COUNTDOWN TO CHAOS

Amelia

I glanced at the clock, realizing how late it had become. The office was quiet, and Lily had left hours ago, leaving me in the solitude of paperwork and lingering thoughts. Just as I stretched, preparing to pack up and head home, a knock sounded at the door. I smiled, thinking it was probably Lily who’d forgotten something.

But when I opened the door, my breath caught. Damien stood there, hands casually tucked into the pockets of his leather jacket, his intense gaze fixed on me with a sharpness that sent a chill down my spine.

“Damien,” I said, my voice carefully measured. “It’s after hours. ”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he looked past me, his eyes scanning the room before they settled back on mine. “I needed to talk,” he said, his voice low and smooth, as though we were picking up a conversation from minutes ago, not days.

I hesitated, every rational part of me screaming that this was inappropriate , that I should tell him to leave and reschedule. But the gleam in his eyes held a challenge, a silent dare to let him in, to break my own boundaries. Against my better judgment, I stepped back and opened the door wider.

He moved past me, his presence overwhelming in the small space, filling the room with an almost tangible energy. “You work late,” he remarked, his voice casual as he took a seat across from my desk, crossing one ankle over his knee.

I closed the door, feeling the lock click under my fingers as if it could somehow fortify my resolve. “Yes,” I replied, moving to sit across from him, keeping the desk between us. “But it doesn’t mean I take clients at this hour.”

He leaned forward, his gaze never leaving mine. “Oh, I’m not here as a client. ”

His words sent a pulse through me, a warning mixed with something I didn’t want to admit to myself. “Then why are you here, Damien?” I managed to keep my voice steady, but my fingers tapped anxiously against the desk.

He smiled—an expression that held no warmth, only intensity. “You already know the answer to that.”

The room seemed to close in, the silence amplifying the tension between us. “This isn’t a good idea,” I said, my voice softer now, as if speaking too loudly would crack the fragile control I had over this situation.

“Why not?” he countered, his tone almost teasing. “Afraid you’ll start to see me differently?”

My heart raced, and I hated that he could sense it, that he could read the effect he had on me. “I see you clearly, Damien. That’s why I know we need boundaries.”

His eyes darkened slightly, and he tilted his head. “Boundaries,” he repeated, as if tasting the word. “Is that what you think keeps you safe from me? Or from yourself ? ”

The question caught me off guard, and I couldn’t hide the way my expression faltered. “This isn’t about me,” I said quickly, perhaps too quickly. “This is about you —about the help you need.”

He smirked, leaning back in his chair, his gaze burning through every defense I tried to raise. “Tell me, Dr. Harper,” he said, his voice barely above a murmur, “do you really think I came here tonight for help?”

A shiver ran through me as I fought to maintain control. He knew exactly what he was doing, twisting words and intentions until I could barely remember why I’d let him in at all.

Damien’s gaze intensified, a wicked glint in his eyes as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You look tense, Amelia,” he said, his voice low, almost a purr. “I wonder if that’s because you’re afraid of what you feel. Or maybe it’s just me.” His lips curled into a smirk, and he studied my reaction with an unblinking focus that felt more like a predator sizing up its prey.

I held his gaze, refusing to let him see the cracks in my resolve, even as my pulse quickened. “This isn’t appropriate, Damien,” I said firmly. “You came to me as a patient, and there are boundaries that need to be maintained.” I willed myself to sound unwavering, but I could see by the flicker of amusement in his eyes that he sensed the tension underneath.

“Boundaries, again,” he echoed. “I think we both know that those don’t apply here. Not really.” His tone was laced with challenge, daring me to deny it.

I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to sit straighter. “As your psychologist, I have to act in your best interest. I’ll be assigning you to a different therapist—someone highly qualified who can help you.”

The words hung in the air between us, but his expression didn’t falter. Instead, his smirk deepened, and he gave a low chuckle, shaking his head as if he found the whole idea funny.

“Oh, Millie,” he drawled, leaning back in his chair. “Do you really think you can just… hand me off ? That some other therapist is going to fix what’s broken in me?” He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. “You’re the one I want. I think you know that. ”

My pulse raced, but I fought to keep my face composed. “I’m sorry, Damien. This is the only option that will ensure you get the help you need.”

His gaze darkened, his smirk fading as a more intense expression took its place. “What if I don’t want ‘help’? What if I’m exactly where I want to be, sitting in your office, getting inside your head as much as you think you’re getting inside mine?”

He rose from his chair, slowly, deliberately, closing the distance between us. I stood as well, refusing to let him crowd me, but his presence was overwhelming, his eyes fixed on me with a sharpness that felt like it cut through every pretense.

“I’m not going anywhere, Millie,” he said softly, his voice almost a whisper but thick with determination. “Assign me to someone else all you like. But you and I both know I’ll find a way back to you.”

