The Beast Within

Three

Two weeks later...

Two weeks had passed since that night at the nightclub. I called Andrew twice and we set up a date for a really nice restaurant but the next day when I called to confirm, he didn't answer. I sent two texts and he didn't respond. So I just assumed he found another girl and didn't wanna go out with me anymore. I was thinking it was his loss until I found out news two days later.

Andrew died in a car accident.

When Alexandria told me the news, I felt terrible. It happened so sudden. He crashed into a tree and his car lit on fire. His injuries and burns were severe enough to kill him. I cried for him and his family. I didn't grieve too much because I didn't know the guy, but I still felt terrible that he died in so much pain.

I was off today so I stayed home to relax and chill with Milo. I took her for her morning walk and gave her breakfast when we got back. I also fixed some breakfast for myself. It was now 11:30 and we were in my room, laying on my bed watching tv. Well I was watching tv, Milo was playing with her toys. When the doorbell rang, Milo started barking continuously. She doesn't like the doorbell at all. I groan as I got up.

I walked downstairs and looked at my phone's RING cam to see who it was. It was a guy delivering a bouquet of roses. But for who? For what? I opened the door. "Good morning, miss. Is there a Khiri Smalls that lives here?" The guy asked with a bright smile.

"Yeah, I'm Khiri," I told him.

"A bouquet of roses for you," he handed me the fresh bouquet of beautiful roses.

"Wait - from who?" I asked him.

"It doesn't say. There's a note though, so maybe a secret admirer," he said and wished me a good day and walked off. I shrugged and walked back inside. Roses? Who would send me roses? Not any of my exes because they weren't big romantics. They never ever bought me a bouquet of flowers. Could it be from...? No. It can't be. Because he's gone. He's far away. But maybe it could've.

I remember the man saying there was a note that went along with it. I search the bouquet for it and when I pull it out and read it, I feel my heart drop. It can't be true. This is a dream. This isn't real.

I missed you, Rose. Missed me? - RP

How did he do that? Can he even send me flowers from Italy, or wherever he is right now? No, I think he can't. But maybe he could. Maybe he feels bad for not calling all those years and finally remembered me. I smiled at the thought that he still remembers me - that he hadn't forgotten about me after all. That I still have a place in his heart like he does for me.

But I was brought out of my thoughts when I hear Milo barking and growling from my room. What the hell? What - or who - is she barking at? She has no reason to bark, unless she spots the mailman out of my window, but he normally doesn't come until later on in the day. Did he come early? I peek out the window to see if I can spot his truck. But I can't. There's no one outside. So why is she barking?

I walked upstairs. She was now quiet, which scared the crap out of me. "Milo?" I called, while walking upstairs. "Milo, girl. Come here." I coo. When I talk in a baby voice, she normally comes. But I didn't hear her whines or little footsteps. It was quiet, and that was scaring me more and more. I reached my room and opened the door. A scream leaves my mouth. "WHO TH-?!" Before I could speak any further, the man who was holding my dog was now coming at me.

I turn to run but I was grabbed and thrown to the wall before my feet could take me anywhere. Milo was tugging at the man's leg, growling. "Ugh, this fucking dog!" The man grunted. I gasped, catching my breath. I get a good look at the man in front of me. Tall, brown hair that stood up, a strand down his eyes, which was a beautiful ocean blue, a light stubble across his face. I feel tear's glistening in my eyes.