⚠️ This story contains content of manipulation, gas-lighting, toxic relationships, stalking, kidnapping, murder, suicide or suicide mentions, sexual assault and harassment, abuse, some NSFW content, swearing, fetish kinks, drugs, and some other dark topics. ⚠️⚠️

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They say that love is patient that it's kind. That it doesn't envy.

He knew this because he'd read every word and line of advice on what it meant to love someone. To care for them unconditionally, to want nothing but their happiness. That's what he wanted for her, after all. She was his best friend. She had been since they were high school, and he knew her better than anyone. Her quirks, fears, and dreams—all tucked away in his mind, cataloged and cherished like precious treasures.

So when he finally told her how he felt, it was with every ounce of that pure, undying love. He bared his heart to her, hoping she'd see just how much he wanted her, how long he'd waited.

But her reaction wasn't what he expected. There was no spark in her eyes, no relief or joy. She'd laughed awkwardly, twisting her fingers together, before giving him a soft, pitying smile. Then, she said it: she wasn't into men, had never been. She didn't want to hurt him, she claimed, but she just couldn't feel that way about him.

He'd swallowed his disappointment, and masked his hurt behind the same smile he'd perfected over the years. It was just another sacrifice for her happiness, he thought. Another piece of his heart to be silenced, tucked away. He wanted her in his life more than he wanted her love.

But that night, as he lay alone, staring at the ceiling, a different feeling crept into his mind. Something darker, twisting under his skin. It wasn't the rejection—it was the lie. She hadn't rejected him out of fear of hurting him; she'd just wanted an easy escape. And it had worked. For a while, he let himself believe that he could accept her decision, that he could move on.

Until he saw her months later, laughing, her arm intertwined with someone else's—a guy, of all things. They looked happy. She was glowing in a way he'd never seen before, leaning on someone who wasn't him. The sight of them together struck him like a knife in the gut, twisting with each laugh that drifted from across the street. How could she lie like that? How could she pretend to be something she wasn't, just to get away from him? After all these years, after everything he'd done for her?

The anger simmered slowly, turning his mind over, calculating, transforming into something beyond rage. She belonged with him; he was the one who knew her better than anyone. He was the one who loved her, truly loved her, without limits. And now, she'd torn that all apart with her lies. Lies he intended to make her pay for.

If love was supposed to be patient, then he'd waited long enough.

Because she was HIS. And if he had to destroy everyone around her to prove it, he would without a second doubt.

Josephine walked to her car, fumbling with her keys to unlock it. She looked up and hadn't expected to see Felix waving across the street from the house across from her. She barely had a second to blink before he was walking to her side, flashing the familiar, easygoing smile that had always made him so approachable, so safe. Felix wasn't an intimidating guy; he was lean but still muscular and had the softest eyes, the kind that made people naturally open up. For as long as she could remember, he'd been there, her best friend, her confidant, her emotional lifeline through every high and low.

"Morning, Jo," he greeted her, his voice light as usual.

"Morning, Felix," she replied, smiling as she opened her car door. "What's got you so chipper?"

He shrugged, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. "What's wrong with being happy to see my favorite person?"

"Felix, I'm pretty sure everyone you talk to is your 'favorite person.'" She laughed, nudging him playfully.

There was a pause, just long enough for Josephine to notice. He stared at her, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before he responded, "Maybe, but you're... you're different."

Josephine brushed it off, assuming it was Felix's usual charm. The two of them had shared hundreds of moments like these over the years, moments where he'd say something unexpectedly sweet, making her heart skip for reasons she quickly laughed off. Felix, her Felix, would never see her that way—just like she didn't see him that way. They were friends, bound by years of shared memories and a friendship too precious to risk on romantic notions.

"Anyway, where are you driving to this Saturday afternoon?" Felix asked, a curious lilt in his voice as he leaned against the car.

"I'm going shopping with Larisa. She wants me to go partying with her later and needs help picking out a dress," Josephine replied, letting out a little laugh at the thought of Larisa's endless fashion debates.