He was enjoying this—pushing me to my limits, breaking down my resolve piece by piece. And despite every rational thought in my mind, I couldn’t deny the pull, the strange and twisted fascination that kept me rooted in place .

“You don’t get to make this decision,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt inside. “I do. And I’m telling you—this ends here.”

He looked at me, his eyes glittering with amusement and something far darker. “Then go ahead,” he murmured, his tone daring. “Cut me loose, Millie. Let’s see how far you get before you realize you’re in deeper than you think.”

I swallowed hard, his words sinking in like a stone in water. But I didn’t flinch, holding his gaze. He thought he could break me, that he could force me to lose control. But I was determined to prove him wrong —no matter how much my own resolve felt like it was slipping away under his unyielding stare.

In an instant, Damien closed the space between us, his proximity overwhelming. Before I could react, he leaned in, his face so close that I felt his breath against my skin. He tilted his head slightly and inhaled deeply, as though savoring every detail, taking in the scent of my hair, the tension in the air. The audacity, the sheer boldness, made my pulse race, but I stood my ground, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me waver .

He lingered there, his presence suffocating, his eyes half-closed as he took in that final breath. And then, he pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes gleaming with a dark amusement. A small, satisfied smile played on his lips, a silent acknowledgment of the power he held over this twisted dynamic between us.

“You smell… exactly like I remembered,” he murmured, his voice low, almost intimate, as if he were sharing a secret meant only for us.

My spine stiffened, and I forced myself to keep my face impassive, showing him nothing, giving him no reaction. But the truth was, his words, his intensity —it all seeped beneath my skin, lingering in ways I didn’t want to admit.

He studied me for a beat longer, his eyes scanning my face as if committing every detail to memory. Then, with a final smirk, he took a step back, the distance feeling both a relief and a strange loss. He turned, his back to me now, his movements unhurried as he walked toward the door. Just before he reached it, he paused, glancing over his shoulder with a smile that sent a shiver down my spine .

“Goodnight, Dr. Harper,” he said smoothly, almost as if this had been nothing more than a casual meeting. Then, without another word, he disappeared through the door, leaving me alone in the quiet of my office, his presence still lingering like an unsettling shadow.

As the door clicked shut, I exhaled, releasing the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. The silence that followed felt heavier than ever, thick with unspoken words and undeniable tension. And despite everything I’d told myself, I knew one thing with a certainty that terrified me.

This was far from over.

?????????

As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the necklace around my neck, my phone sat on the counter, Emily’s voice filling the room over speaker .

“So, how are you feeling about tonight?” she asked, her tone teasing but warm. “I still can’t believe you said yes to Jake. He’s been waiting forever.”

I smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, I know… I think it’ll be nice. He’s been so patient, and—”

“Patient? That man’s practically a saint ,” Emily interrupted, chuckling. “Seriously, he’s one of the good ones, Amelia.”

I exhaled, nodding slightly, though she couldn’t see me. “You’re right. I think I need this. Something… normal .” As the words left my mouth, I realized just how much they resonated.

“Are you nervous?” she asked, picking up on the slight hesitation in my voice.

“A little,” I admitted. “It’s been a while since I’ve let myself… I don’t know, get close to anyone.”

“You deserve it, Amelia. You’ve been through so much,” Emily said gently. “And Jake’s kind, caring—everything you need. Just enjoy yourself tonight.”

I smiled, a small warmth settling in my chest. “Thanks, Em. I’ll try.”

“Good! And don’t overthink it. Just have fun.” Emily’s voice was bright, encouraging.

I took a final look in the mirror, smoothing down my dress and taking a deep breath. “Alright, I think I’m ready.”

“Perfect,” she said, her tone playful. “Now go make Jake’s night. He’s been waiting long enough.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

“Absolutely. Have fun, Amelia,” she said, and with that, the call ended.

As I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my purse, I felt a mix of anticipation and a strange underlying anxiety. Tonight was supposed to be a break from everything—the tension, the nightmares, the increasingly complicated sessions with Damien. Tonight, I was going to allow myself to be with someone who genuinely cared about me .

A soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts, and when I opened it, there stood Jake, looking effortlessly handsome in a tailored blazer, his warm smile instantly putting me at ease.

“You look beautiful, Amelia,” he said, his eyes taking me in with quiet admiration. There was something comforting in his gaze, a steadiness that felt like a balm to the chaos I’d been navigating lately.

“Thank you, Jake,” I replied, feeling a hint of blush rise to my cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”

He chuckled, extending his arm for me to take. “Shall we?”

As we made our way to the car, I found myself relaxing, his easy conversation and gentle humor helping me let go, even if just a little, of the unease that had become almost second nature these past few weeks. Tonight, with Jake, I could step into a sense of normalcy, however fleeting.

