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AUTHOR’SNOTE
CHAPTERONE
CHAPTERTWO
CHAPTERTHREE
CHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVE
CHAPTERSIX
CHAPTERSEVEN
CHAPTEREIGHT
CHAPTERNINE
CHAPTERTEN
CHAPTERELEVEN
CHAPTERTWELVE
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
SEMPER
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Hi!Thankyoufortakingachanceonmybook.YoucanfindthelinktotheTWsattheendofthisnote.Asyouread, pleasekeepthefollowinginmind.
StygianIslesisromantichorror,meaningromanceisnotthecentralfocusofthestory,butamajorplotpoint Thisduet containsvarioustriggerssomereadersmayfindobjectiveaswellascontentthatcouldbedistressing.
TheMMCwithinthesepagesbelievesthere’snotasinglethingwrongwithhim.Hedoesnotbecomesoftand apologeticasthestoryunfolds,ifanythinghebecomesmuchmoreOTTandbrutalbytheend.Heispossessive,obsessed,and almost completelybankruptofmorals.
Theheroineisoneofmyfavorites,butwhetheryouagreeordisagreewithherwayofthinkingandthechoicesshe ultimatelymakesisentirelypersonable.
Herdevelopmentisgradualandmuchofithappensinbooktwo Asfortheromanceaspect,theconnectionbetweenthe charactersisaslowburn.Lolitadoesnotfallheadoverheelsforhercaptorbecausehemakesuseofherbodyatevery opportunity.
Finally,lastbutnotleast,MuerteendsonacliffhangerwithplentyoflooseendstobetiedupinSemper,includingthe resolutionofDelDiablo.TheIsleisvastandthere’smuchtoberevealed.
TWshavebeenlistedinthebackofthebookforsensitivity.
Ifyouprefergoingintothisblind,pleasekeepinmindabsolutelynothing withintheStygianIslesworldisofflimits Theinhabitantslivebysetrulesandanestablishedhierarchywithgiventitlesandroles Therewillbegraphicandgrotesque scenesofhorrorandexplicitsexualsituations,ninety-fivepercentofthemdub/noncon.
TWcan be found HERE
Therearemomentsinlifewepassoffasinsignificantthatlaterbecomecrucial piecesofacatalyticchain.Thekindofmomentswelookbackonandonlythenbeginto realizeallthewarningsignsthatwereignored.
Somewouldcallthishindsight. Ihadadifferentnameforit. Misfortune.
Butbeforewegettothatpartofmystory,it’sbesttostartfromthebeginning. EverythingchangedthemorningIwalkedthroughMillenniumResort’sarchedglass doors.
I’dneverseenitinsuchupheaval.Theupscaleestablishmentprideditselfon runningsmoothlyandefficiently.Regardlessofanyfiresthatmayhaveneededputtingout behindthescenes,thelavishresortmaintainedasolidfront,soseeingmycolleagues rushingthiswayandthathadmemomentarilytakenaback.
Iwouldhaveaskedwhatwasgoingon,butthatmeantstoppingsomeoneinthe middleofwhattheyweredoing,andIloatheditwhenanyonedidthattome.
Ididn’tseeAnyaanywheretoaskhereither.Shewasprobablystillinthebathroom. She’dpracticallysprintedinsidewhileholdingherstomachbeforeIwasfullyparked.I’d toldhernottoeattheleftovertake-outforbreakfast,butshehadn’tlistenedandhad addedanentirecupofcoffeeontopofit.Shewasinforaroughmorning.
Notwantingtobeinanyone’sway,Ifocusedonmyownjob,quicklydiscerning thatthechaoswashappeningawayfromtheguests.Theupperlevelswererelativelyquiet, totheextentthatasIsettledintomyusualworkflow,Iforgotallaboutwhatwas happeningbelow.
IdidonelastsweepoftheroomI’djustfinishedrefreshingtomakesureitwas
postcardworthyandthenwentbackintothehall.IgottomycleaningtrolleyjustasAnya steppedoutfromherrefresherafewdoorsdown,havingmadeitontotheclockafterher rendezvousinthebathroom.
Herdarkhairwasstillcoiledinatidybunwhileminewasfightingtoescapethe ponytailI’dpulleditintoearlier.Ireasonedthatwasbecauseherswaspencilstraightand mineathickmassofwaves.
“Anythingnew?”Iasked.
“No,sameasusual.Unmadebeds.Usedtowelsandwashclothstossedalloverthe place,wetonesatthat.It’sdisgusting.”
“That’swhywehavegloves.”
“Weneedhazmatsuits.Ithinkyoushouldseriouslyconsiderattendingthenext staffmeetingandrequesttheyputneonsignsabovethehampers.They’reobviouslytoo hardtosee.”
“Whydo I havetobetheonetodoit?”
“Becauseyou’remoreresponsibleandwell-spoken,duh.”
Ibreathedalaughandslippedoffmylatexgloves,tossingthemintomyminitrash binbeforescoopingupthetabletIwasprovidedtomarkdownmydailyprogress.Inoted howfulltheresortwas.Morethanhalftheroomblockswerelitred,indicatingtheywere occupied.
Theremusthavebeenaconferenceorsomething.Thatdidn’texplainthechaotic sceneinthelobby,though.
Evenwhenbookedforareceptionorgala,thingsweren’tsohectic.Iquickly checkedofftheroomsI’dfinishedandthendimmedmyscreen.
“Youknowmostofthesepeopleprobablydon’tknowwhatahamperis.”
Anyamadeasoundofannoyanceassheretrievedhertabletanddidthesame.“Are youreadyforbreak?I’vebeenreadysinceweclockedin.”
“Sure.”Itookholdofmycart,steeringitinthedirectionofthestaffelevators.
Itwasanofficialrulethatwedidn’tusetheonesmeantforguests.Uponreaching them,Anyawavedheremployeebadgeinfrontofthecardreadertobringoneup, allowingmetogetinfirst.Ieasedmycleaningtrolleyallthewayover,carefulnotto brushagainstthemirrorthatmadeupthesidewall.Anyabackedinside,leavingasmall gapbetweenthetwoofus.
Shejabbedthebuttonforthefloorweneeded.“Istillcan’tbelievethisiswhatour liveshavecometo.Cleaningupafterrichpeople.”
“Thisiswaybetterthanourlastjob.Istillcan’tlookatrawchickenwithout wantingtovomit.”Inearlyshudderedjustthinkingaboutit.“Plus,wecouldbemaking lessandcleaningupafterthepoor.”
“Doesn’tthatmeanwe’djustbecleaningupafterourselves?”
“Yeah,butatleastthenwe’dknowwhothewetwashclothsbelongedto,”Ipointed
outastheglossyelevatordoorsslidshut.
Wehadmultiplevariationsofthisconversationatleastonceaweek.Iknewshe wantedmorefromlife.Thatwasonlynatural.Ididtoo.Itwasn’tlikeIwokeupecstaticto gotoworkandtoilwithabunchofstrangers’dirtylinens.AndIhadplentyofopinions abouttheoccasionalsneerorupturnednosedirectedmyway.
Butallthataside,thisjobwasn’tterrible.Weweregivensomeprettydecentperks. Complimentarymealswereprovidedfromsomeoftheattachedrestaurantswe’dneverbe abletoaffordotherwise,andtherewasasetperiodduringtheoffseasonthatgrantedus freestaysaslongaswehadperfectattendance.
Moreimportantthanthebenefits,thebillsatourapartmentweremostlyallpaidup. Thesamecouldn’thavebeensaidalittlelessthanayearago.Backthenwe’dbeenona strictramenbudget,strugglingtokeeparoofoverourheadsandthelightson.
“Whatarewedoingthisweekend?”
Iglancedoverather.“Unlessitinvolveslongwalksfrommybedtothecouchor kitchen,I’mdoingabsolutelynothing.”
“Oh,comeonLo!Younevergooutwithmeanymore.”
