Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
What hurts the most is my heart. That stupid thing in my chest that got a taste of something wonderful. Maybe the truth was there the whole time, I just refused to believe it. I wanted what we had to be real so bad, maybe I can only blame myself for living in such a fantasy. I mean, who starts a relationship by signing a contract?
A knock sounds at my door.
“Not interested!” I yell.
“Not selling. Some guy dropped off a note for you.”
I pop up, accidentally banging my head on the top bunk. “Ouch!” I climb out and throw open my door. Katie from down the hall holds out a folded piece of paper.
“Thanks,” I tell her, then shut the door.
I stand there staring at the small folded piece of paper.
I shouldn’t open this.
Yes, you should.
I won’t obey anything coming from him.
Maybe one last time?
I hate that my mind is even at battle with this. He’s playing me, and I’m still exploding with anticipation on what his letter will say. What he’ll request of me next.
With a deep breath, I unfold the piece of paper, going against my better judgment. I read the message requesting my presence, and my heart gets those flutters that always happens when he beckons me. Even after what I learned today, I still want to please him. Be with him. A single tear falls down my cheek in shame. No matter the cost, I’ll still meet him anywhere.
It’s almost five after ten when I walk in. I decided if I’m doing this, I’m doing it at my own pace. And hopefully being five minutes late shows him he’s not the boss of me. My stomach is in knots, and I’m not sure how to proceed once I see him. Slap him for deceiving me and making me fall for him? The thought to pretend I don’t know his game crossed my mind more times than I’d like to admit.
My palms are sweaty. I’m nervous. Will he be able to tell the difference in me? See the pain in my eyes? Since the first day, he’s always been good at reading me. I take in a breath and follow the instructions on the note, praying Ms. Phillips was lying to me and he’s going to prove to me what we have is real. Finding the door, I twist the nob and enter Private Room H at Exquisite.
The second the view before me registers, my hands cover my mouth and a wave of dizziness strikes, threatening to take me to the floor.
“Get out. This room is…” A look of shock covers Damien’s face. “Jensen?”
My stomach churns as bile rises into my throat. I’m going to throw up. “Oh God.” I cover my mouth harder as if that’s going to stop the vomit from expelling. Damien is standing by the door, and in the corner, there’s a woman on the bed.
Damien whips his head from me to the stranger and back. “What the fuck?” I can’t pull my eyes away from the woman in see-through pink lingerie. Her identity is hidden behind a burlesque mask and a wig.
But there’s no need for the disguise.
I know exactly who’s behind it.
Sylvia.
“This some kind of joke?” Damien barks, grabbing my attention as I pull my defeated eyes away from a smiling Sylvia.
“I guess on me. Not into threesomes, so I’ll pass. But go fuck yourself.” I turn to escape out of the room, but his arm reaches out and wraps around my bicep. “Let me go, you asshole!” I yell, jerking against his grip.
“What the fuck is going on?” He storms over to Sylvia and rips the mask off her head, exposing her identity. She doesn’t look scared or nervous that she’s been caught. Her evil smile aimed right at me tells me one thing.
She won.
“Surprise,” is all she says. It’s all she needs to say.
Damien turns back to me, rage flashing in his eyes. “Why would you send her here?”
“Me?” I gasp in shock. How could he think this was my doing? My shock morphs into disappointment, then quickly anger. My posture stiffens, and my defensive walls go up. “Yeah. Not my doing. After everything, I’m so glad you know me so well.” But he doesn’t seem to know me at all.
“Oh, come on,” he hisses. “You think I would touch her? I just walked in myself. The question is where were you and why did you send me here?” He looks angry, scary almost, but the giggling behind us just ignites my own hurt and anger.
“You make me sick,” I cry. I run out of the room and race down the long, low-lit hallway. Damien is close behind, shouting my name, demanding I stop. I get to the elevator and slam the up button to take me to the main floor when he catches me.