He called me Sarah

Chapter three

He asked me what happened and I explained everything to him . He held me close to him and told me I was going to be fine .

“ call your workplace and tell them you can’t make it to work today “ he said

I took his phone and called my workplace, telling them I couldn’t make it to work today , my boss asked why and I just simply told her I was robbed the previous night . She was concerned and asked me to be careful at home . I told her I was in safe hands now and will report to work tomorrow.

I suggested we called the police and make a report but John felt it was too risky .

He told me I had to move in with him , since my home was now a threat . I declined and told him I was going to find a place to sleep , he held me by my shoulders and told me that now where was safe now . I broke down into tears again and asked why my my life had taken a dark turn all of a sudden . But there was no answer, just me and my tears dropping to the ground. I gathered a few of my things and followed John into his apartment .

I froze the moment I heard a knock on the door of John’s apartment.

It wasn’t gentle.It was angry, impatient and like someone knocking not to be let in, but to invade.

“Hide,” John whispered sharply.

I blinked. “What? Why?”

“Avery, go. Now.”

His voice was low, urgent, nothing like the calm tone he used earlier. Before I could argue, he grabbed my wrist and pushed me gently toward the staircase.

“Upstairs,” he ordered. “My room. Don’t make a sound.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. Something in his eyes told me arguing would be stupid.

As I climbed the steps, the knock sounded again—louder this time.

“John Anderson! Open the damn door!”

I didn’t need anyone to tell me that voice belonged to a man who wasn’t here for pleasantries.

I slipped into John’s room and closed the door quietly. My heart thudded against my ribs as I crouched behind his desk.

Downstairs, the front door opened.

“You,” the man spat. “You think I wouldn’t find you?”

“Lower your voice,” John replied, colder than ice. “You’re causing a scene.”

“I don’t care about a scene. Where is she?”

I froze.

Who was “she”?

Me?

Sarah?

Before I could think further, their voices sharpened.

“You ruined everything, John!” the man shouted. “My daughter is gone because of you!”

“I’ve told you a thousand times. I’m not discussing this with you here.”

Daughter.

My breath hitched.

So this was Sarah’s father.

My pulse raced as chair legs scraped violently below—as if someone pushed something out of anger.

Then a heavy, dreadful silence.

I stayed still for several long minutes, but my mind wouldn’t. Curiosity gnawed at me until my gaze drifted across the room.

There, on John’s table, a file lay open—my eyes caught bold letters in large print:

SARAH ANDERSON — PERSONAL DOSSIER

My breath caught in my throat.

Before I realized what I was doing, I stood, walked to the table, and reached for the document.

My fingertips brushed the first page, before I could take a look

The door creaked.

I panicked out of fear , fear that I had been caught .

John stood in the doorway, chest rising and falling, anger still clinging to him like smoke.

He looked at the open file. Then at my hand hovering above it.

I stepped back immediately, embarrassment heating my skin.

“I–I wasn’t—”

“You can look,” he said, voice suddenly calm. Too calm. “If you want.”

His tone wasn’t permission.

It was a test.

I shook my head fast. “No. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be snooping. I’ll leave.”

I tried to walk past him, but he caught my wrist gently—not forceful, but firm.

“Avery,” he murmured, “don’t run from me.”

He said with a tone which was Soft , Dangerous and possessive

He released me slowly, and I followed him downstairs.

“Why did you ask me to hide?” I whispered.

He sighed. “That was Sarah’s father. He comes unannounced. He thinks everything is my fault. If he saw you…” He paused, eyes darkening. “He would never believe you aren’t Sarah.”

. “But I’m not—”

“You look too much like her.”

His voice dipped lower.

“Too much.”

I looked away.

“Is he gone?” I asked.

“For now,” he said. “Come. You should unpack your things and make yourself comfortable.”

I nodded, still shaking as I removed my clothes from my bag , it was then I realized I hadn’t picked up my documents which were upstairs. But now , I was afraid to go back there all alone .

“ John “ I said politely. “ can you go with me to my apartment to get some documents upstairs “ I asked

“ sure , anything for you” he said softly as he walked me out of his apartment and towards mine . The moment I reached my door step, my heart nearly stopped.

Another note lay on the floor.

My fingers trembled as I opened it.

You aren’t safe here.

Don’t sleep alone tonight.

My mouth went dry.

Someone was watching me.

Someone knew where I lived.

Someone knew I was digging into my past.

I locked my door instantly and leaned against it, my heart hammering.

