I shift my weight, my face burning with embarrassment. I want the earth to open up and swallow me whole.
“I—I need...” I trail off, then force the word out. “Underwear.” My voice is barely a whisper.
“So?”
“I stole yours.” I squeeze my eyes shut and rush the words out, praying for this moment to end.
An eternity of me dissolving in embarrassment passes before I hear him move. Only then do I open my eyes. He’salready walking toward his study. I let out a long breath of relief, then bolt for the bathroom.
I strip off my clothes and drop my ruined panties into the bin. I twist my hair into a bun, securing it with a toothbrush since I have nothing else, and I’m not about to wash it. Then I step under the hot spray.
After a few minutes, a knock sounds at the door. I turn off the water, cross to the door, and crack it open. A maid stands there holding a bag. She extends it toward me. I take it, close the door, and look inside.
Inside are packets of pads, period panties, tampons, and heating pads.
For a long moment, I just stare at them.
He’s not completely heartless after all.A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.
Salvario
I open the next article. It’s about cramps—what causes them, what worsens them, what helps.
Until now, I had no idea women experienced cramps during their cycles. The article says for some women, the pain can be severe, some also experience nausea andheadaches. Those with severe pain need medication; those with milder symptoms can manage with heating pads.
I rise from my chair and leave my study.
I asked the maids to send the necessary supplies, but I don’t know if that includes pain medication.
I enter Bruno’s room. She’s lying on the bed, a book in her hand. She looks up at me and settles the book on her stomach. I study her face for any sign of pain or discomfort.
She pushes herself up slowly against the cushions.
“Thanks for the supplies.” She sounds fine.So she’s not in pain.
“I don’t want you staining Bruno’s new bed,” I say flatly.
I had the bed changed this morning. This one is larger, more comfortable.
She presses her lips together. “Then thanks for the heating pad. I’m sure it was a genuine gesture and has nothing to do with Bruno’s new bed.”
I have nothing to say to that. Nothing I want her to know. So I look away from her, toward Bruno, and call to him. He rises from the bed and comes to me. With him at my side, I turn and leave.
I take Bruno outside onto the snow-covered ground. He bounds and leaps through the snow.
I stare at the white expanse stretching before me as I walk.
My phone rings. I answer through my earpiece.
“Boss.” Robin’s voice comes through. “Avira Bennett was supposed to marry Formula One driver Roxion Marco, but for some reason, it fell through. On further investigation, we learned she went on multiple dates with him. We managed to get a clip and one photo from those meetings.”
“Send me everything.” The edge in my voice doesn’t escape me.
“Yes, boss.”
The call ends. My fists clench inside my jacket pockets.
My phone pings. I take it out and open the video file Robin sent.
