Stacks & Stilettos

Donnah had never been one for drama, but that evening felt like one long rollercoaster ride of chaos. The events were stacking up, one after another, and she couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that life was testing her. She stood in front of the mirror, examining herself, running her fingers through her hair, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions.

"Hey, babe. You good?" Wesley's voice interrupted her thoughts. He stood at the door, his easy-going smile doing nothing to ease her tension.

"Yeah, just... tired. It's been a lot lately," she replied, her voice quieter than usual. They had just gotten back from a long day out, but she couldn’t let go of the stress.

Wesley didn’t say anything. He just pulled her into a hug, holding her tight, like he was trying to protect her from the weight of the world.

A few days later, things took another turn. Wesley had invited his friends—Elliott, Carl, and Devon—to dinner. Donnah had met them on a few occasions, but this time, the energy felt different. They were all playboys, the kind of men who knew how to charm a crowd and never seemed to lack attention. But there was something about them that made Donnah uneasy. She wasn’t quite sure if it was their flirtatious nature or the way they eyed her friends with such confidence.

Her friends—Kaylee, Jasmine, Cleo, and Antonia—weren’t particularly impressed by the group’s antics. They took their time, teasing them, making them work for a bit of attention. Donnah could sense the playful tension in the air. Kaylee exchanged sarcastic glances with her friends, while Antonia gave them a run for their money with her sharp wit.

"You think you can handle us?" Jasmine raised an eyebrow, glancing at Carl.

"Try us," Cleo added, a mischievous smile forming on her lips.

It was all fun and games until Elliott leaned back in his chair and casually mentioned something about a trip to Ibiza in the summer.

"Sounds like you’re trying to plan the world’s most overpriced vacation," Donnah joked, feeling a bit more at ease in the teasing atmosphere.

The guys chuckled but didn’t let up. They were used to getting what they wanted, and this challenge was something they clearly weren’t prepared for.

The tension from that evening was soon overshadowed by a horrific event. Donnah’s parents’ house had been broken into. They were unharmed, but the robbery shook them to their core. When Donnah received the call, her heart sank. The thought of her parents being vulnerable in their own home terrified her. Without thinking, she packed her things, intending to visit them, comfort them, and take the necessary precautions.

“Wesley, I need to go. I need to be with them,” she said, the urgency in her voice palpable.

Wesley was already on the phone, arranging everything to ensure she had a safe journey.

“I’ll drive you. We’ll sort this out together. You don’t need to go through this alone.”

The drive was long, but Wesley’s presence kept her calm. When they arrived at her parents’ house, her mother was sitting on the couch, holding her head in her hands, while her father stared out the window, as if the event had taken everything out of him.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” her mother said, looking up at her with tear-filled eyes.

“Don’t apologize, Mum. I’m here now. We’ll fix this.” Donnah’s voice was firm, though she felt shaken inside.

Wesley took a step forward, extending his hand to her father. “We’ll get security in place for you, Mr. O’Reilly. Donnah’s right. You won’t be alone in this.”

Donnah wasn’t used to asking for help, but having Wesley there made all the difference. He was patient with her parents, talking them through the steps they needed to take to protect themselves, from installing security systems to making sure their insurance covered everything.

It was only a week later that Donnah found herself dealing with yet another crisis. She had barely gotten settled when the news of a gang clash in her neighborhood sent waves of panic through her. The violence was escalating, and it felt like everything was crashing down around her.

Wesley was once again there to support her. “You can stay with me for a while. It’s not safe right now. You need to think about your safety first.”

Donnah hesitated at first. It felt like too much, moving in with Wesley temporarily, especially after all that had happened, but she couldn’t ignore the situation. She needed to get her bearings, and being with him felt like the only safe option.

“Alright,” she agreed, though she was reluctant. She wasn’t used to being this vulnerable.

The next few days were a blur. Wesley’s apartment became a temporary haven. She would go out with him, grab meals at their usual places, and spend the evenings just talking. It was oddly comforting, having him around. But her mind was still occupied by her parents' robbery and the gang violence.

Eventually, she returned home, taking all the precautions Wesley had suggested. It wasn’t easy, but she felt a sense of relief knowing she had the support of her family and Wesley by her side.

As the days passed, life slowly returned to normal, but there was a lingering tension in the air. The feeling of being surrounded by chaos and uncertainty hadn’t completely dissipated. But one thing was for sure—Donnah was no longer the girl she had been a few months ago. She had grown stronger, more resilient, and with Wesley’s support, she knew she could handle whatever came next.