^^(Music for when they enter the house)^^

~~~***~~~

~~~***~~~

I toss to the left.

"Shhhhh-"

I turn to the right.

"Calm down-"

I push my pillow away.

"Dana-"

I shove my face into the bedding.

"Think of Vivian's sake..."

.

.

.

My eyes rip open and I push against the blanket, hyperventilating. Dread runs through my chest and I can't help but feel incredibly cold. Tears flow from my eyes like river rapids, streaming down my cheeks.

"Hey hey, Dana. It's okay, it's okay," Vivian is sitting next to me on the bed trying to hold me by the shoulders. I lean into her hug and sniffle into her shoulder. "Bad dream?"

I don't answer, the lump in my throat too big. Vi pats my back slowly and comfortingly, waiting for me to get calmer. She holds me for a couple minutes before I pat her back and she lets go slowly.

"You all right hun?" she looks into both of my eyes and I feel much better from her support. She's wearing her exercising outfit and her hair is wet. She probably took a shower, like she does after every afternoon workout.

I hold my head, getting gradually calmer. The digital clock on the wall reads: 3:49PM

"Yeah, um..." I swallow the painful lump. "Can I get some water please?"

Vivian nods sweetly, "of course. I'll be right back." She wipes teardrops from the corners of my eyes and stands up, walking hurriedly towards the door and the stairs. I put on the glasses resting on my nightstand.

I huddle up with my knees and push the window curtain next to my bed, letting some of the afternoon light in. Two blue jays glide through the air, twirling together then landing on the branch of a tree.

I watch them for almost a minute before they take to the air once more and are out of sight. Letting the curtain free, it sways, preventing sunlight from entering into my bedroom once more. I rub my eyes drowsily.

"Here you are m'lady. One of our finest cups of water," Vi jokes as she over exaggerates her presentation of the water. I laugh softly at her goofy stance. She looked like a model presenting something absolutely stupid at an over-hyped award show.

And I love every second of it, a smile invading my cheeks.

"Thanks Vi. What would I do without you?" I take the glass and slurp the water down. The liquid cools my throat and I can feel it travelling through my system, refreshing my organs completely. I exhale with a satisfying 'ahhh'.

"Good point, maybe I should make you pay rent," Vivian teases, pinching my left cheek happily.

"I'll pay with my life," I put on a deep tone and hold my arms out like a mediocre Jesus. Vivian and I giggle madly at one another, easing my earlier breakdown.

Vi's eyes then light up, "oh yeah! Guess what?" I eye her uncertainly as she grins mischievously at me.

"What?" I give in to my curiosity and she sits next to me on the bed in excitement, taking my hands into her's which she then places on her own cheeks.

"I got a letter in the mail from Lance, he invited us over for dinner!" she squeaks like a teenage girl in love whilst my heart drops. There it goes, any sense of happiness I just had, gone like the birds that flew away only a minute earlier.

"Uh... Oh..." is all I can manage before my breathing gets uncomfortable. "Is it today?... I mean, I don't know. I'm not feeling too well and all."

Vivian's worried face soon returns, "oh no that's okay, I understand. I'll tell Lance, I'm sure he'll be all right with it."

I clench my teeth. That's not what I'm worried about Vi, he might be trying to kill you for all I know! He could be Ted Bundy's cousin or something. 

It's only been two days since.....

"But-" I start, but don't get far.

"Nuh uh! No apologies! Your health is a priority," she puts a finger to my lips and my eyes droop in mild irritation. I really don't want her to go, but if I tell her, I'm afraid of how Lance will react. My lungs exhale a hefty sigh.

"Jeez, chill out. I'm coming too," I say through gritted teeth with heavy regret.

Vi cheers happily at the response and says something, but I ignore her minor rambling. I'm more worried about how to keep her safe.

"He said we can show up anytime after five, so I'm going to go get my hair done at the salon," Vivian speaks so fast, I can barely keep up with her syllables. My love struck BFF stops for a second and turns to me. "Do you want to come? I can pay for both of us."

I throw my hands up in front of myself, "no way, I'm not going back to Mike's. I almost ended up bald last time!"

Vi laughs, "oh stop being so dramatic!"

Her playful tone calms my nerves a bit and only increases my determination to protect her from Lance.

After a little more idle chit chat, she gets up and checks the time. When Vi leaves the room and comes back in jeans and a t-shirt. She waves me goodbye as she walks downstairs to leave.

I wonder if she'll make it with the afternoon traffic.

When I hear the front door shut and the clicking of the two locks, I hop out of bed and walk down a flight of stairs. My bare feet smacking against the wooden floor, I rush into the kitchen, almost ripping a drawer open.

