Entering the apartment, it was quiet inside. No sound or movement could be detected. I dropped the bag by the door and took my gun out. Had one of Bear's goonies done something? I walked softly across the floor. Then I noticed the bathroom door was shut. I walked to it, gun still in front. I counted to three and opened the door. I quickly stuffed the gun into the back of my pants. There Devin lay in the shower, the curtain lay round her, her top half in the shower, her legs sticking out. Her head lay to the right.

I picked her up and carried her to the couch and put a blanket over her. What had happened? I put my finger under her nose, she was still breathing. Putting my hand under her head, I felt a bump beginning to form. Remembering the gun in my pants, I quickly put it in the false bottom of the coffee table. Then I sat on the floor by the middle couch so that I could see the minute she wakes up.

(*)-Devin

My head was throbbing. I felt something squishy underneath me. Something groaned and I heard a voice far away say

"Are you okay?" I moved my head, but pain exploded all through it. The groan sounded again, and I realized it was me. Why was my head hurting so bad? I cracked open an eye and saw Thomas's face a few feet away from me. And then everything came flooding back. My heart hammered in my chest, but I knew I would have to pretend to love him, just like he was doing with me.

"I think so. I don't really remember anything." I started to sit up and he came to help me. I fought the urge to punch him. I was so mad and hurt.

"Well, when your head clears try. You scared me Dev." He got up, but then came back a moment later with ibuprofen and water. I took them and hoped that they were not bad drugs that would knock me out.

"Sorry about that. Maybe I had too much to drink?" I shrugged my shoulders at him, trying to think of an answer that seemed good.

"I don't even have anything here that would get you drunk."

"Oh. Well, then I don't know. Thanks for the Ibuprophen."

"Your welcome." He sat on the couch and put her feet on his lap.

"How was work?'

"It was fine. Boring as hell." I saw her wince and that's when I remembered she hated swear words.

"I'm sorry. But your home now!' She replied slowly sitting up.

"And I brought dinner!"

"Really?" She sniffed the air and then a smile formed on her lips "Chinese?"

"Yep." I helped her off the couch and into the kitchen. I grabbed the bag from the door where I had dropped it. Then without meeting her eyes I took it to the counter. She grabbed out some bowls and two small plates and set them at our spot. I put the containers on the table and then we sat down, we each took a healthy amount from the containers.

"I wanted to-" We both started at the same time. She giggled

"You go first."

"No, you go first."

"Nope, I've missed your voice, I need to hear it."

"Well, okay. I talked to my dad again, he said to skip the gown and just wear a cocktail dress."

"Really! That's what I was going to talk to you about. I was going to ask you if I could wear that instead. I mean the gowns are beautiful but I would have felt really awkward about it."

"Well, now you don't have to worry." I smiled at her. We finished up dinner. When I went to go put my dishes in the sink, I noticed that the dishes had been done. "Thanks for doing the dishes."

"Your welcome. I don't know how it got so messy." She chuckled as she put the leftovers in containers.

"Well, I mean we've been home, but we haven't. If you get what I mean."

"Yeah. I do." After he washed the dishes, we sat down and played two rounds of Chinese checkers. Then we played gin.

"So, I have to go back to work tomorrow."

"Okay, what time"

"So far all I know is I have to be there in the morning."

"Oh." I replied my face downcast

"I promise I'll let you know when I will be home this time. Okay?"

"Yeah."

(*)-Devin

We decided to watch a few episodes of beastmaster before heading to bed. Bed, did I really want to sleep with him? No, I didn't. But I couldn't let on that I knew about his dirty little secret. After watching a couple of episodes, we headed to bed. Instead of snuggling up to him, I stayed on my side. I hoped that he wouldn't notice. I focused on falling asleep, which was easybecause my head still throbbed and I wanted it to stop.

(*)-Thomas

She didn't scoot closer to me like she normally did. I heard her breath come out in short little puffs, she was asleep. Was she mad at me for coming home so late? Or was it something else? I laid awake for most of the night, I was finally able to fall into real sleep just after 2:00 am.

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(The next morning)

I awoke to the smell of pancakes, they smelt heavenly. I had no dreams last night, which I was glad for as they could be quite scary. I rolled out of bed and put on black sweat pants and a white long-sleeved t-shirt. Then I walked out to the kitchen. Devin was at the stove. She wore black leggings and a red woolen dress that went to her thighs.

