I turned on my heels to leave, but she forced her way in front of me.
"Leaving so soon, Catherine? After what you did to my nose, did you know how much I spent to get it fixed?" She pointed to the plaster.
"It looks pretty fine to me."
"You bitch!"
"If you don't want another mark on your face, step aside."
"You can't put your hands on me, you disgusting wench."
Jesus! I'm gonna lose it, but I chose to remain calm.
"I'm pregnant with Danny's baby, and if you touch me, he's gonna delete you."
It felt like a blow to the face, and my entire world spun. Piper smirked and placed her hand on her stomach, where I spotted a ring.
Just when I thought my heart couldn't be broken again, it did.
~
"Oh, this one looks nice," Dan said as we walked arm in arm past a stall. "That will surely look good on you."
"You think so?"
He looked at me with those beautiful brown eyes like I was the only woman he wanna spend the rest of his life with. "Without a doubt."
~
And I believe him. When the day I deeply anticipated came, he got down on one knee and gave me the key to his apartment instead. Nevertheless, I was happy and content to take that next step.
"Congratulations," I found my voice.
Piper smirked, curling the tip of her straight platinum hair with a finger. "Does it hurt?" she taunted. "I know you picture yourself standing where I'm right now. But that's too bad, I'm going to be Mrs. Sterling soon. He proposed a few months ago."
We were still together then. I swallowed thickly but maintained my composure and my fake smile that could sell anyone.
"Good to know." I turned to walk away.
"What are you even doing here?" Piper came to me again. At least I have a reason to be here. Do you know Danny likes it when I prepare for spicy moments? White is his favorite color."
I halted, but refused to look at her.
"Did he tell you you look good in white, too?"
~
"What's with all the white panties and bras?" I asked, going through the things he got me for my birthday.
"Nothing, I just think you look good in them."
"I thought you liked red."
He shrugged. "Likes change."
~
I got nauseated, holding my lower abdomen in pain.
"That's because he loves seeing me in it. You were just compensation for when I'm not around."
Just walk away, Catherine. Walk away.
I quickened my steps to the checkout counter. "Package this, please."
"Shopping for lingerie, I see, for whom? Don't tell me you already jumped to another. Didn't know you have it in you," she mocked. "Do you realize how expensive that is? How is a jobless bitch like you gonna pay for it?"
The cashier gave us both strange looks. She packed my things, but did it skeptically. She called the amount, and I fished out the black card from my purse.
Piper snatched it from my hand.
"Hey!"
"A black card?" she gasped, with wide eyes. "How did you get your hands on this? Did you steal it or something?"
Her words dragged the gaze of others shopping.
"Give that back to me, now."
"No! Not until you tell me where you stole this from."
What the hell is wrong with her? Now she's accusing me of stealing?
"I assure you, there is no way she can afford this. Check your security footage to see if anyone was looking for a lost item."
I scoffed. "I thought you were just immature, but you're also psycho, aren't you?"
"What—"
I snatched the card back quickly and handed it to the cashier, but she didn't take it.
"You think I stole this?"
"Ma'am, if you just wait so that I can check the footage."
Unbelieveable. Their service here really sucks.
"Is there a problem here, Mrs. King?" asked Reed, suddenly behind Piper.
She jumped and backed away, probably intimidated by his height and build.
"Is there?" I threw my question at the cashier, and she tensed.
"N-No, ma'am," the cashier stuttered and took the card to make the payment.
"Mrs. King?" Piper mumbled, confused.
When my things were packed, Reed helped with the bag, and without a second glance, I stepped out of the stall, leaving a wave of murmurs.
When I got back to the car, silent tears fell before I could stop them, emotions I had held up setting loose. The squeezing pain in my chest made it difficult to breathe.
At the rearview mirror, Reed had his eyes on me.
I quickly used the back of my hand to wipe my tears. But the tinted glass came up for privacy. I was silently grateful that he didn't question me.
My eyes got itchy from the contact, and I couldn't wait to take them off.
~☆~
It had been a long day, and we finally pulled up at the penthouse. I've never been here before, so it was a new experience.
We walked through the revolving doors leading into the spacious lobby.
There were security personnel and receptionists. I caught a few stares from them.
Reed entered the password, and the elevator doors opened for us.
When the doors opened again with a soft ding, we stepped into the foyer.
"Where can I drop the bags, Mrs. King?"
"Um, just here, I can take them to the room myself."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, thank you."
He nodded, pausing a bit like he wanted to say something.
"A-About what happened today. Can you keep it a secret? It was just a slight misunderstanding from—"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Mrs. King. I didn't see or hear anything."
A slow smile crossed my lips. In silence, he stepped back into the elevator.
I sighed, hugging myself and staring at the lonely, unfamiliar place.
Great! What am I gonna do now?
My phone chimed, and I checked.
Devil Boss: Make yourself at home.
I raised an eyebrow. Not exactly what I expected him to say, given how private he was with his space. Anything for a successful contract, I guess.
I typed.
Me: Where are you?
I didn't expect him to reply, so I put my phone in my coat, but I froze when I heard the familiar ding.
That was fast.
Devil Boss: Meeting.
If I were still a secretary, I'd be in that meeting. Ah... the lovely memories. Those meetings were pure torture; the associates were always so tense when dealing with Ares, sweating their faces off and becoming a stuttering mess.
Having Ares King's full concentration was a scary thing; his lethal, calm nature can put anyone on edge, and he was even more unpredictable with his decisions.
I shook my head to get rid of that core memory. Well, first things first get used to my new environment for the next year.
I walked into the living room.
Fucking hell!
Everything was dark and lavish, from the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city to the grand crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There were gray sofas arranged around a low black coffee table, and a marble wall with a built-in fireplace and a large TV. The shelves beside it held simple decor.
The kitchen in another section had nothing but dark aesthetics. Does he even cook in that place? It looked untouched. In fact, everything looked like no one lived here.
I dragged my gaze to the spiral staircase leading to the top floor. The rooms must be up there. Now I regret telling Reed to leave. I have to drag all those bags myself.
Of course I did. And I'm panting when I got to the top floor. I bought too much, way too much, I realize that now.
As I tried to catch my breath, I got a message from Ares.
Devil Boss: Your room has a red ribbon attached to the doorknob.
How refreshing. Saved me a lot of trouble exploring.