Tangled with Fate | #1st Tangled Hearts Series

5. knocked out

I stood by the lakeside, taking in the fresh air. Lakesides have always been my comfort area . It had been so long since I had attended a party like this. The villa was bustling with life, laughter, and music, yet here I was, seeking solitude. I needed a break from the crowd, from the intensity of the dance with Alexander, which still left me breathless whenever I thought about it. His touch, his scent—everything about him was intoxicating, but it also made me feel vulnerable in ways I wasn't ready to confront.

The lakeside was peaceful, a stark contrast to the lively party. The dark waters reflected the moonlight, surrounded by dense bushes that added to the serenity of the place. The distant sounds of the party were muted, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of night insects. It was a perfect escape, or so I thought.

A hand on my shoulder jolted me from my thoughts. I gasped, spinning around to see who was behind me. It was my classmate, Jason. 

"I'm sorry, I scared you," he said, his tone apologetic.

"Yes, you did," I replied, turning back to the view of the lakeside, hoping he'd get the hint that I wasn't in the mood for company.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" Jason continued, stepping closer.

I nodded, my mind still on the dance with Alexander. Why did I feel so conflicted? The night was supposed to be fun, yet here I was, overwhelmed by emotions I couldn't quite understand.

Jason kept talking, but I barely listened. Something about his presence was bothering me. He moved closer, and I took a step back, the bushes pressing against my back. His proximity made me uneasy.

"Annika, are you okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"Yes, I'm fine," I lied, my voice steady despite the growing discomfort.

He reached out, trying to touch my arm. I stepped back again, my heart racing. "Jason, what are you doing?" I demanded, my voice trembling.

He didn't stop. His hand brushed my shoulder, and I could feel the panic rising. "Stop it, Jason," I said more firmly, trying to keep my voice steady.

He leaned in, and I turned my face away, trying to avoid his touch. "Jason, stop!" I yelled, but my voice seemed to be swallowed by the night.

Just as he was about to kiss me, a loud thud echoed through the air. Jason crumpled to the ground, knocked out cold. He was bleeding. oh myy . I looked up, and there stood Alexander, fury etched on his face.

"You fucker! How dare you touch her?" Alexander's voice thundered with anger as he punched Jason again. My eyes widened in shock and relief.

Jason groaned, trying to get up, but he could barely move. Alex punched him again, harder. "Don't you ever try this with any woman. Don't you ever spoil my party," he spat out, his voice filled with venom.

Jason mumbled something incoherent, trying to crawl away. He wasn't even able to walk properly.

I turned my focus back to Alexander. His eyes met mine, filled with worry and possessiveness. "Annika, are you fine?" he asked, his voice softer now, but still laced with concern.

I nodded, my heart still racing from the adrenaline. "Yes, I'm okay," I whispered, feeling a mix of gratitude and something deeper that I couldn't quite name.

Alex stepped closer, his eyes searching mine for any sign of distress. "I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner," he said, his voice filled with regret.

"It's okay," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Thank you, Alexander."

"Are you sure you're fine, Annika?" he asked again, his eyes searching mine.

"I'm fine, really," I said, forcing a smile. The weather was getting colder, and I could feel my body trembling slightly. Alex noticed and immediately took off his jacket, draping it over my bare shoulders. The leather was warm against my skin, making me feel more at ease.

"What were you doing out here?" he asked, cutting off my thoughts.

"I was with Cat and Elenor. They were showing me the fireflies, and then I stayed here because I needed some air," I explained. "That's when..."

"That's when  that .... Jason came," Alex finished for me, his jaw tightening. I nodded.

"Let's sit for a moment," Alex suggested, leading me to a nearby bench by the lakeside. The night was serene, the moon casting a gentle glow over the water. The sounds of the party were distant, and for a moment, it felt like we were in a world of our own.

As we sat, I could feel the tension slowly dissipating. "If you hadn't come, I could have kicked his balls," I blurted out, then immediately covered my mouth in embarrassment. "Wait, did I just say that?" Anni  you are opening  your cards .

Alex's eyes widened in surprise, and then he laughed. "No, Annika, I didn't know you had it in you."

"Well, you don't know everything about me," I retorted, feeling a bit more like myself.

"Apparently not," Alex said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The warmth of his presence was comforting, and for a moment, I forgot the terror I had just experienced.

We continued to talk, our conversation flowing naturally. It felt good to just be there with him, sharing this moment. Maybe he is not who i think he is . Eventually, we decided to head back to the party. As we walked, I couldn't shake off the lingering fear from the encounter with Jason and slowed down ..

Alex must have sensed my unease. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, stopping and turning to face me.

"Actually, can you stay close?" I admitted, feeling vulnerable. "I just... I don't want to feel alone right now." i rarely asked for Favors .

He stepped closer, pulling me into his arms. "Annika, don't. If you keep asking me to come closer, I might lose the control I'm barely holding onto," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. why does it feels good with him . why god??. why..

I looked up at him, our faces inches apart. "Maybe losing control isn't such a bad thing," I murmured, my heart racing.

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. The air between us was charged with electricity, and I could feel the intensity of his gaze. He leaned in , our faces just inches apart, and my breath caught in my throat. I could feel his warmth, and smell the faint scent of his cologne. It was intoxicating, and I found myself leaning in too, closing the distance between us.

But then, Alex took a step back, his expression conflicted. "Let's get back," he said, his voice steady despite the heat still smoldering in his eyes.

Disappointed but understanding, I nodded. 

We turned and started walking back to the party, the moment lingering between us, heavy and unspoken.