It was infuriating, utterly unbearable and annoying, like a fly stuck in treacle. You've never liked clingy men. You had to say no a million times, but Fredrick continued to be an eyesore and behaved like an irritating puppy hanging around your feet, yapping for scraps of attention.

His persistence was exhausting; he inadvertently ended up in the places you visited and made a spectacle of himself by attempting to win your affection with grand, unwanted gestures. Putting a bullet in his forehead was no longer a joke; it seemed like a one-off salvation from his suffocating presence.

There was his sincerely smiling face again, because he was happy that you finally agreed to go on a date with him. His eyes twinkled with an almost boyish excitement, as if his dearest wish had been fullfilled.

"Would you like to go to the cinema? How about some more croissants?" Fredrick cooed, gently grabbing your hands with a clumsy eagerness. He pressed his lips to your knuckles—a kiss meant to calm you down but spoiled by the barrier of the white gloves you worn precisely to avoid his touch. Fredrick winced, a flicker of frustration crossing his face because that hated silk stood between his kisses and your skin.

"What do you want?" he asked, his voice dropping to a hopeful murmur. "Perhaps some earrings or a necklace?" He leaned in closer, the scent of his cologne cloyingly sweet, mingling with the desperation in his tone.

So that you end up outside the window, a sudden thought flew through your mind, which you almost voiced, but instead you rolled your eyes at his puppy look.

A warm hand slid to your cheeks, gently cupping it and lifting your head. His touch was tender, but it felt like a cage, ensnaring you in just when you wanted to escape. He squinted, confusion clouding his eyes, but continued to smile, trying to bridge the gap between you.

"What's the matter?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with concern. "Have I done something wrong? You've seemed rather distant for the past month."