One has to die

**Dayle**

Honestly, what the fuck is all of this? The one time I try to go to her and make things work becomes a dramatic, Hollywood scene. 
I mean, I wished I hadn't seen him at our doorstep. Whatever he gave her or made them drown in tears is totally not my fuck to give. 

Maybe Chrissy and I aren't meant to be together here. Perhaps we didn't understand the gravity of falling in love or maybe she was not honest about who she was in love with. 

It's been over two weeks now, and Chrissy and I have been about ourselves. Was it space or the real breakup? Whatever it was, I’m truly exhausted at the moment and I need a moment to just think. 

Meanwhile, I have been on Garry’s case. I need to understand why he returned and why he's making unwelcome appearances and threats. Dad and I have been working hand in hand and he's tried to use that medium to talk to me about getting back with Chrissy and all that shit but spy I am not sure it's me she wants. 

Perhaps, she's always had a thing for Egan and maybe this is their time to get back. 
Fuck! I had no idea what I was thinking but I know it's not good. 

My assistant called saying that someone was here to see me. It was last noon and I was expecting no one. I've needed to keep to myself and swamping myself in work to get distracted but every ticking thing reminds me of Chrissy. 

Her smell, her touch, her giggle, how she pouts, her words… our sex… it all reminded me of Chrissy the one time I decided to take a break from work. 

“Sir, are you there?” the assistant spoke again as I jolted out of my thoughts. 

I rubbed my temples and sighed. “Please, let them in!” I said and hung up. 

Holy fuck! What has this girl done to me? I can barely scale through a day without her thoughts haunting and tormenting me.

A man in his early forties entered, keeping a polite smile approached as I rose and we shook hands. 

We sat on the couch, and I offered him some whiskey which he declined. 
I don't care! I've been friends with whiskey since Chrissy and I separated. 

“Good to see you, Dylan, what have you?” I asked, sharply staring at him while I sipped my potent drink. 

He took out a brown envelope from his briefcase and handed it over to me. 
Placing my glass on the table, I looked through it. I pulled out a couple of papers and photos. 

It was a picture of Garry exchanging weird, suspicious handshakes at night. The next was his condo apartment. There were also pictures of Garry doing drugs and selling them. Lastly, there was a picture of him and a lady whom I barely recognized. Her face was blurred but it sure looked familiar. 

“Who is she?” I asked. 

“I have yet to find out. I couldn't capture her face properly given the chances of violation. We aren't trying to catch a case, Dayle!” the man explained briefly. “While at that, they've been working together for some time now. And, I took a picture of her plate number… I will get back tomorrow with who the car belongs to. We’ll find her,” he added. 

“She looks familiar,” I said as I grabbed the papers for a closer look. There was clear evidence that he was a drug pusher.

Also, he had cases and served about ten years in jail for robbery and assault. 
I couldn't bear looking through everything, they were too much. Like, how could a man like that have two kind-hearted women in his life? He doesn't deserve them. 

I felt a sudden ripple of hate and fury.
He needed to learn the lesson of his life, I vowed to myself. 

“Thanks, Dylan! Make sure to find the lady he's closing working it,” I instructed. “Meanwhile, I'll send some money, do all you can to find evidence against this man. I need him out of my fiancée’s life,” I said and then it hit me differently. I called Chrissy my fiancée knowing fully that it wasn't in our context anymore. 

“Of course, Dayle. Be assured, I will report to you by morning. You can keep those with you,” said Dylan as he rose, packing up. 

“You sure you don’t need anything?” I pressed as he flashed a cordial smile at me. 

“None! I have to run, I'd better get back to work,” he said. We exchanged handshakes and left. 

A part of me was concerned about Chrissy and Lena. This would affect them and I can't sit back and watch their lives break apart in fear.

Tidying up the papers to show Dad, a call from Mom entered.
“Talk about the devil,” I casually let out under my breath as I answered. 

“Yes, Mom?”

“Da- Dayle,” she called out. Her voice was shaky, swamped in fear. I knew that all wasn't well. 
My heart started beating faster, “Mom, calm down. What's the matter? Where's Dad?” I asked, my tone assuring her that all would be well but she continued sobbing. 

“I don't know! I've been trying to reach him but it failed. Garry threatened to hurt the twins if I didn't go to him. Dayle, I’m scared… he's going to hurt the kids—”

“M- Mo- Mom, calm down, okay? I'm coming over right now. I'll call Dad but stay put, okay? He can't do anything, I promise you. I'm on it, okay? Stay calm, I love you!” I said as I hung up. 

I instantly dialed the head of security at the house. I knew certainly that Dom and Dad weren't home. 

