Dangerous Love

Chapter Twenty one

I immerse myself in my work and lose all sense of time. The helpful receptionist approaches me and informs me: "Miss Morgan, a mysterious man in black is waiting for you." I immediately feel panicked, I hastily grab my bag and make my way downstairs. Walker is already waiting for me outside the door. "Miss Morgan, I'm sorry, I've completely lost track of time," I say and he points outside. "Mr. Stevens wanted to come to you personally. That probably wouldn't have ended well," I think to myself. He politely holds the back door of the car open for me. He starts the engine and we drive off. In the meantime, I take out my cell phone to write to Kate that I'm still with Daniel. Her reply comes promptly, with a smiley face.

 After a half-hour drive, Walker heads into the underground car park. "Thank you," I say and smile at him kindly. In the elevator, I notice an increasing tension in my body. The doors slowly open and I spot Daniel in a dark linen shirt and grey sweatpants. I get out of the elevator and he greets me with a firm kiss. Walker has since disappeared forever. "Would you like a glass of wine?" Daniel asks. I nod in response and he makes his way to the kitchen. When he comes back, he is holding two glasses of wine in his hand. "Thank you very much," I say. He takes my hand and leads me to the upper floor, where the beautiful white leather couch is. "I would be happy if you would work as my assistant again," he says, but I shake my head.

 His expression becomes noticeably more dissatisfied as he puts his wine glass on the glass table that is in the center of the spacious living room. "By the way, my parents have invited you to dinner." Embarrassed, I nod and he continues: "I hope you will come." Hesitantly, I let him know that I agree. "Paige, tell him you're going to your mom's tomorrow," my inner voice urges me. Daniel, I'm going to be at my mom's for the weekend. Daniel folds his arms and asks in a different tone, "When were you planning on telling me this?" "Um, I think I just need a little break..." Why did I ever tell him that? He stands up, folds his arms behind his head, and I sit petrified on the couch. "Do you know how angry I am about what you're doing right now?" he says. Before I can react, he approaches me and kisses me so hard that it takes my breath away. My hands remain motionless on the couch and I try to move away from him, but his arm wraps around my body. "Shit," I think as he finally ends his kiss. "Be quiet now," he says sternly. "I don't want you to go there." He leans towards me again. I try to push him away with my hands. "Please just let me go there," I say quietly. 

But he ignores my request and stands up. I feel anger boiling inside him and my inner voice screams that I have to get out of here. I stand up. "Where are you going?" he asks angrily. "Um, I think I'd better go now." After only a few steps, he grabs me by the neck and pushes me against the wall. "Daniel, I want to go, please." He strokes my lips with his fingers and I feel the trembling inside me. "Please just let me go." Yes, he twists his head and gradually I realize that what I have in front of me is not the real Daniel. I have to get out of here. My neck hurts from the pressure of his hand. He starts to pull up my blouse. 

I look into his eyes, which are becoming increasingly red with veins. "Daniel, hey, please let me go." "Yes, you're going to leave me," he replies, "but I'm not doing that." "Understand, I'm only visiting my mother." I nod and he strokes my face gently. I try to smile and finally he lets go of me. "You're really not leaving me?" he asks in a raised tone. I shake my head. "I just want to go home now, please understand that." Finally, he becomes caring and sensitive again. Relieved, I go down the stairs. I am aware that the situation could have turned out very differently. When I get to the elevator, I pick up my bag. I say goodbye to Daniel with a smile, but then he comes and kisses me again. I try to put my hands on his neck, but I stand there motionless. "Shouldn't I drive you?" he asks. "No, I really need some fresh air." He insists on driving me, but I manage to convince him to let me go alone. As the elevator doors close, I breathe a sigh of relief, to be out of here. I feel how glad I am to escape from the underground car park. When I finally walk to the publishing house in the dark, I open the door to Marta and let myself fall in exhausted. I start the engine and drive off. During the drive my head practically explodes.