The very thing…

**Chrissy** 

We arrived at the family's house and were told that Jessie and Glen were seeing a movie. It wasn't necessary to call them up since bigger problems brought us here. 

It was scary—everything was scary. Seeing my father was like I was in a trance. It can't be real, I tried to convince myself even if a part of me a as very certain that I had seen Garry. 

The housekeeper got me a cup of coffee while I sat on the couch alongside Dayle. 

I took a gentle sip as I wrapped myself properly, my fingers clawing at Dayle’s suit top—inhaling his cologne non-stop. 
When Mom and Dad descended the stairs, Dayle rose immediately. 

“You are not gonna believe, I think that animal is back…” he said outright. 
“Evening to you too, son!” Dad said sarcastically as Dayle’s lips folded swiftly, swallowing the rest of his words. 
When our parents sat adjacent, Dayle continued. 
“Chrissy was harassed by Garry,” Dayle said again, forcefully drawing their attention. 
“How do you mean?” Dad asked as his gaze darted to me. “What is he saying, dear?” 

I sighed, “Earlier, I noticed a chevron tailing my car. He kept looking and then much later when I went to pick Dayle from his job, a man popped up and asked if I remembered him. Dayle intervened,” I narrate as succinctly as possible. 

Dad’s face squeezed while he digested the information. 
“I beat him up almost to death, don't worry...” Dayle snapped casually as he stood, pocketing his hands. 
“What if you killed him? That would have been—”
“Dad, it's Garry. He's not a friend to any of us...” Dayle calmly but defensively stated. 

“Honey, could you say something? They both think that Garry is alive,” Dad said to my mom who had been lost in her thoughts which hinted at something. 

I scoffed lightly and asked. “You knew that Garry was alive, right?” 
Silence fell across the room, our intent gazes piercing his being as her lips parted to speak after a few seconds.

“What did he want?” Dayle fumed impatiently. 

“He sent me a text demanding that we needed to meet and talk about. He wants money since... he knows that I live better now,” she managed to explain as I rose defiantly, furious over the secret he kept from me. 

“For how long?” I asked sharply. 

“A week—”

“A damn week?” I reiterated in shock. “Mom, why did you keep it a secret? Didn't you think that I needed to know?” I let out as I swallowed up, confused about what might happen next. 

I know that man, he wouldn't stay silent knowing that she married a very successful man who automatically replaced him. 

Dayle held me in his embrace, offering warmth and protection. 
“We are going to find him, baby!” he dropped a kiss on my forehead as Dad spoke. 

“Everyone? Calm down. I'll handle it. Whoever and whatever Garry is, we have nothing to worry about,” he assured us. 

“My boys are on it, they'll find out where Garry is hiding and why he's been following Chrissy—why now. I don't think it’s something we should overlook,” Dayle pointed out with emphasis as they all nodded agreeably. 

“We’ll handle it together,” Dad assured again as he walked two gentle steps over to me. He cradled my face like Dayle would always do and said; “Garry or no Garry, you'll always remain my daughter. Dayle and I would protect you and your mother. Trust us,” he said as he placed a kiss on my forehead and I gave a small smile. 

Mom approached too, and I threw myself on her, “My baby!” she whispered in my ear, her voice breaking every step of the way. “I always fail at giving you the best without unwanted drama,” she added. 
I pulled away swiftly, holding her arms. “Mom, look at me,” her gaze on me was unstable as I held her chin, “you always give me the best Mom. Look at this wonderful family, look at my siblings, look at you—ever glowing and young. There's no way in hell that you failed. In fact, I should be the one to protect you. Enough of you carrying this entire burden. Whatever Garry wants, he’ll get it…” I assured her as we hugged again. 

The moment ended sooner than I had wanted and Dayle and I finally left with a strong resolve to find Garry. 

Dayle drove us home this time, both exhausted from work, sex, and Garry’s drama. 
We took a warm shower together as we prepared for bed. 
Dayle wrapped and cuddled me very warmly, feeling his heartbeat against my ear. Her warm breath was healing my wounds and I just wanted to remain that way forever. 
“Are you still worried about Garry returning?” ur asked softly, in a way that I wouldn't feel uncomfortable. 

I sighed lightly, “I'm not a child but I feel like one, Dayle. I didn't think he would ever find us. He left when I was fourteen and I still remember how terrible he was. He beat both my mom and me. He basically calls me a goblin,” I said. 

“Well, he's gonna have to hear it from a goblin’s boyfriend. Because I’m a bigger goblin right here,” Dayle said, cooing me more. I chuckled at his cuteness that was still wrapped around his manliness. 
A few seconds a silence, he continued again. 

Egan texted, “He wanted us to talk about... everything—”
“Well, there's nothing to talk about, baby!” I growled angrily 

“Told him!” he snapped but it sounded more like a lie than the truth. 

