It was well past midnight when I was on my way to Gray's place. I gazed at the dark street in front of me, my heart racing in my chest. My body still trembled slightly from the aftershocks, but I didn't care. I knew I only needed to get to Gray and everything would be alright.

I drove silently, my mind forming resolve. I didn't know what exactly was setting off my panic attacks, but I had an inkling it had something to do with the sudden reappearance of my father and my cheating on Gray.

My senses were hyperactive. I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself. I was afraid I was going to go insane.

I felt a sudden tingle down my back and my heart seized. My senses tingled. Something was wrong. Instinctively, I increased the speed of the car, my heart hammering when my eyes fell on the rearview mirror and I saw a black car, far off in the distance but steadily gaining pace.

I remained calm, keeping an eye on them and kept my pace even. I didn't want to act paranoid and increase my pace suddenly, lest they got suspicious. I didn't want to start acting out unless I was absolutely sure they were tailing me.

I took shuddering breaths, my heart lurching when the car got dangerously close. I took a deep breath, preparing to yell at them. "HEY! WHAT THE-"

My entire body lurched forward, I barely controlled the steering wheel as the car behind rammed into mine with a loud bang. I silently apologized to Caleb.

"Fuck," I cursed under my breath and increased the speed further, fixing my eyes on the road. Mirroring my movements, my pursuer steadily gained pace.

I fished my phone out, pulling the maps and gazed at it. The road in front of me was straight, there were twists or turns I could lose them in. Adrenaline coursed through me as I glanced in the mirror, my heart leaping to my throat. I couldn't see well in the dark, but I could tell there were multiple people from the multiple shadows. Under better circumstances, I would have liked to note down the number of the car tailing mine. However, it was impossible along with navigating and trying to find an escape root on my phone, all while my brain tried to chalk out a plan furiously.

I pressed the pedal and started speeding up further, zig-zagging to try and lose whoever was behind me. I stared straight ahead, trying to figure out if there was any way I could take the car into the surrounding forests. I was so intent on the street that it took me a while to see the reflection of a masked man leaning out of the window, his gun glinting malevolently under the moon.

Under familiar situations like these, my first action would be to let the pursuer know that I knew they were following me. However, with a potential murderer hanging out of the car with the gun pointed at me, I didn't think it was necessary.

The loud sound of a gunshot pierced the night air already raving with the sound of raging wheels on the road. I cursed, my brain working maniacally. "Fuck...fuck...fuck..."

Another shot. I heard the glass at the back of the car shatter with a deafening sound. I was protected from direct sight by the headrest, but I didn't know for how long.

I took a deep breath, it was time for desperate measures. I took a sharp turn to the left and into the forest soil. I couldn't go in too deep, knowing that the trees would completely block my movement and I would be ambushed. It was a risk, but I had to take it. I gazed in the mirror just a few metres into the forest and bit my lip. They were still hot on my trail. I fixed my eyes in front of me on the dark woods, I would have to make a last-minute turn and hope their driving skills weren't as good as mine.

The clearing ended a few meters ahead of me. Another gunshot sounded. I increased my speed, took a deep breath and prayed to the powers above. I made a last-minute turn and shot back the way I had come. My car flew beside the stunned pursuers and I barely managed to hold on to the wheel, the speed slowing down as I made the tiny climb and finally found myself back on the street. I increased the speed, sighing in relief when I didn't see them emerge from the woods.

But of course, they did. I was facing some resilient motherfuckers.

Every time I zig-zagged, they were hot on my trail and my little manoeuvre seemed to have angered them as there was a row of gunshots. I was afraid one of them would soon get the tyres, immobilizing me. It was time for another desperate measure. The road was only wide enough for two cars, but it would have to do. I pressed my feet on the pedal and made a one-eighty degree turn. Stunned, they hit the brakes reflexively and I blasted the headlamp in full force, hoping I had temporarily blinded them.

"You little shit!"

The momentary blindness made them forget that they had guns.

Fucking amateurs.

I reversed my car at full speed, gazing behind me. I didn't know how long the taillights would work for. I turned the steering wheel around and was back on the road, driving recklessly. I needed to get to the main city so I could lose them in the crowd. I took my phone and gazed at the map again. About a kilometre. If drove like a fucking idiot, I could get there in less than half a minute.

