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“I don’t.”
With a sigh, he stands up, and a few blinks later, he disappears into the night, leaving me confused, bothered, and cold in his absence. What is happening to me?
I wake up after a sleepless night. Even in my sleep, I couldn’t escape him. His heady scent lingers in the air, his presence a veil caressing my body. Throughout the day, I wear the shadow of our secret with me.
I nod at everything and everyone, staring at my phone. I tell myself it’s because I’m waiting for Aurora to text or call me, but I know better.
By the third night, I call Aurora, realizing if I stay, Cato will grip me in his clutches. There’s something about him I can’t deny, and I can’t have that.
I just want to live the way I want to. Is that asking for too much?
***
There is no way I could forget about my impending doom, also known as my wedding. Because that asshole changed the date. Two more days. When the car pulls into the driveway, I fly down the stairs to meet my best friend. She has been sick the past week and God knows what she had to do to attend my wedding.
Aurora and I jump into each other’s arms and both of us have tears in our eyes.
After my parents and sister greet her, I grab her hand, and we go up to my room.
She looks at my engagement ring in utter fascination.
“He said it represents the blood and his black heart.”
“He’s . . .”
“A monster.”
“I wanted to say intimidating.”
Is she blind? Her husband has me almost peeing in my pants every time I see him, but I say nothing.
I sit on the carpeted floor in a cross-legged position, rolling my eyes. “My father has to protect the product until it changes owners.”
“I’m sorry I was so off these past few days.”
“You had the flu, and you live with a monster.”
“Kieran’s not a monster.”
That takes me by surprise.
“I expected that sooner or later your crush on him would blind you.” I sigh. I guess my friend shines brighter in confinement.
She fidgets with her fingers. “Things changed.”
“So, what about escaping?”
“I won’t do that.”
“But will you do that for me? Because I can’t live like this. I won’t.” I put my face in my palms and sob, giving way to the relentless pressure of my all-over-the-place emotions. Aurora hugs me, stroking my arm, whispering that it will be okay.
I wipe the tears away and push my shoulders high.
“So, how long are you staying?”
“The entire night.”
“Oh, they must really plan to enjoy the night. I wish I could.”
