Watch Over Me ☆ a.i. [complete]

◌ o n e ◌

[Y/N’s point of view]

I thought I had left 7am wake ups back in the days I still had to go to school, but apparently not.

I had just gotten a new job as editor of a music magazine that required me to wake up at 7am and then travel for half an hour to be in the building by 8:30am. Why so early? I would never quite understand.

Nevertheless, that was the only thing I had to complain about. It was a great job, really. I had always dreamed of running one of these magazines, and hey! Here I am… But I could definitely do without waking up at 7am. I was not a morning person by any means.

Today was my third day on the job, and I was already running slightly late. If I ran, I could probably catch the metro and make it just on time… If I was lucky, of course.

I had barely finished slipping on my shoes and I was just about to step out of my apartment when my phone rang. I hastily picked it up, tucking it between my ear and my shoulder as I struggled to hold my bag in one hand and lock my door with the other.

“Hello?” I breathed into the phone.

“Is this Y/N?” An unknown male voice said.

“Uh, yeah. Who is this?” I frowned, trying to place the accent, but I was not in the mindset to concentrate on the phone call. I had to get to work, and fast.

“It doesn’t matter. Listen to me carefully. Do not go to work today.”

“What the hell?” I huffed, grabbing my phone and pressing it tightly against my ear as I rushed down the stairs. “I’m sorry, I don’t have time for-”

“No, this is not a joke. I’m completely serious. Please listen to me, Y/N. Do not go into work today.”

“Who are you and why should I listen to you?”

“I can’t answer you that.”

“I’m sorry, then I can’t listen to you.”

Without letting the person continue, I hung up the phone, checking the time before shoving it back into my pocket as I hurried out onto the street. My best bet was to take a taxi, which hopefully would be easy. But just as I was about to put my foot onto the street and hail one down, someone grabbed my arm and jerked me to the side.

“What the hell!” I yelled, pulling my hand out of the person’s grip and turning to face them. I really didn’t have time for this, but they were so not getting off easy.

The man standing in front of me was a bit taller than me, with unruly dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes. I glared at him, demanding an answer. “Can I help you? I’m running late and I really need to hu-”

“I told you that you shouldn’t go into work today.” His voice was calm and low, but I could hear it clearly. It was like the sound of the city hurrying around us was turned down.

“Who are you? Are you stalking me?” I frowned, reaching for my phone. “I can call the cops, you know.”

“You could, but that wouldn’t really do much.”

“Hunh? I’m sorry, it’s too early. I need to get to work.”

I turned around, not wanting to continue this stupid argument. As I was about to step onto the street, he pulled me back just as a cop car went speeding past.

Holy shit. I was about to get hit by that car. So now I owe him. Just freaking great.

I turned around and stared at him wide-eyed. He still looked as calm as he did before, but there was a glimmer of panic in his eyes.

“Okay, sir, tell me,” I frowned, crossing my arms and trying to regulate my breathing. “Why can’t I go to work today?”

“Because…” he bit his lip. “Because it’s not safe today.”

I laughed. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Trust me, Y/N, it’s not sa-”

“Okay, okay. I have another question. Who are you? And… How do you know my name?”

“That’s two questions.”

I groaned in frustration, throwing my hands up and backing up a little. I saw him glance nervously behind me before focusing his gaze back to mine. “Yeah, alright. But you’re not letting me go to work. So you need to occupy me somehow.”

“Okay. My name is Ashton. And I know your name because… Who doesn’t? You’re the new editor of… Of…”

“Of Alternative Press magazine. Yeah, well, you know, after today, I’m not so sure anymore! And I’ve only been on this job for three days. Who would know who I am?”

“Well, I know who you are.”

“How?!” I all but yelled.

“Look, you don’t need to know. I have my reasons.”

“You’re insane. Are you stalking me? You’re stalking me, aren’t you! This is crazy. I’m late to work, I find out I have a stalker, AND I almost get hit by a cop car! All in the same morning!”

“Do you need a cup of tea?”

I was fuming, and shot him daggers. “What I need is explanations.”

He groaned, slowly becoming annoyed by me. “Alright. Look. Come with me to that cafe. The news is always on, and it’s pretty crowded at this time of morning. Come, we’ll sit, and you’ll have your answers.”