Vera Anderson's POV

I'm here now at the Perch with Simon. But I don't know why I felt anxious. This is what I wanted earlier when he called on the phone, why did I suddenly feel strange? I'm so tense right now and my heart was pounding so hard in my chest.  I'm sure it's different from how I felt when I was with Royce.

"Are you okay Vera?", Simon asked seriously.

I just nodded and smiled slightly at him. As much as I could, I don't want him to notice that I'm feeling uncomfortable. He stared at me from my eyes to my lips, and neck until he looked at my body.

Gladly,  our order has arrived and at least I have something to focus on.
I was really uncomfortable with the situation even when we're done eating. After a while, Simon offered his hand to me for a dance. I hesitantly extended my hands to him and joined him on the dance floor. He put his hands on my waist, while he told me to put my hands on his neck. I did as he said but only on his shoulder. He brought himself closer to me, while I looked away from him.

After some time,  I told him I wanted to go back to our seats. He agreed and led me back to our table. Suddenly his cellphone rang and he immediately answered it. But I find it very strange when he talks to someone on the line. It seems he was uneasy as if he was hiding something. Then I heard him saying that he would just text the details.

I suddenly stood up and told him that I need to go to the ladies' room. He just nodded while seriously looking at me and I know what exactly it was. I hurriedly turned around because my knees kept on shaking in fear.

When I entered the ladies' room, I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. In my mind, maybe the reason why Alexa doesn't like Simon is that he has a strange, incomprehensible demeanor.

I spent half an hour in the ladies' room to compose myself. I'm thinking that when I get out of here, I'll tell Simon that I need to go home because I don't want to spend much of my time in Perch. 

After all, it's all my fault because I had wanted it, despite Alexa's dislike but I insisted. Wanting to forget Royce, I agreed to meet Simon, whom I haven't known so well. Although we were schoolmates before, I did not know everything about him. Yet, I let myself believe that he is a good man based on the kind of personality he explicitly shows to everyone.  I mean, people change, because this is the only permanent in this world, either change for the better or change for the worse. 

I stepped out of the ladies' room, already determined to tell Simon that I'm going home. I fixed my cardigan to cover up my exposed navel then went back to our table.

"Are you alright Vera?", Simon asked casually.

"Uhm. Actually no, so I wanted to go home now, Simon", I spoke intently.

He looked at me with a hostile glare as if he was pissed off. I saw him grinding his teeth and clenching his palm but after a while, he managed to remain relaxed. He smiled slightly and said that he is just going to finish his wine before we went home.

"You look nervous Vera", Simon said directly and then he gave me a glass of sparkling wine. 

"Drink this, for you to be relaxed".

I took the glass of wine from his hand and was about to drink it when someone quickly grabbed my glass and threw it on the floor. People around did not notice it, because the music was too loud and our table was a bit far from the crowd.

"Vince!", I exclaimed.

"Vera, let's get out of here!" Vince said and pulled my hand.

But suddenly someone stabbed him from behind, and I did not recognize who it was because things happened so fast. 

"Vince!", I shouted, when I saw blood dripping down his back.

Then, Simon covered my mouth with a handkerchief, causing me to feel dizzy. I didn't completely lose consciousness but I lost my strength and couldn't protest anymore when Simon carried me to the elevator.

A few moments later, the elevator dinged and we went out. I mustered my remaining strength and tried to hit Simon's shoulder but nothing happened.

"You're a son of a bitch, Simon! How could you do this to me?"I cursed at him.

But he did not respond.

I could only see his lustful look and flirtatious smile as if he was becoming eager to carry out his plan. As soon as we reached the doorstep, he turned the doorknob and stepped inside. Then, he threw me on the soft bed, while he sat on the couch in front of me. I lay on my side and brought my knees up to my chest.

"Why did I do it? Well, because this is really me Vera. This is the real me. I really loved you at first, but you ignored me because you were playing hard-to-get. Now, all the chances are here with me, so by hook or by crook, you will be mine!", Simon said complacently and laughed like a demon.

