Rose's eyes widened at his words. Did he really mean what he said? She couldn't help but question it, even though she already knew the answer. He had understood her perfectly, so why had he said it? In that instant, she regretted ever crossing paths with him. She should have walked away after he first insulted her, but being as stubborn as she was, she couldn't let things slide so easily.
Her mind raced as she stood frozen, her breath catching in her throat. "Mr. Handsome, I don't think we should…" She faltered, unsure of her next words. "I understand how you feel, but I'm not the right person for you. You're not my type."
Her tone was casual, almost dismissive, but beneath her calm facade, she was anything but relaxed. Naomi. She needed to meet Naomi. Things were spiraling out of control faster than she could handle. Was he stalling for time? What did he know?
Her heart thudded in her chest as she tried again, this time more desperate. "Please, could you let me go?"
Rylan's eyes gleamed with something dark as he spoke, his voice smooth but cold.
"I have your keys."
Rose's eyes widened again, this time in shock and anger. "What are you doing with my keys? I've been looking for them. How long have you been here?"
Rylan smiled, but it was a smile devoid of warmth. His eyes held none of the charm he usually exuded. Instead, they were cold and calculating. "Now, be obedient. Take these keys and go back home."
The audacity of him! Rose's initial shock was quickly replaced by bubbling anger. Her fists clenched at her sides as she tried to rein in her rising frustration. "That's exactly what I was about to do," she snapped, her voice laced with sarcasm. "So why don't you explain why you have my keys? Or better yet, don't bother. I don't want to hear any of your stupid explanations."
Rylan simply raised the keys, dangling them in front of her like a prize. Then, with deliberate slowness, he started to swing them back and forth, taunting her with every motion.
Rose's patience snapped. "I said give it back!" she demanded, her voice tight with barely controlled fury. She hadn't expected to meet someone even more infuriating than herself, yet here he was, pushing all her buttons.
Desperation clawed at her as she pulled out her phone. She knew she had to gain the upper hand before things got worse. "Maybe you'd like to explain to the police why you're holding a woman's keys," she said, her tone sharp and threatening.
But before she could hit the call button, Rylan's hand shot out with lightning speed, snatching the phone from her grip.
"Hey, give it back!" Rose shouted, her voice trembling. A chill ran down her spine, and for the first time that night, fear overtook her anger. Something about his actions—about him—set off alarm bells in her head. What was he planning? Was this more than just a game to him?
Her mind began to spiral, dark thoughts creeping in. Was he… capable of something worse? She didn't want to go there, didn't want to believe he could be that kind of man even do they had just met, but the signs were there. Her body began to tremble, unable to suppress the dread now clawing at her insides.
Her voice came out as a whisper. "I'm… really sorry."
Rylan's eyes widened. He had anticipated many things, but not this. He could see the shift in her demeanor, the raw fear in her voice. He hadn't meant for it to go this far. But after everything he had done, how could she not think of him in that way? His guilt only deepened as he watched her.
Rose's body shook as the emotions she had been holding in finally broke free. Tears welled up in her eyes before spilling over, and in seconds, she was sobbing uncontrollably. Her entire body convulsed with each sob, and she collapsed to the ground, crying like a child who had lost everything.
But the tears weren't enough to release the turmoil inside her. She started kicking and thrashing on the ground, her screams echoing into the night. It was like she had reverted to a child throwing a tantrum, but this was different. This was fear, anger, frustration—all boiling over at once.
Rylan stood there, stunned. What was he supposed to do? Why was a grown woman acting like this? His mind blanked as he watched her kick the ground harder, her cries only growing louder.
"Now be quiet," he commanded, trying to assert some control over the situation, but Rose wasn't having any of it. She grabbed the keys from him, still sobbing and kicking the floor as if trying to vent every bit of frustration she had.
Rylan remained silent, at a complete loss for how to handle the scene unfolding before him.
After what felt like an eternity, Rose's cries began to subside. She sniffed, wiping her tear-streaked face with the back of her hand. Her voice was small but eerily calm as she muttered, "Thank you."
Before Rylan could process her sudden shift, she lashed out with a sharp kick to his groin.
"F*ck you," she spat, venom dripping from her words.
The pain shot through Rylan, and he doubled over, gasping for breath. He hadn't seen that coming. Rose, however, grinned as she watched him writhe. She had been terrified earlier, but now she knew she had the upper hand. Her plan had worked.
Without wasting another second, she turned and ran, her heart hammering in her chest. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she sprinted toward her car, the smile of victory still lingering on her lips.
She fumbled with the keys, her hands shaking as she opened the door and slid into the driver's seat. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she tried to calm herself down.
But when she turned to check on Naomi, her heart dropped.
Naomi wasn't there.
"Naomi?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her panic began to rise again. "Naomi!" she called out, louder this time, her eyes frantically scanning the empty passenger seat.
And then, she heard it. A voice, calm and smooth, from behind her.
"I told you to be obedient."
Rose froze, her body going rigid as her heart thudded in her chest. Slowly, she turned her head.
Rylan sat in the back seat, his legs casually crossed, a smug smile playing on his lips. His eyes gleamed with unsettling calmness, as if he had never been in pain at all.
Rose's hands shook as she reached for the small penknife she kept in the car's side pocket. Her fingers closed around the handle, and she pulled it out, gripping it tightly as she faced him.
"Where is she?" Rose's voice was cold, her body trembling with a mix of fear and rage. Naomi couldn't be gone. She wouldn't accept that. Not after everything.
Rylan's smile widened, amusement flickering in his eyes. "If you're trying to kill me," he drawled, "at least hold the knife properly."