I heaved a sigh of relief when the main road came into view. I slowed down to one twenty, fixing my gaze on the mirror. A few cars were around me on the street. I couldn't afford to gather attention. I took any turn that I could get and found myself in an alley. I left the car, thankful for the deserted street and took off my shirt. I firmly cover my elbow with it and went to the hind of the car. It wasn't the safest, but it would have to do. I broke through the rest of the jagged glass. It was better to have it completely off. Thankfully, none of the glass shards pierced my skin and after making sure there were no remnant glass shards, I pulled the tshirt back on and resumed my journey. I wasn't too aware of this part of the city and had to use the maps again to lead me to Grayson's place. I was afraid they would somehow still follow me and decided to park the car in an old, open yard where wasted, run-down cars were kept. In the midst of so many different cars, I hoped Caleb's won't be as visible. I pulled the dusty car cover form an old car and placed it instead on Caleb's. I took a step back and studied it. For a passerby, it should remain nondescript. Anyhow, it would have to do.

I made my way to Gray's place about another kilometre from there. It took every ounce of strength for me to not break into a run. I gazed at the time and saw that it as almost three. I sighed, I hadn't realized how long the chase had gone.

There weren't many people around and I decided to break into a run, my heart beating louder with every step. About ten minutes later, I could see the apartment and increased my pace.

It was late and half of me was afraid that the main door would be locked, however, it was open. The apartment was much like my old one, except, it had more floors. I took the stairs two at a time, exhausted by the time I reached the third floor. My muscles were aching, straining. But I was home.

I rang the bell once, leaning against the wall to catch my breath. The yellow lamp on the ceiling was glowing dimly, bathing the drab grey walls in its light. I took deep breaths and gazed despondently at the opposite wall. It felt like it had been years since I was last at this place.

The door opened after a few minutes and a fully dressed Gray stepped out. "Xa-"

I didn't wait for him to complete. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him close, my heart seizing. "Gray."

I sighed, taking in his scent, his hard, warm body. His hands held me close and I heard the door shut behind me. He stroked my back gently, and suddenly, I was safe.

"Xavier, what happened. How-?"

"Shh," I whispered. "Just...hold me, Gray."

He led me to the couch and sat me on it, taking a seat beside me. He lifted my chin and gazed into my eyes, his voice concerned. "Xavier? What happened, love?"

"I'll tell you in a while," I whispered, climbing on top of him and snuggling into his chest as I straddled him. "Just...hold me."

And he did.

He stroked my back, my hair, kissing the top of my head. Each of his actions unhinging my heart. I leaned back finally and gazed up at him. "How are you not in bed?"

It was then that I realized how tired he looked. His eyes were devoid of their sparkle, his hair dishevelled. He smiled softly, and for a while, his weariness seemed to disappear. "I just got home, love."

I stared at him. "So..late?" I remembered he had been with victoria, a detail I had forgotten till then. "Oh...Victoria."

I tried hard not to sound mirthless. He sighed and nodded, caressing my face tenderly as he spoke. "I'm sorry, baby. She...had a relapse," he looked pained and shook his head, massaging his temple gently. "She got drunk and...got into a brawl with this huge dude. It was chaos. She ended up in the hospital again. I just completed the formalities and got home. I was in my car, trying to get her to go to the hospital when you called. By the time I got free, it was already late and I thought you would be asleep."

"Oh."

I felt horrible. He had been here, working hard, doing his duties, and I had tried to cheat on him. I was grateful I hadn't done anything I would regret. I decided I could tell him about my predicament later. Right now, I needed to be there for him. I took my seat beside him. "You should sleep, Gray."

He shook his head. "No way. Tell me what made you come here."

"I missed you," I said. It wasn't a lie.

He stared at me for a while. "That's it?"

I shook my head.

He almost smiled at my honesty. He leaned forward and kissed my cheek sweetly. "Its okay, baby. Tell me what it is? Are you hurt?"

I shook my head again and took his hand, pulling him closer to me. "Lie down and I'll tell you."

He gazed at me for a few moments, as if making up his mind and then nodded. He lay down on my lap and immediately shut his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Go ahead."

My heart leapt in joy. I gazed down at him, brimming. I stroke his hair off his forehead, marvelling at the way he sighed softly at my touch. I took his hand and kissed it softly. "You rest. I'll tell you tomorrow."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

He took a deep breath, a small smile on his face. "Good night, Xavier. Whatever it was, I'm glad you're here."

I kept my eyes fixed on him, unable to look away as he slowly fell asleep in my lap, his chest rising and falling gently. His hand on his stomach and the other, still entwined with mine. I took a deep breath, my chest constricted. What the fuck was I thinking? Cheating on this dreamlike man that I had. Maybe I felt like I didn't deserve him. Maybe I was insecure. But I was glad, that I hadn't.

I leaned my head back against the couch, my heart slowly settling to a normal rhythm. I was home, for now. Everything else could be sorted later.