“GoingoutwithyoualwaysaddsaflairofdramaordouchebagtomylifethatIhave nopatiencefor.”
Herbrowknittedasifshewasconfused.Iwasgladtheelevatordoorschosethento slideopenandletusout.Wepushedourtrolliestotheirdesignatedarea.Halfwaythere wewereforcedtostopandmoveasideforamanpushingasatincoveredcartdownoneof theprivatelowerhalls.Icaughtthetailendofaconversationfromthewalkieonhishipas hepassed.
“What’sthedealwiththisBacchusTradeShow?”
Anyashotmealook,herdarkbrowsrisingindisbelief.“SometimesIwonderifyou liveinthesameworldthatIdo.”
Islidmytrolleyintoitsnumberedspotandwaitedforherbeforewalkingtowards thebreakroom.“Hey,Iknewitwascoming,justnotwhatahugedealitapparentlyis.”
“That’ssubjective.Somewouldsayit’snottheshowbut who willbeinattendance thatmakesitsuchahugeordeal.”
“Oh.Well,thatexplainswhytheresortissobookedupthen.”
“Yeah,there’sgoingtobesomeimportantpeoplecomingin.I’msurprisedthey didn’tholdastaffmeetingjusttobriefus.Iguessthatwouldhaveexposedtoomuch.”
“Maybe,butI’mmoreinterestedintheshow.”
“Ofcourseyouare,”sherepliedwithadramaticsigh.“It’sanauctionorsomething forrareitems.I’mnotsurewhatyet,butiftherumorsflyingaroundareanythingtogoby, thiseventisultra-exclusive,soI’llprobablyhaveahardtimefindingout.”
Sheundidthetopbuttonofheruniformtoshowoffmoreofherperfectlyrounded cleavage.Oneofhersignaturethirsttraps.
Ihateditwhenshedidthis,butI’dgottensoaccustomedtoheranticsthatIknew betterthantowastemybreathwithreprimand.
“And?”Iurgedhertocontinue.
“Ihearditcostsafortunejusttostepfootinsidetheroomunlessyou’reamember ofsomeelitegroup.Basedontheusualpeoplewhostayhere,Ienvisionabunchofold dudesstuffedinsuitswithhellaringsontheirfingersandsmokingfat-asscigars.”
Ilaughedsoftly.“Ithinkyou’vegotanoveractiveimagination.”
“Tellmeyoudon’tconsiderhalftheguysintheroomsweservicehigh-classsugar daddymaterial.”
Iwrinkledmynoseatthevisualthatcreated.“Canyounotrefertothisasservicing everagain?Youjustmadeussoundlikeprivateescorts.”
“Hmm.”Shebroughtafingertoherdimpledchinandpretendedtoconsiderthat idea.
Actually,therewasaslightpossibilityshewasn’tpretending.WithAnyaitwas sometimeshardtotell.Igentlyshovedhershoulderasweduckedintothestaffroom whereourlockerswere.
“Anya,Iwasjoking.”
“Ididn’tsayanything!”
“Youdidn’tneedto.Sometimesyou’reanopenbook.Andanyways,therehavebeen morethanafewnice-looking, younger guysstayingherethatclearlyhadmoney.”
“Youmeanthosearrogantassholeswithauthorizedcreditcards?Iwouldnever stoopthatlow.”
“Um,you’veliterallystoopedlower.”
Shegaspeddramatically.“Lolita!”
Ishotheranapologeticsmile,notentirelysorryatall.
“Let’sjustagreethatthekindofrichmenwe’dbeintoonlyexistontheotherside ofascreenorwithinfiction,makingthemstatisticallyunobtainable.Theyeitherlive billionsofmilesawayordon’texist.”
Ijustbarelystoppedmyselffromquestioningthis we shewasreferringto.That wouldopenthedoortoawholedifferentkindofconversation.
“Haveyouforgottenthemenwhoownthisresort,technicallyourbosses’bosses? Whataboutalltheirfriends?”
“Theydon’tcount.They’veallgotwivesthatthey’reshockinglydevotedto.”
“So?”
“Idon’twanttosplitcustodyofdick,sharingtheholidaysandweekends.Ineed commitment.”
Lord, help her.“Howdidwegofromtalkingabouttheirlookstoyouscrewing them?Andwhendidthischangeofopinioncomeabout?”
“Ihadanepiphanyaboutthescandalthatwouldbreakoutifamanlikethatgot
caughtballsdeepinthehelp.”
So,notbecauseshesuddenlyfeltremorseforallthepreviousmarriedmenshe’d sleptwith.“Anya,Iknowthismaysoundinsanetoyou,butmaybegoingforaregular nine-to-fivemanwouldn’tbetheendoftheworld.”
“You’reright.You’velostyourmind.”
Iignoredherrebuttalandproceededtowashmyhands,grabbingmybagafterward. Shewaitedformetofinish,checkinghercellnotificationswithasmallsmileIdidn’tdare askabout.
ThelasttimeIdidthatshethoughtitwasagreenlighttoshowmesomerandom man’sgenitalselfies.ThesecondhandembarrassmentIhadforhimlastednearlytwo weeks.Someposesshouldn’tbedoneclothed,letalonenaked.
Weheadedbackintothehallandthroughthedoubledoorsthatgaveusaccessto themainlobby.Nowknowingwhatwasgoingon,thecrazinessfromthatmorningmadea littlemoresense.Infact,Ithinkithadgottenworsenowthatanonslaughtofguestshad arrivedforcheck-in.
Menandwomenallfashionablydressedwereclusteredtogetherinsmallgroups, conversingwithoneanotherwhilebellhopsrushedaroundwithcartsofluggage,goingthe extramiletoearnbiggertips.Navigatingthroughallofthistoreachthecorridorthatled totherestaurantswasastemptingasskippingoverhotcoalsbarefoot.
Therewere so manypeople.
Icouldhandlethejudgementthatcamewiththisjobinthepresenceofoneortwo, notanentirearmy.Anyadidn’thavesuchreservations.Sheloopedherarmthroughmine andurgedmeonward.
“Don’tworryaboutthesejudge-ymotherfuckers,Lo.Thinkaboutfood,becauseI’m starving. ”
Leaveittohertoknowexactlywhatmyhesitationstemmedfrom.“Doyouhave someideaofwhatyouwanttoeatthen?”
Ihopedshechosethebistro.Itwasalwaystheleastbusy,andhopefullytoday wouldn’tbeanexception.Withawholethirty-fiveminutestoorder,eat,andthenbeback onthefloortofinishourremainingrooms,timewasalwaysoftheessence.
Aswemadeourwaythroughthemazeofguests,ItriedtopretendIdidn’tfeelthe needlingofmultipleeyesonus.Iplacedonefootinfrontoftheotherandletthebeauty ofMillenniumdistractme.
Thelobbyhadalwaysbeenmyfavoritepartoftheresort.Itwaspurelydesignedfor opulenttastes.Themarblefloorneverwentunpolished,resemblingsmooth,untouched glass.
Therewerebouquetsoffresh,beautifulflowersthatwerereplacedeveryotherday, alwaysinshadesthatcomplimentedthecreamandwood-tonedhuesoftheMillennium’s colorpallet.Butmyabsolutefavoritepartoftheresort’sdesignwasthedomedskylight
thatmadeuptheceiling.
Catchingaflashofmovementinmyperipheral,Iglancedoverandsawabellhop rushingourwaywithacartofluggageproportionateinsizetomyentirelowerhalf.
IuntangledmyselffromAnyaandmadesureshewasclearofhispathwithagentle shove,andthendidaquickskip-hoptoavoidbeingrunover,bringingmyselfwithin centimetersofaman’sbroadback.
Iheldmyhandsouttosteadymyself,takingaquietbreathofreliefwhenIdidn’tgo bulldozingintohim.Thebellhophadthedecencytobreatheoutanapologyashewhizzed by.
