It was late at night. The clock's hands showed a few minutes past midnight when I shakily left the bathroom, doing my best not to be seen. My legs felt like cotton as I walked past the security guard and stumbled outside. The cool air hit my flushed face, but my mind was still racing. I glanced around, trying to figure out which way to go to get home. Then it hit me — I didn't have my purse. I had left all my stuff back at the club.
I wasn't going back there. Not after what Felix had told me. He'd pushed me to the point where I was now panic-stricken just thinking about him.
At this hour, the streets were almost deserted. Only the occasional drunk staggered home from clubs, bars, or karaoke joints.
I scanned every direction, pulling my hair back as I tried to decide which way to go. I was completely unfamiliar with the area.
Then I glanced over my shoulder, and horror froze me. There was Felix, lighting a cigarette in front of the entrance. His eyes found mine, puzzled.
"Selena Wasley? Why are you here?" he called out.
Panic surged through me, and I ran wherever my legs took me. I probably looked insane, but terror had clouded any sense I had left. I didn't know where I was going or what I'd do, but I just wanted to get away.
Away from my boyfriend.
I jumped away from a man who grabbed my hand. I looked at him with wide, frightened eyes, realizing his intentions were wicked.
"Beautiful, why are you wandering around here alone? Looking for company?"
Before I could respond, a shout tore through the night, making my body shudder. I turned my terrified gaze toward the silhouette about ten meters away.
Felix.
He stood there in the semi-darkness, looking like the devil, not the man I thought I knew.
That bastard — his buddy — must have told him how I escaped.
My breathing quickened as I took slow steps backward, but Felix closed the distance. The men released me with muttered words about a lovers' quarrel.
My heart pounded wildly as his footsteps sped up. I turned my back and ran. I didn't know where, but I couldn't let him catch me.
This was going to be my end.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I ran, silently begging anyone to help. I knew I had no chance. He was an athlete; he'd catch me easily. I needed someone, anyone, to save me.
"Selena Wasley!" he howled again. Desperate, I turned into a side street — only to hit a dead end.
I was trapped.
I backed away, and like a predator stalking its prey, he approached with quick, heavy steps. Darkness surrounded us, but I could still see his furious face.
"Felix, please, just leave me alone," I whispered, struggling to catch my breath. I pressed my back against the cold wall, and he stood before me, gripping my arm tightly.
"Why are you doing this to me? Why act like this on a night that's supposed to be special?"
I stared at him, wide-eyed. Did he even remember what he said to me in the bathroom?
"Because... I'm scared of you," I whispered.
His eyebrows drew together. Suddenly, he grabbed my shoulders and slammed me against the wall. His eyes wild, dangerous.
"Are you afraid of me? Are you crazy?"
"Do you see what you're doing, Felix? I'm acting this way for a reason!"
"No, you're the one giving me a reason to act like this!" he shouted. I shut my eyes tightly.
All the emotions crashed over me like a wave. I felt weak. My knees buckled, but Felix caught me before I hit the ground.
Then darkness took me.
*
I felt myself lying on a soft mattress. I opened my eyes and looked around with panicked eyes at a place I didn't recognize. It was my first time here. It looked like a hotel room.
Outside, it was still dark. The clock showed three in the morning.
From the bathroom came the sound of running water. Someone was taking a shower—I was one hundred percent sure it was Felix.
I got out of bed and scanned the room for my shoes and purse. My ballet flats lay under a chair, and on the chair was a clutch with a chain strap. I slipped on my shoes, clutching my purse, and hurried toward the door.
Who would've thought it would come to this—sneaking away from my own boyfriend?
My hand was already on the doorknob when his voice came from behind me:
"Where are you going, darling?"
I knew I didn't stand a chance to escape. He would catch me anyway. I turned to face him. He was wearing a bathrobe and rubbing his wet hair with a towel.
"Why did you bring me here? I want to go home."
"I couldn't bring you to my place. My parents were home."
