Selena spent every last ounce of patience reasoning with Ken, even threatening to call the police, but it only seemed to strengthen his resolve. Realizing they were at an impasse, she left, but the chill that lingered made her hesitate to go back to the apartment she shared with Tara. She knew Ken would likely follow, putting Tara in his sights.
At the office, she noticed the emptiness of Tara's chair across the room. She found herself drifting, glancing over to the soft armchair near the window where she could almost see Tara. She remembered how Tara would sit with her hair messily tied back, her face lit softly by the morning sun. The long, delicate fingers tapping against the keyboard in that gentle, consistent rhythm—today it was gone. And somehow, so was the calm it brought.
Selena felt the chair beneath her own hand, suddenly realizing she'd unconsciously moved across the room. A sigh escaped her, the clarity of her mind slipping into a fog of restless exhaustion. The sun, low and warm, spread across the room, pooling around her as she sank into the soft cushion and closed her eyes.
When she woke again, the desk was stacked with files—likely placed by her assistant while she was dozing. She'd never indulged in such idleness at work before.
But, then again, Tara had a way of weaving herself into every quiet moment in her mind, appearing in Selena's thoughts, even in her dreams, with that soft, hopeful smile that made everything feel safer. Since caring for Tara the previous night and realizing her feelings weren't entirely one-sided, Selena couldn't shake the feeling that she might lose herself in the need to hold her close. The thought swelled in her chest like vines tightening around her heart, drawing her back to thoughts of returning home to wrap her arms around Tara, feeling the reassuring steadiness of her beneath her hands.
Normally, she never took work home, preferring to leave it behind at the office. But when she saw a shadow moving near her car in the underground parking garage, she hesitated, her instincts flaring. She turned back to gather her files and laptop, deciding to leave.
But she knew he was there.
Ken's presence felt like a weight pressing down on her, and a surge of anger flared in her chest. For a moment, the urge to confront him outright, to bring it all to a crashing halt, seemed tempting. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the steering wheel, glaring at the shadow. Instead, she calmed herself, heading onto the road and toward home.
As Selena reached the city's outskirts, Ken slipped into his own car with a bulky accomplice who watched her with a predatory stare. The moment Ken gave the signal, the man, greasy and leering, started the car, following behind Selena's.
As she approached her apartment complex, the car slowed in the gathering dusk, shadows casting a halo of pale light around her profile, her calm mask softening slightly in the golden light. She was almost peaceful—her face, stark and white, seemed to hold some secret sadness.
One of the guards noticed the trailing car and rushed forward, eyeing the duo suspiciously. "Miss, those men have been following you. Should I call someone to get rid of them?" he asked cautiously.
Selena looked him straight in the eyes, the hint of a smile crossing her lips. "Don't worry about it," she said quietly. "But if they try to come in after me, let them. Just act as though they're invisible, and keep me updated. If I call you, make sure to contact the authorities and send someone up. Understood?"
The guard hesitated, but eventually nodded, catching the bribe she slipped into his hand.
Ken watched from his car, clutching a cloth and a length of rope in his hands, fantasizing about the power he'd have over her soon. He watched as she walked toward her building, every fiber of him straining with anticipation.
Selena entered her apartment and went about preparing for Ken's arrival, her eyes locked on her phone for updates from the guard. When she saw the message that Ken had entered the building, she put out her cigarette, settling herself by the door, awaiting his knock.
As she sat, her thoughts turned to Tara, remembering how she hadn't responded to the message Selena had sent hours ago. Was she asleep, still feverish? Or maybe hurt and angry, ignoring her texts deliberately. The uncertainty gnawed at her.
Suddenly, there was a knock.
She steadied her breathing as she opened the door, ready to confront him.
Tara, in the meantime, had grown impatient. Watching her nervous movements, Lena finally reached for her keys.
"We can't keep waiting," Lena said. "Let's go to her place. I know she won't mind if we stop by."
But as soon as they arrived at the apartment complex, a group of security guards rushed by them, heading toward Building 17. Lena grabbed one of the guards by the arm.
"What's happening over there?" she asked breathlessly.
"One of the residents has been harassed—police are on the way, but it'll be a while. We're checking in until they arrive," he answered.
"What's the resident's name?" Lena's voice shook, already fearing the answer.
"Selena. Apartment 1602. Odd thing is, she hadn't been here in weeks but just checked in tonight…"
Hearing the address, Tara didn't wait another second. She shoved past the guards, sprinting for the building entrance as Lena called after her, worry sharpening her tone.
Inside, Selena had momentarily gained the upper hand. She threw her lighter at Ken, surprising him, but was quickly overtaken by his accomplice, Charles, who pinned her down on the arm of her couch. A sharp pain shot through her shoulder, already bruised from an earlier incident, as she struggled to get up.
Ken rubbed an ointment on the burn from the lighter, sneering as he moved closer, taking advantage of her vulnerable position. Her eyes flashed toward the open door, her pulse racing as she calculated the odds.
With a final burst of defiance, she grabbed the fruit bowl off the table and flung it at them. Apples rolled across the floor, and a stray orange hit Ken in the side of his head, momentarily distracting them as she dashed for the door.
Just then, the elevator doors opened. Tara, scenting of liquor and fury, stormed forward. She took one look at the situation and, in a single swift move, launched a flying kick at Ken, sending him crashing backward.
"Tara!" Selena yelled, her voice breaking with relief and fear. "It's too dangerous—get out of here!"
Charles, unfazed, wielded a broomstick and lunged at Tara, who sidestepped and countered with a sharp punch to his chest. Yet he quickly shifted tactics, grabbing her by the neck and pressing down with his entire weight, his hands like iron clamps cutting off her air. As she struggled, Selena reached out to help, only for Ken to yank her back.
Tara pressed her shoulder against the wall, gathering her strength. Then, with a fierce punch, she struck Charles in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. She felt blood trickle down her cheek, mixing with sweat, painting her skin in a fierce, warlike shade.
Ken stumbled back, his face a mask of shock and fear as Tara closed in. He scrambled for a rope, wrapping it around Selena's neck, his last attempt to leverage power.
"Stay back!" he shouted, pulling tighter. "You get any closer, and I swear I'll end her!"
Tara's mouth set into a grim line, her voice laced with venom. "You," she said, "have no right to be near her. You are beneath her."
As Tara stared him down, Charles, crumpled on the floor, attempted to rise. But Tara's heel slammed down on his hand with a sickening crack, silencing him.
In that moment of chaos, Tara wrenched Selena from Ken's grip, her fingers bruised but steady as she held him back. At the same time, the guards and Lena finally arrived, pulling Ken to his feet and securing him. As they did, Tara stayed silent, her eyes cold and steady.
"You're insane!" Lena choked out, shaken as she looked at Tara, who only looked down, her breathing ragged from the fight.
After the police had taken their statements and left, Lena took them back to her car, her eyes wide and wary.
When they arrived at Selena's apartment, Tara followed her inside, closing the door softly behind them. Selena poured her a glass of water, watching as Tara took a slow, steady breath.
"Tara, I need you to promise me something," Selena's voice was firm but gentle. "Don't put yourself in danger like that again."
Tara's response was calm, but her eyes held steady. "I couldn't stay away."
Selena's heart swelled, a feeling of certainty washing over her. They looked at each other, words spilling into the silent space between them.
Then, finally, Tara stepped forward, taking Selena's hand. "I love you, Selena," she whispered. "And I'd follow you through anything."