ANNA'S POV

I hadn't realised how hungry I had been until my food had arrived, trying my best to slow my chewing down as Jared chuckled at me.

I couldn't help but admire him as he ate, my eyes trailing down his face, wanting to imprint every inch of him into my mind.

I was aware I must have looked like a creep staring, so I had averted my eyes, going red and focusing on chewing.

Jared had paid the bill, which I reminded him I was extremely grateful for, and we exited the diner quickly, craning my neck to offer a small sad smile at our waitress who I had snapped at.

I felt bad, and she hadn't returned to serving us after my comment, sending over someone else to deal with us instead.

I hadn't meant to make such a rude remark towards her, but, the way she was eyeing up Jared caused my blood to boil, and the words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I wasn't the confrontational type, and I preferred to suffer in silence, so I was rather shocked at myself for acting the way I had.

Jared probably thought I was a possessive freak.

We weren't even dating.

The sun had now set, and the streetlights were the only source of light down the road, the low quality bulbs doing their best to offer us some vision, but, they were struggling.

"Let's get you home," Jared told me, smiling as I scurried after him, almost tripping over the curb, catching myself and sighing in relief when I noticed that Jared hadn't seen it.

"Thank you for this," I said as we crossed the road, Jared gesturing for me to go first while he ensured no cars were coming.

"It's no problem, Anna." Jared's smile caused me to blush, and I found myself slowing down as I gazed at him, suddenly craving the sparks that ignited whenever we touched.

They felt so good.

My eyes locked onto Jared's lips as I gazed at him, slowing my pace down so I wouldn't fall.

I wanted to kiss him.

My mind was fuzzy.

I felt as if I had been drinking.

I needed to calm myself down.

"I'm serious about what I offered earlier by the way," Jared piped up, causing my eyes to widen.

I had almost forgotten about that.

Almost.

Releasing a small sigh, I felt my mood instantly dip. I wouldn't be living in my run down apartment for much longer, and as much as I hated it, it was somewhere to call my own. I was paying for it out of my own pocket, and I didn't want to rely on anyone else to house me.

"I know, and I promise I'll think about it," I admitted.

I was hoping I wouldn't have to move in with Jared, even though it would be a temporary thing. His offer was more than generous, and there was nothing I could offer him in return.

I would need to find an evening job somewhere to rake in the extra money so I could afford somewhere to live, but, I was unsure if I would have time to take up more work. I didn't get back from the school until early evening, and even then, I had a few lesson plans to go through for the teacher.

I would have to make time though. Working at the school wasn't going to be enough, and I could definitely spare some time during the weekend to waitress or clean.

I could have asked the diner if they had any jobs going, but I had fucked it for myself with my snarky comment I had made to our waitress.

"Are you going to be okay this evening?" questioned Jared as he placed his hand on my lower back, goosebumps starting to arise on my skin.

I hadn't realised I had been walking on auto-pilot, and we were standing outside my apartment, the crumbling stairs directly in front of me, Jared seated behind.

"Oh, yeah, I'll be okay, thank you," I told him honestly, turning round, frowning slightly when he dropped his hand from my back, and for a split second, I thought that I had seen his eyes turn a little darker.

I blinked a few times, taking a deep breath. The lighting was poor here, and I was definitely imagining things. Nobody's pupils could blow out that much.

"I'll text you tomorrow," Jared told me, but, before he could turn to leave, I panicked, reaching forwards and taking a hold of his hand, my mouth dry.

I didn't know what I was doing, but, it seemed my body had a mind of its own.

Jared knitted his brows together, gazing down at our conjoined hands, gulping quietly. He looked taken aback, and I instantly regretted my actions.

Was this what he wanted?

Was I over thinking things? Maybe I had read the signs wrong.

"Anna?" Jared said as he cocked his head, pushing his wheelchair forwards slightly, his jaw tense.

I was staring at his lips, wanting nothing more than to lean down and connect mine with his, but, I didn't want to ruin what we had.

"You are so beautiful."

