Maybe

Chapter 13 "Please-"

_Nina_

OTP

Nina: "No, I didn't like your stupid note."

??: "Haha, maybe you should stay away, or you'll end up getting hurt, little baby girl."

Nina: "What are you talking about?"

??: "Your one and only childhood friend."

What the hell! How does he know?

??: "I don't like him. My plans always fail every time he comes around. No wonder why he keeps on protecting you. Tonight, it's gonna be our time, babe. Don't you dare."

Nina: "I don't like this game."

I hung up the call and blocked the number again. I was honestly scared. The day passed in silence. I just lay there, scrolling through my thoughts. The phone rang many times, but I refused to answer.

Ethan.

Once again, his name popped up. I hung up. I felt uneasy and sick, though I didn't know why.

What if he does something to Ethan? But why do I care?

I shrugged it off, convincing myself it was all just a prank.

But the note covered in blood?

Suddenly, the clear chime of a bell echoed through the quiet of the night, jolting me from my thoughts. Instantly, I assumed someone had arrived—it was nearing 10 pm after all.

"Oh my god, time flies," I murmured to myself, preparing to approach the door. Just as I reached for the handle, the person on the other side began knocking insistently. I hesitated, unsure of who it could be. After a brief pause, the knocking ceased, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake.

Approaching cautiously, I peered through the peephole, but before I could see anything, the pounding resumed with greater force, making the door shudder in its frame. A wave of fear washed over me as a familiar male voice barked from the other side,

"Open the door, Nina! I'm losing my patience."

My heart raced with dread. I retreated swiftly into my room, flicking off the light and grabbing my phone tightly, my mind racing with possibilities. The urgent demand rang out again,

"Open it!"

The atmosphere was thick with tension as I grappled with what to do next, fear gripping me like a vice.

I acted without thinking, my fingers instinctively dialing the number and making the call.

"Hello?" Her voice came through the phone.

"Please..." I struggled to find the words as the banging outside grew louder, perhaps audible on the other end. The phone slipped from my trembling hand. After what felt like an eternity, the noise subsided. Approaching the door cautiously, I was startled by the doorbell ringing once more.

"It's me, Ely. You can open it now," a familiar voice reassured me. Without hesitation, I rushed to unlock the door.

Upon swinging it open, relief washed over me as I saw Ethan standing there. I immediately threw my arms around him.

"I thought he was going to break in," I murmured against his shoulder.

He held me tightly. "Don't worry, I'm here now." After a moment, we reluctantly pulled away and stepped inside. Before closing the door, Ethan pointed out the damage. "The person forced it with so much pressure," he observed. 

I noticed blood on the door, and something chilling was written in it: "I am watching you."

That incident sent chills down my spine. As the memory of the note flashed through my mind, he closed the door quietly and sank onto a nearby couch. "You nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought something had happened to you. Why did you ignore my calls?" he demanded.

"I'm sorry," I replied softly.

"Just sorry? Come on," he sighed in exasperation. I joined him on the couch he occupied moments ago.

After a tense silence, I noticed his gaze fixed on me. I pretended not to notice until he suddenly exclaimed, staring out of the window, "Who's out there? Someone with a shovel—" I jumped in fright and clung to him, scanning the surroundings. "Where?" I stammered.

"In your imagination," he said with a nervous chuckle, wrapping his arms around me protectively. I pulled away sharply, anger flaring. "You jerk," I muttered under my breath. He chuckled again and stood up, trying to diffuse the tension.

          I stopped him as he was about to walk away, gripping his arm gently. "Where are you going?" I asked, trying to sound casual. He smirked and met my gaze with a teasing look. "Home. Why, are you scared, little girl?" His words made me blush, and I looked away nervously. "N-no, I'm not scared. I was just curious," I replied, my voice slightly shaky.

I realized I was holding onto his arm tightly and quickly let go, stepping back from him. A wave of sadness washed over me, though I tried to hide it.

Then he stepped closer to me, his tone softening. "I'm not going to leave you alone. What did you think?" His reassurance brought a small sense of relief, though I tried to suppress the smile that threatened to appear.

He smiled warmly at me, and in that moment, I found it to be the most precious thing I had ever seen. "Did you know about it? Was someone following you?" he asked, his concern evident. I shook my head quickly. "No, nothing like that happened," I assured him, grateful for his concern.

"Are you alright? Are you fine? Did you get hurt?" he bombarded me with questions as soon as he saw me.

"I'm fine, really. I'm not hurt, so please don't worry," I reassured him with a soft smile, hoping to calm his concern.

He let out a sigh of relief and asked, "What made you call?"

"You told me to call you if I needed help," I replied honestly.

"Oh, and you actually did. I'm glad you thought of me," he said warmly.

You're the only person I trust enough to call for help, I thought to myself, you're the only one I could turn to.

"Even though I hadn't planned to call you, it happened accidentally," I admitted.

"Aha?" he responded, raising an eyebrow teasingly.

"Y-yeah," I stuttered, feeling my cheeks heat up under his gaze.

He smirked knowingly at me, a gesture that never failed to make me blush.