"I'm talking about my home, Felix," I whispered.
A smile spread across his face—the dangerous smile that turned him into a devil.
"I'm not stupid. I know you're planning to run away. My mother told you lies, and you believed her."
I wanted to kill Eve and Mike for telling him everything.
"My behavior has nothing to do with your parents. It's about you, Felix."
The nineteen-year-old stepped closer and stared deep into my eyes, as if trying to read the truth from them.
"You want to run away from me, to leave me, but I won't let you. My life without you is meaningless, Selena," he said, placing his hand on my cheek.
"No, Felix. You need help. I am not your medicine, but your disease."
Those words unleashed madness in him. He crushed his lips against mine, kissing me aggressively, overpowering my hands. I tried to pull away, to free myself, but I couldn't. He was stronger.
"Since you caused my illness, take responsibility for it. You can't leave me." His breath tickled my face, so close was he. "There is no cure for this, and your leaving will kill me."
My heart shattered into a million pieces. I closed my eyelids, tears streaming down.
"Felix, I want to help you."
"No. Your leaving would kill me. You don't love me anymore."
"I love you!" I shouted in his face. "That's why I want the best for you!"
"No, you want to leave me to die, longing for you! You want to get rid of me! Admit you already have someone else in mind!" he screamed.
"What are you talking about? There is no one else. I just worry about you and want to save you."
"That's just a stupid excuse to leave me!" He turned his back and took a deep breath. "You don't love me anymore, you want to abandon me. Leave me for another... But I will never let you! You are mine, Selena! Always, and I will gouge out the eyes of anyone who looks at you!"
"Felix, can you hear what you're saying? You're crazy."
He turned back to me, eyes still wild with madness.
"Crazy? Want to see my crazy side? I'll show you," he declared, grabbing me by the waist and lifting me up. I screamed as he threw me onto the bed and straddled me, his arms trapping me. At first, I struggled, trying to escape, but something inside me died as he kissed my face, neck, and cleavage.
I had no strength left to fight. I gave up, knowing I stood no chance. I still loved the bastard, so I just let him do whatever he wanted. At that point, it all felt the same.
Let him do as he pleased.
Tears ran from the outer corners of my eyes. Then he lifted his face and stared at me for a moment. I looked away, but I felt his intense gaze. He slid off me and sat on the floor under the bed, his eyes going blank. I noticed this as I floated into a sitting position.
"Go away, Selena, before I do something crazy and hurt you."
Those words made something inside me snap once more that night. It was as if he had suddenly broken free from some curse and returned to his senses. As if there was still a chance for him.
"Felix..." I whispered, my voice hoarse.
"Please, Selena, leave now. Get out of this room while I'm still patient," he said weakly.
I looked at his face a moment, then jumped off the bed. I grabbed my purse from the floor and ran to the door. I glanced back one last time at his suffering face.
He'll be okay, right?
Closing the door behind me, I walked down the hotel corridor and pulled out my phone to call Eve. I nervously bit my nail when she didn't answer. But I breathed a sigh of relief when, after the second ring, she answered with a drunken voice.
"Where are you, Eve?" I asked, hearing loud music and shouting youth in the background.
"What do you mean where? The birthday party's in full swing, though you and the birthday boy are missing. Where are you two?"
I realized Felix hadn't returned to the club. He had taken me here right after I passed out, not caring about the guests.
"It's my fault, and I don't think we'll be going back."
"Did something happen? A big fight?" she asked, stepping outside the club, where the music had noticeably quieted.
"It's much more complicated than a fight. We have serious problems. Nothing good will come of this. We shouldn't be together."
I pressed the elevator button and waited, then heard footsteps. I looked to the side and widened my eyes as Felix grabbed my hand and ended the call with Eve. He pulled me into a tight embrace, stopping me from entering the elevator.
"I don't want you to leave me. I can't let that happen. That brief moment hurt too much. You have to stay with me, Selena. Forever."
I was trapped in a web I couldn't escape.