Ididn’trecognizehimasoneoftheregulars.Theresortmusthavecalledin reinforcements.Iquicklymovedawayfromthemanandhiscompanions,catchinga fragrancednoteofcologne somethingexoticallywarm.I’dneverassociatedthescentof colognewithmoney,butwhateverthatmanhadonwasundoubtedlyexpensive.
IslowedbrieflysoAnyacouldcatchuptome,allowinghertoloopourarmsback together.Sheimmediatelyleanedcloserandwhispered,“Didyou see them?Pleasetellme yousawthem.”
“No.Iwastoobusysavingmydignity.”
“Youshouldhaveleftthatonthefloor.ItakebackwhatIsaidearlier.”
Finallyreachingtheothersideofthelobby,Ilookedoverather.“Canyoubemore specific?”
“Theywere fine!”
Herelevatedvoicecaughttheattentionofeveryonewithinafewfeetofus.Ididn’t havethecouragetolookbackandseehowmanymorepeoplewerestaringnow.
“Didyouneedtoannouncethattotheentireresort?”
“Hellyeah!IswearI’vedreamedofatleasttwoofthembefore.”
Cheeksflaming,Icouldn’thelpbutgrinather.Thegirlwasshameless,thetotal oppositeofme.Ilovedherexactlyforthatreasonandhadfromthemomentwe’dmetata mutualfosterhomeyearsago.
“Ihopeyoudieahappywomannow.”
“Thatwon’thappenuntiloneofthembendsthekneeandprofessestheirundying loveforme.”
“Youhaveissues.Maybeyoushouldseeabouttalkingtosomeone.I’msureShana couldsqueezeyouin.Youknowhowmuchshelovestoremindus girlies thatshe’s alwayshereifwewanttotalk.”
Shelaughedlightly.“You’vegotjokes,butjustwait.OnedayI’llbelivingalavish lifeandputtingyouonasmysister-wife.”
“Uh,IthinkI’llhavetopassonthat.”Stickingmyhandinahigh-speedblender wouldbemoreenticing.“Ithoughtyouweren’tintosharing?”
“I’mnot,butIcanstillmakesureyou’retakencareof.Alljokingaside,Iwould
nevergofromragstoricheswithoutyou,Lo.”
Hertonewasplayfulyetgenial.Thatwarmedmyheartandalsosortofbrokeit.“I appreciatethesentiment,butdon’teverletmestopyoufromlivingyourdream.”
Shescoffedandnudgedmewithhershoulder.“Itwouldn’tbemuchofadream withoutyou.”
“Iamprettyirreplaceable.”
“Exactly.Andthisgoesforyoutoo.Ifyougetonwitharichguy,bringmealongfor theride.”
Ismiledbutdidn’treply.
Thechancesofthateverhappeningwereaboutoneinazillion,andIwasn’tatall putoffaboutit.Unlikeme,Anyawasdeadsetonmanifestingherselfintofortuneby adorationsfromaman.Therewasnodoubtinmymindthatthekindofmenshewishedto pursuewouldn’trefusewhatwasoffered.
HerAsian-Konkaniethnicitytookavibrantsoulandwrappeditinaridiculously gorgeousshell. I wouldpropositionAnyaifIswungthatway.Butthatwasnevertheissue. Theproblemwaswiththemensheallowedtoknowherintimately.Theytreatedherlikea noveltywithashort-termshelflifeinsteadofapricelesstreasure.
She’dbeendowntheroadofwealthymenalready,whichwaswhyIdidn’t understandherendlessneedtohaveone.Everytimeshegottotheinevitableend,Ihelped herpickupthepiecesofabrokenheartandslightedego.
Iwonderedifsherealizedthatherhurtinghurtmetoo.Bearingwitnesstohercrying andragingwasmentallytaxing.Overtimeithadhardenedmyresolvetoremainsingle.I wastoounsureaboutlifeatthemomenttogetinvolvedwithanyone.Ihadnoclear-cut pathIwantedtowalk.Icouldn’tprojectavisualofmeinanyoneprofession.
Whatevermycallingwas,Ihadn’tgottenityet.DraggingsomeonealongwhileI figureditoutdidn’tseemrightorfair,nottomentiondistracting.Andthebarmenthought theyhadtoreachwasinhell.Ihadplentyoftimetosettlemylovelifeinthefuture.
“AllI’msayingisthatyou’reawarefromexperiencethatwealthdoesn’tmakea persondecent.Whynottrysomethingdifferent?”
ShelookedatmeasifI’djustannouncedIcouldfly.“BecauseIwanttobe disrespectedandhavemygutsrearrangedonapileofmoney.”
“I…Idon’tknowhowtorespondtothat.HaveItoldyouyou’vegotissues?”I reiteratedwithalaugh.
“Yeah,butIalsoknowyoulovemebecauseI’maheadcase.” “Whatever.You’dbetterbecareful.”
“I’malwayscareful,”sheretorted.
Iurgedherinthedirectionofthebistro,decidingwheretoeatforthebothofus.
Weweretenminuteslategettingbacktowork.Luckily,thesuiteonmyrosterwasaprepandnotacheck-outor refresher Normally,theregularroomsweresupposedtobedoneinlessthanthirtyminutes
Suitestendedtotakelongersincetheywerebigger.Ifthey’dbeenthoroughlyused,Icouldforgetanykindoftimetable. Havingtocomeinafterabachelorpartywasanewkindoftorture.IwouldbescarredforeverbysomeofthethingsI’dfound underandinthesebeds.Ifitweren’tfortheresort’svigorouscleaningpolicy,Iwouldn’tthinkanyofthemsanitary.
Ifinishedfluffingthedecorativepillowsinthesittingareaandthenwenttocheckthebathroom,makingsurethetoilet paperandminibottlesofsoapandlotionswerepresentablebeforemovingintothebedroom Igrabbedthesilverbedtray fromanightstandandbegantoloaditupwithmoreoftheresort’scustomarywelcomenovelties.
Hearingaman’svoicecarryfromacrosstheroom,Ipausedandlookedinthedirectionit’dcomefrom
Thedrapeswerestilldrawn,prohibitingmefromseeingoutside,butsomeonewasdefinitelyoutonthebalcony,and therewasn’tsupposedtobeanyoneinhere.Iquicklysearchedforsignsofluggagebutdidn’tseeany.Ifitweren’tfortheevent goingontoday,Iwould’vefoundthisodd.Thebellhopsneverdelayedinbringingupbags.
Thefrontdeskmusthaveforgottentomarkthisroomaspreoccupied.That,oritwasaself-check-inandtheapphad glitchedbecauseitcouldn’thandlethetraffic Eitherway,thiswasamajoroversight Ihadn’tevenannouncedmyself I’d waltzedrightinlikeIlivedhere.Ineededtopromptlywaltzrightbackout.
NosoonerhadthethoughtregisteredandIbegantomoveawayfromthebedthanthebalconydoorslidopen,sending myplanforastealthyescapeupinflames.
Thethickdrapespartedandamaninafittedbutton-downsteppedfrombehindthem,asuitjacketdrapedoveroneof hisforearms Webothfrozeatthesightofoneanother,himclearlynotexpectinganyonetobeinhisroomandmefumblingfor mybestcustomerservicesmile.
IcouldsmellhiscolognefromwhereIstood,belatedlyrealizingthearomahadbeenlingeringintheairsinceIwalked intothissuite.ItwasthesameoneI’dsmelledonthemanI’dnearlyrunintodowninthelobby.ImanagedasmilethatIhoped lookedgenial,strugglingtokeepmyeyestrainedonhisface
Iprayedthesuddenrushofheatinmycheekswasn’tbroadcastinghowinsanelyattractiveIfoundhim,likesomecliché animeschoolgirl.WasthisoneofthemenAnyahadseendownstairs?Icouldn’timaginemanyscenarioswhereshe wouldn’t noticesomeonewholookedlikethis
Hewassogoodlookingthatitwasactuallyabit…unsettling.Hisgolden-brownskinwasashadeortwodarkerthan myown Hisnoseperfectlycentered Cleftchin Angularcheekbonesandchiseledjawlineframedbyfreshlyshavenstubble Aheadofhealthyjet-blackhairtaperedathisnapeandcurledslightlybehindhisears.
