Six years ago.

Roxi's POV

"What am I most afraid of." I echoed, stuffing my hands in both pockets of my coat. "That's a very difficult question. I'm afraid of a whole lot of things." I chuckled, and even though I didn't see his face,I felt him smile.

Him, being the stranger I'd spent hours of every single day with for the past two weeks.

From what I'd learnt,he was Will Olsen,and he was eighteen. He was currently a student of Oxford university and was only home for his fathers memorial. He had a step brother and before me, everybody else called him Liam because he hated the name William for some reason. Also,I knew he didn't like it when will and Will were used in the same sentence. He hadn't said it to me directly but I'd noticed him flinch a few times when I did.

"But-" I paused,suddenly feeling my smile fall out. "If I had to choose,I would say what I'm most afraid of is loosing those that really matter to me." I answered quietly and then turned away,pretending to gaze at something in the atmosphere. I felt him halt to look at me so I turned my face to the other side,feeling heat crawl up my cheeks.

"Have you lost a lot of people you care about, Roxi?" He asked, taking me completely off guard. I felt my feet come to a halt too,chewing on my inner lip.

"No."

He nodded and then resumed walking, urging me to follow.

"Who is your favorite person in the world?" He asked again, throwing me off guard for the second time. It wasn't supposed to be a difficult question and the sincerity in his eyes assured me that he meant no harm by it.

I swallowed and threw one of my million dollar smiles at him because I was certain that I would choke on my next words if I didn't.

"My father." I pouted,pulling my gaze away. But even then, I could still tell that he was watching me.

I didn't think he knew but he had a slight issue of not knowing when to look away.

"What about you?" I grinned, turning around fully so I was walking backwards, my body facing him instead. He scratched the back of his neck and then smiled a very boyish smile and in that moment,I couldn't help but notice the pair of adorable dimples on each side of his cheek.

"I didn't have one." He crossed his arms. "Until now." He added in a manner that was barely audible,as though he hadn't intended for me to hear it......but I did. I felt heat crawl up to my cheeks and I momentarily glanced back because I didn't know what to say.....or if I was supposed to say anything at all.

"Hey,you have to let me know if I'm walking into a pole or something,okay?" I asked, obviously trying to change the subject. Thankfully, he smiled.

"You don't have to worry about that, Roxi. I'll protect you." He grinned,causing me to chuckle.

"That's the most cliché line I've ever heard." I tucked some loose strands of hair behind my ear.

"Really?" He stopped walking, causing me to stop too. "Does I'll be your knight in shining armor sound better?" He was grinning from ear to ear at this point. I opened my mouth to say something but then I halted.

I knew the exact buttons to push.

"A knight doesn't sound so bad." I smiled,taking a step towards him. "In that case,Will Will willingly wield my shield?" I grinned satisfactorily. For a second, he stood completely still... and then he burst into laughter.

It wasn't the 'I just heard a good joke' kind of laughter. No,it was the other one. The 'I just heard a ridiculously bad joke' kind of laughter.

Which wasn't exactly the effect I was hoping to have.

Low key though.... just low key, it felt good that he was laughing.... That he was laughing at something I said.

"What the hell was that, Roxi?" He asked when he was finally breathing normal again. I scowled and then resumed walking.

"I'm sorry." I felt him grab my arm, causing me to turn around. "I'm sorry."

But he was smiling.

"That was just--" He paused. "Only you would come up with something like that." He was trying to keep a straight face but there was laughter in his voice. "I will willingly wield your shield,Roxi. And your armor. And your sword. I would do your battle cry also if you want me to." He wasn't even trying to hide his smile anymore. Although, this time I did smile too.

"Shut up." I punched him slightly, pulling my hand from his hold as we neared the bus stop "This is where I stop." I told him, my feet coming to a halt.

"I cou--"

"You don't have to wait with me for the bus,Will." I rolled my eyes, despite the smile I was wearing. "You have a car to get back to." I told him. "Goodnight." I turned to go and then halted. "One more question-" I turned around. "What's your favorite place in the world?" I asked.

He pursed his lip and an embarrassed smile appeared on his face.

I shook my head knowingly.

A part of me knew he probably wouldn't even have one since he could literally afford to go wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

"Never mind." I smiled and then turned to go.

"Right here." He answered almost quickly, causing me to stop dead in my tracks. "Because every night on this very spot, you give me one of those killer smiles and say goodnight." He added. There was playfulness in his voice and I felt like he was taunting me but when I turned around, he was already running down the street.

____________________________________

Present Time

Roxi's POV

"The number you're trying to call is unavailable--"

I pushed the end call icon on my phone, feeling the tyres of the cab I was in come to a slow, screeching halt.

"Thank you." I tucked my phone into my purse,getting out every last dollar I had in it. I pushed it into his open hand,to shaky to even ask how much the ride had cost. I pushed the door open and then climbed out.

I was tired, and scared and defeated.

Tired because I had searched everywhere. Every single place I thought he would be.

I'd checked the bar he frequented, the clubs he hung at, I'd called home, and I'd called the office.

Scared because he wasn't in any of those places.

Defeated because I was walking on the grounds of the only other place I could think of. I didn't know what I'd do if he wasn't here.

I didn't know if I'd ever forgive myself if something happened to him.

I let my eyes scan around bright streets, clinging on tightly to my bag as I did.

Six years.

It had been six years since I last stepped foot here, six years since I'd ridden the bus.

I never bothered coming back after dad died. It reminded me too much of him.. Of what I'd lost the day I lost him.

But somehow,I was here.

Somehow,I was here because of Will.

To my relief, when I looked across the street,I spotted him  sitting on the bench. His head was buried in his hands and his hair was disheveled. He was still wearing the same cloths from yesterday.

I'd never seen him look so defeated. And in that moment, all I wanted to do was to tell him that I choose him.

Hey guys,
Another chapter! Phew!

So i was reading through hostage earlier today and I decided to make a few changes. Roxi and Will met six years ago, and not ten. Ten years ago would leave Roxi at twenty seven and that wasn't exactly the intended age. I sincerely apologize for the error.

Imma go back and change it in all the other chapters that stated fourteen right now. Just thought I'd let you guys know about the change.

Anyway,I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I think Will and Roxi are finally ready to make this right. Lol.

Please don't forget to vote, and comment, and share.

-Love,Chay.