38

[Rose]

I walk out the back door searching for a uber even though Carried lectured me about denying Kaden and being rude to him. She was right, It was rude of me to deny him.

I just didn't see him helping me, and I thought it was a hassle for him. Afterall. All the other girls never get a ride from him or Coby all the time. They go home on their own. I have to learn to do so too. I stood there was a minute before my eyes noticed someone at my preferable vision. He was right there, near his car. About to get and I look at him.

My lips curl inward as I desperately teach myself to apologize for my rude behavior. . And I see a visibly sigh walking over towards me.

"Get in, I'll drop you" I bite her lip and he speaks. Something I couldn't avoid looking at. I could tell he was genuine. I just never saw him as someone who would wanna help me. Not trying to be anymore frustrating I gave in.

And walked behind him towards his car as he opened the car door for me. There was a minute of silence before I spoke.

"Thank you Kaden" He didn't say anything making me uncomfortable.

"If I was being rude then I am sorry, I just thought it was a hassle for you to drop me. You aren't my friend. It just troubling" I babbled.

"It's not a trouble for me Rose" He finally spoke after two long minutes. I nodded looking out the window and playing with the sleeves of my jacket bringing them up to my fingers.

When we finally reached my building I opened the door saying goodbye. I did hear him say a faint goodbye but it was masked by something falling. I didn't pay attention to it since I thought it must be something of his.

I could feel his stare at my back as he waited for me to enter the building before pulling out the road.

I sigh in a sleepy state and made my way up to the apartment.

As soon as I walked in I was greeted with complete darkness. It was very unusual. I always insisted on keeping a lamp switched ON near the kitchen counter at night in case one of us needed any water.

I walked slowly and the only source flight in the hall was now the lights from the window. My eyes scanning the place and walked towards the lamp trying to turn it on but I failed.

"Hey Rose" I gasp looking back at David standing right behind me near the couch.

"I am sorry, I broke that lamp of yours" I gulp grabbing my bag. "Ya, no, It's alright. Good night" I said walking towards my room when his voice stopped me.

"Hey wait wait wait, I just am so curious" I stopped to look at him.

"Why do you work at a strip club when you are employed?" my mouth opened in utter shock.

I had no problem, with anyone finding out about what I did for a living. But something about his tone of the question made me uneasy.

"I don't think that's any of your concern David. It just like any other work for me" He laughed. He was drunk. I stepped back turning the knob of my room to get in but I couldn't.

I realized I had to hunt through my bag to get my key and I start looking through my handbag when his hand grabbed mine making me gasp and push it away.

"What's your problem ?" I asked, and before I could start searching for my key he suddenly reached out his hand to push my back towards the wall. It was so unexpected.

My mind froze and I heard him talk but I struggled to get out of his hold and do anything.

"Why be so shy when you strip for men anyway?" His words fell upon my ears, his hands reaching out from squeezing my neck badly to my chest when I kicked him in his balls and pushed him away.

Unfortunately, I wasn't rough enough as he stood up immediately grabbing my hair and I yelled in pain.

I started yelling as loud as I could to try to get people living beside my attention when he grabbed my neck pinning me to the ground.

I was going to die, wasn't I. I could feel my heart beating loud. My tears falling from my eyes as I struggled to get out of his hold. I saw him pick up something shiny from his back pocket and I yell for the last time before accepting my dead.

The sudden loud thump from the other side of the front grabbed his attention. And I trying stretching his face but he didn't budge.

The loud bang following the thump and the front door suddenly broke open.

But I was being choked by David badly, I couldn't see anything. I felt my airflow stop and he was suddenly off me

I wheezy turning on my side and I heard someone beating him as I heard my neighbors voice yelling.

"Hey! Hey!" I opened my eyes to see my neighbor who I never knew helping me sit up. And the sudden view of Kaden. Punching David in his face and he stopped to look at me. Throwing David down on the ground before coming towards me and helping me stand up.

I wince as he grabbed my chin and lifted my face observing it.

"The cops are on their way." I heard someone say as they held David down.

" Where are you hurt?" Kaden asked, his hand still holding mine with his other hand under my chin, I shook my head as pain shot up my throat and I bring my hand up to it.

"I-I didn't think he would do this, I -" My voice cracked as one of the boys living beside us gave me some water.

"We heard you yell and thank god this guy could break the door. It was locked" I nodded staring at Kaden who had not taken his gaze off my neck.

"I'm fine" I whispered looking at him and he looks back at David.