ItwasasifAugustaSavageherselfhadsculptedhim,ensuringhewasclosetoperfect,butnotwithoutflaws.Therewas ascarontherightsideofhisface.Theonlymarkonotherwiseflawlessskin.
Itstartedneartheedgeofhisbrowandextendedagoodthreetofourinchesdown Ithadfadedwithtimeandaddeda subtlesavagerytohisbeauty.Hiseyesweresomethingtobeholdontheirown.Theyremindedmeofimperialtopaz.Ibecame tongue-tiedinthefewsecondsittooktolookhimoverfromheadtotoe
Fortunately,workingintheretailandserviceindustrysinceIwasoldenoughtohaveapermitsavedmefromremaining anincompetent,speechlessidiot
“I’msorry,Ididn’trealizeanyonehadcheckedinyet,”Iexplained,offeringatentativesmile.
“Itoldthefrontdesknottoworryaboutthepleasantries,”hereplied,hisculturedvoicedeepandatouchgravelly.
“Ithinktheremayhavebeenamix-upwitheverythinggoingon”
“Youthink?”herepeated,clearlynotpleasedwiththatexplanation.
“Sorry,”Iapologizedagainforlackofbetterresponse
“Whyareyouapologizingwhenyou’renottheonewhocouldn’tfollowsimpleinstructions?”
Ifoundmyselfatalossforwordsagain,butatleastthistimeitwasforasensiblereason
Ididn’tthinkthiswasthatbigofadeal,butIalsowasn’twealthyenoughtoaffordasinglenightinthesuitehe’d chosen.Icouldn’taffordthisroomforafewhourswithoutpartingwithachunkofmysoul.Helookedfromthebedandthen backtomeashereachedbehindhimtopullthebalconydoorshut
“Haveyoufinishedthen?”
Oh,IguessIhadjustbeenstandingherelikeIwasn’tsurewhattodo “Um,yes I’llbeonmywaynow Ifyouneed anything,thephoneonthenightstandcanconnectyoutothefrontdesk.Justdialtwo.”Iturnedawayfromhimandretrievedmy trolley.
“Wait.”
Hissoftlyspokencommandcarriedclearerthananyshout,sendingatrickleofapprehensiondownmyback.Iplastered onasmilethatputmydimplesonfulldisplayandturnedaround “Yes?”
Heretrievedsomethingfromhisrearpocket awallet andflippeditopen,removingafewcrispbills “Isthis enough?”heasked,extendingthemtowardsme.
Eyeingthemoneywithconfusion,Icouldn’thelpbutnoticehowlargehishandswere,andthethickmetalbandonhis ringfinger.Unsurprisingly,hewasmarried.“What’sthatfor?”
“Yourtip.”
Ishookmyheadandreachedformytrolleyagain “Thankyou,butIcan’tacceptthat”
“Aftercominginhereunannounced,Ithinkit’stheleastyoucoulddo.”
Excuseme?Whatkindofbackwardslogicwasthat?Iturnedtowardshimoncemore,failingtosuppressafrown He staredbackatmewithaninscrutableexpression.Istrugglednottoshiftbeneaththeunexpectedweightofit.
Foraslargeasthissuitewas,withhiminsideitmightaswellhavebeenashoebox.
Iwasrescuedfromhavingtodealwiththisfurtherwhenabeepcamefromthedoor Themanwhoappearedinthe doorwayhalfasecondlaterwasalmostasattractiveastheonewhonowstoodbehindme.
Hisdark,almostchestnut-huedhairwasstyledinacarefreemanner,suggestingheoftenranhisfingersthroughit His facewassharplychiseled,revealinghighcheekbonesandasquaredjawthathadasmatteringofstubble.Whenhesawme, whateverhe’dbeenabouttosaydiedonhislips Hesteppedintotheroomandlookedatthemanbehindmewitharoguish smile.
“Youdon’twasteanytime,doyou?”
Ididn’tlikewhatthatseemedtobehintingat Iglancedatthemanofferingmeatipandquietlytoldhimtohaveagood eveningbeforeIheadedforthedoor.
WhatsoundedlikeawhisperofLolita followedonmyheels,replacingmyearlierapprehensionwithadeep,unsettling chill.
Ididn’tstoptoseeifIwashearingthings Ihadtobe.
Wedidn’twearnametags,andI’dnevergivenhimmyname.
Ididn’ttellAnyaaboutwhathadhappened Whiletheencounterwasuncomfortable,shewouldmakeitamuchbigger dealthanitneededtobe.Unlessthemandecidedtoreportme,itwasbesttojustforgetthewholeincident.I’ddealtwithmuch worseguestsbefore
Wefinishedourshiftsandreturnedtothestaffroomtogatherourpersonalbelongingsandclockout.Iwasn’texpecting ittobeaschaoticasthelobby.Shanawasoccupyingthecenteroftheroom,shoutingatsomeoneonesecondandspeaking franticallyintoawalkie-talkiethenext
ForsomeonewhohadastrikingresemblancetoMs.Frizzleallthewaydowntothemassofcurlyorange-redhair,it wasentirelyunlikehertolooksofrazzled
“Youtwo!”Hergreeneyeslitlikesparklersthesecondshespottedus.Shewavedofftheyoungguyshewastalkingto asifhewereapeskyflyandcamerushingoverwithtwogarmentbagswedgedbeneathherarm “You’reexactlywhoI’ve beenwaitingfor.Yougirlieshaveservingexperience,correct?”
“Yes,”Anyaansweredhesitantly,shootingaquicklookmyway.“Why?”
“I’mmissingthreeservers Howdoyoufeelaboutsteppingintohelpwiththetradeshowthisevening?”
“Fuc freakyes!Iwouldlovethat. We wouldbehonored,”Anyaenthused. Herexcitementwassopalpableitalmostmademefeelthesame
Almost.
Ihadnodesiretorubelbowswiththerichandevenlessenthusiasmtosubjectmyselftothescrutinyofthe‘elite’,as Anyahaddescribedearlier.Sensingmyhesitation,Shanaturnedtowardsme,wideninghersmiletothepointIcouldseethe silvertoothinthebackofhermouth.Therewasaspeechcomingon.Icouldpracticallyseeherpuffupherchestin preparation Ifshewasn’toneofmybosses,Iwould’vefledfromtheroom
“Iknowitcanseemalittledaunting,beingaroundsuchold money,butthisisagreatopportunity.You’llgettwiceas muchasyounormallywouldfortheovertimeandgainsomeniceconsiderationforfuturepromotions”
Wasshetryingtoconvincemeorscareme?EvenAnya’sfacefellalittle.Herheavyenunciationoftheword money washighlyunnecessary.Ididn’tcareaboutthesepeopleortheirtaxbracket.
Ialsodidn’thavealifelongdreamofbeingahotelmaidfortherestofmylife.Thisjobwasoneinalonglineof steppingstonestopaymybills,notacareerIwasreadytobleedandsweatfor.
Icouldn’ttellheranyofthiswithouthurtingherfeelingsorpissingheroff Shanahadbeenemployedhereforwellover adecadeandwasvocalaboutneverleaving.Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifsherequestedtobeburiedsomewhereontheproperty.
“Areyousureit’sokayforustofillinlikethis?Iheardtheeventwasexclusive”
“Itwon’tbeaproblem.Youwerebothpre-screenedafewmonthsago.”
“Shouldn’twehaveconsentedtosomethinglikethat?”
“Oh,thatwassmart,”Anyareplied,jubilantly,gentlyelbowingmeintheside. Herperceptionofthattidbitofinformationwasthetotaloppositeofmine.