Felix's expression flickered almost imperceptibly, but before she could interpret it, he nodded and gave her one of his trademark smiles. "Sounds fun. You two have a good time, alright?"

"I will!" She waved as she got into her car, settling into the driver's seat and watching as he strolled back across the street, hands in his pockets. There was something comforting in the familiarity of Felix's presence, always nearby, always steady. She shook her head with a grin and turned the key, heading off to pick up Larisa.

As Josephine pulled into the parking lot of Larisa's apartment building, her friend was already waiting out front, practically bouncing on her heels, her long dark hair catching in the autumn breeze. Larisa, with her usual flair, wore a bright, flowy top and jeans that accentuated her curves—a stark contrast to Josephine's casual outfit of jeans and a cozy sweater.

"Jo! You're finally here!" Larisa exclaimed, sliding into the passenger seat with a grin.

Josephine laughed. "It's only been a few minutes since I texted you! You really couldn't wait to shop, could you?"

"Of course not! I'm on a mission for the perfect dress tonight. You know I need to look good!" Larisa said dramatically, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Josephine rolled her eyes with a smile. "You always look stunning, Larisa."

"Oh, stop," Larisa replied with a laugh, but Josephine could see she was pleased. "Anyway, are you excited to go out tonight?"

Josephine shrugged. "I mean, it'll be nice to get out, but you know me. I'm not the 'party until 2 AM' type."

"That's what I'm here for—to make sure you have fun!" Larisa said, beaming. "Let's get you a sexy outfit, too. I won't take no for an answer."

They arrived at the shopping center and made a beeline for their favorite boutique "Chic Attic", a small but trendy shop that always seemed to have something perfect. Larisa immediately started browsing through racks of dresses, each one flashier than the last, while Josephine kept to the quieter corners.

"Try this!" Larisa exclaimed, holding up a sequined dress with a very low-cut v-neck that sparkled under the shop's lighting to Josephine.

"Larisa, I'm not sure if I should wear something so low cut unless I'm trying to get laid," Josephine replied, laughing.

"Well isn't that the point?" Larisa shot back, handing her the dress. "Trust me, you'll look amazing."

Josephine sighed but took the dress to the fitting room. She slipped it on, smoothing the fabric down, she wouldn't say she LOVES to wear exposing outfits, but she isn't opposed to them. When she stepped out to show Larisa, her friend's face lit up.

"See? You look stunning! Your boobs look SO good and those legs?!" Larisa gushed licking her lips. "Felix won't know what hit him."

Josephine froze for a second, a slight frown tugging at her lips. "Felix? What does he have to do with this?"

Larisa smirked. "Oh, come on, Jo. You're always hanging out with him. Don't tell me you haven't noticed he's a bit... more attentive than a regular friend."

Josephine laughed, shaking her head. "He's just being his usual self. Felix is sweet with everyone."

"If you say so," Larisa replied with a teasing smile, winking as she picked out another dress for herself. But her words lingered in Josephine's mind. The idea of Felix seeing her in that way seemed strange, almost unfathomable. He was one of her best friends—wasn't he?

After a couple more outfit changes and endless discussions about accessories, Larisa finally found her dress: a sleek, off-the-shoulder black dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Josephine settled on the flashy outfit that Larissa picked out for her.

Satisfied, they took a break at a nearby cafe, sipping on iced lattes as they watched shoppers bustling around.

"So, are you excited for tonight?" Larisa asked, taking a sip of her drink.

"Yeah, I think it'll be fun," Josephine replied, smiling. "It's been a while since we went out together."

Larisa wiggled her eyebrows. "Maybe you'll meet someone special."

Josephine laughed, shaking her head. "You know I'm not really looking for anyone right now."

"Suit yourself," Larisa said with a shrug. "But if you ask me, there's someone who's already taken quite a liking to you."

"Oh, don't start with Felix again," Josephine groaned, rolling her eyes. "He's my friend. That's all."

Larisa raised her hands in surrender, though the amused glint in her eyes said she wasn't quite convinced. "Fine, fine. But just so you know, guys don't usually act that attentive unless they're interested."

Josephine brushed off the comment with a laugh, but as they finished their drinks, she found herself thinking about Felix again, his face flashing through her mind as she remembered the intensity in his eyes. He was her friend—always had been, always would be. That's what she told herself, even as a tiny, nagging thought remained at the back of her mind.

After finishing up at the cafe, they continued shopping for accessories, exchanging stories and laughing as they browsed through different shops. Josephine found herself genuinely enjoying the time with Larisa, her earlier thoughts about Felix slowly fading.

As they walked past a small jewelry stand, Larisa spotted a necklace with a delicate pendant and held it up, inspecting it. "This would look perfect with your outfit tonight. Try it on!"

Josephine took the necklace from Larisa and fastened it around her neck. The pendant was a small, dark stone set in silver, simple yet elegant. She admired herself in the mirror, pleased with how it looked.

"You have to get it," Larisa insisted. "It's like it was made for you."

Josephine smiled, giving in to her friend's enthusiasm. They bought the necklace, and she promised to wear it out that night.

When they were finally done, the sky had started to turn a soft shade of pink as the sun dipped lower. They walked back to the car, arms full of shopping bags, and shared a look of satisfaction after a successful day out.

"Thanks for coming with me today," Larisa said, leaning back in the seat as Josephine drove them home. "I really needed this."

"Of course," Josephine replied. "We should do this more often. It's nice to just unwind."

As they reached Larisa's apartment, she turned to Josephine with a mischievous grin. "And don't even think about bailing on me tonight. I'm making sure you have a good time!"

Josephine laughed, giving her a playful shove. "I wouldn't dream of it."

They shared a quick hug, and Josephine watched as Larisa headed inside, feeling a warmth in her chest. She was grateful for her friend and for moments like these, where everything felt simple and free. As she drove home, she felt a renewed sense of excitement for the night ahead, pushing aside any lingering worries.

Later that evening, after showering and getting dressed, Josephine admired herself in the mirror. The dress was just the right color to complement her complexion, and the new necklace added a subtle elegance that she hadn't expected. She felt good—confident, even. As she turned to grab her phone, she noticed a message from Felix.

"Have fun tonight Jo Jo," he'd texted, followed by a silly gif of a panda dancing.

She smiled, typing a quick reply. "Thanks! Are we still on for the movies tomorrow?"

His response was instant. "Wouldn't miss seeing Zombie Freak 4 with you for the world. Text me when you get home."

Josephine hearted the message and put her phone down, the earlier questions about Felix briefly resurfacing before she brushed them aside. Tonight wasn't about analyzing relationships; it was about having fun with her best friend and letting loose.

As she stepped out into the cool evening air, she took a deep breath, feeling the excitement build. She had no idea what the night held, but for once, she was ready to find out. Her last boyfriend was when she was in high school which was over 7 years ago. Maybe she could meet someone?

Josephine's nerves tingled with a mix of excitement and apprehension as she pulled up outside the bustling bar where she was meeting Larisa. Larisa lives right next to the bar, so Josephine didn't have to pick her up. The building was alive with neon lights casting a colorful glow over the brick walls and faint bass vibrations spilling out onto the street as groups of friends mingled by the entrance. It was a scene she didn't often find herself in, but tonight felt different—a night of small, uncharacteristic risks and laughter.

She spotted Larisa right away, standing by the entrance in her black dress, head turned as she scanned the crowd. Her friend noticed her almost instantly, eyes lighting up as she waved enthusiastically. Josephine hurried over, feeling the cool night air against her bare shoulders, still adjusting to the attention her dress was attracting.

"You look amazing, Jo!" Larisa greeted her with a hug, then took a step back, giving her an exaggerated once-over. "Everyone's going to be staring at you tonight. Look at you!"

Josephine flushed, "Thanks, Larisa. I feel like I'm getting a ton of stares now to be honest. Not sure how I feel about that."

"That's the point," Larisa said, a mischievous grin forming. "Tonight is all about you stepping out of your comfort zone. Plus, I'm here to make sure you don't bail early."

