Escaping Mr. Grayson [UN-EDITED]

Chapter Twenty-Five.

How? How could I be so stupid? How could I be so completely reckless and so sloppy when I knew how crucial this was? I had one job and one job only...get evidence, which I did, and of course, I would forget my phone in the house of a psycho stalker. Of course.

          I spent my entire night last night thinking of what the right decision to make would be. And it doesn't help either that Daisy and I are practically no longer friends. She didn't come by the house, and as far as I know, she's probably already left for her senior trip. And Kayden? Oh, Kayden has done nothing but say he told me that was a bad idea. I have never felt so completely and entirely alone in my entire 21 years of existence.

          But you know what's strange? You know what really shocks me about this entire situation? You know what's really getting to me? It's the fact that by now, Mr. Grayson knows I was in his house. Theres absolutely no doubt about it. By now, he should've seen my phone. So why isn't her here? Why isn't he threatening me or something? What game is he playing? And even more important, will I be able to handle it?

          I turn the tap on in my bathroom and watch as the scorching hot water gushes out of the tap, slowly starting to fill up the bathtub. I'm tying my silk robe on when I realize that I forgot to get a towel. I sigh and close the door behind me as I walk to my bedroom.

          As soon as I retrieve my towel from the rack beside my closet, I quickly strut across the hallway back to the bathroom.

I frown. The door is closed. I didn't leave the door closed.

          I chew on my lip nervously as I slowly start to turn the door knob. I can hear the sound of my own breathing as I push open the door slowly with my eyes squint-ing partially. I open my eyes wide and there's no one in the bathroom. I must be go-ing insane.

Paranoia is not a friend, no matter how much she would want to be.

         I huff as I peel off my robe and drop it onto the floor. That's when I hear the door being shut aggressively behind me, and my nostrils are overtaken by the most sinister and overly familiar scent. No. please no. Not right now.

Breath Nailea.

I twirl myself around slowly with my arms crossed around my chest. Im greeted by those eyesthose eyes that I know all too well.

         "You should really lock your door. There's a lot of crazy people out there", Mr. Grayson says

          I feel my chest start to tighten and my knees start to wobble. I'm scared, and alone, and vulnerable. That's the not exactly the best combination in the world. Most especially when you add Xavier Grayson and Jeffery Maxwell into the mix.

          "Get out", I squeak

          "What was that? I didnt get that"

          "I said...leave my house now. You're trespassing on private property. You could get arrested for that", I say. Im trying my best to put on a brave face but Im certain that he can see passed it.

         "Are we really gonna talk about trespassing Nailea? Because I too have a very convincing case", he says as he waves my phone in the air teasingly before shoving it back in his pocket. "What were you doing in my house?"

I remain quiet.

          "Answer me Nailea...before I get angry"

          "I know who you are", I croak, "...Jeffery"

         His face suddenly turns pale for a moment and a murderous scowl is all that washes over his face. He struts towards me aggressively and asks in one breath, "Who did you talk to? About me?"

         Fear ripples through my body as I manage to catch the growing sob in my throat. "You need to leave my house...", I trail off. Now

          "I'll ask you again and this time I suggest you give me a direct answer...who did you talk to about me?", he continues. His finger finds its way to my chin and he tilts my head slightly upwards so that I can face him.

         I remain silent in an attempt to protect the lives of both Anitta, Dr. Renée and their families.

         Quickly his strong hand curls around my neck, causing my heart rate to quicken some more. My heart is now beating out of my chest and though I want to, I don't stop him. His fingernails dig into my flesh as he tightens his grip, causing the air in my throat to be constricted.

          His lips hover over mine as he whispers into my mouth, "God, I've missed you..."

          "Y... youre hurting me", I gasp, tears starting to roll down my cheeks

          He stares deep into my eyes for a moment and then let's me go. I cough and gasp, trying to catch my breath.

         "...where are my manners", he murmurs, "please...go on"

         "What are you talking about?", I sob

          "You were going to take a bath, werent you?", he sits down on the toilet seat and clenches his jaw, "...so take a bath"

         "I don't want to anymore", I whisper. PleasePlease just leave

         "Just do it", he responds quickly. "I don't feel like killing anyone today...so don't make me change my mind. I'm trying to be nice to you Nailea. Just take a bath."

         I waddle nervously into the bathtub and sit down with both my legs crossed. And I start to scrub and rinse. That's when I feel myself break down. I tried to act strong and unbothered around him but now I'm scared and I'm fully sobbing and I can't help but feel...helpless.

        "Why are you crying?", he asks empathetically before standing up and stepping towards the bathtub with my towel in his hand. "I don't want you to cry. Did I make you sad? Is that it? I'm sorry"

I continue to sob

         What do you want? What will stop you from being sosad

         Pleaseplease just leave

         A pause. I dont think Im going to be able to do that Miss Tembo, he breaths deeply.

          Still sniffing, I step out of the bathtub and wrap the towel around my body, holding it tightly around myself as though it were a second layer of flesh. Mr. Gray-son is a smart man, that's obvious. Whatever this is, it won't end anytime soon...and I know it. By now, he's already planned something vile and awful for me. And that's why I'm crying. That's why I'm terrified. Because I don't think I'm going to make it out of this alive.

          He demands me to get on both my knees, so I do, slowly and timidly. I shudder as he kneels down behind me. "Oh, my dear sweet Nailea. You will never again have to worry about anybody ever trying to hurt you...because I will always be there to take care of you. You are safe now. I promise", he whispers while I feel him stroke my hair slowly as I tremble.

          Suddenly I feel a sharp pricking feeling in my arm and my eyes shoot open at the sudden unannounced pain. I gasp. I then direct my gaze to my arm and see a needle injected into my skin with a clear substance surging into my veins. "What the hell are you doing to me?", I scream

         "Shh shh shh", he whispers into my ear as I cry, "...Thats my good girl"