Chapter 3 Pae

• Paetyn's POV
• Cutlery clinking against porcelain plates echoes across the large kitchen. Liam is devouring the creamy chicken pasta on his plate, but I’m unable to stomach the food. The incident with the man earlier tonight plays through my mind, making my stomach twist painfully.
• The more I think about him, the more I realize I could have been in serious danger had I not gotten to my car as quickly as I did. If he had gotten his hands on me… well, I wouldn’t be sitting here with my fiance eating this delicious meal.
• I keep coming back to the same question: Why? Why me?
• “Pae, what’s on your mind?” My eyes snap up at the same time Liam lowers his fork and wipes his mouth with the napkin from his lap. “You’ve barely touched your food, and you seem lost in thought.”
• I swallow hard. “I’m okay, I promise.”
• He gives me a pointed look. “I’ve known you for four years, Pae. I can tell when something is wrong. So, spill it. What’s on your mind?”
• “Okay.” I lower my silverware and exhale slowly. “Well, when I was walking to my car after work I felt like someone was watching me. It was… unnerving, to say the least. I made a beeline for my car and once I was safely inside, I noticed a man standing next to a streetlamp nearby. I couldn’t get a good look at him because he was wearing a mask. It scared the crap out of me though.”
• His eyes widen ever so slightly before they lower. “A man, you say? Did he approach you at all?”
• I shake my head. “We didn’t interact, but I could tell he was watching me. Waiting for me even. I was totally freaked out.”
• He reaches across the dining table to take my hand in his. His skin is cold, despite the warmth from the heater, but I ignore the frigidity and squeeze his hand. “You have nothing to be worried about, Pae. Whoever he is… I will protect you from him, okay? When you’re with me, you’re safe. Besides, maybe it was just some kid trying to scare you to impress his friends.”
• I want to tell him that the build of the man watching me was not that of a teenager, but I keep the thought to myself. While I appreciate Liam’s sentiment in wanting to ensure he is able to protect me if someone were to ever try and hurt me, I know that deep down if push came to shove, Liam wouldn’t be able to hold his own against a perpetrator.
• Liam may not have a strong build or lots of muscles, and at times can be a little wimpy, but it doesn’t make me love him any less. I know deep down he believes he could protect me, but I know that isn’t the case.
• I smile at him. “Thank you, darling.”
• At that moment, Liam’s phone started vibrating on the table beside him. He snatches his hand away from mine to check the caller ID. His eyes find mine as he points to the device in his hand. “Sorry, Pae, but I have to take this.”
• “Take your time.”
• I watch him stand from the table and walk out of the room. His voice travels down the hallway as he takes the call, leaving me alone in the dining room.
• Slumping back in the chair, I sigh heavily. My stomach growls, but my appetite is completely gone. I hate wasting food, but right now, the thought of eating what’s on my plate is nauseating.
• As I’m pushing around the food on the plate, I hear Liam’s voice rise with anger. That captures my attention. I still my hands and listen intently, hoping to catch part of the conversation. I’m not one to eavesdrop on him, especially if it’s a work-related call, but I’m also curious. He doesn’t share too many details about his campaign for a seat in the Senate other than how he’s doing in the polls, the candidates he’s up against, and other minor details about working with his father.
• After the media caught wind of some images circulating of Liam at college parties in some rather unflattering positions—mostly him passed out on the front lawn of a fraternity—his position in the polls dropped, despite having his father’s last name. Not even his father could dig him out of that faux pas.
• Liam’s voice is slightly muffled, but somehow, I swear I hear him say, “All I need is a few days, and I’ll be everyone’s hero.”
• What he’s referring to, I have no idea.
• His footsteps echoing down the hallway have my back straightening and my eyes turning downward to focus on the plate of uneaten food in front of me.
• He exhales heavily when he enters the room and slides back onto the chair across from me. When I look up, he runs a hand through his hair, frustration consuming his features.
• I clear my throat. “Is everything okay?”
• He doesn’t meet my eyes as he nods. “I’m down in the polls and need to boost my campaign to drive in voters. But it’s nothing for you to worry about, Pae.”