“Youcanneverbetoocarefulwitheventslikethis,whichiswhyforprivacyreasonsthere’sanNDAthatwillneedto besignedandnoemployeeispermittedtohavetheirphonesonceinside,butthat’snodifferentthanusualforyougirlies,”
Shanahastilyexplained.
“AnNDAforwhatexactly?”
HerwalkiecametolifeagainbeforeIgotananswer,thistimewithsomeonefrommaintenancerequestingassistance ShesighedandallbutshovedthetwolargebagsintoAnya’sarms.
“Here,theseshouldfityoutwo GoputthemonandthenmeetmebackhereintenminutestopssoIcanexplainwhat needsdoingandhaveyoufillinthepaperwork.”
Assoonasshewasgone,IturnedtowardsAnyatopleadmycaseonwhythiswasn’tagoodidea ThespotIexpected hertobewasempty.Shewasalreadyhurryingawaytogetchanged.
“Comeon,Lo,”shetossedoverhershoulder.
“Wait!”
Shepretendednottohearmeandkeptwalking.Ifollowed,intentonconvincingherweshouldn’tgetinvolvedin whateverthistradeshowgigwas
“Anya,Iknowyouheardme.”
Shefinallystoppedandturnedaround “Iwashopingyou’djustgoalongwithit Should’veknownbetter”
“Andyoushouldalsoknowthisisadisasterwaitingtohappen.”
“Howso?”
“Ourkindofservingexperienceisfor24-hourmomandpopdiners,notfancydinnershows” “Idon’tseewhatthedifferencewouldbe.”
“Anya,”Ihuffed,“servingdinonuggetsandfriesisn’tcomparabletothisandyouknowit IneverhadtosignanNDA forapancakeplatter.”
Selectivelyignoringme,sheturnedandthrustoneofthegarmentbagsintomygutsothatshecouldunziptheother.I claspedtheshinyplasticwithagrunt,scowlingwhensherevealedthedressinside.
“Whatisthatsupposedtobe?”
“It’s gorgeous,”sheawed,tugging,andpullinguntilitwasfree “Thatdoesn’tlooklikeauniform.”
“Yes,itdoes Wehavetodressthepart”
Isurveyedthelittleblacknumberandgrewmoredeterminedtogetoutofthis.Thatthingwouldbelikeasecondskin andshowmorechestthanmyworkoutbradid.
“I’mnotparticipating.”
SeeinghowseriousIwas,shequicklyadoptedanewattitude.“Whyareyousoagainstthis,Lo?What’swrong?”
“Ijust Idon’tknow Itfeelslikesomethingisgoingtohappenifwegointhere Ican’texplainwhy”
Shequirkedoneofherperfectlythreadedbrows.“Repeatthatbacktoyourself.Doesitmakesense?” “Notreally,nobutthatdoesn’tchangehowIfeel”
Shereachedoutandgentlyclaspedmyupperarm.“It’sjustonenight,Lo.Afewhoursatthat.Atleasttryformeandif youreally hateit,wecanmakeupanexcusetoleave.Deal?”
“Doyoureallyneedmehereforthis?Icanalwayscomeandpickyouupwhenyou’redone” “Oh,comeon. Please?Idon’twanttodoitwithoutyou.”
“Whydoyouwanttodothissobadly?”Islightlytiltedmyhead,eyesnarrowing “It’snotforthemoney,isit?”
“Notentirely,”shefreelyadmitted,addingbeforeIcouldlectureher.“We’llnevergetanopportunitylikethisagain. Theextracashisagoodincentivetoo”
Herpleadingeyesheldmineandweakenedmyresolve.Shewasn’tgoingtotakeanythinglessthanayesfromme,and asshe’dpointedout,Ididn’thaveanyspecificreasontoturndownthisofferotherthanIwasofftomorrowandreadytoget home Itwould onlybeforafewhours
Iexhaledsoftly,andsheknewIwascaving.Withalittleyipofexcitement,shejumpedforwardandhuggedmewithone arm Whenshesteppedback,therewasawidegrinonherface
“Thisisgoingtobefuckingamazing!Let’sgetready.”
“Soexciting,”Ideadpannedasshegrabbedmywristandhauledmeofftochange
Withinsecondsofwalkingintotheroom,Iknewthiswasonsomeone’sbucketlistasafirsthandexperienceinhell.I wassofaroutofmydepthhere I’dbeenintheresort’samphitheaterahandfuloftimesandthoughthechangesmadeit stunning,thelargespacewasunrecognizable.
Itsusualwarmcolorschemehadbeenreplacedwiththisevent’spaletteofdeepburgundyandgold Thecrystal chandeliershadbeendimmedtoallowthecandleswithintoweringglasscenterpiecestobethefocalpoint.
Amaskedstringquartetplayedinadarkenedcorner,addingtotheroom’sdesiredambienceandgivingitasenseof ominousness Ouruniforms,iftheycouldbecalledthat,wereonparwiththeaesthetic Allthewomenwereinthesamedeep cutA-linechiffondressthathitjustabovethekneewhilethemendonnedsimplebuttondownswithslacks blackonblack.
Anyahadbeenimpressedbythisuntilshesawwhattheattendeeswerewearing Perfectlytailoredsuitsandelegant cocktailgowns.Butnowthatwewereinside,Iwasn’tasbotheredabouttheoutfitanymore.Thisdresswastheleastofmy worries.Thereweresomanypeopleitwasimpossibletoslinkintotheshadowsandremainhidden.
EvenifImanagedto,Shanawouldprobablybewaitingtheretodragmebackout.She’dinstructedAnyatoworkthe westwingandIwasontheeast,alongwithafewotheremployeesIdidn’tknowwell.
NowshewasroutinelypatrollingtheperimetertomakesurenoneofusweremarringtheMillennium’sflawlessimage byslackingoff.
Balancingmyservingtrayononehand,Iweavedbetweenapairofroundtablesandapproachedanothergroupof attendees.
Theirattentionwasfixedonthecenteroftheroomwherethedancefloorhadbeenreducedinsizetoaccommodatea darkreddaisofsortstoserveasastage.Thisturnedouttobemysavinggrace.Iwasasinterestingastheflickeringtealights thankstotheitemsbeingbroughtforth.Ihadnocluewhatmadethemsovaluable.
Therewereabunchofoddpaintingsandmacabresculptures onedeemedtheVeiledVirginwithacontortedface, amongotherthingsIcouldn’tpossiblyname.Istoppedafewfeetbehindabaldingmanandcurvyblondehavingaconversation aboutapainting
Themanlookedoldenoughtobehergreatgrandfather,butseeingashisweatheredhandwasfirmlyplantedonherass, thatlikelywasn’tthecase.Itookaquietbreathandbravedapproachingthem.WiththelooksI’dbeenreceivinghalfthe eveningwhenIdaredspeaktosomeofthesepleasantindividuals,Iloathedtointerrupt,butit’snotlikeIhadmuchofachoice “Beefcarpaccio?”Iaskedpolitely,keepingmyvoicelow.
Withoutsparingmeaglance,themanletgoofhispartner’sassandreachedbackforoneofthedelicacies Icounted whatwasleftandsilentlyrejoiced.IfIcouldhandoffthefinalthree,I’dhaveavalidexcusetoslipawayforafewminutes.It shouldn’tbetoohard Thesethingsseemedtobeacrowdfavorite Ipersonallydidn’tseetheappealinthem EvenifIhadall
themoneyintheworld,Icouldn’timaginemyselffancyingthinslicesofdecoratedrawmeat. ItbroughtbackmemoriesofwhenIhandledfreshlyskinnedchickens.
