If Tomorrow Never Come

25. Care

OMG IT HAS ALMOST BEEN A YEAR SINCE I LAST UPDATED IM SORRY I HOPE U ENJOY

"I'm Daniel Hawthorne."

His words echoed through my head, repeating itself over and over again as I feel my heart sinking and my brain telling me to get away. But I can't seem to move from where I'm standing. My face covered with fear and shock.

How did he get here? 

I remember that I had a restraining order against him bud I don't think he cares. 

I managed to look to my side to see if there are people around us. The place was pretty much empty, one male barista who was busy cleaning, a waitress who has been on her phone non-stop since I got here, a man looking out the window and a teenage boy who looks like he's around 13 or 14 studying.

I felt someone tugging my arm, I almost jumped in fear before I saw that Nolan was the one doing it.

"Let's go, Noel." He said, pulling me out of the cafe.

My eyes were glued to Daniel, who was smirking at me. "I'll see you around, Noel."

I feel like I couldn't breathe. I'll see you around.

He's here and he can hurt me.

I wasn't concentrating on my surroundings, only on Daniel. Little did I realized, I was already sitting inside Nolan's car and he drove away as fast as he could. I couldn't think clearly, still phased from what just happened. I took deep breaths as the memory of meeting Daniel in the coffee shop play inside my head over and over again.

I want it to stop.

"I don't want to go back to my grandparents, Daniel knows where they live," I said in worry.

Nolan glanced at me for a second and smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, love."

I nodded. He grabs one of my hand, his other hand still gripping the steering wheel.

"Hey, it's okay, yeah? He won't hurt you. If he tries to, I'll hurt him first." He said reassuringly. I nodded but unsure. That man is stronger and has his ways of getting his hands to me, and I'm scared that he will.

Daniel looks older, mostly because of the stubble he grew and the aging lines that seemed more significant. He dressed the same way; jeans and a colored polo top. His eyes remain the same, the same cold blue eyes that I dread.

I am completely and utterly lost in my own thoughts and fear, my head is throbbing and my heart is beating so fast it can run faster than this car. I feel completely lost and captivated.

I moved states away from him to seek for safety, pressed charges against him but he seems to always have a way to find me. No matter where I go or what I do, he finds a way to get himself back into my life. And I can't seem to think of another way to get out of this mess.

Well, there is one, I thought.

Nolan's car stopped in front of what seems to be an empty playground. He looks at me with a soft smile, his hands still tightly gripping on mine, "do you wanna stay inside or do you want some fresh air?"

I nodded, without picking either one.

Nolan let go of my hand and walked out of the car. My hand felt cold and empty so I wrap my arms around my chest as he opens the passenger door for me.

"T-thanks, u didn't have to," I said after getting out of the car. He smiled.

We sat on a bench facing the playground, our backs to the car, in silence. I felt cold but I didn't care that my toes and fingers were numb.

Nolan caught me by surprise when he took my hand and warmed it up in his. "Hey, look at me."

His bright green eyes looked tired but still very soft and caring. "Forget about him, I won't let that man ever lay a finger on you again, okay?"

"Why are you doing this, Nolan?" I asked, holding back the tears from falling.

I'm very grateful that he has been so nice to me since the day we first met, but I've never gotten why he cared so much.

Whenever anyone gets close to me I always think that they will leave. And they do, they always do.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, "it's because I... um, I lo- care for you, Noel."

I looked down at my shoes, not knowing what else to say. "Why are you asking, love?"

A tear fell from my eye, "I'm scared that you will go away."

His mouth parted and he immediately put his arms around me and embraced me with a big hug. More tears came out as I leaned my head into his chest.

"Shh, I'm here and I'm staying, okay?" He stroked my hair slowly. "Noel, I lo-"

"Anderson? Noel?" A voice called. I pull away and I see a very confused pair of eyes.

Adrian.