Chapter 5 4. He, Me & Doorbell

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*Though you attract me and make me fall for you, the fear which ran through my spines can't be less."

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Author's POV

As he lifted his mask to take a bite of pizza, she was lost in her own world, munching away. But as he settled back into the recliner, she stole a side glance and caught sight of his sharp pointed features.

Holy-mother!

A gasp escaped her lips, and he couldn't help but smirk at her reaction. She found herself momentarily forgetting her meal, her mind swirling with questions about how someone so striking could also be a stalker and a delivery man.

How? Why?

With a tilt of her head, she began a silent dialogue with herself, her gaze locked on him as if afraid he might vanish if she blinked.

"You're not dreaming, doll," he murmured, and her eyes snapped open, meeting his gaze.

Embarrassment washed over her as she realized she had been staring, but he also felt the discomfort of her unwavering gaze. He turned to face her, causing her heart to skip a beat and her breath to catch in her throat. The intensity of his gaze held her captive, leaving her frozen in place.

There was something about his eyes, a magnetic pull that left her breathless and unable to look away. It was a dangerous combination of fear and attraction that kept her entranced.

Deathly combination, isn't it?

For a moment, they were lost in each other's gaze, the air charged with unspoken tension. Then, he reached out towards her, causing a surge of nervousness to course through her veins. She instinctively closed her eyes, but when she felt his gentle touch, she couldn't help but smile.

'God, please save me...!' she prayed silently, feeling her heart race with anticipation.

His touch sent shivers down her spine, and he knew that one day she would crave it. With her eyes still closed, she surrendered to the sensation, her heart racing with the promise of what was to come.

'Dude.. he is your stalker', her subconscious mind tries to remind her of his identity but she shush him.

His fingertips delicately brushed away the stray cheese and sauce from the corner of her lips, and she slowly opened her eyes, startled to find him cleaning her face. A faint blush tinged her cheeks as she appreciated his sweet gesture, her smile reflecting genuine gratitude.

But as he withdrew his gaze, she sensed a hint of sadness in his eyes, as if he was afraid of losing himself in her doe-like gaze, which seemed to pierce through his defenses and see the real him - the one with a good heart who had long been lost.

Blinking away the moment, she turned her attention back to her meal, silently nibbling on her food while drawing her knees towards her chest. Her gaze shifted to the television, finding solace in its flickering glow. Occasionally, she sipped on her now lukewarm Pepsi, finding comfort in its familiar taste.

With each bite, her tense body gradually relaxed, the simple act of enjoying dinner providing a temporary reprieve from the chaos of their lives. As the meal neared its end, only one slice of pizza remained, and their eyes locked in a playful yet tense challenge for the last morsel.

But just as she was about to triumph, the doorbell shattered the moment, sending a wave of dread coursing through her veins. The playful smile vanished from her lips, replaced by a furrow of worry on her forehead.

What should I do now? Where to hide him?

As the doorbell rang again, her eyes widened with fear, and she glanced at him, her heart racing with the terror of their secret being exposed. While he appeared calm and composed, she felt like she was on the verge of unraveling, consumed by the fear of what lay beyond the threshold of their front door.

Why the hell is so calm and unbothered?

She stood up instantly and gripped his wrist making him stand with her. He looked at her with amused and confused gaze unable to contemplate what she wants him to do.

It was so sudden that he couldn't even get a second for thinking as the next thing she did was pushed him at the corner for hiding him behind the curtains.

He almost stumbled and glared at her with a pissed look making her scare. But before she could say sorry she heard her friend calling her and dragged him near stairs thinking hiding this large man behind curtain is bad idea.

'But why are saving him? Shouldn't you get him caught and he arrested? He is your stalker' after all', her subconscious tried to reasonify and she ignores again.

She asked him to sit under the staircase which was dark and safe for him getting hide as one side was stair and other had wall giving a perfect area. Before he could speak she placed her finger on his lips and stared at him with a pleading eye without realising how badly he wants his lips to touch her lips and not finger.

Rihana dashed towards the door, her heart pounding in her chest as she cautiously checked to ensure it was safe before swinging it open for her friend, who appeared visibly irritated. His hardened gaze sent a shiver down her spine as she feared he might have sensed something amiss.

"What on earth were you up to, Ri?" he demanded, his tone laced with frustration. But upon seeing her adorable, frightened expression, he couldn't help but burst into laughter, catching her off guard.

"Why are you acting like a scared kitten? You should be the one scolding me and giving me a piece of your mind for behaving like a crazed lunatic at this hour," he chuckled, his mood shifting from annoyance to joviality.

A wave of realization washed over Rihana as she acknowledged the validity of his words. Her demeanor had betrayed her anxiety, revealing more than she had intended in his presence. With a nervous laugh, she attempted to mask her tension, flashing a cheeky smile in response to his teasing.

But when he playfully suggested she might have a secret beau hidden away, her muscles tensed and her blood ran cold. Meeting his expectant gaze, she summoned every ounce of composure to fabricate a convincing excuse, her voice trembling with nerves.

"N-no, it's not like that... I-I was just engrossed in watching TV with the volume turned up, so I didn't hear you," she stammered, her words punctuated by a forced smile. "You know how easily I get lost in my own little world," she added hastily, hoping to divert suspicion.

Her friend raised an eyebrow skeptically, but ultimately seemed to accept her explanation with a nod. With a sigh of relief, Rihanna maintained her facade, her smile never faltering as she silently thanked her lucky stars for dodging a potentially disastrous situation.

As her friend gestured towards the food bag he had brought, her stomach rumbled in anticipation, grateful for the distraction from the close call.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement at the sight of the abundance of food laid out before her, each item carefully selected to cater to her preferences. But as her gaze fell upon the staircase, her heart plummeted into the depths of her stomach, a strained expression clouding her features.

"Are you planning to stay?" she inquired tentatively, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Her friend shook his head, his tone calm yet hurried as he explained, "No, baby, I just dropped by to deliver the food. I managed to sneak away from Dad for an hour. I hope I'm not too late, and you're not upset... Anyway, lock your doors and enjoy the feast. It's all for you. Bye, baby! Love you..." With a swift peck on her cheek, he made his exit, leaving her to grapple with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

As she waved him off, a sense of relief washed over her, knowing she had narrowly avoided being caught. However, the weight of the situation settled heavily upon her as she closed the door behind him, her smile faltering in the wake of the looming confrontation awaiting her.

Turning back towards the staircase, her heart pounded in her chest as she came face to face with the demon hidden within its shadows. His expression was hardened, his eyes ablaze with fury as he stood before her, nostrils flaring and fists clenched in a silent display of rage.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, she slowly set the bags of food aside, her mind racing as she tried to comprehend the gravity of her situation. In that moment, she realized the magnitude of the risks she had taken, and the consequences that awaited her were more daunting than she could have ever imagined.