Isteppedawayfromthecoupleandmademywaybackaroundmysideoftheroom Iwaswavedofftwiceandthen completelyignoredbeforefinallyriddingmyselfofthelastmeatydelicacies.Iaddedmyservingtraytothesmallpilewaiting tobecollectedbykitchenstaffandlingerednearthebackoftheroom,givingmyselfafewminutesbreather
Moreguestsarrivedasanothersetofitemswerebroughtontothedais,theroomfullofsoftchatterandmusic.There wasnoauctioneer,justtwooldermeninsuitsmindingthestagesonoonegottooclose
I’dworkedoutthatthiswasasilentauctionkindofthing.Selectionsupforbidwouldremainforasetamountoftime duringwhichthebidderswouldbetappingawayontheirphones.Theydidn’thavetogivethemuplikewedid.
Theprocesswasn’tnearlyasexcitingassomeonefiringoffnumbersandspecs Iimaginedithadtobedonethisway duetotheheavydegreeofprivacytheywereaimingfor.Anyahadn’tbeenexaggeratingwhenshementionedhowexclusiveit was Alltheentrancesandexitswerebeingsafeguardedsothatoutsiderscouldn’tsneakin
IsearchedtheroomtoseeifIcouldspother,nothavinganyluck.Afewmenlookedmyway,one’sgazelingeringfor longerthanwassociallypolite AsIcontemplatedgoingtogetanothertrayofappetizerstopassaround orplottinganescape adark-hairedwomansteppedintomylineofsight.
Therewasalookinhereyesthatgaveimmediatecauseforconcern,yetnoonepaidhermuchattention.Shestartedto approachmeandfaltered IsmiledtoreassureherIwasstaff,butthelookoftrepidationremained Shesubtlyglancedbehindherandthencameforwardwithareneweddetermination.
“Areyouokay,ma’am?”Iaskedonceshewascloser,keepingmyvoicelow “Quickly,”shewhispered,makingamotionwithherhand.
Ilookeddownandsawasmallslipofpapergraspedbetweenherfingers.Deducingshewantedmetobediscrete,I pluckeditfromherassubtlyasIcouldandreadwhatwaswritten.
Diabolus has come for you.
Ire-readit,browpinchinginconfusion “I’msorry,Idon’tunderstand”
Fromjustoverhershoulder,IcaughtsightofShanamakingherwaytowardsus.Thesecondmyattentionshifted elsewhere,thewomansnatchedthepaperbackandstuffeditintohermouth
Bewildered,Iwatchedasshechewedandswallowed,renderingmespeechless.ThetrepidationmorphedintowhatI couldonlydescribeassomethingthatrangofdesperationbeforesheturnedandwalkedawaywithoutanotherword.
What in the world?
“What’swithher?”Shanaechoedmyprivatethoughtsonceshereachedme,staringafterthewoman.
“Ihavenoidea”
Sheleanedcloserandloweredhervoice.“Ishould’vewarnedyou,someofthesepeopleareabit,er,different.” Iwasn’tsureifthatappliedtowhatjusthappened Everythingaboutherbehaviorindicatedsomethingwaswrong Idecidedrightthentokeepmymouthshut.Ifsheneededhelp,maybethiswasherwayoftryingtogetit.Iwasn’tsure whatShanawoulddoifItoldher.
I’dfeelterribleifImadeabadsituationworsebyinvolvingthewrongpeople Iwantedtofindheragainwithoutbeing obviousaboutit,butfirstIhadtodealwiththis.
“Didyouneedmeforsomething?”
“Oh,yes.Ineedtoborrowyaforamoment.”
Shetookgentleholdofmywristandledmeacrosstheroomtowardsatablethatwasclosertothedais Threemenand awomanwithredhairweresataroundit.AnervousflutterwentthroughmystomachasIrecognizedtworightaway.Hadthey lodgedacomplaintbecauseofearlier?
“Issomethingwrong?”Iquestioned,testingthewaters
“Notatall,”Shanareplied,flashingmeasmilethatdidn’tmatchhereasygoingtone. Asweclosedinonthetable,everyoneseatedturnedtolookourway Shanastoppedandpositionedherselfbehindme, placingbothherhandsonmyshoulders.
“Heresheis”
Themanwhowalkedinonmeinhissuitewasthefirsttostand.Hesmiledanditgavehimanentirelydifferentaura. Upstairshe’dcomeoffasunapproachableandsomewhatcold.Hissmilemorphedthatdemeanorintooneofcharmand intrigue Lordhelpanyonewithovarieshegracedwithanactualgrin
ThistimeIcouldn’tstopmyselffromshiftinguncomfortablybeneaththeweightofhisunflinchinggaze.Ilookedat Shana,soIdidn’thavetoholdhisstare “Whatdidyouneedmefor?”
“Mr.Hawthornewantedtomeetyou.” Hawthorne? WherehadIheardthatnamebefore?
“IwasjusttellingMs.DolionhowimpressedIwasbyyou.”
Thishadtobesomekindofjoke.Evenhistonewasdegreeswarmer.Hecamearoundthetabletostandinfrontofus.
He’dchangedsinceearlier.Hewasnowdressedinablackthree-piecesuitthatfithimperfectly.Itriedandfailednottonotice thewayinwhichitseemedtohughisarms.
“Ididn’tdoanythingotherthanmyjob,”Istatedevenly,forcingmyselftomeethisstare “She’salwayssomodest,”Shanagushed,givingmealightsqueeze.
Mr Hawthornemadenoattempttohidehisperusal,hisgazetravelingovermybodyfromheadtotoe Thepeoplestill sittingweredoingthesame,albeitalessthoroughexam.Isuddenlyfeltverymuchlikeoneoftheobjectsbeingbroughttothe dais
Myhandsbegantofeelclammyfromtheunwarrantedattention.
“Youlookdifferentwithyourhairdown.”Thiscamefromthemanwho’dmadetheslyremarkupstairs. Unsurehowtotakehiscomment,Iforcedasmile Atthisrate,myfacewasgoingtosplitinhalf I’dremovedmy ponytailandrunaquickbrushthroughitafterchangingintotheprovideduniformforthisevent.Ihadn’tdaredcomeinhere withthemessatopmyheadthattheyhadbeensubjectedtoearlier
“Youdidn’ttakethemoney.Thatsaysalotaboutyourcharacter,”Mr.Hawthornecontinued.
“Iwassimplydoingmyjob,”Ireiterated,probablyharsherthannecessary,butIwasbeginningtofeellikeabroken record.
“Bishop.”Hemadeagesturetohisdark-hairedcompanion.Almostimmediately,hewashandedacylinderglassfullof somethingrubyred
“Thiswasimportedfromourislefortonight.”Heturnedtowardsmeandextendedthecup.
Iwasremindedofearlierwhenheofferedmeatip IfIknewnotacceptingitwouldleadtothis,Iwould’vesnatched themoneyinaheartbeat.Iglancedattheglassandshookmyhead.
“I’msorry,butIcan’tacceptthiseither.Ireallydidn’tdoanythingextraordinary.”
Shanasteppedoutfrombehindmeandwrappedanarmaroundmyshoulders.“Goaheadandhaveasip,sweetie.You deserveit.”
Sweetie? Shehatedthatendearment Hadsheundergoneapersonalitytransplantinthelastfewhours?Therewasso muchwrongwiththisIdidn’tknowwheretobegin.Forstarters,sheknewIwasn’toldenoughtodrink.Intheprivacyofmy ownhomewasonething Herewasacompletelydifferentstory
Notonlythat,drinkingonthejobwasexpresslyprohibited.Itwasatwo-partclauseintheemployeecontractwesigned beforeworkingattheresort.She’dfiredthreegirlsforbreakingitlessthantwomonthsago.
Herabruptchangeinattitudefurtherheightenedmydiscomfort.AsrespectfullyasIcould,Iremovedherarmandput somespacebetweenus.Sheshotmealookthatwasamixofapologeticandsomethingelse.Pleading?Desperate?Justlikethe womanwhoatethescrapofpaper
Mystomachknotted.Whothehellwerethepeopleatthistabletomakeaveteranemployeeswitchupsodrasticallyand practicallytremblewithnerves?Specifically,themaninfrontofme Wouldhetakethisrejectionpersonally?WhenIlookedat Shanaagain,Iknewwithoutareasonabledoubtshewasdoingthistopleasewhoeverthismanwas.
