19

Hailey

The smile remained on my face until the sun went down. I was cleaning up the kitchen after Christian had made us something to eat when darkness fell. A noise caught my attention. My muscles tensed and I thought I'd heard someone sneaking up behind me. I whipped my head around, but there was no one there.

"Hailey? What is it?"

I didn't respond. Instead, I ran and switched on the extra set of lights in the kitchen and stood there with my arms crossed and my chest heaving.

Christian checked his phone. "I'll be right back."

I was terrified someone was in the house. It felt as though someone was watching me. I knew it sounded silly, but I couldn't help feeling this way, especially after being pushed into that closet.

Christian returned. "There are no motion alerts, and the cameras are all online. There's no one here." He pulled me into his arms and held me.

"What if I never get over the feeling?" I murmured into his chest.

"It will get easier. I promise."

He squeezed his arms tighter, and I breathed easier. I knew I would feel safe with him around, but what would I feel like when he wasn't here? We talked a bit about having a long-distance relationship until he figured things out back home. He would hire another bodyguard he trusted while he was away. It sounded fine when we had discussed it, but now I wasn't too sure I could handle it.

I felt weak just thinking that way. I didn't want to be scared. I didn't want to be dependent on my boyfriend. But my body didn't care what my mind wanted. It jumped whenever the floorboards creaked.

"Let's go sit down. Maybe watch a movie."

I nodded and let him turn off the lights and choose something as we sat down on the couch. Only a few minutes into the film, my mind wandered, imagining shadows down the hallway.

Christian covered my hand with his. "What are you thinking about?"

I didn't want to dwell on my fears, but we did promise to always be honest with each other.

"I just can't seem to get over it tonight. The fear… it just won't go away," I explained.

He pulled me against his chest and pressed his cheek to the top of my head. "That's natural, Hailey. You went through something traumatic. Hell, I was scared and I wasn't the one trapped in there. It will take time for your body to relax. You don't have to force it."

I kissed his forearm, which was wrapped along my chest. "Thank you. I wish I could just forget about it."

Christian kissed my neck and shivers ran down my skin. I pulled his head down for a kiss and closed my eyes. His body hardened behind me and my stomach clenched. "That's definitely one way to distract me."

He grinned through the next kiss. I could barely hear anything now over the beating of my heart.

Christian's head snapped up.

"What's wr—"

He put a finger to his lips, and I stopped talking. He checked his watch and then reached for his phone. "There's a motion in the driveway. Someone's walking toward the front door."

My shoulders tensed, and my heart beat faster.

"It's Ingrid," he said, staring at his phone.

I sighed.

We were both a little on edge.

"I'll get the door." Christian got up from the couch and turned on all the lights. He answered the door only seconds after Ingrid rang the bell.

"Hi," she smiled. "Is Hailey home?"

I spotted Ingrid in tight black jeans, a crop top, and wedge sandals. I pushed back my hair and tied it into a ponytail. "Hey, Ingrid. What brings you here? Everything okay?"

"Yes, fine. I'm sorry I didn't call. I was in the neighborhood and thought I would shoot some ‘Hailey at home' reels. It's important to connect like that with your audience."

"Right now?"

"Yeah. Is that a problem?"

"Sort of. I wasn't expecting to be on camera tonight. Can we schedule something for tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, sure, of course. I'm so sorry." She bit her lip. "I hate to ask, but can I get a glass of water? I came from the gym and forgot my reusable mug. I'm parched."

I looked at Christian, who narrowed his eyes at Ingrid, but I answered, "Yeah, sure. Not a problem. I'll just get you some water."

Ingrid followed me into the kitchen, and a cold shiver ran down my back. I needed to get over this fear of someone hurting me when I wasn't looking.

"Is bottled water okay?"

"Do you have something from Europe? I prefer European waters."

"Ah…" I searched my fridge but found just a plain bottle. "It's not European, but it's cold."

She smiled. "Yeah, that's fine."

She looked around. "You have a nice house."

"Thanks," I said, waiting for her to take the bottle and leave.

Instead, she opened it and slowly sipped her water.

"Your mom told us about what happened yesterday. Were you scared?"

"Yes. Terrified. But thankfully, I only have a bump on my head."

She pressed her lips together. "Does it hurt?"

I nodded.

Christian walked into the kitchen. "Ingrid, did you leave your car running?"

Ingrid's eyes rounded and she clutched her chest. "OMG, no. I didn't. Is someone stealing my car?"

My eyes shot to Christian's and my heart sped up again. Was this a carjacking or something more?

"Stay here. Don't leave this kitchen until I get back."

"Oh my gosh," Ingrid put her water bottle down and moved further into the kitchen.

"Don't be scared," I said, speaking to myself as much as Ingrid. "I'm sure it's just some kid looking to go on a joyride."

Ingrid looked as doubtful as I sounded.

I kept my gaze on Christian's back as I watched him slowly approach the front door. He pulled the curtain away at the window and watched what was happening out front. A few seconds later, he walked outside.

"Your mom was really touched when she told us what you said to your kidnappers."

My entire body stiffened from my toes to my eyebrows. My heart stopped beating, and no air moved through my lungs.

I hadn't told anyone what I'd said. I was too emotional to even express it. And I didn't want to make anyone feel worse about what had happened.

"Mmm," was the only sound that I could push through my dry throat.

"Yeah. Offering yourself in exchange for your mother's life. That was truly commendable and, frankly, surprising."