"Good morning," I said softly coming to stand by her

"Morning, did you sleep well?"

"I did. Did you?"

"Yeah. I thought I'd make pancakes today."

"I'm glad you did."

"Oh by the way, Zoey is coming over. Our dresses got shipped to a different country, so she's going to try on one of my gowns. I hope that's okay."

"Oh, um sure that's fine. Who's Zoey by the way?"

"She's my friend from the Orchestra."

"Oh. Well, I can't wait to meet her.

(*)-Devin

I furrowed my brows. He'd be at work, he wouldn't meet her. Or was he talking about tonight?

"Are you talking about tonight?"

"No, when she comes here."

"Aren't you forgetting?"

"Forgetting?" He asked clearly confused

"You have to go to work."

"Oh shit! Your right." He replied glancing at the clock. He raced back into the bedroom and came back a little bit later in black pants and a blazer over his t-shirt. He gave me a quick kiss and flew out the door. I resumed making my pancakes, I had a date with some folders and a laptop.

(*)-Thomas

I drove to the garage where I keep my mustang, thankfully it was only five minutes away from the apartment. Arriving I switched quickly and then headed tot to the house, dialing Blade as I went.

"Tommy. My men said that you have not arrived yet."

"I know I'm sorry sir, I'm on my way right now."

"This won't happen again will it?"

"No sir." The line went dead and Thomas put the pedal to the metal and drove recklessly through traffic to get to the house. He arrived, a black GMC Yukon was there. It pulled away and Thomas took the spot, that he had been in. An email popped up on his phone,

Thomas,

My name is agent 54, here are my notes from today. The email went through a detailed list, the man had come out of his house at 6:30. Another agent spotted him going to the local drugstore. The agent inside the drug store saw him buy two packs of cigarettes and some beer. Then he came back home. He hasn't left since this morning. I continued to watch the house. Hoping for some action, but there was none. For two whole hours, nothing. I got to thinking, why couldn't I just put an end to his life now? Then no more girls would be harmed. I decided to take a chance and call Blade.

"Speak."

"Blade, I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Can't I just end the man's life now? I mean what's the point of waiting for him to kill yet another victim? Why have her family go through that pain."

"And that's why your number one." He replied chuckling. " Of course, you can. Let me know when it's finished. I'll see you tonight."

"Thank sir. Looking forward to see you." We hung up. I wasn't looking forward to it at all. I got out and opened my trunck. I lifted the top part of the carpet up to reveal a rifle with a thermal imaging scope on it. Putting it together, I also put a silencer on it. Setting it up on top of the car, I looked through it moving it back and forth scanning for heat marks. Finally, in what appeared to be his living room maybe, Thomas found his mark. He counted to three and fired, he saw the man jerk and fall forward. Thomas got into his mustang and peeled away before he could be seen.

(*)-Devin

I still didn't know who this man that Thomas was working for was. I was now laying on my back in my bed with my black and blue beats headphones on, letting Billie Ellish grace my ears. I had read every single folder both on the table and the laptop after I had filled my belly with pancakes. I hadn't really learned much as I know everything about me. It was kind of creepy to think that he'd been following me around for all those weeks, and the time he comes to my rescue is when I'm getting raped. Kind of ironic. Actually, I did learn that we weren't even supposed to be in a relationship, but it had happened and now I was stuck to pretend to still love this man. I mean I did love him, but the more I had read, the more I had started not to. He was a murderer. What would Lyr think if she ever found out? She'd feel terrible because she had forced me in a way to move in with him. I wondered why he hadn't killed me yet. Or even brought me to the man. What was the bigger picture? What was so important about me?"

While I was in the middle of my snooping fest, Zoey had come. I had all the dresses hanging up, so it would be easier for her to decide. When she saw the two matching ones, she insisted we match. She took the white and told me to wear the black one. She had stayed for a little bit and we had gotten to know each other better. Then she had left and I went back to snooping until I was sure that I had read everything. It had been 11:00 when I was done.

"Hey!" A voice said. I sat up fast. Thomas was in the doorway. How long had he been there? I slid my headphones around my neck.

