Novel Square
13
New York, Mia
As we continued our journey toward my new, albeit temporary, refuge at Sebastian’s apartment, I took out my phone and quickly texted Bella, informing her of my unexpected change in plans. I knew it might seem absurd, but the prospect of escaping the clutches of the relentless paparazzi outweighed any reservations I had about staying over at Sebastian’s place. Her response came promptly, as I expected, and it carried her signature lightheartedness: “Alrighty, Mrs. Almost Thornton.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her jest. Bella had always been one to find humor in the most unconventional situations, a trait that now provided a touch of levity to my current predicament.
However, as the car carried us closer to Sebastian’s apartment, my mind began to race with thoughts of my parents. I couldn’t help but mentally prepare myself for the drama that was sure to unfold. Their disappointment and disapproval weighed heavily on my mind.
Suddenly, another concern surfaced. “I don’t have any clothes or a toothbrush,” I blurted out to Sebastian, realizing that I hadn’t planned for an overnight stay.
He responded reassuringly, “Don’t worry. I have spare clothes you can borrow, and there are extra toothbrushes. It’s just for one night.”
The thought of wearing Sebastian’s clothes and using his toothbrush seemed odd to me, and I couldn’t help but express my reservations. “I have to wear your clothes?” I asked incredulously. “And your underwear?”
He chuckled at my discomfort, his eyebrows raised in amusement. “My boxers are very comfortable,” he countered with a playful grin. “You’ll see.”
“Ew,” I replied, scrunching up my nose at the idea.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow in mock disbelief. “You had my whole dick inside you, and my boxers are ‘ew’? Seriously?” His laughter filled the car, and I couldn’t help but blush at the reminder of our passionate encounter.
“Please don’t say that,” I muttered, my cheeks flushing deeper.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
His amusement lingered as he explained our destination. The car came to a stop in front of a towering skyscraper, and he pointed upward. “I’m on the top floor,” he announced proudly. “In the morning, you’ll literally wake up in the clouds.”
Sebastian’s mention of waking up among the clouds in his penthouse high above the city prompted a laugh from me. “Imagine waking up and seeing a plane enter your room,” I mused, shaking my head in amusement. “You rich people are really a different breed.”
My mind drifted to a bizarre memory from my past a time when my ex-husband Gavin had bought an Alpaca because he believed his great-grandmother had been reincarnated as one. It was one of those eccentric notions that made me question the decisions he’d made. I chuckled softly, reflecting on the peculiarities of wealthy individuals and their extravagant lifestyles.
As we arrived at the entrance of the skyscraper, Sebastian courteously held the door open for me, and I followed him inside. The hotel staff had clearly been alerted to his arrival, and I couldn’t help but notice the judgmental glance from one of them. I knew I’d have to get used to this sort of scrutiny.
Once inside the elevator, Sebastian smoothly produced his keycard and scanned it on the small screen. The elevator doors closed, and we began our ascent to his penthouse. However, our journey took an unexpected turn as the elevator jerked suddenly, plunging us into darkness.
“Ahhh!” I screamed in surprise, instinctively reaching out for support.
Sebastian’s voice was calm, though I could hear a hint of annoyance as he muttered, “Not again.” It seemed that this wasn’t the first time he’d experienced elevator trouble in his lofty residence.
As panic began to grip me, I clutched onto the railing, my heart racing. The tight space and disorienting darkness only added to my unease.
Sebastian, on the other hand, seemed composed. “Don’t worry,” he reassured me, though his voice still held a touch of frustration. “This has happened before, and it usually gets fixed quickly.”
As panic began to overtake me in the darkened elevator, I couldn’t help but wonder why this wasn’t the first time Sebastian had experienced such an issue. For someone as wealthy as him, I had expected his penthouse elevator to be top-notch. It was disconcerting to imagine paying thousands of dollars for a place only to have the elevator glitch.
“What the hell?!” I exclaimed, my voice shaking with frustration and fear. Memories from my past began to resurface, and the confined, dark space of the elevator intensified my discomfort. I despised dark places; they were a reminder of all the times my father had dragged me by my hair and locked me in a dark room for hours as a punishment.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I whispered to myself, tears brimming in my eyes. The trauma of my childhood experiences made the darkness all the more unbearable.
Suddenly, a distant voice reached my ears. “Mia, Mia, what are you apologizing for?” Who was that? Was that Kieran, my brother? Whose voice was that?
“Kieran, brother?” I whispered in relief, my voice trembling. The sound of his name offered a glimmer of comfort in the oppressive darkness. My hands felt weak, and my brain was hazy from the anxiety.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” I repeated, my words becoming a mantra of fear and regret. It was as if the past had resurfaced, and I was reliving those terrifying moments of isolation and darkness from my childhood.
In the midst of my panic, a sudden sensation on my legs made me scream. “Ahhh!” My mind raced, unable to distinguish between reality and the traumatic memories that haunted me.
My hands were trembling uncontrollably, and I felt myself slipping into a state of panic. It was then that I sensed someone’s warm embrace, a comforting voice urging me to breathe. I allowed myself to lean into the stranger’s arms, feeling strangely safe and protected. My head rested on his shoulder as I whispered desperately, “Get me out… get me out.”
Suddenly, the lights flickered to life, and the elevator began moving again. I found myself still held in the stranger’s arms as I slowly opened my eyes. Recognition washed over me it was Sebastian. I had been with Sebastian throughout this terrifying ordeal.
“Get off me,” I muttered as I hastily straightened my hair and tried to regain my composure. I couldn’t bear to look him in the eyes. He had witnessed my vulnerability, and it left me feeling exposed and ashamed. But his gaze remained fixed on me, concern etched across his face.
“What are you looking at?” I asked, raising my eyebrows as I attempted to mask my fear with a hint of defensiveness. Sebastian shook his head, refusing to avert his gaze.
“Was it Campbell?” he inquired, his voice tinged with anger. I furrowed my eyebrows, confusion filling my thoughts. “Was it that… that jerk Campbell who hurt you?!” His voice grew louder, and I could see the rage simmering in his eyes as he mentioned Gavin Campbell’s name.
I shook my head, my voice barely rising above a whisper as I confessed, “It was my father.”