With a laugh, Josephine linked her arm through Larisa's. "Alright, I'm in. But you have to keep up with me. Let's go!"

Inside, the bar was dimly lit, full of colored lights bouncing off the walls and low music that became louder as they approached the center of the room. Larisa led the way to the bar, where they ordered their drinks—Josephine sticking to a gin and tonic, while Larisa went all out with a colorful cocktail garnished with an orchid and two tiny umbrellas.

"To a night of adventure!" Larisa said, holding up her glass.

Josephine clinked her glass to Larisa's. "To adventure."

They took their drinks to a small table near the dance floor, settling into the rhythm of people-watching and laughing as Larisa made stories up about the other bar patrons. Josephine felt herself easing into the mood as she drank a bit more, her earlier anxieties slipping away.

"So, anyone catch your eye yet?" Larisa asked, glancing around the room with a knowing look.

Josephine chuckled, shaking her head. "I don't see anyone yet. If I don't that's okay, I'm here to enjoy my drink and hang out with you."

Larisa rolled her eyes dramatically. "Typical Jo. Well, at least keep an open mind. You deserve a bit of romance, or at the very least, a good dance partner."

As the night wore on, Larisa didn't let up. She dragged Josephine onto the dance floor, spinning her around and laughing as they moved to the music, surrounded by the warmth of bodies and the pulse of the bass. Josephine felt herself loosen up, the rhythm pulling her into its sway, and the laughter between her and Larisa fueling her confidence. It felt liberating to lose herself in the moment without overthinking it.

A few songs later, they retreated to their table, breathless and exhilarated, where Larisa flagged down the bartender for another round of drinks. As they waited, Larisa nudged her and nodded toward a guy at the bar who had been glancing their way periodically.

"He's cute," she whispered, shooting Josephine a mischievous smile.

Josephine followed her gaze and locked eyes with a guy who gave her a friendly, slightly shy smile before looking away. He was tall, with dark hair and a casual, approachable look. She felt a blush rise to her cheeks and quickly looked away, laughing.

"He's cute, but I don't know," Josephine said, feeling her nerves return.

Larisa leaned over, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Jo, it's just a chat. You're not proposing marriage. I think he's interested. Just give it a shot."

Before Josephine could protest, the guy had made his way over to their table, holding his drink with a friendly, if slightly nervous, smile. "Hey, I hope I'm not interrupting. I just thought I'd come over and say hi."

Larisa nudged Josephine, urging her to respond, so she mustered up her best welcoming smile. "Hi! No, you're not interrupting. I'm Josephine, and this is Larisa."

The guy introduced himself as Ryan, a local graphic designer who'd come out with some friends but wandered off on his own for a break from the noise. They fell into an easy conversation about the local art scene, with Ryan's light-hearted humor putting Josephine at ease. Before long, the three of them were laughing, and Josephine found herself enjoying his company.

Larisa slipped away discreetly after a while, giving Josephine an encouraging wink as she left. It was clear she wanted Josephine to have this moment alone, to let herself indulge in a bit of harmless flirtation. And to Josephine's surprise, she found herself feeling comfortable around Ryan, almost like they'd known each other longer than a few minutes. Josephine isn't a light weight so she wasn't that drunk yet despite the amount of drinks she's had.

"So, Josephine," Ryan said, shifting his weight with a smile. "Are you from around here?"

"Yep," she replied, taking a sip of her drink. "Born and raised in Rainbow Valley. What about you?"

"Moved here a couple of years ago for work," he explained. "Honestly, I was expecting a bigger city vibe, but it's kind of nice that things are a bit slower here. Gives you a chance to know people better."

Josephine nodded, feeling an unexpected warmth. "Yeah, I think that's what I like about it, too. It's easy to feel connected we all know each-other in this town."

