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Chapter 3: The Protector

“My name is Tyron,” he said simply. “I’m here to protect you. Now, get some sleep.” His tone was firm, almost protective, like he’d taken responsibility for me—a strange but oddly reassuring feeling.

“Tyron… what?” I pressed, curious to know more. “By the way, I’m Kristine Cromwell.”

“Just Tyron,” he replied briskly, cutting off any further questions. “It’s almost dawn. Get some rest.” With that, he closed his eyes, making it clear the conversation was over.

Everything about him intrigued me, and his reluctance to reveal more only made him more of a mystery. Despite my curiosity, exhaustion finally won out, and I drifted into a surprisingly deep sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, bright morning light filled the room. “Oh, crap,” I muttered, realizing with a jolt that it was already eight. Lara was probably worried sick. I scrambled for my bag, grabbed my phone, and quickly dialed her number, glancing around the room as I waited. But Tyron was nowhere to be seen—maybe he’d changed his mind and left without a word.

“Where the hell are you, Kristine?” Lara’s voice sounded tense on the other end. “You scared me half to death! You just left the club without saying a word. And who was that guy with you?”

“Oh, calm down,” I interrupted, trying to soothe her. “I’m still alive, okay? No need to worry.”

But Lara wasn’t letting up. “The guard saw you leave with some guy—a gorgeous guy. So, where did you go? ”

I sighed, half-amused. “His name’s Tyron. He's... a gentleman," I laughed, "nothing happened, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m still very much ‘intact.’” I rolled my eyes. “But I did end up telling him everything—the whole story—until I fell asleep. And hear this... He offered to pretend to be the father of my imaginary child. But this morning, he was gone. Guess he changed his mind.”

Lara insisted I come over, and soon I was walking up to her porch, where she waited, arms crossed, eager for details.

“Alright,” she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Tell me everything.”

Lara's eyes widened as I recounted the moment I first saw Tyron—the rush of emotions that had left me in a dreamlike daze.

"It was like love at first sight," I confessed, still experiencing a flutter. "But... I think he mistook me for someone else," I said as I breathed deeply. "Maybe some high personality’s daughter or someone important was supposed to be at the club last night. Instead, he saw me and assumed I was the one he was meant to protect."

Lara lifted an eyebrow and smirked, "So, your knight in shining armor thinks you're special, huh?

I chuckled, but a part of me wondered if she might be right.

“That was the oddest experience I’ve ever had,” I said with a smile, trying to shake Tyron from my mind. Just then, my phone rang—it was Justin.

“Where are you now?” He asked, his tone firm.

“I’m out of your reach, Justin,” I shot back sarcastically. “You need to accept the truth that we’re not meant for each other. Right now, I’m with the father of my child, so please, get a life without me.” I hung up, feeling a rush of defiance. “That moron gave me a headache.” I flopped down on the couch just as a knock echoed through the living room.

“Don’t let them know I’m here!” I whispered to Lara, darting into the kitchen and hiding behind the fridge.

“Who are you?” I heard Lara ask.

“I’m Tyron, and I’m looking for Kristine Cromwell.”

My heart leapt at the sound of his voice. I darted out of my hiding spot and hurried into the living room, where Lara was standing, staring at him in stunned silence. “How did you even know I was here?” I asked, a mix of excitement and surprise. I quickly introduced them, my words tumbling over each other. “Tyron, this is my best friend, Lara. And Lara, this is Tyron, my—”

“I’m the father of her child,” he said, his tone completely serious. “May I come in?”

Lara’s eyes widened, her mouth opening slightly in shock as she stepped aside, letting him in. She glanced between us before clearing her throat. “I…uh, I’ll get some breakfast going,” she mumbled, backing out of the room to give us privacy.

Tyron turned to me, wasting no time. “Why did you leave the motel?”

I shrugged, feeling sheepish. “I thought…you’d left.”

“We made an agreement,” he reminded me, his expression stern.

"I thought you were just kidding," I acknowledged, feeling a little like a teenager again—embarrassed and hesitant.

“Do I look like I’m kidding?” His tone was serious, cutting through any remnants of humor. “I want to meet your family, especially your father.”

Tyron’s intent to meet my family, particularly my father, sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

A knot tightened in my stomach as I listened to him. Tyron’s resolve was unshakeable; his determination to help me escape my father’s hold was both reassuring and puzzling. His presence was undeniably commanding, yet there was a quiet gentleness in the way he offered his support. It felt almost like fate—an unexpected gift. “When do you want to meet them? ”I asked, my voice wavering slightly.

“Right now, if possible,” he replied without a moment’s hesitation.

His eagerness made my pulse quicken. There was something beneath the surface of his intentions, some unspoken reason for his insistence, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he had his own motives. His arrival in my life seemed almost too perfect.

“Alright,” I said finally, “but maybe we should appreciate my best friend’s effort with breakfast first.” I smiled, attempting to lighten the mood. “After that, we can head to my house.”

He nodded, his expression softening slightly, and I wondered just how much more there was to this mysterious man I’d barely begun to understand.

“I’ll help Lara in the kitchen,” I said, barely able to contain my excitement. “Just stay here. I’ll call you when we’re done.” I slipped into the kitchen, where Lara was already chopping ingredients, her expression a mix of confusion and barely-contained laughter.

“Oh, wow,” she said, lowering her voice with a grin. “You’ve roped in one seriously handsome accomplice for this scheme.”

“Hush!” I said, though I couldn’t help but grin back, my hands shaking with nerves. “And get this—he offered to meet my parents.”

“What?” Lara’s eyes went wide with shock. “Are you out of your mind? Do you want your father to kill him? ”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, the reality of it all hitting me. "It's... a lot. But I need him to back up my story if this is going to work.”

Lara gave me a wary look. “Just be careful. Guys like him don’t get involved for no reason.”

Lara was right; it made no sense. Why would a complete stranger like Tyron go to such lengths to help me escape my father’s plans and avoid Justin Krimmer? We’d only met seven hours ago, yet here he was, ready to play the part of the father of my imaginary child. Why?

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