chapter 13
I walked toward my room, my steps quick and uneven, eyes darting around the room as if the shadows might whisper the answers I didn't want to hear. Fear clawed beneath my skin, cold and prickling, sinking deeper with every thought.
What does that freak mean by "taking a piece of me"?
I've always known that man was dangerous—something about him has always screamed wrong. But tonight… Tonight felt different.
I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. Anger rose in me like a slow-burning fire.
Okay, Juliet… breathe.
I forced myself to take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Slow. Controlled.
I stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind me with more force than I intended. The dress clung to my skin, suffocating me with the faint trace of his cologne. I ripped it off, letting it fall lifelessly to the tiled floor. The scent wrapped around me like smoke, heavy and suffocating, making my stomach churn.
It was as if his touch still lingered on my skin, ghostly and unwanted. My breath hitched. I grabbed fistfuls of my hair in frustration, tilting my head back toward the ceiling.
"Why…" I whispered through clenched teeth. "Why him? How dare he—"
The scream caught in my throat, breaking out as a low, shaky sound. I swallowed it down and took another deep breath, trying to regain control.
I turned to the bathtub, twisting the knobs until steam began to rise. The hot water spilled in, filling the room with a haze of warmth. Slowly, I slid into the tub. The first touch of heat against my skin made my muscles loosen, but my mind refused to let go.
I closed my eyes, trying to sink into the comfort of the water, but those words… those eyes… They haunted me.
A gaze that seemed to strip me bare. It wasn't just the way he looked—it was the feeling that came with it. Like he could see through me, into the parts of myself I never showed anyone.
When I finally finished, I stepped out, letting the towel wrap me in its soft embrace. I padded to the wardrobe and pulled out my nightgown, slipping it over my damp skin.
I lay down on the bed, the ceiling blurring above me. My mind was a crowded place tonight, full of thoughts I didn't invite. Then, suddenly—
Elana.
I shot upright and grabbed my phone. The screen lit up, revealing four missed calls from her. My heart sank.
I quickly typed a message, my fingers trembling slightly, but there was no reply. The silence on the other end made my chest feel heavier.
It was late. She was probably asleep by now.
"Oh, Elana… I really need you right now," I whispered into the dim room.
I curled beneath the blankets, pulling them tighter around me as if they could protect me from the lingering memory of him. The man from the party… everything about him felt wrong. His presence, his voice, his eyes… unnatural green. I felt small just thinking about him, like I had been standing at the edge of something deep and dark, and one wrong step would have sent me falling.
My body tensed at the thought, and I hugged myself until my breathing slowed. Eventually, the exhaustion took over. My eyes grew heavy, and I drifted into a restless sleep.
---
Morning light spilled into the hotel room in soft golden waves, brushing against my face like a gentle hand. For a moment, it almost felt magical—warm, safe. I blinked against the brightness, reaching lazily for my phone.
No messages from Elana.
I closed the phone and let it rest on the nightstand, a faint sigh escaping me.
Today was the start of the business occasion. I needed to push last night out of my mind.
I walked to the bathroom and took a refreshing bath. The cool water chased away the remnants of sleep. When I dressed, I chose a classic designer suit, tailored perfectly to fit my curves. My makeup was bold, sharp lines and deep tones to match the confident image I wanted to project. My hair fell in loose waves over my shoulders, every strand in place.
A knock sounded on the door.
I froze for a moment before calling out, "Who's there?"
"It's me, Miss Juliet."
I opened the door to see the woman who had given me her business card yesterday. She wore a bright smile and a form-fitting outfit that screamed confident assistant—pencil skirt, silk blouse, and heels that clicked against the floor as she stepped inside.
"Good morning, Miss Juliet," she said warmly. "May I come in?"
"Of course," I replied, stepping aside.
She walked in gracefully, the faint scent of expensive perfume trailing behind her. I gestured toward the chair near the window.
"Have a seat," I said with a polite smile.
She sat down, crossing her legs with a professional elegance, but there was a glint in her eyes that told me this meeting might be more than just business.