I didn't expect to be proven right so soon.
My favorite singer, Luca Hart, was having a concert in town and I had finally gotten tickets.
I was about to skip it because of Daniel's behavior, but on the day of the show Daniel had to attend an all-day meeting.

He arranged for meals to be delivered and left the villa mostly empty, which made slipping out easier.
I searched the house quickly, found my phone, some cash and clothes, and slipped away.
I took a cab to the venue and finally sat among the crowd to see Luca Hart sing.
As the show went on, I felt more and more that Daniel's absence made it somehow dull.
When Luca covered one of his old hits, I recorded it, wishing I could share it with Daniel.
After the concert, I bumped into Caleb in the crowd.

If it had been earlier, we might have chatted, but I didn't want Daniel to find out I'd snuck out.
Caleb excitedly stuck close: "You actually came! I knew you would."
He then confessed he liked me.
"I'm done with my internship and heading back to school. I want to try dating you."

I was flattered but had to be honest: "Thanks, but you've stepped on my foot."
He shuffled away awkwardly and then persisted. I told him plainly, "I already like someone else — it's Daniel."
He hesitated, then warned me it wasn't something to mention at work.
At that moment I felt an arm around my waist and a deep voice said, "I love her." It was Daniel.
I blushed and turned to see him standing there.
He had somehow come and heard enough to arrive.
I panicked: I'd snuck out and met Caleb, and now Daniel had seen us.
I told Daniel quickly, "We just happened to meet."
He didn't accuse me publicly; he just took my hand and said, "Let's go home."
I squeezed his hand as he led me away.
We walked past a Rolls-Royce parked nearby; the driver opened the window and announced the car was waiting.
When Daniel opened the car door for me, I noticed handcuffs on the seat.
"…" He'd come to fetch me.
Once we were alone inside, he gripped my wrist and said quietly, "So — you love me?"
I nodded. He then asked, almost disbelieving, "Am I dreaming?"
It was like a sleep-deprived question.
I held his face: "Now?" He smiled and said, "You really love me.
You turned down him." I hugged him tightly: "I told you so, but you wouldn't believe me."
Caleb had been a knot in Daniel's chest; once that was untied, Daniel softened.
He told me later he'd watched the cameras and seen me leave the villa.
He drove over in a rage, guided by what he saw on surveillance.
He admitted he had thought he was dreaming earlier — that's why his mind was foggy.
When I realized he'd watched everything, I looked at the handcuffs and he murmured, "It's not needed anymore."
It seemed love had become the true shackle — he had been imprisoned by caring for me first.
Daniel said, "When I was abroad I kept thinking about you. I'm glad I waited."