Chased by My Possessive Ex (Dylan) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

DYLAN

The huge elevator suddenly felt small. I can sense a familiar presence coming from the man behind me. But I didn’t dare to look. Judging by those two men standing beside him, I know he’s a very important person that no one dares to mess with.

However, that man who exudes an overwhelming aura gives off some sense of familiarity. I feel like I know him from somewhere that I couldn’t remember.

Slowly and subtly, I glanced at him over my shoulder–but to my surprise, he was already looking straight at

1. me.

I quickly averted my gaze, pretending nothing had happened, as if I hadn’t been caught. Even though my heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest from the sheer panic.

I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I’ve already met this man. I wanted to ask him if we had already met, but I didn’t have the courage to do so.

I let out a shaky breath as soon as I stepped out of the elevator. The lobby was quiet, dimly lit with golden lights that gave everything a soft glow, but even that couldn’t soothe the storm inside me. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I hurried toward the exit, not daring to glance behind me. I didn’t need to–I could still feel his presence lingering like smoke, even though I’d left him behind.

He was bad news. The kind that comes with dark eyes and dangerous secrets.

Outside, the cool night air brushed against my skin like a balm. I wrapped my arms around myself, more for comfort than warmth, and scanned the street for a cab. A few passed by, but none stopped. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, wishing this day would just end already.

I was tired. So tired. My body ached, and my heart… well, it felt even heavier than my limbs.

Then, an expensive–looking black car pulled up to the curb in front of me, its sleek surface gleaming under the streetlights. The kind you see in movies, driven by billionaires or villains or both. But this kind of car doesn’t impress me. I’m used to seeing them all the time.

I took a cautious step back, moving away from the car. Soon after, a man walked out of the car and opened the door. I frowned in confusion. Is he offering a ride for me?

It didn’t take long before I heard a footstep behind me. I turned around and saw him once again. I immediately realized that the car was meant for him. I quickly lowered my head and stepped aside, allowing him to enter his car.

I can almost die of embarrassment. How did I even think that the car was for me? How can I forget that I was so broke that I had to dance in a strip club just to earn money?

I was startled when I heard his deep baritone voice. “Do you need a ride?” he asked.

I forced a smile on my face and politely declined. “Thanks. But I’ve got it covered.” I was about to leave when I heard him speak again.

94)

Chapter 16

“I don’t want to see you here again,” he said.

“What?” I breathed out, completely taken aback. I blinked up at him, trying to understand if I heard him right. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but… what gives you the right to stop me from coming here?”

I didn’t mean to sound so defensive. It’s not like I planned to return. God knows I had no reason to ever set foot in that club again. But something about the way he said it–like he had the final say about whether or not I belonged–rubbed me the wrong way. Who was he to decide that?

He didn’t flinch. Didn’t even blink.

“I own this building,” he said simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

My mouth fell slightly open. “Ohhh…”

That was all I managed to say.

Before I could even gather my thoughts enough to say something else, he turned away. Just like that, he stepped into his sleek black car. The door closed with a soft, final thud. I stood there frozen, watching the car roll forward and disappear down the street, its headlights casting a soft glow on the wet pavement before it turned a corner and vanished from sight.

And I was left alone on the sidewalk, stunned and speechless, holding nothing but the echo of his voice and the sting of feeling dismissed.

Why did that bother me so much?

*

*

*

I let out a loud, tired sigh the moment I saw the busted–up front door of my parents‘ old apartment. The hinges were barely hanging on, and the frame looked like it had been kicked in more than once. Just seeing it made my shoulders slump.

But at least… this day was over.

I walked in and dropped my bag on the floor with a soft thud. Then I collapsed onto the worn–out couch like a puppet whose strings had finally snapped. My whole body ached–not just from the dancing, but from the weight of everything that had happened today. Right now, all I wanted was sleep. Just a few hours where I didn’t have to think or feel.

But barely two minutes had passed when I heard a sharp voice from outside the busted door.

“What the hell happened to my door?” The landlady shouted, her shrill tone echoing through the hallway like nails on glass.

I groaned quietly and forced myself to sit up. My bones protested, but I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of seeing me that vulnerable.

10:26 Thu, Dec 25

Chapter 16

A second later, the landlady barged in, nearly tripping over the splintered wood as she pushed her way through.