There's a small case of different types of knives. I look through each of them for practicality. Chef's knife? No too big. Paring knife? No, this one looks a little dulled. As I continue shuffling and clattering different knives together, I come across an unused cheese knife. This one looks good. Small enough to hide and sharp enough to hurt.

If Lance tries anything, hopefully I can protect Vi with this... Shit... Am I really going to have to use it though?

I take the knife back upstairs and find my purse hanging on my closet's doorknob. Carefully stashing it inside, I breathe deeply. Let's do this.

***One Hour Later***

"Sweet mother of Pope Francis," Vivian says with wide eyes, craning her neck to look up while almost falling backwards. My expression only mimics her's, except my jaw almost falls off my face.

"This is a house?" I ask in disbelief. "Are you sure this is the right address?"

She only nods in response.

The house has black iron gates with a fancy designs of serpents and horses. The pillars they're attached to are made of chiseled stone, one of which with an electronic panel. The area behind it is a massive courtyard with a road for cars to enter into it. There's a roundabout with a fountain in its center sitting at front of the mansion.

It's size is at least a couple houses in length. One can only imagine what the backyard looks like.

From what I can count, there are more than twenty windows. One main entrance is near the fountain and there are two smaller doors leading to the courtyard on either side. At the entrance are two cars. One is a dark blue Ferrari and the other is a dark green Porsche.

"So... Should we... Knock?" I ask, not entirely sure how to proceed. I've never seen such a beautiful property before, being someone who grew up in the modest suburbs with semi-detached housing.

The mansion's gutters must have some sort of built-in lighting because the white exterior of the estate glows in the dark of the night.

"I think we buzz in from there," Vi answers uncertainly, pointing to the electronic panel of blue light.

She walks over to the panel, the clacking of her maroon heels on the cement lingering for a moment in the air, before tapping something on the panel.

Ding ding!

Ding ding!

Ding-

"Hello?" a slightly static voice answers, unmistakably Lance's.

"U-uh, hey L-Lance!" Vi stutters at his greeting, the burning red colour of her cheeks visible even though the sun set a couple minutes ago. I sigh off to the side, away from her ears.

Of all the people to fall for, why a killer?

There's a loud humming sound and the metallic black gates clang loudly, parting slowly. The noise almost scares me out of my skin! Like, Jesus Christ!

Vivian and I take the action as confirmation from Lance and begin walking towards the massive house.

When we trek our way around the fountain, we can see someone standing at the main entrance, leaning against a large stone pillar with his arms crossed.

He wears a large red apron with the word 'GOURMET' written out in thin white letters. Behind it, he's wearing black long sleeves, although they're rolled up to his elbows not taking away from the outline of his toned figure. He fashions a silver watch on his left wrist and some black jeans too, a golden chain hanging from one pocket and attached to the waistband. His hair is messy and his face is tan, clean light skin without even so much as a blemish.

He tilts his head playfully, revealing a glittery small earring on the lobe of his right ear.

If I didn't know better, I'd be just as head over heels for Lance as Vivian.

"Evening pretty people!" he smiles and waves sweetly, as if he didn't kill a café owner two nights ago.

I look to Vi and she looks like she's going to faint, the opposite of what she was trying to do tonight.

Vivian put on one of her best dresses for tonight. A magnificent one-shoulder dress of a deep red. She had her blond hair curled at the salon and it flows freely.

Although she looks absolutely STUNNING to me, Lance doesn't seem to be too enamoured. At least not from what his soft smile is showing me.

I didn't get as excited for tonight and wore my knee-high, blue empire-style dress. I took a shower and used the two-for-one, shower and conditioner that Vi doesn't usually let anyone use but herself.

I wave but Vivian gets awkwardly vocal.

"Heeeeeeeee, hey!" she puts her hand up, but forgets to wave. I raise an eyebrow of pity at her and she realizes it too, quickly bringing her hand back to her side.

Lance chuckles and puts his hands in his pockets, "come on in." He casually walks through the doors and disappears from our view.

I can hear the sound of some upbeat music coming from a loud speaker somewhere inside the mansion. Is that... Is that Ed Sheeran?....

"Oh lord, take me now," Vi almost falls over but I manage to support her enough to prevent collateral damage.

"Come on Miss Universe, get it together!" I hoist her up and help her inside.

We walk into a large front foyer, the floors shining while reflecting the light coming from the enormous white chandelier. Looking to the left, we see wide hall that Lance seems to be walking down towards the end.

Vivian seems better now, considering how she follows him swiftly. I also speed up my pace to get close to them.

"Et voila!" Lance gestures to a table set with three meals of browned-steak, steaming mashed potatoes, and a side of delicious looking fried rice.

Vi stands next to Lance, admiring the food, but I can't help but feel unnerved by the gesture from him. I hold my purse closely.

If he tries anything, I'll stab him in the dick!

Vivian is about to overdose on dopamine. She's basically hypnotized by him.

We all sit down and shuffle our chairs in.

"Lance! I'm off to work, do you need anything while I'm gone-" a man in a fine black suit with a red tie walks into the room, adjusting his cuff-links with large and calloused hands. He eyes both Vi and I whilst fixing up his attire. "Oh... Good evening." The mystery man tilts his head in a slight bow.

I look from Lance to the man, then back to Lance again. I recognize that outfit. It's the same as the one Lance was wearing two days ago!

Oh no... Two killers?

The man, like Lance, is also quite handsome. He has a silvery crew cut and a defining jawline. His figure is also quite fit-looking. On his right hand is a tattoo similar to the ones on Lance's hands. In comparison, his left wrist is decorated by a silver watch, also like Lance's. The only offsetting thing is that he has a long but faded scar under his left eye.

"Terry! This is Vivian and she's Dana," Lance says aloud and gestures to us, introducing us gently.

The man rolls his eyes at Lance and gives a quick wave to us two, "a pleasure to meet you. You may address me as Terrance."

"Oh, hello," Vivian nods to him shyly and I only wave back.

Come on Dana! These guys may be good-looking, but don't forget that they're killers!

After a short exchange of words between Lance and Terrance about some groceries, Terrance says his goodbyes and leaves promptly.

"Well don't be shy, dig in," Lance gestures to the food while he pours himself some sprite in a wine glass. Wow... I would've thought he was a drinker, but I guess not.

I look down and see four of each eating utensil, varying in sizes. Looking up to Vivian for aid in this rich people problem, she is oblivious to me. Her gaze is only focused Lance and her food.

"Uh..." I mutter dumbly, feeling like a complete idiot for not knowing which utensil size to use. I don't want to look stupid and use the wrong one.

"Hey," Lance's voice sends a chill up my spine and I turn to him, a gentle smile planted on his face. He apparently realizes my predicament and nods to the utensils on the far side of my meal. "It doesn't matter which one you use, just use the most comfortable one."

I nod back in confirmation. Wonderful. Now I really look like an idiot.

The three of us talk and eat for a while. Vivian doing most of the talking and Lance doing most of the listening.

Vi mostly talks about work and some funny stories from her college years. Lance only listens attentively, laughing on the appropriate cues and asking engaging questions occasionally.

He looks so considerate that I legitimately can't tell if he's bored with her or not.

Not trying to be the third wheel, I also jump into the conversation, doing so as Vi reaches to take a drink of some wine that Lance generously provided.

"That was a lot of food. I am going to gain soooo much weight," I joke, getting a chuckle from both Lance and Vi.

Vivian takes a pause from her alcohol, the effects of it very clear in the light swaying of her head, "definitely. I'm gonna be as fat as an elephant if you keep spoiling us like this."

Lance looks from me to Vi while leaning forward, his cheek resting in the palm of his hand. Vivian tilts her glass to take another sip of the wine.

"Oh I don't know. I think elephants are cute," Lance says teasingly whilst looking directly at Vivian.

She lurches forward at the comment, spraying her drink to the side in embarrassment. Vi coughs, gags, and sputters while Lance gets up, looking worried and pats her back.

"Haha, I'm okay, I'm okay," she giggles. "Uh, where's the restroom?"

Lance takes her hand and helps her up from the seat while pointing down the hall.

"Two halls down, first door on the left," he instructs delicately. His voice sounds incredibly soothing and Vivian looks like she's almost about to faint again. "Want me to show you the way?"

Vivian nods eagerly... Perhaps too eagerly.

"I'll go too!" I intercept Lance's answer. Under the table I take out the cheese knife and hide it by holding it against my side while covering it with my forearm. I'm not about to leave her all alone with this madman.

***Like a Minute Later***

I regret it. I regret it so much. I hold Vivian's hair up while he pukes into the toilet. Oh God, it smells like Satan's ass. Goodness gracious it's so disgusting.

The bathroom however, is pretty cool.

There's a Jacuzzi in one corner and a shower in another. There are two sinks for washing hands, a large rectangular mirror facing us.

She soon sits upright on the incredibly clean bathroom floor and exhales roughly.

"Just give me a couple minutes to freshen up. I don't want to let him see me like this," Vi waves me away. I roll my eyes at her drama and help her up. After another minute of barf-free bliss, Vivian looks much better.

She steps over to the mirror and starts applying some makeup. Not wanting to wait half my life for her, I tell her to meet me back at the table and leave her be.