“Hey! Do not let anyone come into the house except family, okay?… Good!” I hung up. 

I rose, pacing back and forth while I tried to reach Dad and Dom but they weren't answering. 

“FUCK!” I cussed, literally pissed. 
I took the papers and my laptop, tucking them into my bag while my wallet and cell phone were pocketed as I headed out. 

On the way, I bumped into my PA, who was on her way to meet with me. 
“Sorry sir! You have a meeting right now,” she announced, falling in step next to me as I briskly walked. 

“I have a family emergency now and I can't wait,” I snapped, barely looking her way. 

“Sir, they’ve been—”

“Fucking reschedule,” I halted, almost yelling as she crawled back. 

“Ye- yes sir,” she managed to say while headed for the elevator. 

…
After a speedy drive down to the house, I met Mom hugging the twins and I felt some sort of relief. As soon as they saw me, their eyes glimmered with delight as they ran to hug me. 

“Dayle!” they said in surprise. Yeah, I haven't been visiting for some time now. Their smiles were healing a broken heart at that moment. 

“Are you good?” I crouched to their level, their gazes leveling with mine. 

“Yes,” said Glen on their belief. 

“Mom had been crying and we don't know why,” added Jessie, concern crossing her face. 

“That’s terrible. I'll take it from here. Meanwhile, order anything. Bills are on me,” I snapped. They collapsed on me, nearly sending me to hell. Thankfully my stamina was great. 

They sprinted away, raving to grab Mom’s laptop to place orders. 

I sat next to Mom and the first thing she did was rest her head on my shoulder. 

“I’m here now,” I said, rubbing her arm. 

“Dayle, you're gonna spoil those kids. They don't need anything..” she was trying to scold me. This woman is hilarious. 
My brows squeezed, a faint smile crossing my lips.

“Are you serious? We have an important matter at hand and shopping shouldn't be a problem,” I said still unable to process it. 

“Still, Dayle!” she said as I nodded. 

“I won’t,” I assured. “What did Garry want by the way?” I asked as she lifted her face to meet my gaze. 

She sighed, her frustration basking her beautiful face. “He asked me to return to him and that I was still married to him,” she explained it hit me again. A frown was settling in. 

“Didn’t you get a divorce?”

“No, he never signed them. And one day, he beat me up, frightened Chrissy, and left. Disappeared for eight years and returned?” Her tears rolled down her cheeks. “He vowed to hurt the kids and I’m scared. What have I done to deserve this, Dayle? I'm only a woman who's happy with her family, that's all. I don't need anything...” The rest of her words hung as I embraced her again. 

I felt so bad for her. Something needed to be done or else, Garry would think she was helpless. 
Well, they have Dad and me now. 

Some time later, I managed to calm her as she fell asleep on the couch. I sighed and dialed Dad. The thought of Chrissy dropped into my mind. If he could threaten Mom, he’d be after Chrissy next. 

Dad finally texted that he was in a meeting and test-driving and so I had to tell him that his bride was in danger. 

“He'd better get his ass down here…” I snapped under my breath. I told Nina that I was leaving and we shared a hug. I missed having her around. She really stuck up for me and tolerated my shenanigans back in the day. 

…
While driving, I dialed Chrissy but it took a while for her to answer.

“Hey,” she calmly said. I missed her voice but there was something else at the moment. 

“Are you home?”

“Yes, why?” she asked, i could imagine how skeptical she was. “Um, someone’s at the door. I have to get it—”

“Do- Don’t. Just don't. Trust me—”

I heard ruffled sounds from the background, Chrissy’s voice trailed off. 

“Let me go!” I heard her scream and the call disconnected. 

My heart jumped. I mean, this is the time when I need a superpower to teleport. 

I couldn't think straight, all I wanted to do was get there fast and see what was happening. 

My chest clutched, my head spun in circles. I could feel it, all wasn't well. 
I accelerated which could definitely land me a speeding ticket. 

I don't fucking care right now. My girl needs me. 

..
Minutes later, I busted into the house and that was when I saw Garry, in the flesh again, threatening her with a knife as I quickly lunged at him and we crashed onto the into, the decor fell on us. 

“You fucking piece of shit,” I groaned angrily. He tried to get off while I struggled to pin him down. Suddenly, he twisted my arm and climbed on me, almost shoving the knife in my jaw.

His breath smelled like cheap beer and cigarettes. The hate and anger in his eyes sharpened by every attempt to kill me while Chrissy screamed. 

“Noooo!” her voice shaky and distorted, holding her face.

One of us would have to die today and that's not me. It's Garry.