“I’m going to charge you for this!” She snapped, not even trying to hide the annoyance in her voice.

94

Of course, she will. I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. The woman had never been kind to me–not once. She didn’t greet, didn’t ask questions, and didn’t care. Just rent, rules, and threats.

I stood up, reached into my bag, and pulled out the envelope of money. I peeled off a handful of bills, enough to cover the late rent, and held it out to her.

“Here’s the rent,” I said flatly, not even bothering with a hello.

Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the cash, and for the first time, she was silent. Not respectful, not grateful–just quiet. But I could tell she was thinking. Probably wondering where I got the money, what I had to do to get it. I didn’t care.

She took the bills with a huff, her lips pursed tightly like she’d just bitten into a lemon. “I need one thousand dollars more for the door,” she muttered.

“That couldn’t have cost that much! It’s been worn out. It was knocked off with just one kick! You can’t charge me one thousand dollars for an old door!” I yelled irritably.

“That’s how much I wanted to charge you for it. If you don’t want to, you can leave anytime!” she yelled back.

I scoffed. Does she really think I’d stay here after what happened? This place wasn’t even decent. I was about to yell at her once again when the thugs who broke my door suddenly showed up.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I whispered under my breath.

“What’s going on here, ladies?” the man asked as he leaned against the doorframe.

“Who the hell are these people? Didn’t I tell you visitors are not allowed in my apartment?” the landlady interjected.

“Calm down, old lady. We’re just here to collect some debt,” he said with a disgusting smirk on his lips.

The old lady turned to me and said, “I knew you were trouble when I saw you!”

“I think you’re done here, old lady,” the man said. The landlady leaves as quickly as she arrives, leaving me with these two thugs.

I suddenly feared for my life. I quickly grabbed the cash from my bag. I don’t want them to stay here any longer. They only needed the money. Thinking it will make them leave, I immediately give it to them.

“Here’s the money. Now, you can leave,” I said. My hand was shaking, but I was trying to hide my fear.

The man raised his eyebrows as he got the envelope from my hand. It was more than the amount he was asking for, but it doesn’t matter; all I wanted was to get rid of these bastards.

“Well, well,” he drawled, waving the envelope lightly in the air like a prize he just won at a carnival. “It’s been a

10:26 Thu, Dec 25

Chapter 16

pleasure doing business with you.”

“You’ve got what you wanted,” I said quickly, taking a step back. “Now, please. Leave.”

But he didn’t move. Neither did the two other men with him. They exchanged knowing glances, then turned their attention back to me like wolves circling a deer.

“Oh, come on, sweetheart,” he said, his voice low and taunting. “Don’t be like that. You look tense… Why don’t we have a little fun before we go?”

His words were like ice water down my spine.

Panic clawed its way up my throat. I took another step back, eyes darting around the room. My gaze fell on the small lamp on the side table. Not much, but it was heavy enough to do some damage if I had to. My feet inched toward it.

But it was too late.

They moved quickly, surrounding me before I could even reach for it. One of them blocked the path to the door. Another stood in front of the window. I was trapped.

I could barely breathe.

Every instinct in me screamed to fight, to run, to do something. But all I could feel was fear flooding my veins like poison.

Why did I ever think paying them off would be enough?

“Leave now, before I call the police!” I warned them.

“Oh, baby, we love to see you try,” said the other man before they all laughed in unison.

My eyes landed on the knife sitting on the table. Without a second thought, I quickly grabbed it and swung it around to keep their distance away from me.

“That’s it, baby girl. We want our woman feisty!” said the other as they continued to laugh.

There’s no point in fighting them. There’s no way I’d win against these three men. That’s when I decided to point the knife against my neck.

“I’ll die before you even touch me with your filthy hands!” I threatened..

The man chuckled, “We don’t care whether you’re dead or alive, baby girl. We’ll still enjoy every inch of you, baby.”

Just as one of the thugs reached for me–his hand brushing against my arm–a sudden sound echoed through the apartment. The door that was barely hanging on its frame fell on the ground.

Everyone froze.

I held my breath when I saw the man standing outside the door. He’s the one from the elevator. The one

10:26 Thu, Dec 25

Chapter 16

Á(94)

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify