"My goodness, I can't believe that happened to you and you didn't call me." Honey had exclaimed as I finished telling her everything about the incident.
I was woken up by the sound of my ringing phone.
It was her calling then.
We sat and discussed over a cup of hot chocolate for me and hot coffee for her.
"You don't understand Honey, I was just so… like I hadn't been myself since. Everything just feels weird right now." I explained taking a huge gulp from my cup.
"But are you okay now?" She stretched her arms pulling me in a hug.
Although the position of the hug wasn't comfortable.
But I'd rather this than any other thing.
"You know…I wish I was there at least I would have helped out with something." She said with a hint of guilt in her voice.
Releasing the hug, I took her hands in mine.
"It's not your fault, and it has already happened. Don't put yourself down for what you know nothing about. Besides, I got a week off from work." I ended my talk with a little wiggle of an eyebrow with a sly smirk.
She chuckled, taking a huge gulp of her coffee.
It must be warm by now.
A very comfortable silence followed after, which I was very much grateful for.
The sounds of sipping and cups clashing against its platter filled the silence.
"Kira…I need to tell you something."
Honey broke the silence and I knew from the sound of her voice, this wasn't gonna end…well.
"Okay?" I glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.
She shifted her weight on the couch, adjusting herself.
"Noel and I met last week." She started, giving me quick glances to see how I'd react.
"He wanted a second chance and was deeply sorry for what he did to me then. I..I..rejected him."
Why was she stuttering?
She stopped there and said nothing else.
She is surely hiding something.
But what?
I decided against pushing her further.
It was like she didn't expect me to back down so fast, giving me a quick side glance then proceeded to take a small gulp from her cup.
"Actually, when I didn't accept him, he threatened to kill me and then my family."
My cup clanked harshly against my coffee table due to the heavy tremble in my fingers upon hearing the news.
I can't say I didn't expect that.
Noel has always been like that. A year ago he was released from jail for a crime he did which I still have no idea about.
He might be crazy but never stupid.
He has always been calculative and one step ahead of everyone…and never missed his target.
Suppressing my thoughts, I calmly cleaned the stain on the table with a neat table cloth and slouched more into the couch.
"Aren't you gonna say anything?"
"It's your choice to make, but I'd advise you seek protection at all cost. You can never know the extent to which he's bent on having you back."
I didn't want to come off as a souliquent, but I had to do it. Last time she wasn't happy with my advice, neither will she be with this too.
"I need your help Kira…I have nowhere to hide.. and…I haven't even reported to dad about all this…"
Quiet sobs resounded round the room.
No no no, she's at her breaking point now.
This was the exact reason I hated that guy so much.
"This is all a mess…I'm a mess…all these are just…please Kira."
"No need for all that. You are always welcomed here and I'll always be besides you."
Pulling her in a gentle embrace, I gently caressed her hair as her whimpers subsided.
"It's okay. I'm still here, my place is yours and your place is mine. And we'll find a way to put an end to his madness."
Noel will pay for all this. That stranger can stay one side for now, Honey's life is in danger right now.
"Thank you so much…I –
"No need Honey, that's what friendships are for. And I'll always be here for you." I softly assured her more as I laid her head on my lap, so she could rest more and probably sleep off.
***
"Ouch."
My eyes snapped open as I felt a tiny electric pain on my collarbone.
Resting my hand there, I gently massaged that area.
I tried readjusting myself on the couch before realizing that Honey was sleeping on my lap.
I must have fallen asleep too.
It was already late in the night as I checked the time.
11:40
"Honey…"
I gently tapped her.
Groaning, she answered half awake.
"We need to head to the room."
Making sure she was fully awake, we both went to the room.
I covered her up as she snuggled into my pillow.
Moonie was already asleep on her back.
The sight alone had made me giggle as I climbed my bed and switched off the lights.
We need to end this all at once.
***
"Kira..Kira please wake up."
I felt Honey's hand shoving me.
"What now?" Groaning, I sat up with my eyes trying to fight against the heavy sleep clouding my vision.
"I heard a sound…" she whispered, holding my arm in a tight grasp.
No this cleared the sleepiness from my eyes as it widened.
"What."
Before I could say any other thing she hushed me.
"Can you hear that?"
And that's when I heard it too.
A rattling sound. Like someone was trying to break in.
Next we heard was a heavy metal tool that fell on the floor followed by a harsh hiss.
Getting out of the bed, and slowly headed to the door when I felt a grasp on my arm.
"Please don't go check…what if something happens." Honey said with panic.
"Don't worry, you can dial the police now. I just want to take a peep." She nodded, releasing my arm and reaching for her phone.
As I opened my room door, everywhere looked still, even my kitchen.
The door handle began fidgeting furiously as I heard a clack behind.
The door has been hacked.
Rushing to the kitchen, I was able to hide inside the counter cupboards before the door was harshly shoved opened.
Heavy footsteps was heard in my apartment, as the intruder walked in.
At this point, my breathing picked up as I could literally hear my heart pounding against my chest.
I hope Honey had called the police and doesn't come out.
I never actually expected the intruder to talk until he did.
"Very clever girl."
Wait..
That voice sounds pretty familiar.
My eyes widened and as his name slipped from my lips.
Noel!!
The door of the cupboard were harshly opened.
I trembled with goosebumps all over my body.
And there he stood –in my face. With that his psychotic smirk.
"We meet again."
***