I sat up and huffed, “You’re lying,” I barked at him, crossing my arms. 

“Babe, he just wants to talk and I really have to talk to him about what he did and why he did them. Egan is not that way and I need the truth,” Dayle said, trying to explain.

I wasn't prepared to hear any of those and it made me think that he was only defending himself at that point. 

“Babe, you know what Egan did and what it is aimed at…” I pointed out.

“No doubt, but someone has to punch him again. I'm not letting him back into our lives, baby!” he pulled me back into his embrace. “I got this,” he assured me as I pouted. 

“Stop doing everything yourself, I can come in handy!” I teased grabbing his dick as he whimpered with a shocking smile. 

“That's a sexy attack,” he teased back, our lighthearted chuckles feeling the air once again before kissing all the way to the bed. 

…
Tomorrow would be the event, I've worked so hard to get done. I've partnered with lots of medical bodies and the turnout is insane. Not just something to add to my resumé, it's something I actually want to do. Help people and give back to society before I head to Harvard. 
Even though I’m slightly a month away, a lot could happen, right?

I kept staring at the beautifully decorated event hall. It was lovely and a dream come through. When my boss came, he asked if I could help him check out the cards and tags, and which would be at the entrance tomorrow. 

I briskly walked to the exit and stood outside as a call entered. I pulled out my cell from the back of my jeans and answered it. 

“Hi, baby!” I said. 

“Hey angel! How's it going?” Dayle asked with a bit of a jumpy tone. I knew that something was up. 

“Everything is going as planned. Are you… okay?” I asked, my brows lightly squeezing. 

He sighed taking a few seconds before responding. “I swear baby, I’m not. There's something I have to tell you. I don't know but can you swing by the office?” his voice dropped. 

“Ok-ay, but couldn't it wait until you're back home?” I asked, sensing the oddity in his tone. I know Dayle, he's always up to a task but for him to ask this means that something is amiss. “You know what, I'll quickly round here and come to you, okay?” I assured. 

“That’ll do! I love you so much and it's just you!” he said like it was a reminder. Before I could speak, he hung up. 

That was unlike Dayle. Something was wrong with my man. 

I quickly looked over the cards and tags in the brown box, taking them back in. I handed it to my colleague who was overtly excited about something.
“Great! There you are!!! Chriss, did you know that Simon Brody has agreed to be one of our guest speakers?!” Her smile was radiant and broad. 

“Wow!” I plastered a wide grin. “Awesome. But I have to run. Dayle’s not okay,” I finally let out, turning to leave. 

“Gosh! It's always about a man to you,” She snapped rolling her eyes. 

I halted, turning back to her. “It's not my fault that you don't have an awesome man like mine! Sorry, not sorry...” I snapped and ran off. 

When I got to the parking space, about to enter my car, some men in black like bodyguards approached me, taking me arm in arm. 

“What the fucking fuck? Let me go!” I cussed at them, grappling but what's an ordinary girl to four men? Hmm?
They fell on deaf ears, raking me to the other side of the parking space where I saw Nova Princeton. Princess or whatever that title is. 

They released me as I straightened myself. She stood like a fendi wood in the outback, staring at me with hatred. It was palpable. 

“Look, I get that you are a princess but excuse me, what's the meaning of this? Dragging me like a criminal—”

“‘Cause you are, Chrissy Horton!” she stated with a knowing gaze. 
I scoffed lightly, trying to break the ice. 

“Okay, you know my surname. Good for you, Nova Princeton…” I snapped with a sarcastic tone that only riled her up more. 

“You are the girl who's stopping Egan from being with me? His betrothed?” she questioned with a thick frown. 

“The girl? I'm no girl to Egan. I have my boyfriend and we are happy. So... where is this coming from?” 

“I should ask you!” she scoffed. “First he abandons me in Norway and secondly, he camps in your house. Thirdly, he just… ignores me? For you? For a love tale that has happened since high school?” she almost yelled, pain laced in her eyes. 

“A love that's dead!” I firmly stated. “Egan and I have nothing going on and you know it. I'm not to blame for his… fucking misbehavior.” I added. 

She looked away, as if suppressing something as she looked back at me. 
“I’m going to give you a warning,” she said closing the distance between us. “I could be nice but very deadly. Friendly advice? Undo what you did to him—free the MAN!” she stated. “Or, you'll never live to have the life you dream of. I beg you to dare me,” she snapped angrily. She shot one angry gaze at me and walked back to her car with her bodyguards as one opened the car door for her. 

I remained stuck in my spot, trying to digest everything in under one minute while I watched them drive off. 

I didn't love Egan, I moved on before high school ended, and now someone thinks I’m ruining her love story? A man who doesn't want to know that she exists?

Do I need to clear things out with Egan? Should Dayle really confront Egan? My head spun in confusion.