"Hey. how was work?"

"Uh good. I'm done for the day."

"That's nice." I slid off the bed, pausing my music as I did.

"Yeah. So, have you eaten lunch yet?"

"No, I haven't."

"Good, I was thinking of making Mac N Cheese with curry."

"That sounds good." I replied with a small smile. I took off my headphones and threw them on the bed, still with my phone attached. Then I followed him into the kitchen.

"Do you mind getting the box of Mac N Cheese?"

"No, I don't mind." I replied. I walked down the stairs and quickly turned on the light. I scanned the shelves, it was on the top shelf. I stood on my tiptoes and pulled it down. Then I went back upstairs. He had already started boiling the water.

"So, what did you do while I was gone?" He asked. I swallowed nervously

"I-I read for a while after I ate. I saved some pancakes for you. Then Zoey came over and chatted for a while. Then I laid on my bed and listened to music. I usually try to do low-key things when I have to perform later."

"Makes sense. I really am looking forward to your concert tonight"

"I hope it goes well, I mean I think it's silly that he had us only do one more practice before we performed."

"Well, maybe he thought you guys were ready and would still be ready by the time you played."

"Yeah, your probably right. Are we going to take two cars?"

"Why would we do that?" He replied putting the noodles into the boiling water.

"Well, I have to go early, and I didn't think you'd want to sit there that long."

"Oh I don't mind."

"I know. But I do. And Zoey already offered to drive me." I replied smiling. I need to keep myself in check. I can't let on that I know something. COME ON GIRL! I mentally yelled at myself.

"Well alright, we'll just ride together to the dinner. Sound okay"

"Yeah. What do you want to do after lunch?"

"I don't know. I guess I haven't decided yet. What time do you need to be there?"

"2:00. Zoey is coming at 1:30."

"So we have at least one full hour together. Want to watercolor again? That was a lot of fun."

"Sure." I went to the cupboard and took out bowls for the mac n cheese. I wondered if he had been on a job, to kill someone. I shuddered at the thought of him killing someone in cold blood.

(*)-Thomas

I wondered why she was acting so funny. She seemed nervous all the sudden and seemed to not want to be near me. I didn't have any blood on me did I? A quick glance told me that I didn't. Sitting down, I scooped some into my bowl, then she did.

"I do have one question." Here it comes, could this be why she's acting funny?

"Shoot." She withdrew a small card and handed it to me. I read it and then looked at her.

"Can we go to her party? I know that you hate social things. But I think it would be fun for you to get to know others and you can see how crazy my sister and I get about Christmas." So that's why she was acting so funny. I thought to myself

"I suppose. I mean we don't have anything else to do."

"Yes! Thank you! Thank you!" she said excitedly coming to kiss me on my cheek.

"Your welcome. I'm excited to see how guys are during Christmas."

"You won't regret it." She said laughing. Clearly feeling better after getting it off her chest.

"Something tells me I won't."

(*)-Devin

We finished lunch and then played some virtual ping pong for a little while. Then we played a couple board games. Before I knew it, Zoey was at the door. I grabbed our dresses and then we headed for the music hall.

"Hey girl! I cannot wait to wear these dresses. I am so glad that he picked a ballgown theme."

"Yeah, me too! It's going to be fun. I just hope that poeple don't go too overboard with them. I mean I already feel like ours are over the top."

"So what if they are. I don't care!" She replied with a wave of her hand. We finally arrived at the hall, walking in, everyone was still getting ready. Some already had their ball gowns on and I sighed with relief. They were just like ours just different styles and colors. Zoey brought me into the one person bathroom. She hung up our dresses on some hooks and then plugged in two curling irons. I was confused as to why we were in this one.

"Um Zoey?"

"Yes?"

"This bathroom is only for one person."

"I know. But we have to help each other right?" I stared at her. I barely knew her all that well, I wasn't about to change in front of a stranger. But she had offered to help me.

"Fine, fine." I turned around and tugged off my dress, and then my leggings. I felt so weird changing in front of someone else. I grabbed my dress and slipped into it. I felt a hand on my waist. I half turned and saw that she was zipping me up.She withdrew her hand and I stepped back, she was stading there in only her undies and bra, I felt my face turn red.

