(𝓜𝓸𝓷𝓽𝔂 𝔁 𝓜𝓪𝓵𝓮 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻) //🆃🅷🅴 🅺🅸🅻🅻🅸🅽🅶 🅲🆄🆁🆂🅴//

// 🄽🄸🄲🄺 //

//Chapter 13//

TW: Cussing, Kidnapping

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I awoke to the insistent ringing of my phone on the nightstand. Blinking away sleep, I glanced at the screen to see Haley's name flashing.

"Hey, Haley. What's up?" I answered groggily.

"Morning! Sorry to wake you, but I was thinking we could grab breakfast at that cafe you like. I could really use some company right now," Haley replied, her voice tense.

"Yeah, sure. That sounds good," I agreed, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. "I'll meet you there in about half an hour?"

"Perfect. See you soon," she said before hanging up.

After a quick shower and a strong cup of coffee, I headed out to meet Haley. The morning air was crisp, and the city was just beginning to stir with early activity.

Haley was already seated when I arrived, nursing a latte. She greeted me with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, and we exchanged a quick hug before I took a seat opposite her.

"So, what's on your mind?" I asked, sensing her unease.

Haley hesitated. "I heard last night was... intense. I can't believe everything that happened."

I nodded in agreement, recalling the chaotic events of the previous evening. "Yeah, it was like something out of a nightmare. Monty really came through for me."

Haley chewed her lip thoughtfully. "He did, but... do you ever worry about him? About what he's capable of?"

I frowned, taken aback by the question. "Monty? No, I mean... he's always been there for me. He's tough, but he's not dangerous."

Haley nodded slowly, her expression troubled. "I know, but... there's a darkness in him, isn't there? What if that darkness turns against you someday?"

I sighed, uncertain how to respond. "I don't think it will. He's always been protective, not just of me, but of everyone around him. He wouldn't hurt me."

Haley didn't look convinced. "I hope you're right. But we have to be careful, just in case. We can't ignore the signs, especially after last night."

Our conversation lapsed into a heavy silence as we sipped our drinks. The waitress arrived to take our orders, and we shifted to lighter topics while waiting for our food.

"I trust him," I finally said, breaking the silence. "I really do. He's not like the people we're up against."

Haley nodded slowly, her expression softening. "I know you do. And I trust your judgment. I just... worry sometimes."

"Yeah, I get it," I admitted, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand reassuringly.

She managed a small smile in return, grateful for the support. "Thanks for being here today. I needed this."

As we finished our meal, our conversation lightened, discussing work, plans, and movies. The initial heaviness had lifted, replaced by reassurance.

As we prepared to leave, I stopped Haley from reaching for her purse. "Let me get this one. Consider it a thank you for being there."

Her smile widened. "Alright, but next time, it's on me."

We chuckled, gathering our things and stepping out into the morning sunlight, heading our separate ways.

As I stepped out into the sunlight, bidding farewell to Haley, I felt a mix of relief and gratitude for her presence in my life. The morning had begun with uncertainty but ended on a note of comfort.