What do they want?

Who are they?

Why me?

Fear climbed up my spine like a cold hand.

I couldn’t stay here , but why , does this mean this person didn’t know my apartment was raided last night ? Does this mean there’s more than one person spying on me ? .

“Avery?” His brows tightened. “What’s wrong?”

I handed him the note.

His facial expression changed . He asked me where I had placed the documents so he goes to get them himself , just incase someone was hiding in there waiting for me . I gave him the descriptions to where I placed the documents and he went inside to get them . Within some few minutes, he was back with the folder .

“ let’s go “ he said softly , “ you are not safe here , I need to protect you”

Something about the way he said it made my heart skip a beat .

I followed him back to his apartment and arranged my things properly into a wardrobe in his room .

I picked my letter up again and read in over and over and over , trying to analyze it and ask myself some questions.

“Who could be doing this?” I whispered

“Someone who doesn’t want you remembering anything.” His voice was low, deadly. “Someone who’s been watching you longer than you realize.”

I stared at him. “Should I report it to the police?”

He grabbed my shoulders immediately.

“No. Not yet.”

His voice sharpened.

“You can’t trust anyone. Not even the police.”

I swallowed. “Then what do I do?”

“Stay here for as long as you want ,” he said. “ I don’t want anything to happen to you “ he said as he turned to look at me “Avery,” he cut in gently, “you’re shaking.”

I didn’t even realize I was.

“ don’t worry, I will protect you “ he said as he hugged me tightly .

“Actually…” I whispered still in his arms . “Could I… sleep on the floor in your room? Just for tonight?”

John froze.

His eyes softened, then darkened in a way that made my pulse skip.

“You don’t have to sleep on the floor,” he murmured. “Take the bed. I’ll take the floor.”

“No— I don’t want to inconvenience—”

“You’re not inconveniencing me.”

He didn’t argue further.

He simply led me upstairs.

Inside his room, he placed a blanket on the floor for himself.

I sat at the edge of the bed, my fear catching up to me in waves.

He noticed.

“Avery,” he whispered, kneeling in front of me.

“What happened to you… it’s not your fault.”

My throat tightened.

Tears filled my eyes.

He reached forward, slowly, like he didn’t want to scare me, and wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb.

“I should’ve protected you,” he whispered—too soft, too honest.

“It’s my fault you’re in danger, they are tracing me to find you and because you look like Sarah …..”

“N-No,” I whispered back. “You didn’t do anything.”

He looked at me for a long moment.

Then he pulled me into his arms.

His embrace wasn’t gentle.

It was desperate.

Like he had been holding himself back for years.

“You’re safe now,” he murmured into my hair. “As long as you’re with me… no one will touch you.”

And for some twisted reason…

I believed him.

Too much.

That night , he lay on the floor , but I couldn’t sleep . I was scared , I got down the bed and tap on him gently, I asked him if he could come lay on the bed with me to keep me company.

He looked at me in shock and didn’t utter a word but rather obeyed and got on the bed with me .

Few minutes after laying in bed with me , I felt his warm arms around me . He moved close and placed his head on my neck , kissing me slowly . I hadn’t felt this way in a long while , something in me loved the way he cared and treated me , and something in me did not trust him . But at that point all I wanted was more of him . I turned around slowly to face him , he tucked my hair to the back of my ears , placed his fingers behind my head and pulled me closer and kissed me on my lips . I was confused for a while then I mimicked the same thing he did and kissed him too . This went on for some few seconds, he got up and turned me to face the ceiling , he lay on me slowly and took my robe off of me . Then slowly he kissed my neck down to my belly button . The feeling was so sensational and passionate that I didn’t even realize when I started meaning softly . He looked into my eyes as he went down into me, at this point , my heart was beating rapidly and all I wanted was every bit of him inside me. He moaned into my eyes as he hit the spot and and released his energy. Moments after , he both fell asleep , forgetting our worries and thoughts .

The next morning , we were awoken by a rapid knock on his door . “ s**t “ John said as he stood up and wore his shorts .

“ who is that ?” I asked looking scared .

He stood up and opened his curtains to look down at who was at the door .

“ it’s my wife “

“ your wife ?” I asked as I looked at him in shock . I began to immediately question myself on what was happening. I sat there looking lost and confused. “ I’ll explain everything to you “ he said . “But for now , you have to hid “ he added .

I stood up and hid inside his wardrobe as he went downstairs to open the door .

At that point , I realized I had gotten myself into a big mess .