"Don't you look sexy." She smiled a cheeky smile and grabbed her dress. I looked away as she slipped it on. Then she turned around and I zipped it up for her. The curler beeped just then. She then opened up a big zipper bag. How had I missed that? She wihdrew a stool and had me sit on it. She started to put it in a half pony tail, but the wround that half up into a neat little bun on top of my head. Then she curled my hair in big beach waves.

"Thank you, it's beautiful."

"Your welcome. She had me do her hair next two braids on either side of her temple and hen curl it in soft ringlets. She applied my make up and then I did hers. I put on my silver chain with a single raindrop pearl. In my ears I wore big chunky dangly dimonds on the bottom and tiny stud ones in the top. She didn't have her ears pierced. She put on a gold chain with a dimond key attached to it. We looked at ourselves in the morrior, we looked good. We took several pictures together anad posted them on all our soial media platforms. Then after unplugging the iron we headed out to the stage.

(*)-Thomas

I was getting quite nervous about otnight. I mean it would be the first time Blade meeting Devin. His little project. I was honestly afraid that he would try to do something to her, hopefully he wouldn't. For the next hour and a half, I watched the clock. I would leave at 2:35 so that I could get there in time to get a good seat, and save some seats for Blade and Bear and Jovani who was also coming. I got dressed in my formal suit and then gelled my hair back. I grabbed her dress from her room. She hd jsut texted me that she had forgotten it and wanted to change there instead of coming back to change. I drove to the garage and got into my msitang putting her dress and shoes in the backseat of the car. Then I headed toards the music hall.

(*)-Devin

The energy backstage was high as we waited for the show to begin. Everyone looked fantastic, the girls i their ballgowns, and the men in their suits.

"Alright everyone, places! The shows about to begin." Lllian, our manager said to us. As we walked softly across the stage, we could hear Mr. Zurichs wife speaking to the crowd. Her German accent thicker than his. We took our seats, mine was in the middle of the stage, the rest of them in a half circle around me.

"...Working very hard this year. Please give them a wam round of applause." The crowd cheered, the lights turned on and then curtain rose and we bagan to play our first song. At the end of the song, the crowd let's out a thunderous applause. We played several other songs and then it's time for my solo, which means were already almost done. It sure went by fast. The lights go down, and then a single spotlight hits me as I start my bow on the top stings, the sound resonates in the still auditorium as I start to play Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker .

(*)-Thomas

She looked at peace up there. Making center stage hers. She looked simply gorgeous in her gown, it fit her quite nicely. Her head swayd in time as she closed her eyes and became engrossed in the tune. Then the others joined in, it was beautiful, I've always liked listening to the nutcracker during Christmas time. I was having some trouble focusing as Blade was onleft and Bear was on my right. I could see that he hd broughten a woman, but the lights had been down when they came so I couldn't see what she looked like. It was uncomfotable to be this close to both of them for so long. I casually oulled my phone at and looked at the clock it was 4:59. The song ended and Devin stood up and took a bow, afer she did, they all did then the curtain covered them from view. The spotlights hit center stage, Mr. Zurich and his wife stood on stage, he tapped the microphone

"We thank you all for coming to our concert. We hope that you have enjoyed it. Refreshments are outide in the hall, where you can chat with the members. Again, thank you and good night." The spolight went out and the house lights went up. we slowly started filing out. Once out in the open area Blade turned towards me

"She was very good. I look forward to praising her tonight. We'll see you soon." He shhok my hand and so did Bear. Jovani kissed me on the cheek and then they weaved their way through the thicket and out into the cold dark air. I made my way to the back of the stage where they had all gotten ready. Rounding the corner, I saw deving standing in the fray of people. Her eyes lit up as she rushed towards me

"Hi babe."

"Hi Dev. You were amazing." He replied handing her a bouquet of roses.

"Thank you." Another woman came next to her, she looked quite stunning in the other gown that I had boughten Devin. I took her hand and kissed it as I bowed

"You must be Zoey." She giggled and put a hand to her chest

"I am. And you must be the famous Thomas."

"I see she's talked about me."

"Oh yes. She-" She was stopped short when Devin put a hand to her arm

"If you excuse, we have a dinner to be going to."

"Oh yes, you do. You did wonderful De."

