To say Ester was surprised was an understatement.
She knew one way or another they would become boyfriend and girlfriend, but to have him ask her now was something else. They never really talked about it and she caught him accidentally call her his girlfriend once but that was it.
"As I said, you don't have to answer-"
"Yes." Ester interrupted him and his eyes widened.
"Really?" He asked in disbelief.
"Of course, Devon." She smiled in delight and he leaned back in relief with a goofy smile playing on his lips. Ester watched him with the same facial expression. Without warning, he stood up and closed the distance between them.
Ester was still sitting when he cradled her face and leaned down to kiss her lovingly. The butterflies in each of their bellies erupted once again. As always when the two touched each other in any way.
"Thank you." He whispered against her lips right before he let her breathe as he looked down at her.
"Don't thank me for that." Ester said.
They shared a long kiss again. Within the next few minutes, Ester found herself wedged between Devon and a wall in the hallway. Her legs were wrapped around his hips as he held her up against the wall. They kissed passionately, even more than they usually did. And both of them knew tonight was going to change everything.
"Don't stop." Devon demanded against her lips as she started grinding against his crotch, the fabric of his pants and her panties the only things separating them from being one. Ester knew he wanted it as she felt his bulge down there. And she was ready.
"Was that the door?" Ester asked breathlessly as she clearly heard someone knock against his apartment door.
"Ignore it." He told her when she turned her head towards the door and his lips latched onto her jaw.
The knock came again and Ester stopped him by gripping his jaw before looking back into his eyes. His jaw was tense and she knew he was getting impatient but she didn't see any harm in opening the door real quick and finishing what they started in a minute.
"Go ahead and open it, I'm not going anywhere." She said, her heart still racing inside her chest. Devon let out a deep breath and pecked her lips one more time before turning and walking towards his front door.
He frowned when no one stood in front of him. He stepped outside and looked left to right. The hallways were empty and dark. Devon shook his head and walked back inside, hearing a sound as he stepped off the doormat. He had stepped on something and bent down to pick up the white envelope with an even deeper frown.
"Who was it?" He heard Ester ask as soon as he closed the door with the object in his hand.
"No one. But I found this envelope." He said, already opening it. Ester came to stand beside him in confusion.
"What?" She asked as she saw him take out a photo. Their eyes widened and Ester's heart stopped for a moment.
Devon was holding a photograph of the both of them. On the photo they were holding hands and smiled at each other as they walked out of the dance studio. It was dark, but they were conveniently walking right under a street light.
"Oh no." Ester couldn't help but let out as she frowned. Devon was quiet, not knowing what to say. Who the heck would do that? And why did they place it on his doorstep? Ester was asking herself the same. Why would someone take a photo of the two?
"Devon, say something." She looked up at him, but he was too busy thinking.
"This is bad." Ester decided to do the talking. She took the photograph out of his hands and turned it around, hoping to find some more information about the person who gave them the photo.
"The killer Doc and his new victim?" She said, catching Devon's attention. He rushed to get the photo out of her hands as he read the one line that someone wrote on the back. His whole body tensed up and his eyebrow twitched as he gripped the photo hard.
"Devon?" Ester asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. He couldn't answer her, he was too shocked. His breathing became heavier, Ester noticed in horror. What was happening to him? And what did they mean by 'Killer Doc'? All those question started invading her mind.
"Devon, what do they mean?" She asked out loud, pulling Devon out of it. He shook his head, ripped the photo in many little pieces and turned towards her.
"I don't know." He said quietly.
Ester did not believe a word he said and frowned up at him, seemingly angering him further.
"What? I said I have no idea." He growled and Ester took a step back in surprise. His eyes flickered towards her legs and then he blinked.
"Ester, I-" He cut himself off, not knowing what to do. He had lost a piece of her trust, he knew. She had to be curious and knowing that he lost his doctor's license might not help along with the fact that the person called him a 'Killer Doc', which did not make it any easier.
"I'll drive you home." Was all he said before walking past her and opening his front door. He waited for her to follow him. Ester was very confused as she approached him at the door. She wouldn't exactly call herself scared, but she wasn't naive enough to not watch his every move now.
They walked down to his car in silence, both of them not noticing the other be in their own world. Ester's head was filled with unpleasant questions and annoying theories. Devon's head was filled with potential culprits and future conversations with Ester. He had to explain to her and that simple fact made him clench his fists.
He thought moving here was going to be better. He thought he could leave his old life in Switzerland. But now it came back. Everything came back and people still hated him. No matter where he went, he was deemed to be unhappy and alone.
Everything was perfect for a few minutes after Ester agreed to be his girlfriend. But within a second, his world crumbled apart in front of his eyes. It was as if the universe had a plan for him, the revenge of what he did all those years ago.
Only when the two were in the car together and either of them talked, did they suddenly become aware of the other. Ester glanced at him the moment he decided to look at her. But again, no words were spoken as Devon just started up his car and started driving her home.
The tension between them was thick and many question marks grazed it. Was she going to ask him again? And was he going to explain?
Ester couldn't believe her bad luck. She had just said yes to her very first boyfriend and now she thought of him as- as what? She couldn't even think that. Devon, the Devon she knew at least, was not a killer. He was obnoxious at times, rude and lacked of gentleman skills but he would not kill anybody, she knew.
Devon started gripping his steering wheel tight after reminiscing about their night together. How could the universe be so cruel? Why make her his right before pulling her away from him again? Did he not suffer enough from the looks people gave him? From the abundance that took place right after he did it?
The drive took him only a few minutes. But they stayed in the car even after he stopped it in front of her apartment complex. His hands were shaking and his eyes suddenly felt dry. Ester had yet to look at him, which was why she didn't realize that he was not okay.
"Devon, what did they mean by Killer Doc?" She asked, not being able to look at him. He didn't answer. He couldn't.
"Devon-"
"Ester, just go." He snapped at her, finally turning to look to his right. She was not looking at him and his heart ached knowing she had doubts now.
Ester didn't want to pressure him into anything, but she also didn't need him to snap at her. He wasn't the only one in shock tonight. But did she snap at him?
So without another word but clearly upset, Ester opened her door and stepped outside.
"Thank you for the dinner." She said right before slamming his door shut and angrily walking up to her door.
She didn't dare look back, especially after hearing his ignition being turned on again and his wheels let out a screeching sound as he quickly took off. She felt her eyes begin to sting.
He always waited for her to be safe and inside before driving away.