The Ex

Chapter 40

I make it home. So stressful. Ryan didn't come down from the floor at all that day. But when I met up with grace at the end of the day, he came down just as we left. He looked awfully suspicious I might add.
"Remember you promised me!" Grace said winking at me.
"Yeah i know..." I playfully rolled my eyes at her. Earlier I told her I would help her with her new couch. She had it in the wrong spot and needed help moving it to the living room. I drove close behind her to her house. It was dark, and the streetlights mixed with the restaurant signs made the night very peaceful as quiet music played in the background. Grace lived in a nice house. It was a good size for the amount of money she paid for it. Just enough for 2 people even though there was only one. My thoughts were interrupted by my phone. I figured it was grace, but it was Ryan's number that appeared. I pressed ignore. Yet he called again. I ignored it. And he called a third time. I pressed ignore. He called again. And I let it ring. I was done with him. No more contact.
**
"If I could just..."
"Grace stop! You're going to scratch the floor!" I said laughing.
"It's fine! Just grab the other side." I laughed and grabbed it. Pushing it to the wall with all my might.
"My god! This is heavy!"
"I know! I probably shouldn't have bought the stupid thing." We finished and she went straight to the fridge to get a water. She let me take the first couple sips then finished it herself.
"Thanks."
"Yeah! Now, if you had a boyfriend, he could help you instead." I said winking at her.
"Probably, but all the good ones are taken. Or complete freaks..."
"Tell me about it..." I said rolling my eyes again.
"Well, it's over. Don't worry about it."
"Kinda hard wen its not over and he won't leave you ALONE."
"Yeah, true...maybe he just has a hard time getting over things...he'll move on like he did with his ex eventually..."
"I hope so. I don't know how much more of this I can take honestly..."
"Well, I'm always here. You can stay with me."
**
By the time I got home, it was already almost midnight. I unlocked my door and all of my lights were on. Damnit. I should have turned them off. I did turn them off. I'm positive. I set my stuff down. What the hell is going on? Is my house possessed? Then I got sweaty. And shaky. And nervous. What if Ryan was here? What if he was mad at me from earlier. I went into the kitchen. The stove was on. There was something cooking. Oh my god. There was mushrooms sizzling in a frying pan as well. 2 glasses and champagne on the counter. I turned around slowly grabbing a kitchen knife. I walked into my living room where there was napkins, coasters and plates out. What. In. The. World. If Ryan is in my house I am going to kill him. I walked towards my bedroom. The door was wide open. I looked on my bed. A Victoria secrets bag, rose petals, strawberries covered in chocolate. Hell no. This isn't happening. I'm dreaming. I'll wake up and be alone, by myself in my warm bed and go back to sleep to have work tomorrow. Just then, the door opened to my bathroom and Ryan came out zipping his pants zipper.
"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" I yelled.
"Whoa!! Chill out ok? Put the knife down jeez!" He grabbed it from my hand and set it on the counter, he held me close and took me into the living room.
"Here take a seat babe, I made your favorite...steak and mushrooms with a side of potatoes and chives. Sounds good."
"Get off of me! If you don't leave now, I am calling the cops."
"Cmon, I know you. You don't have the guts. And, can't I do something nice for my fellow co-worker?" His whole face was twitching and struggling to call me just a co-worker.
"No. Ryan leave. Now." He stood up going to the kitchen. He came back with plates. This isn't ok! What am I doing just sitting here?
"Get out of my house."
"Can't we just have dinner? Cmon don't make me waste this!"
"I don't care. Get the hell out of my house before I call the police. How the hell did you get in here anyway?"
"The door was unlocked..."
"SO YOU BARGE IN?" I went to the door holding it open.
"Leave!"
"Are you kidding me?"
"No. I am serious. Get. Out. Now." I said firmly. He set the plates down. But he picked up a mushroom and held it in his fingers. He walked towards the door. Holding the piece of food in front of my mouth.
"Take a bite with that sexy smile." I stared at him. And grabbed his hand digging my nails into his skin. He yelled in pain.
"YOU'RE A PHSYCO!" I slammed the door locking it. Leaning against the door taking deep breaths. I stood up, getting myself together. Looking out the door window slowly. His car was still parked outside. Why isn't he gone? Where is he? I ran up going to my back door. He wasn't around, but I made sure it was locked. I went back to the front door. Where was he then? I couldn't see him. Why didn't I notice his car when I got here? I must've drove past it. He wasn't in my driveway but his car was parked across the street from my house. I just figured the neighbors got a new car. Oh my god. That means he's been here before. He's sat and waited in front of my house. Is he...stalking me? Is he watching me? Is he still by the door? I grabbed my phone to call the cops.
"Ryan. If you are by the door, I am going to call the police." I waited 10 seconds. Silence. I unlocked my phone and pulled up my caller. I heard footsteps going down my porch. They ran across the sidewalk and slammed a door. Squealing down my road. I can't breathe. I'm going to have a panic attack. My hearts racing. My tongue is dry. I can't stand up. I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. What am I going to do tomorrow? I know I didn't leave my door unlocked. I've never done that.