"As you." With that, she pulled me away to the bathrooms. I handed her the dress and shoes.

(*)-Devin

Once inside the bathroom, I quickly changed into my red velvet off the shoulder cocktail dress. Then I put the black dress back in it's protective bag. I applied fresh lipstick to my lips and stepped out.

"Don't you look elegant." He said whistling softly and taking the bag from me.

"Thank you." I replied blushing at his antics. For the first time I glanced at what he was wearing. I noticed he was wearing his suit again.

"You look quite handsome yourself." He smiled as he drapped a white fur cape over my shoulder.

"Thank you, shall we go?"

"Yes, let's go."

"You wait in the entryway and I'll bring the car around." He said as we weaved our way out. As some of the memeber went by we made small talk, congratualting each other on a good performance. Soon bright headlights blinded me and the growl of a motor filled my ears. I saw a figure get out of the car and then come up to me. It was Thomas, he clutched my elbow and led me to his car, which I now saw was a Mustang. I got in and he ran around to the drivers side. Then we bagan the journey to his dad's house.

"Are you nervous?"

"A little bit. Are you?"

"The same. So I never asked you before. If he's not your real dad, what happened to yous?"

"I don't know. This man took me in. His son is basically a brother to me. But I don't call them family."

"I see. Does he have any children?"

"Not that I know of. He dosen't talk about himself."

"I see. Do you know his name?" He cleared his throat and straighted his tie.

"No. He's never told me his name."

"So what do you call him?"

"Sir."

"Oh." We fell silent after that. He turned on the classical music. Soon we turned on the street and drove to the end of it. We came to a big gate. He pushed a button and a voice spoke out. Thomas told them who we were and then the gate creeked open. We drove down a dirt road for a little ways. And then the mansion loomed up the moon throwing eery shadows on it. Lights lit up the inside. He parked next to the pourche that was there. We got out, the cold bit my legs. We climb up the cement stairs and he picked up the door knocker, it thudded against the oack door twice. A man with blond hair swept back opened it, he wore a uniform

"Welcome to the Blade resident's, please come in." We walked in and he took our coats. It was nice and warm in there and very elegant with it's vintiage looks. A dweeping stair case with red carpet was in front of us. The dinning room ws to the right. A giant chandilet hung from the celing over a marble white table. There were three candles on the table with an elegant gold china set out around the table. Giant dark brown chairs with pink plush cushions sat tall.

"This way please." The man said walking towards the left through an archway.

They entered the formal dinning sitting room. The floor had ben covered by a classic creamAgra rug. Which had a big blue sofa on it in front of a ginaormas crackling fireplace. On either side of the short side of the rug, sat two regal solid wood framed, dark cherry chairs with dark faux leather. Chadlielers that held candles hung from the high ceilings. Acros the back wall ewere three wide bookselves filled from top to bottom with books. In that area, there was a red swing chair by the window. The couch was cream colred and had bear skin drapped on the back of it. In front of another smaller fire place with a black rug in front of it. ON the other side of the book area, there was a red walnut table, sitting at the table was a young man with dark brown hair that went to his neck. His Jade eyes stuck out against his pale skin, he gave me the willies. There was an african woman in an A-line off the shoulder navy blue lace dress. She had short hair that breifly brushed her shoulders. The top of her hair was black, but it fell into light brown hues. She turned around and a smile formed on my mouth as I saw that it was Jovani

"Hi Devin! I didn't know you were going to be here!"

"Me either Jo! It's good to see you!" She stood up and we embraced. The jade eyed man got up and shook my hand as well.

"My name's Bear, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"You as well." I replied gripping his hand firmly.

"When Thomas said he was bringing a woman with, I wasn't expecting such a gourgoues woman as yourself." I blushed at this.

"Thank you." I stepped back right into the crook of Tommy's arm, unaware of the daggers he was giving Bear. JOvani sat down and turned towards me

"Sit down girl, we must catch up." She waved her hand towards the sofa.

"I see you two know each other." A gravelly voice said. She turned around to see that a big man was in the entryway, his suit fit him snuggly. He had a flat nose and fat lips. His face had red splotches on it.

"Yes, we do." Devin replied with a smile as she walked closer to shake his hand.

"It's so nice to meet you, my name is Zachary." He replied, his lip curling evilly.