Off Camera

Chapter 63

Tae POV

My body trembles as I look back over my shoulder at the mall behind us. The van heads off down the road and back to the agency, but I don't want to be around anyone associated with them right now. The agency's driver is as close to the company as I want to get right now.

My voice cracks as I softly ask, "Can we go somewhere else? I don't want to go back to the agency." In a whisper, I add, "I hate them right now."

Tee wraps his arm around me and gently pats my shoulder. "Okay. If you don't want to go there, we won't. Would you prefer to be dropped off at Dr. Heartland's office, and then I can pick you up from there after I get the car?"

I turn back towards him. His caring eyes put my frayed nerves at ease.

The doctor's office isn't quite the place I want to go to, but I can't think of anywhere else right now. His office will be safe, too.

Reluctantly, I nod. "Okay. You will come for me right away."

Tee flashes me a big smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Yes. I'll have the driver take me back to the agency so I can get the car. I wish we would have had them pick us up from another place, and then this wouldn't be a problem. I'll have to remember that for the next time."

Next time. My blood runs cold. I don't want another incident like today. If I have any say in it, there will be no next time.

I still don't understand how Jane let us leave. She had called out to me and clearly wanted something from me, but she didn't stop us as we ran out of the building.

Tee fishes his phone out of his pocket. "I'll call the doctor right now to make sure he will be there first before I tell the driver to go there."

I nod and silently hope the doctor is in his office. I don't know where else to go. No one from the agency should know where I live. Jane knows, but she has promised not to tell anyone about it, not even the agency. For now, I'm going to trust her about it.

I turn my gaze out the side window and watch the scenery buzz by, wishing I was back home in the apartment, away from everyone and the world.

Tee's voice fills the van, but it doesn't register to me.

Questions about my entire career swirl around in my mind, but I don't have any answers. The biggest one being whether this will be the end of my career. I don't want it to be, but I also don't know if I can continue on. I've turned into a frightened mess.

Someone screaming or calling out to someone else can send a wave of panic through me and cause me to tremble uncontrollably. Who would want to work with someone like that?

Our new drama comes to mind. Can I do it? I want to be Tee's co-star and act beside him as the main couple, but will this nightmare with the crazy lady stop me from getting into character? I'm always looking over my shoulder or jumping when I hear a loud noise, thinking it is her again.

I wouldn't put anything past her.

If only I could have been brave enough to get the information I need to put her in jail for a long time.

As I'm lost deep in my thoughts, Tee's sweet voice breaks through the growing haze. "Tae. We are here. Dr. Heartland and his staff are waiting for you. He said he would meet you outside of the building. I have explained to him what has happened today and why you are spiraling backwards."

Through the fog, I focus on his loving brown eyes and nod.

He glances outside the van as the vehicle turns into a parking lot in front of a large business building. The corners of his mouth curls upwards. "There he is."

My eyes drift to the side windows and then outside. In the distance, I can see the middle-aged man standing outside under the canopy with a young woman, who I'm assuming is his nurse. Since the doctor has always come to me for our sessions, this is the first time I've come to his office, and I don't know any of his staff.

I nod again and hum, "Hmmm..."

Other words spring to mind, but they don't make it to my mouth.

The van pulls up in front of the two and stops.

Tee turns back towards me with a loving look and a hint of reluctancy. His caring voice softly asks, "Can you go with them on your own? Or do you need me to walk with you until you get up to his office?"

With us leaving the crazy stalker lady back at the mall, I have a quick burst of confidence. "No. I'm fine. You go get the car."

Concern flashes through his loving eyes as he nods. "Okay. I'll stay in the van, but I'll be back here soon to get you. You have nothing to worry about. If something comes up, Dr. Heartland can take you home. I'm sure he would do that if you ask him. He has freed up his schedule for you and wants you to get better."

The side door slides open as fear gnaws at me.

I give Tee a quick nod and step out of the van.

I can do this.

***

Tee POV

"Just pull up next to the vehicle. That will be good."

As the agency's building has come into view, my blood boils harder the closer we get. I don't want to be here either, but someone needs to retrieve the car.

The driver nods. "Okay."

I grab all of our bags and slide to the edge of the seat by the side door. Before the van comes to a complete stop, I open the door and bolt out of the van. The only thing I want right now is to get back to Tae as soon as possible and make sure he is alright.

Adrenaline pulses through my veins as my need to see my scared boyfriend grows stronger with each passing minute.

With my heart racing and concern filling my thoughts, I quickly toss the bags into the back of the car. As soon as I shut the car door and lean forward to open the driver's door, someone calls out, "Tee. Is that you?"

Warning bells blare in my head, and I follow my gut instinct and act like I don't hear the person.

I open the driver's door. My heart races as footsteps hurry towards me, but I won't let anyone stop me now.

I bolt into the car and slam the door shut, locking it immediately. My heart hammers against my chest, and I slightly fumble with the keys.

"Tee! I need to talk to you!"

My hand trembles, and I start the car. Without looking back to see who is calling out to me, I jam the car into gear and floor it.

My tires squeal, and the smell of burnt rubber fills the air. A cloud of smoke trails behind the vehicle.

"TEE!! YOU CAN'T LEAVE RIGHT NOW!"

My grip tightens around the steering wheel as I zoom out of the parking lot and down the road. I keep my focus on the road ahead of me. I don't want to know who it was.

Published January 30, 2023