A drawer rattled behind me and I turned to see what Ingrid was up to when the cold blade of a carving knife pressed against my neck.

My heart started up again, hammering against my chest. Perspiration gathered along my nape, but I still couldn't breathe.

"W-what are you doing?"

"I'm putting your words to the test, Hailey. You said you would sacrifice your life to save your mother. I don't believe it. I think you like to play the hero and the pop star, but you're just a fake."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you doing this?"

"It's all your fault. I've been following you ever since you beat my sister at the Malibu singing competition years ago. She was so much better than you, but you had this sweet, girl-next-door persona and I knew it was bullshit. You were a fake from the beginning. I'm so happy I got to show the world the truth."

My stomach turned. Her words mingled with her vodka-tinged breath made me want to vomit.

But in the next instant, someone cocked a gun behind us.

"Put the knife down, Ingrid."

Ingrid squeezed my shoulder, and she pressed the blade, now warmed by my skin, harder against my vein.

"I won't ask you again. Drop it or I swear I'll fucking shoot you."

Christian's presence had always been intimidating, but his deep voice uttering those deadly words downright made my knees shake.

They must have had the same effect on Ingrid, because the knife slid down my neck and hit the floor.

I stumbled away from her, grabbing onto the counter as my entire body shook.

Christian kicked the knife across the kitchen floor, and it landed under the table.

Despite my trembling, I couldn't stop my next words. "You were the one who tampered with the machine?"

Ingrid stood still, but she shifted her eyes to face me. "Of course. I planned everything. Even that stupid feud with Kendra was all me. I sent messages to her from your account bashing her music."

I closed my eyes. How could I have been so stupid?

"Ingrid, I don't understand. You did this all because your sister lost some stupid competition?"

She raised her arm, but Christian pulled it back. "Don't even think about moving. Answer her question."

She scowled. "It wasn't stupid. It changed your life and it should've happened to us, not you. We should be living in this house, driving fancy cars, and living in Hollywood Hills. This should be my life, not yours. You took it from me. Now, I want to take everything from you."

I recalled the competition from five years ago. The girl who came in second was talented, but she came across just a little too shy.

"You didn't have to do this. Your sister can still have a career. I'll help her."

She scoffed. "Help her? You can barely help yourself. You're not talented. You're pathetic."

"Then why punish me?"

"Because you are everything that's wrong with the world. You took something you didn't deserve from someone so much sweeter than you. You've been nothing but rude to me." Her voice cracked.

I recalled the times I'd been short with Ingrid and I flinched. I'd been so focused on myself and my career.

"I'm sorry I was harsh, Ingrid. But that doesn't give you the right to do what you did. You need help."

"You think I need help? You stupid, conceited bitch!"

Ingrid lunged for me, but Christian wrapped his arm around her middle. "That's enough."

Pulling Ingrid out of the kitchen, Christian called out. "Hailey, I'm calling the police."

He pulled a kicking and screaming Ingrid towards the front door. Her wedged sandals scuffed up my floor.

My back slid down the island until I sat with my head on my knees. Tears fell down my cheeks, but I didn't bother wiping them. My body felt numb, as though I couldn't move my arms or legs even if I tried.

My mind replayed everything that had happened in the last few months: the stabbing, the scandals, the phone call. While I don't think she had hired the man in the coffee shop, her fake texts to Kendra instigated it. She was probably upset when he hadn't completed the job.

It was awful knowing someone wanted you dead. They thought your life was so worthless.

A little while later, police sirens wailed in the distance, yet I still couldn't move.

Doors slammed, and loud voices drifted through the open door at the front.

Sitting exactly where I'd been for at least twenty minutes, I looked up at Christian as he entered the kitchen. His eyes drooped, and he ran a hand over his face.

"Are you all right?"

My mouth trembled, but no words came out. Instead, my chin quivered, and the tears fell again.

"Shit, Hailey." He dropped down to the floor next to me and gathered me into his arms. The heat from his body warmed the chills that ran through mine. He kissed the top of my head, my temple, and my forehead. Each press of his lips left a warm trail, but it didn't take away the ache in my chest. Not completely.

"Everything's going to be all right," he said softly. He rocked me back and forth. The motion comforted me, but I knew I wouldn't be all right. Not tonight. Maybe not even tomorrow.

Looking over his shoulder at an officer at the entrance, I asked, "Do I need to speak to the police?"

He nodded.

"I don't think I can do that tonight."

"They're going to want to talk to you while it's still fresh in your head. Besides, the quicker you get this done, the sooner you can forget about it."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn't think I would ever forget her hateful words or the loathing that emanated from her body.

"I'll sit with you the entire time and won't let them ask you anything that isn't relevant to tonight. I'll answer as many questions as I can for you." He moved his body to rise. "Do you think you can stand up, baby?"

I nodded, but when I tried to move my body, it felt as though I were weighed down by bricks, and I dropped my head onto his shoulder.

"It's all right. We'll just sit here a little while longer."

He held me tighter and pressed his lips to my temple a little bit harder.

When a police officer approached us, Christian waved him away. The officer didn't seem too pleased, but his eyes met Christian's and he didn't argue any further.

I closed my eyes and tried to gather my strength.

Come on, Hailey. Get up.

I leaned on Christian to help me stand. With a hand on my elbow, he helped me up. He wrapped his arm around my waist and I stood taller.

Walking over to the police officer who stood by the doorway, I inhaled a deep breath and said, "I'm ready to tell you what happened."