn't wait for a response.
---
The sun was warm.
The breeze soft.
Birds chirped in quiet harmony as I walked.
For a moment…
Everything felt peaceful.
Until it didn't.
Three men stood ahead.
Dressed in black.
Blocking my path.
My steps slowed.
Something felt… wrong.
I turned slightly, trying to walk the other way
But one of them stepped in front of me.
A toothpick hung loosely from his lips as he grinned.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.
My heart started racing.
"Who are you?" I said, forcing my voice steady. "And what do you want?"
He stepped closer.
"Feisty," he smirked. "I like that."
His hand reached out—
And patted my head.
I slapped it away instantly.
His expression changed.
For a split second, his eye twitched—revealing a scar that ran across it.
"Too bold," he muttered. "Is it because you're Greyson's girl?"
My breath caught.
"I—I think you're mistaken," I said, my voice shaking now. "He's not my—"
"Enough."
His tone snapped.
"I saw how he looked at you at the restaurant," he said. "Men don't look like that unless they want something."
My stomach dropped.
"And yes," he added with a smirk, "I've been watching him."
A chill ran down my spine.
"Take her."
Before I could react—
Everything blurred.
---
The next thing I knew…
I was sitting in a dimly lit karaoke room.
Loud music filled the space.
Two of the men sang carelessly into microphones.
Like this was all a joke.
The scarred man sat beside me.
Watching. Before he decided to join the other two men in singing.
My phone sat on the table.
Just out of reach.
Slowly… carefully…
I slid it toward me.
My fingers trembled as I dialed Tracy.
Video call.
I placed the phone sideways.
Letting it record everything.
________________
Greyson's POV
"Miss Vicenza—what?"
My voice came out sharper than intended.
The girl—Tracy—stood at the gate, breathless.
"I think… Vicenza…" she struggled.
My chest tightened.
"What happened?" I demanded.
"She's in danger," she said, showing me the video.
Everything inside me snapped.
"Where is this?" I asked, already moving.
"A karaoke place. We go there sometimes."
That was enough.
Moments later—
I was driving.
Fast.
Too fast.
The engine roared.
Horns blared.
Nothing mattered.
End of pov
______________
"So… Greyson's girlfriend," the scarred man said, stepping closer.
His presence made my skin crawl.
I leaned forward—
And spat in his face.
Silence.
Then—
His expression twisted.
He raised his hand—
But before it could land—
The door burst open.
Bang.
Greyson stood there.
Breathing heavily.
Eyes dark.
Dangerous.
"Lucas," he said coldly. "You've gone too far."
Wait…
They knew each other?
Before I could process it,Greyson moved.
A punch.
Fast.
Precise.
Lucas hit the ground.
Then chaos.
Fists.
Kicks.
Bodies dropping.
Within seconds,it was over.
Silence.
Greyson grabbed my hand.
And pulled me out.
---
Inside the car, neither of us spoke for a moment.
"Did they hurt you?those bustards?,"he asked, his voice low.
I shook my head.
My hands were still trembling.
Suddenly—
His hand covered mine.
Warm.
Steady.
I looked at him.
But his eyes remained fixed on the road.
"Who are they?" I asked softly.
"None of your business," he replied sharply.
Something in me snapped.
"Well, it became my business the moment I was dragged into it!" I shot back.
Silence filled the car again.
We arrived.
"Don't tell your parents," he said quietly.
Not a request.
A warning.
"I'll make you dinner," he added. "You shouldn't cook after what happened."
I rolled my eyes slightly and stepped out of the car.
My phone buzzed twice.
I paused.
Slowly pulling it out, my fingers still unsteady.
My heart hadn't calmed down yet.
The screen lit up.
Li Wei: Hey… I'm back. How was your day?
Another message came in almost immediately.
Li Wei: Did you miss me, Deer?
I stared at the screen.
After everything that had just happened…
His message felt so normal.
Too normal.
My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
I didn't know whether to laugh…
Or tell him I had just been kidnapped.
My chest tightened slightly.
Because somehow—
I had a feeling this simple message…
Was about to complicate everything even more.