"F***, this is the worst day," he muttered, sitting inside the car again.

He kept cursing the day over and over, and I just stood there, silently watching him. Suddenly, his gaze shifted to me, and I quickly lowered my head.

"Are you waiting for me to pick you up bridal-style and seat you like a princess there? F***ing get in quickly," he said sarcastically with a scoff. I hurriedly got inside, fixed my seatbelt, and sat silently.

The car started, and I turned my head towards the window. The scenery outside moved in a blur, but it still felt better than looking at him and his raging expression.

He made a "tch" sound, and I glanced at him again.

"What's so good there when I'm sitting right here? Look at me," he commented without taking his gaze off me. His words left me unsettled, but I hummed softly, unsure how to respond. Adjusting my position, I turned my body slightly towards him and rested my head against the seat, silently looking at him like he wanted.

The drive was long, and I was growing tired. I fought to keep my eyes open, but every time I blinked, my eyelids grew heavier. Finally, I succumbed to exhaustion and drifted into a deep sleep, unable to fight it any longer.

Third Person's POV

Rhys kept glancing at the road and then at Maya, who was clearly struggling to stay awake. A smirk appeared on his lips as he watched her head tilt slightly with drowsiness. His gaze returned to the road, but the sight of her kept drawing his eyes back to her peaceful face.

After a few minutes, he stopped the car softly and leaned back against his seat, letting out a long, exasperated sigh. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel as he stared at the empty road ahead.

His eyes lingered on the road for a moment before he turned his head to look at Maya. She was completely lost in her sleep, her face serene and vulnerable in the dim light of the car.

"Maya," he murmured softly, her name barely audible, but it seemed to echo in the silence. His lips curved into a dark chuckle as he watched her.

For a moment, he allowed himself to take in the sight of her. Then, as if a sudden thought struck him, he turned back to the steering wheel. His grip tightened on it as he suddenly started the car, revving the engine loudly. The car roared to life as he pressed down on the accelerator, the sound sharp and jarring in the stillness of the night.

Without warning, Rhys slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, violent halt. Maya was thrown forward, the seatbelt snapping her back into place. If it hadn't been for the seatbelt, her head would have collided with the windshield.

Maya's POV

"AHH!" I screamed as the sudden force threw me forward. My heart raced so fast it felt like it would leap out of my chest. My hands clutched the seatbelt tightly, and fear coursed through me.

A devilish laugh filled the car, and I turned to face Rhys. He was laughing uncontrollably, the sound echoing around us. I closed my eyes, biting my lip hard to stop the tears threatening to fall. My anger boiled, mixing with the fear that had already consumed me.

I couldn't take it anymore. Unlocking the seatbelt with trembling fingers, I quickly opened the door. His laughter halted the moment he heard the click. Without sparing him a glance, I left the door open and stormed away.

"Maya, get back inside," he ordered, his voice sharp and commanding. I ignored him, walking faster as my breathing quickened.

The car's engine roared to life again, and I heard the tires crunch softly against the gravel as he slowly drove after me.

"Maya, I said get inside," he repeated, his tone slightly more urgent now. My steps faltered, but I kept moving, wanting to be as far away from him as possible.

"MAYA! I SAID GET THE HELL INSIDE THE CAR RIGHT NOW!" he shouted, his voice booming. My feet froze involuntarily. Turning my head, I glared at him with tears streaming down my face, hatred burning in my eyes.

"No, I don't want to!" I shouted back, my voice shaking. He stared at me in silence, his expression unreadable.

Just then, a voice came from the side of the road.

"Hey, you wanna come with us, baby?" a man slurred, stumbling closer. He was followed by an older man who looked to be in his sixties. The older man held a liquor bottle, taking swigs as they approached.

Fear shot through me like ice water. My eyes darted to Rhys, whose gaze remained fixed on me through the windshield. He didn't move, didn't react.

Before I could reach the car, the older man grabbed my arm, his grip like a vice. I gasped, tears welling up as I struggled against him. The other man caught my other arm, leering at me with glazed, drunken eyes.

"RHYS! HELP ME!" I screamed, desperation lacing my voice. He smirked at me, his expression cold and detached.

"Didn't you say you didn't want to come?" he called out mockingly. His voice sent a wave of frustration and fear through me, and I shut my eyes, shaking my head.

I felt helpless, trapped in a nightmare of my own making. It was my mistake to leave the car, but Rhys... Rhys was heartless. Crying, I let the men turn me towards them, their disgusting intentions clear.

"You're a beauty, little girl. Let us taste you," one of them sneered, his face inching closer to mine. I cried harder, my body trembling with disgust.

Suddenly, a painful scream pierced the air. My right arm was freed, followed by my left. Opening my tear-filled eyes, I saw both men on the ground, clutching their crotches and writhing in pain.

"Don't you know a little self-defense, butterfly?" Rhys said, his tone laced with sarcasm. He turned to me with a smirk, his eyes glinting dangerously. Sobbing uncontrollably, I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck, seeking solace in the only safety I had.

"You're making my new T-shirt dirty, Maya," he muttered, but I clung to him tighter, my fists gripping his shirt as tears streamed down my face.

The older man groaned, trying to get up. Rhys stepped on his chest, pinning him down effortlessly. Without a second thought, Rhys scooped me up by the waist, lifting me into the air.

A gasp escaped my lips as I realized where I was. My grip on his T-shirt loosened as panic surged through me.

The older man let out a final scream as Rhys's heavy boot pressed harder against his chest. With a swift, brutal kick to the man's jaw, he fell silent, his head lolling to the side.

"Let's take you home, butterfly. That's enough punishment for today," Rhys said, turning towards the car. Still holding me with one arm, I dangled slightly, my feet swinging uselessly in the air.

"L-leave me," I stammered, my voice barely audible.

"Here, okay, go. I didn't know you wanted to stay with them, or I wouldn't have kicked them. Look at how pitiful they look."" he said, setting me on the ground. But as soon as my feet touched the pavement, I grabbed his T-shirt again, shaking my head furiously. He chuckled, his amusement evident.

Placing me back in the passenger seat, he got into the driver's seat.

Before starting the car, he glanced at me and said, "Lock the seatbelt, because it's a long journey, butterfly."