Iwasmissingacrucialdetailinthisunfoldingscenario,butIdidn’twanttocauseissuesforShanabyflat-outrejecting himagain Withholdingasigh,IdecideditwasbesttojustgetitoverwithandgoaboutmynightsoIcouldfindthewomanin needofhelp.
Begrudgingly,Itooktheglassandbroughtittomylips Thesmellremindedmeoftobaccomixedwithmint,anodd combination.Iknewverylittleaboutwine,preferringthefruitydrinksfromgasstationsorshotsofSilverPatron.
Itookagenerousswig,pleasantlysurprisedathowgoodittasted Amixofraspberry,redfruit,chocolate,andblack licoricecombinedintoliquidsilk.Ifinishedhalftheglassoffandrefrainedfromwipingmymouthwiththebackofmypalm. “Doyoulikeit?”Hesoundedasifhegenuinelycaredaboutmyopinion.
Inoddedandrolledmylipstogether,swallowingonelasttime “It’sreallygood,thankyou”
Hisattentiondippedtomymouthwhereitremainedforthreelongsecondsbeforeflittingbacktoensnaremeonce again Hedidn’tseemtomindalltheeyesthatwereonus,andIwasunabletolookaway AsmuchasIwantedtoputspace betweenhimandme,Icouldn’tdenyhowcaptivatinghewas.Heradiatedanauraofmagneticcharm,interlacedwithahintof danger
“Finishit,”heprompted,breakingthemystifyingspellI’dbeguntofallunder.Hisunderlyingcommandwaslikebarbed wireagainstmyskin.Afaintsmirksaidhenoticed.
Ilightlyclearedmythroatandtightenedmygripontheglass “No,Ineedtogetbacktowork Thankyouagain,though” Beforeheoranyoneelsecouldsayanythingelse,Ihurriedaway.
AnyarusheduptomeassoonasI’dmadeitafairdistancefromthetable She’dwatchedtheentireinteractionfromthe sidelines.
“Areyouokay?”
“I’vebeenbetter.Wantsomewine?Itwasimportedfromanisland.”
“Anisland?Sure.”Shegingerlytooktheglassfromme.“Nowtellmewhatthehelljusthappened.”
Iwasstillwonderingthatmyself.“I’mnotsure,butIneedsomeair.Coverforme?” “Yeah, of course ” IheardhersoftreplyasIwalkedaway.Thisdaywasprovingtobeoneforthebooks.AllIwanted wastogohomeandputitbehindme Anyaowedmebigtime
Iblinkedafewtimestoclearmyvision,confusedbywhatIwasseeing Dark vaulted ceilings.
The aromatic scent of lavender and labdanum Iceslitheredthroughmyveins,chasingallmydrowsinessaway.Thiswasn’tmybedroomanddefinitelynotmy apartment.Isatup,panicflaringwhenaweightaroundmylegmadeitselfknown.Iflungaheavycomforterontothefloorin searchofwhathadaholdofme
“Whatisthis?”Ireacheddownandskimmedmyfingersoverathickchainwrappedaroundmyankle.
“Whatthefuckisthis?”Ibreathedoutharshly,searchingforanopening,somewaytogetitoff Myfingerssunkintoa slightindentation,andIrealizedtherewasnowaytoremovethiswithoutakeyofsomekind.
Isuckedinaraggedbreathandtwistedaround,crawlingacrossthebedtofollowthechain Ishovedasideanightstand andfoundasmallmetalplateaffixedtothewall.Theendofthechainwasboltedintoitscenter.Logicandrationalityfailed mycognitiveability.Ipulledandtugged,cursingloudlywhennothinghappened.
InearlytrippedasIspuntostudytheroom Ofthetwomassivefloorlampsinside,onlyonewason,givingthelarge spaceasoftglow.Thefurniturewaslikesomethingyou’dseeinahigh-endcatalog,oroneofthosescriptedshowsthatstaged luxuryhouses
Long,thickdrapeshungonthefarwall,blockinganyviewawindowmayhavegivenme.Icouldn’tgettothemanyway. Thechainwouldn’tstretchthatfar Alittlefurtherdownwasasmallbathroomthatlackedadoor Thesightofithadmypulse ratcheting.Noonewouldsetuparoomlikethiswithouthavingsomekindofspecificpurposeforit.
Ididn’twanttothinkaboutwhatthatcouldentail,notwhenIhadnowayofbreakingfreeofthechainaroundmyleg andIwastobeatthemercyofwhoeverbroughtmehere Ishiftedinplaceandlookedmybodyover Iwasstillinthechiffon dress.Theonlythingmissingwasmyshoesandasidefromthedullpoundinginmyhead,Ifeltphysicallyfine.Thisgavemea smallmeasureofrelief
Irackedmybrain,tryingtopiecetogetherhowIcouldhavewounduphere.
ThelastthingIrememberedwastellingAnyaIneededairandmanagingtoslipoutontotheamphitheater’sprivate terrace.
Whathappenednext?Whycouldn’tIremember?EverythingafterwasablackstretchofnothinguntilIwokeuphere.I hadn’teatenordrunkanythingotherthanthewineShanaencouragedmetotry Wait,wasitthewine?Theglasshadalready beenfilledwhenIgottothetable.Ifitwasspiked,someonecouldhavedoneitbeforehand. No,itwouldn’thavebeenjustanyone
Atthesoundofahandleturning,myattentionflewtotheonlyotherdoorintheroom.Timeseemedtoslowasitswung open.Whenhesteppedin,mysuspicionswereconfirmed.Amillionthoughtsflittedthroughmymind,butIfoundIcouldn’t voiceasingleone.Myheartbeatwaslikeadrum,drowningthemallout.Heslowlyshutthedoor,hiseyesneverleavingme. He'dchangedclothesagain.
Hewasnolongerinasuitbutaquartersleevedbutton-downandslacks sanstie Thatcouldonlymeanthatnighthad turnedtoday.ItookastepbackandthenanotheruntilIfeltthemattressagainstmylegsandwasforcedtostop.Hispredatory
eyestrackedeverystep.
“There’snoneedtobeafraid.”
Howcouldhesaythat?Iwaschainedtoawalllikesomekindofanimalensnaredinatrap I’dbeenkidnapped Taken IhadnoideawhereIwasorwhatheintendedtodowithme.FearingImightprovokehimifIrevealedmyinnerturmoil,I swallowedandwetmylips,willingmyvoicetocomeoutwithoutshaking
“WhereamI?”
Slippinghishandsintohispockets,hecamecloser,stoppingjustoutsidearm’sreach“Doyourememberme?” Inoddedsharply.Itwouldbeimpossibletoforgethim.JustasIwouldneverforgetthismoment.“WhyamIhere?”
“Areyoufeelingokay?SometimesRohypnolcanbeabithardonthestomach,orsoI’vebeentold.”
Mylipspartedslightly Therewasn’tahintofguiltorremorseinhistone Hemightaswellhavebeentellingmethe day’sforecast.Icurledmyhandsintofists.
“Whatdoyouwantfromme?”
“You’recold.”
“Huh?”Ilookeddownandsawgoosebumpsallovermyarms Ifhehadn’tsaidanything,Iwouldn’thavenoticedthem “Regrettably,Ican’tstaywithyoutoday.Ionlycameintoseehowyouweredoingandtoletyouknowyou’resafe.No onehereisgoingtohurtyou.I’lladjustthetemperatureandhavealightmealbroughtin.Doyourbesttorelaxuntilthen.”
Wasthismanserious? Relax? Nooneinmysituationwouldsitbackandkickuptheirfeet Heturnedtoleave,causing anotherwaveofpanictowashoverme.