He drove us to a beautiful restaurant nestled downtown, the soft glow of candlelight and a refined ambiance welcoming us as we walked inside. Jake had clearly gone out of his way to plan the evening, and as we were seated by the window, overlooking the city lights, I felt a flicker of excitement—a reminder that I could still feel this way, that maybe happiness was still within reach.

“I thought you’d like this place,” Jake said, smiling as he watched me take in the cozy, elegant surroundings.

“It’s perfect,” I replied, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness.

As the night unfolded, our conversation flowed easily. We talked about everything from old memories of working together to our dreams for the future. With Jake, the heaviness I’d felt lately seemed to dissipate. His laughter was contagious, his stories endearing, and I found myself laughing in a way I hadn’t in so long.

As dessert arrived, Jake looked at me with a softness in his eyes that made my heart skip. “I’m really glad we’re here tonight, Amelia,” he said, his voice warm. “I’ve always admired you—for everything you are, and everything you’ve overcome. I know we’ve been friends for a while, but I’ve wanted this for so long.”

His sincerity caught me off guard, and I felt a strange mix of warmth and guilt . Here was someone offering me stability, kindness, and understanding—qualities I knew I needed but struggled to accept. And yet, in the back of my mind, there lingered a shadow of someone else. Someone I shouldn’t be thinking about.

“I’m glad too,” I whispered, meeting his gaze with a small smile. I wanted to let him in, to allow myself the possibility of something real and good.

Just as Jake reached across the table, placing his hand gently over mine, a shiver ran down my spine—a feeling of being watched, an eerie familiarity that left my skin prickling. I glanced toward the window, but all I saw was our reflection against the dark night.

“Are you okay?” Jake asked, concern etching his brow as he studied me.

I forced a smile, nodding. “Yeah, just… a weird feeling. Probably just nerves.”

He squeezed my hand gently. “You’re safe with me, Amelia.”

And as I looked back into Jake’s eyes, trying to ground myself in the warmth he offered, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone, somewhere, was watching—and waiting .

The evening had been everything I’d hoped for—a brief escape into something soft and real, a chance to remember what it felt like to be just Amelia, with no hidden fears. Jake had this way of making me laugh, of easing my guard down piece by piece, and I found myself enjoying his company more than I had in a long time.

As we drove back, the city lights blurred outside the window, the hum of the car a comforting backdrop to the gentle conversation still flowing between us. He pulled up to my apartment building, and as he put the car in park, a warm silence settled over us.

“Thank you for tonight,” I said, turning to him, my voice barely above a whisper.

“The pleasure’s all mine,” he replied, his gaze lingering on me. In that moment, the space between us felt like it was charged with something both tender and electric. Slowly, he leaned forward, his hand moving to cup my cheek, and I met him halfway, our lips finally meeting in a kiss that was as gentle as it was full of promise.

The kiss deepened, a spark igniting as I allowed myself to get lost in it. For a moment, I let go of every heavy thought, every lingering worry. It was just him and me, warmth and calm, a reminder of what life could be if I let myself have it.

When we finally pulled back, he looked at me, his thumb brushing softly along my cheekbone. “Amelia—” he started, his voice filled with both warmth and hesitation.

Before he could say anything more, I found myself speaking up, surprised at the words tumbling out of my mouth. “Do you want to come in?”

A smile spread across his face, his eyes lighting up in a way that made my heart skip. “I’d love to.”

We made our way to my house, my hand clasped in his, and when we stepped inside, I felt a strange sense of ease, like I was allowing myself something I’d been denying for too long .

As we settled onto the couch, the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of us in our bubble of warmth and laughter. I leaned into Jake, the softness of the cushions cradling us as our lips met once more, our kisses growing deeper and more urgent.

Then, with a slight pull back, Jake broke the moment, his cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. “Uh, I need to use the bathroom,” he said, his smile sheepish.

I laughed, finding his embarrassment endearing. “It’s right down the hall. Just to the left.”

“Thanks,” he replied, stealing one more quick kiss before getting up. I watched him walk away, the sight of him filling me with a mix of affection and excitement.

As I settled back against the couch, I let out a soft sigh, savoring the moment. Just as I was beginning to lose myself in thoughts of how the evening had turned out, my phone buzzed on the coffee table, breaking the tranquility. I glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number flashing in bold letters .

Curiosity piqued, I hesitated for just a moment before picking it up. The ringing echoed in the quiet room, and I hit the answer button, bringing the phone to my ear. “Hello?”

“Millie,”

The voice sent a jolt through me, cold and familiar. My heart dropped as I recognized it instantly— Damien . My stomach twisted, dread creeping in.

“Damien?” I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the panic swirling inside me. “What do you want?”

“Listen carefully,” he said, his tone low and menacing. “If that son of a bitch doesn’t leave your house within the next five minutes, I’m going to kill him.”

