Chapter Fifteen - Rattled

"Alright guys, we've got ten minutes left so start cleaning up." I leave one of the students and start helping to put their projects away safely. "And remember your written exam is tomorrow at two o'clock. Please don't pull an all-nighter, you guys need rest. I'll be there to check on you all."

"Would you help me if I get stuck on a question?" One of my students, Benny, asks with a mischievous smile.

"Not a chance Benny boy!" I tease before gesturing for him to put away the paint.

Everyone groans dramatically which makes me laugh out loud. This is my last class and the fact that I have it with my favorite group before the end of the day just makes everything better. They're a friendly bunch who love to joke around a lot but get things done. We quickly clean up the studio and I give them the go ahead to leave class a little earlier so that they can enjoy the rest of their evening.

After the last student has left I sigh and get to work on putting the supplies back into the closet. Turning on some music to fill the silence I grab the various materials that were used today and walk into the supply closet to put them back. But as I'm putting away the last of it the light suddenly turns off and I hear the door shut behind me. It locks automatically as soon as you close it which it shouldn't have since I left it wide open. I freeze before whirling around in panic only to stumble back in surprise.

"What the hell?! Who are you?!" I gasp as my back presses against the shelves lining the walls. I can barely see the person in the darkness.

"Whoa! Sorry Charlotte, it's Liam. I didn't mean to scare you." He chuckles but it only freaks me out more.

"Why didn't you say anything?! Why did you turn the light off and shut the door?!" My voice trembles as I fish around in my pocket for my set of keys.

"I didn't! I saw you in here and thought I'd scare you as a joke...but the door shut right after I stepped in!" He explains but moves closer to me. "As for the light I guess the bulb needs changing."

My heart races a mile a minute as his hand brushes against mine. I back away and end up hitting the back of my head hard against the edge of the shelf. "Move Liam! There's plenty of space in here! Let me unlock the door for god's sake!"

"Oh! I'm sorry, I just couldn't see very well. Are you alright?" He asks worriedly but his hands wander with one grasping my side while the other pats my head blindly. I struggle to get away and his hold tightens as if he's trying to pull me against his body.

"I'm fine! Stop touching me!" I snap before pushing him away and moving towards the door.

He blocks me and I try to push him to the side but he just moves backwards, preventing me from reaching the door. I ask him to move to his left but he doesn't respond nor does he budge. I'm terrified right now and tears brim my eyes as panic seizes me.

"Move god dammit! I have a spare key!" I yell in frustration and thankfully he listens this time.

With trembling hands, I eventually manage to unlock the door and get out. I distance myself from him as I narrow my eyes suspiciously. He strolls out of the supply closet with an amused smile and shrugs carelessly.

"Well, that was weird!" He grins but it drops when he realizes I don't find it funny. "Come on Charlotte...I was only joking around! I'm sorry if I scared you, please don't be upset."

I reach over and switch the light on for the closet. It turns on normally with no flickering and I stare at him silently. His mouth opens and closes like a fish, probably not expecting me to do that.

"You did that on purpose."

"You're crazy! Why would I do that?!" He splutters and throws his hands up in exasperation.

"I'm crazy?! The light works normally and I left the door wide open myself! It was against the wall, there's nothing behind it for it to swing shut itself!" I seethe and feel a pinch of pain from my nails digging into my palms because of my anger. "And why the fuck were you touching me and trying to pull me against you?! My head bumped into a shelf Liam, it's not like I was dying!"

"Well forgive me for trying to make sure you were okay! Really Charlotte, making up a crazy story and blaming me is ridiculous! I just wanted to play a harmless prank but it backfired, that's all!" He sneered with a roll of his eyes.

"Get out." I utter before moving towards my desk.

He blinks before shaking his head vehemently. "Charlo –"

"Now!" I raise my voice while pointing to the door.

He goes to protest but then seems to decide against it. Sighing heavily, he glances at me one last time before leaving. I sink into the chair still shaking from what just happened. Taking a few minutes to calm myself I rush through the rest of my tidying up before quickly leaving the studio.

My phone rings just as I'm getting into my car and I answer it without looking. "Hello?"

There's a pause before a familiar voice filters through and relieves my body of all the tension. "What's wrong?"

"Just having the worst day. On top of that mother nature decided to pay me a visit and the cramps are a bitch." I joke as I connect my phone to the car's Bluetooth before driving off campus. "Anyways how are you? Were you busy much today?"

"Oh shit, I hope you feel better soon." He chuckles and the sound alone makes me smile. "I'm good and yeah today was mad. End of quarter so we're trying to get deals closed. Everyone at the office was definitely relieved when we finished up for the day!"

