Choices.
Arriving at my best friend’s birthday party, I looked around the throng of people to see if I could spot Kiara, my long-time best friend, near the kitchen.
Not seeing her at first, I moved forward as carefully as I could, trying not to bump into anyone.
“Hi!” I called out, saying hello to a few others I knew as I continued walking. Finally, I reached the kitchen.
“Ahhhhh, Soriya!” My friend saw me first. I turned slightly and put my arms up to brace myself just in time for her to jump on me.
“Psss!” I hissed as I landed on my arse, then started laughing, squeezing her tightly to show her how much I’d missed her.
After I got over the pain, we sat at her kitchen table, drinking some cans of vodka. I glanced around at the people dancing and suddenly stopped when I met the eyes of a gorgeous, green-eyed male.
I couldn’t help but notice how good-looking he was and how neatly he was dressed. He looked so masculine and put together. I smiled and casually looked away before continuing to listen to another friend of Kiara’s and mine telling a story.
It was close to 1 a.m. by the time I was heading for the front door. I saw the same man from earlier hanging around the doorway, and he glanced up and spotted me walking in his direction.
“Hey,” he said, putting his hand up in an awkward wave. He smiled, showing beautiful white teeth, and his green eyes seemed to gleam.
“Hi,” I replied with a smile as I walked past him.
Before I could get even a foot past him, he reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me. I looked down at his hand resting around my wrist, close to my hand, and then looked at him in confusion.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Umm, sorry, but I was just going to ask your name,” he replied nervously. “I remember seeing you talking with Kiara, and you just really look like someone I’d like to know,” he continued.
Feeling my face flush beet red, I looked down for a second to compose myself. Honestly, it had been a while since I’d met someone who seemed genuinely interested in me.
“Soriya. My name’s Soriya.” I smiled as I realised he was still holding onto me. “And you?”
“Beautiful name. I’m Jefferey. Umm, would you like to get a drink with me from the fridge?” he asked.
Pulling my hand free, I shook my head apologetically.
“Sorry, but I’m just leaving.”
“Oh no. I should have asked earlier,” he responded. “Maybe next time,” he said.
I turned and proceeded to walk towards the front door again.
“Soriya!” Jefferey called.
I looked over my shoulder. He was moving towards me now.
“Would you like a lift or some company on your way home?”
I thought about it for a second before agreeing to let him walk me home. He looked relieved, which confused me. I was about to ask why he looked that way, but decided not to interrogate the guy.
We started walking again, and just as we left the front door, my phone dinged.
“Hey, Sor. I just left my parents and am about to pull up out the front of Kiara’s so I can take you home too.”
I stopped and looked at Jefferey again.
“Hey, there’s no need for you to escort me anymore. My roommate is just pulling up now,” I said as I saw her black Mercedes pull up at the curb.
Jefferey looked angrily at the car for a second, but then realised I was watching him and relaxed his face.
Weird as fuck, I thought to myself.
“No biggy,” he chirped. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
He turned and walked back inside without even a backward glance.
“Okay,” I said to myself as I walked over and climbed into my roommate’s car to head home.
The next day, I was just about to leave for work when Catrina yelled out to me from the lounge area.
“What’s up, Cat? I need to go to work,” I stressed.
“Watch this shit! They just caught a serial killer. He’s apparently been murdering women in their own homes after driving or walking them home!” Cat exclaimed.
Staring at the TV, I watched in horror as they showed the face of the murderer and the women he had been killing.
“Oh my fucking God,” I gasped, my hand covering my mouth.
I think I was in shock at this point.
Cat looked at me questioningly.
“That is the same man I was about to leave with last night.”
My stomach dropped.
I couldn’t move.
The television continued playing in the background, but I couldn’t hear what the news reporter was saying anymore. All I could see was his face.
Jefferey.
Those green eyes.
That smile.
His hand wrapped around my wrist.
“Would you like a lift or some company on your way home?”
My stomach turned.
He hadn’t just randomly talked to me.
He had been watching me.
He knew my name.
He knew I was leaving.
And when I told him someone else was coming to pick me up…
He looked angry.
I suddenly remembered the way his expression changed when he saw Catrina’s car.
He wasn’t disappointed.
He was angry because I’d gotten away.
