Novel Square
33
Los Angeles, Sebastian
The shock of discovering that Gavin had filmed our private wedding and potentially sold it to a TV station left us both in disbelief. How desperate could one person be to invade our personal lives like this? I watched as Mia paced back and forth in the room, her nerves clearly getting the best of her. Even the ice cream I had brought her seemed unable to calm her down.
“I’m so scared for my family,” she admitted, her voice quivering with anxiety.
Her phone rang, and she hastily picked it up. It was her brother, Kieran, on the line. She decided to put the call on speaker so I could also listen to their conversation.
“You’re married?!” Kieran’s voice echoed through the phone, filled with astonishment. “How did that happen?”
Mia quickly recounted the events of the day to her brother, including the unexpected wedding ceremony and Gavin’s presence with my cousin.
“So, Gavin is with Sebastian’s cousin?” Kieran exclaimed incredulously.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
I couldn’t help but chime in, feeling sympathy for my cousin. “I feel bad for my cousin,” I admitted.
After Mia finished talking to her brother, she looked at me with exhaustion in her eyes. “I’m so exhausted from today. I’ll head to bed,” she announced.
I nodded in understanding and led her to the bedroom. “So,” I began as we entered the room. “This is my room, and it’s the only one that’s furnished for now. You know, I just moved in here a few days ago. You can sleep on the bed, and I’ll take the couch,” I offered.
I pulled out some extra blankets and handed them to her.
“Goodnight,” I whispered to Mia before closing the bedroom door gently. As I made my way to the kitchen, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the chaotic turn my life had taken. There was so much going on, and the weight of responsibility bore down on me heavily.
Leaning against the sink, I massaged my temples to ease the brewing headache. My phone buzzed, and I noticed a flood of emails from work. Some were congratulating me on my unexpected wedding, while others questioned its authenticity. Gossip sites were already filled with articles speculating about the situation.
I sighed heavily, placing my phone on the counter. The stress was taking its toll on me, and I decided to pour myself a glass of whisky to help take the edge off.
Just as I turned around with the glass in my hand, I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Mia standing in the kitchen. She looked at me with tired eyes, and I quickly set the whisky bottle aside, not wanting her to see me indulging in alcohol at this moment.
“Do you need something?” I asked, trying to sound composed as I faced her. She shook her head, her expression weary, and walked over to me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. I reciprocated, pulling her close.
“Are you okay?” I inquired softly, my heart tightening with concern. The scent of her strawberry shampoo filled my senses, a scent I hadn’t realized I cherished until now.
“I am okay now,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as she clung to me. I tilted her chin up gently, so our eyes met. There was something in her gaze, a vulnerability that tugged at my heart.
In that moment, I found myself captivated by Mia’s eyes, as if I could lose myself in their depths. It was a sensation I hadn’t experienced before, and it left me feeling both exhilarated and vulnerable. There was something about her that stirred a longing deep within me, a desire I couldn’t ignore.
Her every movement, every graceful gesture, held a certain allure that was impossible to resist. As we stood there, her lips so inviting and pouty, I couldn’t help myself. Without a conscious thought, I leaned in and pressed my mouth softly against hers.
The kiss started with a gentle touch of our lips, but it quickly deepened, becoming more passionate and intense with every passing second. I felt a surge of desire coursing through me as I pulled her closer, my hand sliding to the back of her head to hold her in the kiss. I wanted more of her, more of that electrifying connection we shared.
Our kiss was like a blazing fire, melting away every icy barrier I had built around my heart. I couldn’t get enough of the taste of her, the feel of her soft lips against mine. It was a kiss that left me craving more, a kiss that made me realize what had been missing from my life all along-Mia.
As our lips parted, we both gasped for breath, our faces inches apart. The intensity of the moment hung in the air between us, a palpable energy that left me feeling both elated and overwhelmed.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, shattering the quiet serenity of our evening together. Mia and I, entwined in a warm embrace, were jolted from our cocoon of comfort. The shrill chime of the doorbell echoed through the room, making us both jump in surprise.
Mia disentangled herself from my arms and gazed at me, her eyes wide with apprehension. “Are you expecting someone?” she inquired, her voice tinged with anxiety. I shook my head, my heart pounding in my chest. I wasn’t expecting anyone, especially not at this late hour.
With cautious steps, I approached the front door, my senses on high alert. I turned the doorknob slowly and pulled the door open, peering out into the dimly lit night. To my bewilderment, there was no one in sight-just the empty darkness of the front porch.
My eyes flicked downward, and there, on the cold doormat, lay a solitary envelope. It was an eerie sight, the pale envelope contrasting sharply with the dark wood of the floor. My curiosity piqued, I bent down to retrieve it, a sense of unease settling over me.
I closed the door behind me and returned to Mia, who was watching me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. “This is what they left on the doormat,” I said, holding up the unassuming envelope. It was plain, with no markings or clues as to its origin.
Mia’s brow furrowed as she took the envelope from my hand, examining it closely. “This is strange,” she murmured. “Who would leave something like this without a note or explanation?”
Without hesitation, I grabbed my phone, my fingers rapidly tapping the screen as I accessed the security camera footage. I needed to see who had left this envelope on our doorstep. As the footage played, my heart sank. The figure captured on the camera appeared to be a regular mailman, wearing the standard uniform and carrying a satchel.
Mia peered over my shoulder at the screen, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “It can’t just be a regular mailman,” she said firmly. “Not at this hour, and certainly not with a message like that.”
I couldn’t argue with her logic, but the camera footage didn’t offer much more information. The mailman’s face was obscured, and his actions seemed routine as he delivered other mail to neighboring houses. It was as if he had intentionally blended in.
My sense of dread deepened, and I knew we needed to get to the bottom of this mystery. Without speaking, I went to the kitchen and retrieved a small knife, its gleaming blade offering a modicum of comfort in this unsettling situation.
Back in the living room, I carefully opened the envelope to see what’s inside. The card held an ominous message, written in bold, black letters that sent a chill down my spine. As I read the words aloud, it became clear that our problems were far from over.
On this journey, secrets unfold,
Intrigue and danger, tales untold.
Keep your guard up, stay prepared,
For the game of shadows, beware.