Panic surged through me, and I felt the color drain from my face. “What do you mean? You can’t just—” then the realization hit me, “Hold on a second… are you watching me?” My heart raced as disbelief flooded my senses.

I stood up abruptly and jolted to the window, my pulse quickening with every step. I pulled back the curtain, squinting into the darkness outside, searching for any sign of him. The street was empty, shadows dancing under the dim streetlights, and a chill crept up my spine. The stillness of the night felt suffocating, and I strained my eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of his familiar figure lurking somewhere in the shadows.

“You have five minutes. I won’t repeat myself,” Damien’s voice came through the phone, dark and eerily calm. It was a tone I had never heard before. It made my stomach churn.

“Damien, you don’t mean that,” I said, trying to maintain some semblance of control in my voice. But the certainty in his tone sent a jolt of fear through me. My mind raced as I thought of Jake, unaware of the impending danger lurking just outside my door.

“I mean exactly what I said.” he replied, the calmness of his voice contrasting starkly with the menace behind it.

“If you think you can intimidate me into pushing Jake away, you’re wrong. I’ll call the police!”

A low chuckle escaped him, but it was devoid of any humor. “Go on. Call them. But let me remind you: if you do, it won’t just be you who suffers the consequences. Your brother is a good man, Millie. I’d hate for him to get involved with someone like me.”

The implications behind his words wrapped around my throat like a vice, choking off any further protest. “You wouldn’t… you can’t,” I stammered, feeling my resolve start to waver. “David has nothing to do with this.”

“ Exactly . He has nothing to do with this,” Damien said smoothly. “But that won’t stop me from making sure he remembers the night you decided to call the cops on me. Are you really willing to gamble your brother’s safety on this?”

Panic coursed through my veins, and I could feel the walls closing in on me. The last thing I wanted was for David to become embroiled in Damien’s twisted world. “You’re sick , Damien. This is wrong on every level.”

“Maybe,” he admitted, his tone unchanging, “but you know I’m not lying. ”

“Damien, please,” I begged, desperate to find a sliver of humanity in him. “This isn’t the answer. You can’t control everything like this. It won’t work!”

His voice dropped lower, darker, sending a chill racing down my spine. “Listen to me carefully, Amelia. If he lays even a finger on your body tonight, I will cut his motherfucking dick off, and bleed the life out of him on that pretty carpet you just got. Do you understand?”

The threat hung heavy in the air, suffocating me. The intensity of his words echoed in my mind, each syllable slicing through my attempts at rational thought.

Before I could respond, he abruptly hung up, leaving me staring at the phone in disbelief. The sudden silence in my apartment felt deafening, the weight of his words still hanging in the air like a thick fog. My heart raced as I fought to gather my thoughts, grappling with the chilling reality of the situation

Just then, the bathroom door creaked open, and Jake emerged with a relaxed smile, clearly blissfully unaware of the turmoil swirling inside me. He looked handsome in the soft light, and for a moment, I felt a wave of affection wash over me, momentarily easing my fear.

“Hey,” he said, stepping closer, his eyes brightening as he took in my expression. But his smile faltered when he noticed the pallor of my face. “You okay? You look a little pale.”

I forced a smile, but it felt brittle and shaky, a mask that did little to conceal the panic that threatened to consume me. “I suddenly feel a bit sick,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I think I need some time alone.”

Jake’s brow furrowed with concern, and he hesitated for a moment, clearly not wanting to push me. “Are you sure? We were having such a good time.”

“I know, and I’m really sorry,” I replied, my heart aching with regret. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, and I hated that I was putting him through this. “But I really think it’s best if you go home. I just need to rest.”

He took a step back, his expression softening as he searched my eyes for answers. “Alright. I don’t want to pressure you,” he said, his voice gentle. “I can call you tomorrow? ”

“Yeah, definitely,” I said, grateful for his understanding.

As he leaned in, I instinctively flinched, a reflex I couldn’t control. The memory of Damien’s chilling threat surged through me, drowning out any remnants of calm I had clung to. Jake hesitated, his smile faltering as he processed my reaction, and I saw the hurt flash across his face.

Instead of the kiss I had imagined, he wrapped his arms around me in a warm hug, his body radiating comfort and concern. I leaned into him, grateful for the support but still feeling the weight of the storm lurking outside my door.

“Take care of yourself, Amelia,” he said softly, pulling back to look me in the eye. “I’ll be just a call away if you need anything.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, my heart heavy with unspoken words as he turned to leave.

The door clicked shut behind him, and I let out a shaky breath, my heart racing once more. I pressed my back against the door, feeling the cool wood against my skin, desperately trying to steady my racing thoughts .

The moment of peace that had come with Jake’s presence quickly dissipated, leaving me alone with the haunting knowledge of Damien’s threat. I glanced at the phone still clutched in my hand, the screen dark and silent, but I knew that the danger wasn’t over.