(Freya's POV).
I told Tristan what happened and he proposed to take me to our family villa to calm down. And I agreed. Maybe being at the villa for a few days could make me forget about all the problems for a while. And reduce the stress I was feeling.
That night, Tristan stayed at my house, and in the morning we went to the villa. We hadn't been there since our father died. It was quiet and far from the city.
It was probably a good choice to escape from all the problems and be here. Just surrounded by towering pine trees.
"Tristan, are you sure it's okay to just leave your job?" I asked him while we were busy taking care of the things we brought from home.
Adam was playing in the living room with a toy from Devan. I told him to leave it at home, but he insisted on bringing it with him.
"Hm, no problem. I'm the CEO after all. They won't comment on my working hours," he chuckled, making me pat his arm lightly.
"Is everything going well?"
"Hey, come on. We're here for healing. So, stop talking about work or anything else that gives us a headache," Tristan said.
I smiled at him. "Okay."
"Looks like we don't have enough ingredients to cook. We should have stopped at the supermarket and bought some," Tristan said as he opened the fridge and there were only a few canned goods in there.
"You're right," I muttered looking at the contents of the fridge.
"I'm going out for a bit to buy all the things we need," Tristan said, "just for a bit."
"Should I accompany you?"
"No, you stay here."
"Uncle, I'm coming!" shouted Adam. I chuckled as he hurriedly left his toys behind and ran towards Tristan who was walking towards the entrance.
"Are you coming?"
"Yes. I want ice cream," he said excitedly.
"Okay. Let’s go, buddy!"
"Be careful on the road!" I waved my hand as Tristan drove the car away from the Villa area and I went back inside.
Maybe I should prepare some of the ingredients that were already in the kitchen and once Tristan returned, I could get on with the rest and save some time.
It's been a long time since I've had a vacation like this. It feels good because I don't have to think about all the problems at hand and just focus on having fun.
As I was busy in the kitchen, I heard the doorbell ring. I thought it was Tristan, but why was he home so early?
When I opened the door, I was surprised that Devan appeared from behind it. I was shocked that he was suddenly here. How did he know I was here, especially with the address of my villa? I didn't tell anyone where I was going, let alone Lawrence.
"How did you know I was here?!" I shouted hysterically. Terrified that Devan knew where I was. Did he follow me, or did he send someone to follow me?
I was suddenly attacked by panic and fear. If Devan did it, then he was no different from the man who had been stalking me all this time.
I tried to drive him away from there and told him not to bother me anymore. I'm tired of dealing with all the problems that come my way.
I just wanted to live a quiet life, but after I met Devan again, my life became chaotic.
"Please, just get out of here, Dev," I begged him. Hoping he would listen to what I was saying because I didn't have the energy to fight with him. I came here to calm myself down.
I still can't even believe he came to the Villa to see me like this. It's lucky that Tristan is away with Adam. If he was here, I'm sure they'd be fighting.
"Okay. I'll go," he said in a low voice.
I stared at him intently as he walked out of the Villa. He glanced at me, looking at me quite naturally until he actually left.
I closed the villa door with a heavy sigh. I tried to calm myself down, still unable to comprehend what Devan had done to me.
Did he really order someone to follow me?
At that moment, I heard the bell ring again. I felt very upset because I thought Devan had come back here to bother me, but when I opened the door, I was surprised to see a strange man whom I had never met before.
"Sorry, who are you?" I didn't get to finish my sentence when I saw him grinning at me. His terrifying gaze let me know that I was in danger.
I quickly tried to close the door again, but he held it with his foot. Pushing the door so roughly that I stumbled backward.
"What are you doingー"
"Shit. Why don't you ever listen to me? I told you not to get close to other men, right?"
"Wh-what?" I widened my eyes in surprise at her words.
It was a threat sent by the stalker who had been bothering me all this time.
No way!
I covered my mouth with my bulging eyes.
He was the one who had been stalked on me!
I ran to the second floor, but right before my feet touched the stairs. He was already pulling my body with his hands tightly wrapped around my body.
"Let go of me!!!" I shouted hysterically.
I tried to rebel to get away, but he forcibly pulled me into the living room and pushed me onto the sofa. I winced in pain. My eyes widened as he pinned me down. Binding my hands together with his grip above my head.
"Who are you? Why are you doing this to me!" I screamed.
"Me? I am your man. And you are my woman," he whispered in my face.
I shuddered in horror. My body was shaking violently. You were so scared that I couldn't think of any other way to escape from him. I kept rebelling by moving my body, my arms, my legs, but it was useless. His strength was much stronger than mine.
"I'm not your woman! And I don't know you at all!"
"Oh, Darling. I'm sad that you don't remember me. I've always thought of you," he said as he rubbed my face.
My body was shaking violently. I cried without realizing it.
"Please let me go," I sobbed.
I was really afraid that he would do something bad to me. I couldn't put up any resistance.
"Why do you keep asking to be let go, huh?!" he shouted angrily.
I became even more frightened as his gaze turned sharp and terrifying. Suddenly, his grip on my wrist tightened to the point of pain.
"Akh," I groaned in pain as he strangled my neck with his free right hand. His sharp eyes flashed at me.
"Did you think I'd stay quiet when you're alone with someone other than me, huh?!"
“I-I can't breathe.” I closed my eyes, scared. I was having more and more difficulty breathing but he kept pressing on my neck.
Please...
Someone help me!