"Did you get that video game project submitted too?"

"Yeah we finished it yesterday and the next version will be ready for roll out after they review everything." I can almost hear the smile in his voice. "Any plans for the evening? I can get you some dinner if you're in a lot of pain?"

"Thanks Theo but I'll be fine. Aria's going to her friend's place for a sleepover so I'll be lazing around on the couch all night." I joke and hear him chuckle in response.

We talk some more before bidding goodbye as I pull up to Aria's school. She races out of the doors as soon as she sees me and it's quite clear that she's excited for tonight. I wave to Carly as she waits outside for Conor and Belle.

"I'll drop her off in a bit."

"Looks like somebody can't wait!" She nods at Aria opening the door and throwing her bag in.

"You have no idea, hasn't stopped talking about it since yesterday!" I chuckle before waving goodbye.

I drive back home and get Aria's things ready for the sleepover while she changes into comfortable clothing. Fixing her hair again I make sure I have everything before we get back in the car. Carly lives fifteen minutes away in a more upper-class neighborhood with larger houses. I go through some rules with Aria about behaving before ringing the doorbell.

"Hi sweetheart!" Carly greets Aria with a bright smile before hugging me. "Conor and Belle are in the living room, why don't you join them?"

"Sure, thank you!" Aria grins before taking off her shoes and disappearing down the hallway.

"Here, I got these for you guys earlier." I hand her a box of bakery items which makes her laugh softly.

"Thank you Charlie. But I'll need to hide these from my husband, Morgan, otherwise the kids won't get any!"

We laugh and chat some more about our days. I thank her for organizing the sleepover before letting her go when her oven timer starts going off. Getting back into my car I return to a quiet house and start dinner. I decide to settle for a simple stir fry before changing into my pajamas.

Switching to Netflix I start on a new show that I've been meaning to watch before relaxing on the couch. I finish my dinner within minutes, not realizing how hungry I was before making myself some hot chocolate. It's only when I'm walking back from the kitchen that the doorbell rings. I frown in confusion before setting the mug down and opening the door.

"Theo?" I frown in confusion when I see him standing there with a bag. "What are you doing here? And what's all this?"

"Well, you said you're on your period and that it's bad so I got some things to cheer you up." He grins boyishly before stepping inside. I turn to him with a puzzled smile and close the door as he takes everything out. "I got chocolates, snacks and painkillers with me also at your service for endless massages and cuddles."

I stand there not knowing what to say. I seem to forget how thoughtful he is so this shouldn't be a surprise to me but it is. Never did I think he would come over just to comfort me and make me feel better.

"Oh, I forgot! I got you one more thing...flowers!" He pulls them from the bag and holds them out to me. But when a rose drops and some petals fall from being crushed under everything else his smile drops. "Shit."

I can't help it and burst into a fit of chuckles. Making my way over to him I cup his face in both hands before kissing him fiercely. He groans huskily and the sound alone has my heart skipping a beat.

"How did I get so lucky with you?" I murmur as I caress his cheek.

"I didn't know what to do so...I got everything." He shrugs as the tips of his ears tinge with red.

"You never had to run and get stuff for your exes?" I tease and he rolls his eyes playfully.

"They were never really that open about it. Plus, it's not like I've dated tons of women before you." He grins as I put everything on the kitchen counter.

"I can't imagine that...I mean, have you looked in the mirror?" I shake my head with a soft laugh.

"Have you?" He murmurs gently yet I don't miss the husky edge to his voice. "Have you only dated Liam?"

"I've only been in a long-term relationship with Liam. After Aria I went on some dates but never made it past the wine and dine stage." I shrug as I make a hot chocolate for him.

"Well...I'm honored you like me enough to stick around." He jokes as he takes the mug with a thank you.

I roll my eyes playfully before taking his hand and pulling him onto the couch with me. Cuddling up to him I smile as he drapes an arm around me and tugs me close. The smell of his cologne embraces me like a warm hug and I can't help the content sigh that escapes me.

Turns out he's been watching this show too and is on the next episode. We finish the first and the second before moving onto the third. Thankfully, they're not too long because I never have the patience to just sit and watch an hour-long episode. But my run in with Liam earlier still weighs heavily on my mind no matter how hard I try and focus on the show.

Unfortunately for me Theo notices. "What's wrong?"

I take a long sip of my hot chocolate before meeting his gaze. "Noth –"

"Charlotte." He frowns with a knowing look.

"Just cramps."

"None of my sisters-in-law have ever been lost in thought over cramps Char." He shoots me a knowing look. "Tell me what's on your mind. Is it about Aria?"