The conversation continued, touching on everything from favorite movies to pet peeves, and Josephine found herself laughing more than she had in a while. She was even bold enough to rub Ryans knee with her hand. She wasn't sure if it was the alcohol talking but she didn't mind. Ryan had a charming, unassuming nature that made it easy to relax. As the night progressed, they both gravitated toward the dance floor, moving to the music in sync, laughing as they stumbled through the faster beats.

As they spun and laughed, she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She ignored it at first, but after the third buzz, curiosity got the better of her. Stepping aside, she checked her phone.

3 New Messages from Felix

10:45 PM: "Hey, how's it going? Hope you're having fun :)"

11:30 PM: "Jo Jo, just checking in. Everything good?"

12:15 AM: "Can you let me know when you're headed home? Just want to make sure you're safe."

Josephine smiled, feeling a familiar warmth at his concern, but something about the frequency of his messages gave her pause, she didn't know if it was the alcohol or what. Felix had always been extremely protective, but this felt a tad bit different. She texted him back a quick, reassuring reply.

Josephine: "Hey! All good, just having a fun time with Larisa and a new friend. I'll let you know when I'm on my way home, promise :)"

Sliding her phone back into her pocket, she rejoined Ryan, who was waiting for her with a smile. They continued dancing, and though her heart felt lighter than it had in a while, a small part of her was distracted by thoughts of Felix, her best friend who'd been acting a little strange lately.

As the night wound down, Ryan offered to walk her to her car. Larisa was nowhere to be seen, likely off on her own adventure, so Josephine accepted. Outside, the air was crisp and refreshing after the warmth of the bar, and they strolled slowly, exchanging smiles and quiet laughs.

"This was really nice, Josephine," Ryan said, looking genuinely pleased. "I'm glad I got the nerve to come over."

"Me too," Josephine replied, giving him a shy smile. "It's been a while since I had this much fun."

They lingered by her car, the quietness of the night amplifying the flutter in her chest. Ryan glanced down at her, hesitating. "So, would it be okay if I asked for your number?"

Josephine felt her cheeks warm, but she nodded, exchanging numbers with him. "I'd like that," she replied.

Just as Ryan were about to offer her a taxi because of her drunkness, she noticed a figure across the street, standing in the shadows. Her heart skipped—she recognized the familiar silhouette, the casual stance with hands in pockets. Felix.

Ryan noticed her attention drift, glancing over as well. "Friend of yours?"

Josephine nodded slowly. "Oh yeah..."

A strange silence hung between them before Ryan gave a polite smile. "Well, I'll let you go then since it looks like you'll get home safely. Could I call or text you anytime?"

"Definitely," she replied and smiled sweetly, watching him walk off before she turned to cross the street toward Felix.

Felix stepped forward, his face mostly unreadable, though she thought she caught a flash of something behind his calm eyes. "Hey, Jo," he greeted her. "I thought you might need a ride."

"I drove here, remember?" she replied, crossing her arms with a smile. "How long have you've been waiting here for me? You didn't have to come out here just to check on me silly."

He shrugged, that familiar smile back in place, though there was a hint of something different—something almost intense. "Not that long. Just wanted to make sure you were safe. I'm still used to picking you up everywhere when you didn't have your car. Old habits, I guess."

Josephine laughed, waving it off. "I had a great time, Felix. Thanks for looking out for me, as always."

"Hey, tell you what. You've definitely had a few drinks. I can drive you home in your car and then come back and get my car. I don't want you to drive knowing you've been drinking."

Josephine smiled pinching Felix's cheeks, "You're so sweet Felix. Although, I would hate for you to drive all the way back here just to get your car. I could just take a taxi."

"Nonsense. Give me your keys. Your safety is all that matters to me as always."

Josephine sighed and laughed and grabbed her keys from her purse and placed them in Felix's hands.

As he was driving her home in silence, her thoughts were in a tangle of emotions: the excitement of meeting someone handsome and new, the warmth of Larisa's friendship, and the inexplicable tension with Felix. She tried to focus on the thrill of a night out, looking out the car window.

Then she felt her eyes slowly closing because of the alcohol and her exhaustion and soon she was left in a mind of sleep with the last image she sees before her eyes close is Felix driving.