“Josh couldn’t care less about my whereabouts, he knows I have everything controlled,” so Josh trusts him. I can’t believe it. Someone tries to open the door, but it is locked. Of course Dominik locked it.
“Love, what the hell is taking you so long?” Maya says knocking on the door.
Dominik mouths “Will you be ok?” I nod and he sits me gently on one of the benches I go to my locker legstrembling, core aching, as I get my towel. I pass by the mirror and notice the bastard left me a hickey, thankfully scarves are part of my regular outfits. I look behind and Dominik is nowhere to be found.
I adjust the towel put my hair over the hickey and open the door. “Sorry, I was feeling overwhelmed, took a warm bath. I’ll be out in five,” I say with the door half open.
“You’ll be ok on your own?” Maya asks and I feel dirty for lying to her and guilty for her preoccupation.
“Yes, don’t worry,” I say and close the door, leaving it unlocked as it usually is. I go to one of the dressing cabins and manage to hide the hickey with foundation instead of the slightly more attention-grabbing scarf. When I end dressing up and doing my makeup I grab my phone and exit the room. Pretending nothing happened is difficult. My heart is still racing.
Breathe.
Step.
Breathe.
What the hell is that? I take a closer look and see a suspicious-looking bag on the floor. I activate code black, possible bomb. I make the mistake of touching the bag, the moment I do, everything goes black.
Chapter 6
Love
Thud.
Thud.
The air I breathe in seems like fire igniting my insides in all the wrong ways. In my mind I scream, in reality I just flinch and open my eyes.
“She’s back,” I hear Damian say, “Give everyone Narcan and keep them overnight for observance,” he whispers and I feel something holding my hand. Not something, someone, I blink my eyes still dizzy.
“Josh?” I question his earth-looking hazel eyes giving out his identity. Even though it's blurry I know it’s him. “What happened?” I ask, and he shushes me to say something to Kai.
“I’m here, everyone’s fine. Dominik took it worst,” Josh whispers and my world sinks.
“Is he going to be ok?” I ask and he nods.
“I surely hope so, the bastard has some explanation to do,” Josh says and I remember there are cameras in the staff room. Did he see it?
“Don’t tell me you saw it?” I say in question form.
“Saw what?” Josh questions and I shake my head several times.
“Nothing. But seriously, how’s he?” I try again, I look at my surroundings and see I’m in the hospital’s critical care. Damian’s hospital. There are no other patients in my room.
“Thank god you’re awake-”
“Can someone answer my question, please?” I ask when Maya enters the room interrupting whatever Josh was about to say.
“I honestly don’t know how he is, I never left your side.-”
“Go find out, shoo,” I request and he seems concerned, I feel the need to talk again, “Might still be kind of high,” I say showing him my shaking hand and arm. Josh is still not convinced to get away from me.
“I’ll stay with her, go,” Maya says, “If anyone tries to get close to her I’ll break their nose and punch it into their skull,” Maya adds with an innocent smile at the end. She looks angelic, holy. Even when her words are decaying and profane.
“Thank you,” I reply to Maya and she waits for Josh to leave the heavy-lit room.
“It was Dominik wasn’t it?” she says pointing at my neck, “Don’t lie, Josh won’t know a thing from me. I promise,” Maya says she’s always been like a sister to meand she's just proving to be an even a more beautiful soul than I can ever imagine. Tragically aggressive, but still beautiful.