"No, just something that happened today." I sigh before shrugging half-heartedly. "After my last class this evening the students left and I was putting things away in the supply closet. But I left the door wide open as in...it was against the wall and doesn't ever swing shut."

"Did it close this time and lock you in?" He frowns in confusion and his eyes flicker with worry.

"No. I was in there and suddenly the light turned off and the door closed at the same time. I had music playing so I didn't hear anyone come in and didn't register the sound of the light switch because of the door slamming shut at the same time. But when I turned around...uh...Liam was there." I explain which causes him to tense and put his mug down.

"That fucker locked you in?!" His voice raises slightly due to anger and I sigh before placing my own mug down.

I scoot closer to him and he immediately tucks me into his side. "He said he didn't and that he was just trying to scare me as a joke. Told me that the door shut itself and he didn't turn off the light either, that the bulb must be faulty. But when I got us out with my spare key I turned the light on and it worked fine."

"Do you believe him?" He asks and I gulp harshly before shaking my head.

"I don't...because he kept touching me –"

"What?" Theo utters quietly and honestly it's scarier than his anger.

"Yeah uh he moved closer to me even though there was enough space in the closet. I got scared and when I stepped back I bumped my head on a shelf. He grabbed my side but when I tried to get away he kept pulling me against him." I shudder as the memory plays out in my mind again. "I told him I had a spare key to unlock the door but he wouldn't move away from the door, kept blocking me."

"How long is he here for again?"

"Two weeks." I bite my lip when I realize I haven't told him about Liam joining me and Aria at lunch on Saturday.

Theo glances at me and nods before double taking. His eyes narrow before he sighs. "Anything else Char?"

"Remember when you slept over the night of the party?" I start wringing my hands as worry rises within me. "I took Aria out for lunch that day and he came into the restaurant. Theo...I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I forgot –"

"You don't need to apologize Charlotte." He smiles softly and my breath hitches when he pulls me to straddle his waist. "I only want you and Aria safe. Hearing all this is just worrying me that's all."

"He didn't hurt us and his behavior was okay-ish...not rude like that night. But he didn't have much interest in getting to know Aria." I frown in confusion as I remember that day.

"That doesn't make sense. He was trying so hard to convince you that night to let him be around Aria."

"I know." I nod and fail to repress a shiver as his warm hands rub circles into my lower back. Theo mistaking it for me being cold drapes the blanket tighter around me. "He mostly talked about how great his job is. Then he remembered our good times and how much he's missed me."

"Delusional!" Theo scoffs with a shake of head. "You didn't deserve to be treated that way and he's blind to see that what he did was wrong."

"Thank you." I smile tenderly and kiss him. "I know he'll be taking this matter to court anyways even if I don't want him around. So, I'm thinking of requesting an initial supervised visit...just to confirm whether he has any interest in building a relationship with Aria or not."

"Hunter knows some great lawyers. I can ask him for recommendations if you'd like?" He asks as he plays with my hair.

"That would be so helpful, thank you Theo." I grin and he mirrors the action before turning serious.

"We need to do something about keeping you safe." He murmurs thoughtfully referring to today's incident.

"I don't think he'll try anything again –"

"Char..." He pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"But if something happens again then I'll take action immediately." I interrupt him with a pleading look. "I promise."

He stares at me before nodding. "The moment you feel something isn't right please tell me. If he tries anything a second time then this is serious Charlotte."

"I will." I nod before pecking him. "Now can you please go back to calling me sunshine and pig out on all these snacks with me?"

His serious demeanor cracks and I grin when he rolls his eyes with a small smile. "Fine, pass me the chips my sweet ray of sunshine."

"Your wish is my command my handsome cowboy." I wink and we burst into a fit of laughter at my mocking breathless tone.

We spend the rest of the evening cuddled up to each other and I feel like I'm in heaven. As promised he does give me massages and takes such good care of me. I'm over the moon when he asks to stay the night and as we slip into bed later I find myself wishing I had him next to me every night.

I love him, I think to myself as excitement yet nervousness courses through me over the realization. Have I fallen too hard and fast?

But as his arms tug my body closer and his warm breath fans over my skin I can't help but throw all reservations to the side. I lean up to kiss his jaw and watch a gorgeous smile bloom across his lips as he peeks at me.

"Goodnight Theo." I whisper and feel him kiss the top of my head in response.

"Dream of me sunshine."

"Such a flirt!" I swat his arm playfully and our soft laughter echoes in the quiet night before we drift off to sleep.

Update schedule is: once a week whenever I find time!

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