I gasped at Jared's words, my eyes widening as my heart began to hammer against my ribs, and, before I knew what was happening, I was leaning down and planting a quick kiss onto Jared's lips.

I closed my eyes as I pressed mine to his, feeling Jared take hold of the side of my face, his touch causing me to shiver.

My lips were on fire, but in a good way, the heat spreading down my neck and settling in my chest, making me exhale with satisfaction.

The kiss was short and sweet, but the second I stepped away, I missed his touch. I wanted his lips on mine again, my body buzzing, adrenaline searing through my veins.

Jared smiled at me, a beautiful genuine smile, causing me to almost melt into a puddle on the floor.

Jared ignited feelings within me that I had believed were dormant.

A knot filled my stomach, and I shifted uncomfortably as Jared gulped, grinding his teeth together.

It was just a kiss. I hadn't jumped his bones.

This sensation was indescribable though. Why did I want more? I felt greedy.

"I can't leave you now," Jared chuckled, hooking a finger under my chin and caressing it, making me laugh.

"I'll see you tomorrow if you're coming to pick up Sophia?"

Jared nodded, taking a hold of my hand once more and giving it a good squeeze before releasing me, watching as I made my way up the stairs and into my apartment door, waving at him and shutting it.

I pushed my back against the door as I took a deep breath, shaking my head at myself.

I had kissed Jared.

I had instigated it.

Laughing nervously, I flicked at the switch, frowning when the light didn't turn on.

Stupid electrics.

Taking a few steps forwards, I pulled my phone out of my pocket, turning on the dim torch and trying to make my way through my apartment, bumping into the couch as I did so, my shin screaming at me.

My phone was running low, and the light emitting from the torch was on its last leg, causing me to really have to focus in order to try and make my way into the open kitchen, double checking that the oven was off.

I had been frightened that I had left it on when I was in a rush to get ready for Jared to take me out.

Suddenly, as I took a step, a loud crunch caused my ears to perk up, and I furrowed my brows as I lifted my foot up from the floor, panicked about what I had just stepped on.

Bending down, I placed my phone torch just inches from the ground, cursing to myself when I realised that the poorly tiled floor was coated in glass, the small shards sparkling in the light and making the floor looking shiny.

"What the hell?" I muttered to myself as I moved my torch along the floor, noticing larger shards of glass leading to the corner of the room, half of my old glass vase coming into sight. It was broken, the remains lying on the floor by my side table, and I sighed heavily.

It wasn't uncommon for a breeze to make its way through my apartment. I seemed to have a constant draft, and the wind must have blown it over while I was out.

I couldn't clean it up without light though, so, I decided to leave it until the morning, or at least until the electrics started working again.

Hopefully it would be soon.

Huffing, I trudged my way over to my couch, plopping myself down on it and letting out a small yelp once it dipped down, a loud ripping sound catching my attention.

Jumping up, I used my torch to inspect it, gulping when I realised the material had multiple large gashes in it, the filling spilling out of them.

It appeared to have been slashed.

Somebody had been in here.

This was no accident.

The electrics had been switched off for a reason.

My heart was beating a mile a minute as I began to panic, afraid that my Father had located me and was hiding out in my bedroom, ready to do something unthinkable.

As I attempted to control my breathing, I made my way towards the front door, yelping as I stumbled to the ground, landing in a heap and feeling my hands begin to burn. I lifted them up and stared at them, angling my phone so I could take a look at what I had landed in.

More glass.

My hands were bleeding.

I pushed myself up off the floor, rushing out of the door and barrelling down the stairs, taking three at a time, pushing my legs to move faster as I ran.

I rounded the corner, pulling my phone out of my pocket, my shaking fingers dialling.

"Hello, police please," I said with a hoarse voice, swallowing my tears.

I waited for the line to connect, the seconds feeling like an eternity as I continued my way down the road.

I needed to get as far away from here as I could.

Sighing with relief once I heard the operator on the other end, I slowed down my pace, leaning back against a tree and taking a deep breath.

"I need to report a break in. I think he may still be in the house."

•••

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