I suddenly trembled at what he said. The nervousness I just felt became even more intense when he approached me, pulled my hands, pinned me against the soft mattress, and kissed me.

"Simon, please! Don't do this.", I pleaded and tears started to form in my eyes. 

"There's nothing you can do Vera. Even if you shout, nobody can hear you. Anyway, we're here so let's just keep going ", Simon said while caressing my face. 

"You are absolutely gorgeous Vera and it's driving me crazy", Simon said biting his lips and sticking out his tongue as his eyes looked at me lustfully.

My whole body was quivering in great fear as tears continued to flow from my eyes. The man in front of me is Satan's minion.

"God, please help me!", I whispered in prayer.

This is the only thing I can do for now. I am still weak and even if I'm not, Simon is stronger than me. Besides, I could not contact anyone because my cellphone was totally dead. I don't know which floor in Perch I am now. I could not even shout for help because I'm sure, this room is soundproof. Oh, God!

Simon looked at me again with an intense desire and aggressiveness. "I could not hold back any longer Vera".

He pulled himself even closer to me and was about to take off my crop top when the door suddenly opened.

"Royce!", I exclaimed.

Royce unleashed a powerful punch and landed on Simon's face, causing the latter to stumble down and wince in pain.

"You're a fucking asshole Simon! Or shall I say, Nicholas Monet! You can go to hell now!", Royce spoke in a great rage as he continued to kick and punch Simon.

"Royce that's enough, please...You might even kill him", I quivered.

Soon the police arrived and immediately arrested Simon. I was asked to give my statement and file my formal complaint as soon as possible. When the police left, Royce looked at me intently and approached me with a tender hug.

"Are you okay Vera? God! I'm so worried about you", he asked, as he caressed my head.

I just nodded and continued weeping on his shoulder. I never thought that the person I was trying to forget would be the one who would save me from harm. It's true that you cannot judge a book by its cover. 

"I'm sorry Royce", I sobbed even more.

Royce pulled back and met my gaze. "What are you sorry for, Vera?"

I was silent for a while because I don't want to answer. As much as I could, I don't want to let him know that I met Simon because I wanted to forget him. It's so embarrassing on my part. 

"Vera? Why are you saying sorry?", Royce asked again, and this time he was more even serious.

"Uhm, sorry for making you feel bad. I did not expect that---", I wasn't able to finish what I'm trying to say because Royce kissed me. And again, millions of volts were running through my veins. The intense fear I felt earlier when I was with Simon was suddenly replaced by the tingling sensation caused by Royce's passionate kiss.

A while ago I almost wanted to throw up when Simon's lips touched mine, but Royce's lips brought me a different kind of pleasure and I feel like I'm being plunged into an ocean of ecstasy. I kissed him back but before I completely forgot everything, I slowly pulled myself away from him

"Thank you for saving my life Royce", I said as I intently looked at him.

He smiled and pulled me again into a hug and kissed my forehead. Then he took my hand and put on my bracelet.

"You dropped this off. But because of this, I found you", Royce spoke tenderly.

I just realized how gentle Royce is. In my mind I wish I wasn't just one of his casual flings because in my heart, I'm sure, I love him. I hope he feels at least a little bit about me. Suddenly, I remembered Vince and asked Royce if he met him. I sighed in relief when he told me that Vince was alright and was already brought to the hospital.

"I will drive you home Vera. But are you bringing with you, your car? Unfortunately, my car's tire is flat on my way here so I just left it aside.

Royce helped me to stand because I'm still a little dizzy. I told him that it was because of the handkerchief that Simon put over my mouth that I think was mixed with chemicals.
Royce didn't say a word, instead, he tightened his grip on my waist as we left the room.

Royce told me everything about Simon Morris and his real name. I truly regret for what happened and I felt sorry about it. My life was nearly put in danger because I trusted the wrong person. Consequently, Simon needs to pay for what he did and be given the appropriate punishment so he could not harm others again.