“Wait!”Isteppedforwardsoquicklythechainsmackedloudlyagainstthefloor “Please,justtellmewhereIam”
Hepausedwithonehandonthedoorknob.“Areyousureyoureallywanttoknow?”
Hisquestionwasasunsettlingaswhateverpossibleanswerhewouldhave.Ihesitatedforafractionofasecondbefore nodding.
“Whereyou’vealwaysbelonged,Lolita.You’refinallyhome.”Hepulledthedooropenandwalkedout,leavingmeto processhisreply
Truetohisword,theairshutoffmomentsafterheleft Ithadbeenblowingsteadilythroughaventhighabovethebed I waitedforaslongasIcouldtoseeifhewouldreturn,butheneverdid.
Iwanderedaroundthebedandintothebathroom,replayingwhathe’dsaidtomebeforeleaving Ididn’twanttoread toomuchintoit.Icouldn’ttrustawordhesaid.Although,hedidcomerightoutandtellmehe’dlacedthewineinanunsettling manner Butitdidn’tmatterhowhonesthechosetobe Hewouldn’tbewinninganyawardsforhissaneandrational disposition.Iwaschainedinsidehishouse,forfuck’ssake.Ifthat’swhatthisplaceevenwas.
ItookadvantageofthefreedomIdidhaveandexploredmysurroundings,hopingsomethingwithinthechain’sperimeter wouldhelpmefigureoutwhereIhadbeentaken Iturnedasmalldialonthewallandbrightlightfilledthebathroom Iwas disappointedtoseeonlythebarenecessitieswereinside.Atoiletwithasinglerolloftissuerestingonthelidandatoothbrush stillwrappedinplastic,placedbesideafreshtubeoftoothpaste
Ireachedforthebackpartofthetoiletandfoundnogive.He’dhadtheforesighttomakesureitdidn’tcomeoff.Next,I
examinedthetoothbrush. Rubber handle.Andthemirrordidn’tlooklikeglass.Iranmyfingersacrossthesmoothsurfacejust tobesure.Iwasright.Thiswasnothingmorethansometypeofreflectivepaper.Withafrustratedsigh,Isweptmyhairaway frommyfaceandreturnedtotheroom,checkingasfarasmyrestraintallowed
Itriedtoliftoneofthemassivefloorlampsandquicklyrealizedthatwasn’tgoingtohappen.Itwasasheavyasthe silencewasthick He'dcoveredhisbases Icouldn’tmakeaweaponfromanythinginhere Isatontheedgeofthebedandstaredatthedrapes.Withnothingtofocuson,mythoughtsbegantorace,indulgingmy worstfears Maybeitwasshock,orsomekindofdelayedresponsethatstoppedmefromscreamingandwailinguntilmylungs collapsedinonthemselves. Iwantedthisnottobereal. Howcouldthishavehappenedtome?
I’msureeveryoneinthehistoryofbeingabductedaskedthemselvesthat,butIreallycouldn’tmakesenseofthis. There’snowayIwouldhavewillinglyleftwithhim,orallowedmyselftobechainedup,whichbeggedthequestionjusthow hemanagedtogetmeawayfromtheresortinthefirstplace.
HadShanabeeninonthis?Shewastheonewhobroughtmetohim,andshe’dseemedsonervous Iwasn’tgoingto holdouthopeforhertobringthecavalry.TheonlypersonIcouldcountontofindmewasAnya.There’snowayshehadn’t noticedmydisappearance.Werodetoandfromworktogether.Welivedinthesamedamnhouse.She’dlikelyalreadysought outhelp butIdidn’tknowhowlongitwouldtakeforanythingtobedoneaboutmydisappearance “God.”Idroppedmyheadintomyhandsasamoreterrifyingthoughtsuddenlyoccurred. Could anythingbedone?
Maybemypanicwascausingmetooverthinkandjumptoconclusions,butthisman Mr Hawthorne hadmoney Wealthsometimescamewithconnections.HowbigofastretchwoulditbetoassumehehadthekindthatguaranteedI’dnever befoundorseenaliveagain?
Asuddencrashfromsomewherebeyondthedrapesbroughtmytumultuousthoughtstoahalt.Withasniffle,Iswiped angrilyatmycheeksandthenslowlyloweredmyhands,notdaringtobreathetoohardasIprayedforsomesignthatI’d imaginedwhathadmystomachsinkingintotheground
Withaheavybreezeitcameagain,sweepingawayalittlemoreofthehopeIwasclingingto.
Whetheritwasalake,anocean,orarivermatteredlittletome BeingthisclosetoalargebodyofwatermeantI wasn’tremotelyclosetohome.
Iwascompletelyalone Eventhewavesweren’tfrequentenoughtofillthestagnantsilence Mymindcontinuedto conjureirrationalpossibilitiesforbreakingoutofthisplaceandalltypesofworst-casescenarios.
Hourshadtohavepassedbeforethedooropenedagain Inearlyfelloffthebedasawomanbustledintotheroom carryingafoodtrayinherhands.Herlongblondehairwasinasimplebraid,andthedressshehadonlookedsimilartomine, butwithahighernecklinethathadawhitepleatedcollar.
Iimmediatelystoppedmyfeebleattempttofreemyselfofthechainanddrewmyselftomyfullheight
Thewayherlargeroundeyessettledonmyfaceremindedmeofanowl.IknewrightawaythatIwouldfindnoallyin thisperson Icouldsenseherdispleasure,asifmypresencealonecausedheradeeppersonalgrievance Sheclearedher throatandlookedmeoverwiththinlyveileddisdain.
“There’snoreasontowastetimeonpointlessendeavors Thatchainwon’tcomeoff”
Hercoldtoneandpricklydemeanorsetmyteethonedge.I’dneverbeendislikedbysomeonewithouthavinguttereda singlewordtothem.Ididn’tallowthattodetermefromaskingquestions.
“CanyoutellmewhereIam?”
Shecarriedthetraytotheothersideofthebedandplaceditonthenightstand.
IfrownedasIwatchedherleandownandpuckerherlips Wasthatnecessary?Ihadnointentionofeatingwhatever she’djustbroughtinhere,butifIhad,Idefinitelywouldn’ttakeabiteofsomethingatotalstrangerblewtheirhotassbreath on
“Besuretoeatitall,”sheorderedinthesameclinicaltone.“Isthereanythingelseyouneed?”
“Yes!Foryoutotellmesomething.Anything. Please,”Iimplored,notabovebeggingatthispoint.“WhywasIbrought here?Arethereothergirls?AmItheonlyonehetook?”
Shevisiblystiffened,bringingherhandstogetheratherwaist.“ADiabolus doesnotcarelesslychoose.”
“What?Whatdoesthatmean?”
“You’llcometolearnsoonenough.Allyouneedtokeepinmindisthatit’sanhonor.He’scastout ”Sheclenchedher jawsohardIheardsomethingpop.
Iwatchedhelplesslyasshemarchedbackaroundthebed,demandingthatIeatonefinaltimebeforeleavingtheroom andslammingthedoorsoharditrattled.
“Fuck”Isqueezedmyeyesclosedandpressedtheheelofmypalmtomyforehead She’dbeenrightonthevergeof tellingmesomethingthatmight’vebeenuseful.
Takingadeepbreath,Islowlyexhaled,tellingmyselftostaycalm Hysteriawoulddomenogoodrightnow Ilookedat wherethetrayrested.Foodwasthefurthestthingfrommymind,butcuriositysentmetoseewhatshe’dbroughtin.Icircled aroundthebed,chaindraggingalongthehardwoodbesideme.
Themealwassimple.Soupandoystercrackerswithabottleofwater.TomatoifIhadtoguess,buttherewassomething floatinginthebroth.
Iusedtheplasticspoonanddraggeditthroughasmallpatchofbubbles,scoopingupsomethingthickandphlegmy Wasthis…spit? Ugh.Facescrunchingindisgust,Iletthespoonfallontothetrayandslowlywalkedbacktotheother