Trouble in Paradise

Chapter 5

I can't believe that I was doing this. Bringing a guy home while your mother is still working is not the best way to end the night. Especially seeing a man that is identical to your former friend.

I silently open the door and letting him inside.

"It's a wonderful home you have. A nice view of the city." he replies.

"Well, my mother is doctor and my dad is truck driver. We may not be rich but we do what we can."

He turns to me all smiling and feeling mischievous. I could shake the feeling that is wrong in so many ways.

"Anyway, would you like some water or soda?"

I moved to the kitchen and instantly grab two sodas from the fridge.

Ray just stood there feeling so amused by all of this.

"There's no need to be nervous about this."

He walks over to my side and our faces were a few feet from each other. His hand brushes the side of my cheek and my silky hair.

"You're truly a beauty, Valentine. I'm sure any man would love to be around you."

I held my breath as moved closer to my lips. Then in a spilt second, Sun's face came in mind.

Val.

I immediately moved away him. My hands were near my chest as took slow breaths.

Did I just thought of you?

I shook the cobwebs out of my brain. Sun is gone. There's no way part of me misses him...right?

Ray scratches his head. "Sorry, I got little carried away."

"No, it's my fault.  I'm not feeling too good."

"Well, do you want me stay here for the night."

What?!

"You seem so nervous so I thought you might need some protection."

"I don't think so. Besides, I wouldn't want to wake up and find my dad is beating the hell out of guy that just met at a club."

"Point taken."

"I'll ask my mom. Maybe she'll be okay with this."

He nods in response.

I quickly grab my phone and speed dial her only to receive a dial tone. I glance back at Ray who was stripping out of jacket and looking at my family photo.

"Come on, Mom. Answer the phone!!"

But atlas, she wasn't picking up.

Was she really still at the office? There's something very wrong about this.

I turn back to Ray. "Sorry, Ray. I can't reach her. Look like she's still at the office."

"Don't worry about it. I just stay with you and sleep on the couch. I'm a gentleman after all."

I nodded and went to grab him some pillows and sheets.

Oh Dear God, what have I gone myself into.

My eyes were staring at my clock. I just couldn't get to sleep. Was I afraid of him? No. I couldn't be afraid. The only that scared me were heights and swimming.

Don't get it me wrong.  I enjoy going into the water.  But, I feel the fear of a shark or worse the Kraken dragging me out to sea. And never seeing anyone again.

I wrap my arms around my chest and just feeling the slight chill going through me.

Then, finally, my mind slip into the unknown.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

My heart was beating through my chest as I ran. I didn't know what or who  I was running from.

I could hear my brain saying ' Don't you dare stop!'

I look over to my right as vast of land and sea was in my sight.

I was on a island.

I suddenly came across an old red fort building. It looks old and abandoned.

As I got closer, my heartbeat grew more rapid. Like I know this place from somewhere.

Before I could process it,  a gunshot rang my ear. I slowly turn to the person pointing a gun at me.

"What do you want from me?!"

Before the clock strikes midnight, gunshots began to fire and everything went to black.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

I woke screaming at the top of my lungs. And literally checking myself for any bullet holes.

I made a glance at my clock.  It was six thirty in the morning.

"Oh god. That's was...Did I...witness my death?"

No that can't be. I can't die. I've so much life ahead that I haven't even started yet. Hell, I don't even have a boyfriend.

Then, I quickly remembered. Was Ray still here?

I went to living room to find it completely empty.

"So, you did left."

I notice a note he left on the table.

Valentine.

Sorry to disturb you. But just let you know I'm leaving. I don't know where I'll be going. But I hope our paths will cross again soon.

Ray.

I picked it up and sighed. "Okay, maybe I'm overreacting to all of this. This whole death scene will disappear in about a week.  Then, everything will be back to normal."

Okay, maybe normal isn't the right word for this situation.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

A week had gone by and everything was okay for the most part. When I came into the clinic, Jayden was giving me the eye and checking for a marks on my skin.

"Are you okay? If you think that Ray did anything to me. I'm fine." I explained.

"I just don't feel comfortable around him with you. It...scares me."

"Scares you?"

Before, he could even answer two police officers came in the clinic. We stare at each other before staring back at them.

What the police doing here?

I walk up to them with Jayden following  suit. "Good morning, officers. How may I help with today."

"Are you two Valentine and Jayden?"

"Yes. What seems to be the problem?"
Jayden asks.

"We need you to come downtown to answer some questions. Apparently, there's a murderer on the loose and your friend Ray is the suspect to all of this."

We're both shook by the news. More particularly, Jayden was more shook than I was.

Even so, Ray couldn't crime, right?

Damn it, just what the hell is going on!!