As I step outside the door, I shut it softly while keeping an eye out for Lance.

As quietly as I can, I try to tiptoe in my short high heels down a different hallway. I need to find an escape route if we need to make a run for it, not like back at the café.

This time I also remembered to set my phone to silent before we got here.

I get to the end of the current hall and dash down another. I take a left, then a right. This place is massive.

I walk by another washroom and a staircase to another floor, a red carpet laying down each step.

Somehow, I end up in an open room. A dead-end... I turn to leave, but a certain object catches my eye. An old ukulele is hanging on the wall.

Under it, a familiar guitar rests against the wall. Lance's guitar, the one he was playing in the café that day. The rest of the room is mostly empty, aside from a steel stool chair and small sound system.

I slowly make my way over to the wall, drawn in by the two instruments.

As I stand mere inches away from the instruments, I slowly reach up, about to touch the ukulele.

"Weird. This isn't the bathroom at all," Lance's voice jingles behind me and I freeze.

Shit.

I twist around fearfully to see Lance standing only a couple feet away. How did he get so close without making any noise?

He isn't wearing the cooking apron anymore. Just the attractive black outfit and his signature sweet smile. Pockets filled with his hands, he skips to my side, looking at the ukulele. I turn my attention back to it too.

Slowly, out of his line of sight, I grip the cheese knife securely.

"Do you play it?" I ask, trying not to get in trouble for invading his privacy.

He laughs, "the ukulele? Nah, not me."

I raise an eyebrow at him. Maybe Terrance does-

"Terry doesn't either. He never liked playing instruments. Says they're too time consuming to learn. Whatever that means, am I right?" he chuckles and I only grit my teeth in response. Did he actually read my mind or something?

.

.

.

"Why..." my voice breaks when I try to cut to the chase. When I calm down, I try again in a whisper. "Not that I'm not grateful, but... Why did you let me go?"

.

.

.

The silence is deafening.

He's been thinking about it for almost an entire minute, his face void of the cheery expression from earlier in the evening. I feel a pit forming in my stomach.

He wouldn't.... He wouldn't kill me and Vivian right here, would he?... Right in his own home?

I'm about to ask again, thinking that maybe he was zoned out but he interrupts my thoughts as soon as I think them.

"No reason," he says in monotone.

Then he turns his gaze from the ukulele to me. Our eyes connect and I can feel my heart skip a beat and my lungs contract.

There's a look in his eyes.

A look that shakes my core.

A look that makes me freeze any motion.

A look......

.

.

.

A look that makes me feel so...

So...

.

.

.

Afraid.

Everything about the way Lance stands next to me now screams danger. My horror only continues when the knife in my sweaty hand slips out and clatters on the ground. He eyes it as if he was waiting for it to drop, reaching down and picking it up.

There's something far in the back of my mind. A small voice that's yelling at me to run. To run and hide in a hole or crevice and never come out. To live out the rest of my days in fear and anguish, waiting for the end of my short existence...

His presence makes me think back to why I never initially called the police about everything...

Because I'm scared...

Scared that Lance would go after me or Vivian before the cops get to him...

Just then, Lance's eyes sparkle and his genuine-looking, charming smile returns. Any remnant of the murderous stare he just looked at me with completely vanishing from the face of the earth.

My eyes flutter and I can feel my lungs fill with air once more as his expression softens. He pockets the knife, easing more of the tension.

No one, and I mean no one has ever made me feel this way. Not my Dad, nor the police, nor the thugs in the back-alleys of this city have made me feel more scared for my life than Lance has in the span of ten seconds.

The stare was so short, but it felt like it lasted a cruel eternity.

He turns back to the door, but leans against the wall in front of me.

"So a little birdy told me that you are currently unemployed," Lance pokes, changing the whole subject. I don't reply, a lingering shock keeping my eyes planted on my feet.

Lance's shoes are also in my view and my mind keeps flashing back to the similar moment at the café.

"Y-yeah. I am," is all I can muster up, not daring to look up at him.

"Good good," he chirps playfully. A hand then comes into my sight. His hand.

He places it under my chin and tilts my head up, softly pushing me to look at him. Our faces aren't too far apart, but not uncomfortably close. I hold my breath in anticipation. For what, you may ask? I'm not sure.

"Dana," he whispers.

"Y-yeah?" I mumble back.

"I'd like to offer you a job."

******

Jesus Christ. Is it me? Or is it getting hot in here? xDD

Lemme know how you liked this chapter. I know it didn't have any super serious action, but please bear with it until we get to the "good stuff" lmao.

Anyways, if you noticed any spelling, grammar, or other conventional mistakes, comment and I'll try and get it fixed asap!

As always, stick around, there's more to come!