Bad Romance

Chapter 4

Daniel looks at her mortified, a deep dry swallow working its way down his throat as the her words sink in. Steven Rogers, a guy from London, is coming to here to see his 'sweetheart', and Peggy knows him. Saying he almost killed her. And that's when it all makes sense. The random request and messages, the lack of photos, and his bio. He has a hidden obsession, and a deadly one at that.

"Peggy... what do you mean he tried to kill you?" 

She moves off the bed to stand, pacing as she does. The room is silent for several moments, the only sound being her footsteps and ragged breathing. She lifts her hands and runs them through the front of her face to her hair, fear and worry edged in her features. Daniel stands at this and takes her hands in his, she begins to fight against him, so he draws her in an embrace, willing any horrific memory she is seeing to go away. 

"Its okay, Peg. I'm here." She sobs silently, her tears wetting his shoulder, but he doesn't care. Daniel leans back and sits down on the bed, and she allows him to place her in his lap, holding her tight. After some time she begins to simmer down, relaxing in his comforting arms. 

"I'm sorry..." She mumbles into his neck, holding him close.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Peg. If you don't wanna explain what happened-" 

"That's just it, Daniel. I don't know." He looks at her curiously, unsure what she could mean. "Steve and I... we went to High School together. After his father died, he and his mum moved to London. We met in class and...well he didn't turn out to be the person I thought he was. At first he seemed kind and amusing. He hated bullies," She chuckles lightly. "He and James would stand up to any jerk that would tease or hurt anyone. 

But then things had changed. We started seeing one another, dating. My parents sickness was becoming worse and so I had to be away. I didn't have a choice. What with so many bloody classes and having to graduate so early, having a relationship was not my top priority. And Steve couldn't see that..."

Daniel listens intently to every word. Not once interrupting or asking an impetuous question. Only listening and paying attention to what she has to say. To what she explains. His suspicion of Rogers is becoming more accurate and clear. He's not someone to be trusted. 

Peggy looks to Daniel, wondering if he's alright with this. With her story, and he seems to be hanging on to her every word. At this she smiles a small smile and leans into him. His arms squeezing her tighter before she moves off of his lap and sits next to him, her head resting on his shoulder and hand in his; their fingers intertwined. 

"We never had this." He looks at her curious. "Quiet time. Alone. Rogers was always obsessed with seeing me, spending time together. At first it seemed he was just wanting a date, but his behavior... his word... they said a different story.

Steve had started stalking me, keeping my friends from me. Calling constantly. And worst of all he-" Her voice wavers and she squirms around, memories replaying in her mind. "He hit me. Repeatedly."

"He-" Daniel stiffens at this, moving away and grasping her face in his hands, noticing the tears appear again.  

"I tried to end it. Asked him to leave me be. But he was obsessed, Daniel. And the moment I told him off he-" Peggy begins to shake again, sobbing into his shoulder. Daniel immediately acts and embraces her, angry at what he hears. "And that's not even when he tried to-"

"Don't talk, Peg. Just relax, okay? I'm right here querida."

"No Daniel. If I don't say it now... I won't be able to." She pulls away from his arms and looks down. Shaking her head vigorously