My feet hurt from walking, and when it finally brings me back to reality I don't recognize anything. As I try to shake off the haze of exhaustion, I find myself surrounded by a cityscape that feels strangely foreign, like a distant cousin of the place I once knew.
The urban landscape has transformed dramatically since my childhood days, with towering skyscrapers now dominating the skyline where once there were only familiar storefronts and cozy neighborhoods. I can't help but marvel at how much this city has grown and evolved in my absence, yet it's disconcerting to realize that I've strayed so far from my usual whereabouts. Here no one knew me
This isn't the part of town I typically venture into, and I can't shake the feeling of being an outsider in my own hometown. It's as if I've stumbled into someone else's story, navigating unfamiliar streets and alleys with a growing sense of unease. Each passing moment only serves to deepen my disorientation, leaving me wondering how I managed to get so lost in the concrete maze that once felt so familiar.
As the rain continues to lash down relentlessly, a familiar unease settles in the pit of my stomach. The cold seeps into my bones, but it's nothing compared to the chill of anxiety creeping up my spine. Memories I've tried to bury are still fresh on the surface, taunting me with their persistence. I glance around, feeling exposed and vulnerable in this unfamiliar part of town as I recognize that I've gone well past where Stephan typically allows me without an escort.
The towering buildings loom overhead, their imposing presence closing in on me. My heart pounds erratically as I scan the surroundings, half-expecting to see Stephan emerge from the shadows. It's irrational, I know, but the fear grips me nonetheless. Amidst the chaos of my thoughts, a couple's laughter breaks through the cacophony, drawing my attention to a nearby hotel entrance. They disappear inside, their warmth and intimacy a stark contrast to the cold, gray, empty streets. With a hesitant breath, I make the decision that the hotel is far safer than the streets are and maybe, I'll be safe enough here.
"Hi, excuse me? Do you have a room available here?" I squeak out to the man behind the counter, my voice coming off far weaker and more emotional than I intended. It is currently 9:15 in the evening, I haven't heard a thing from Stephan since that message this afternoon, and I am looking at one hell of a muscular back. The man in front of me turns around, a scowl sitting on his face like it's a permanent resting position.
As he pivots to face me, the sharp angles of his jawline cut through the dim light of the hotel lobby. His dark hair, ruffled and rebellious, hinting at a disregard for conformity.57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwTOhk93Oy
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"Look, check-in starts at 3 and ends a-" His tone bites out at me and there's a brooding intensity in his stormy eyes that captures my attention, as if a tempest swirls within them. I don't want to look away, but I can't help but cower away from that tone, squeezing my eyes shut with me.
"It's okay, I know it's late. I can just find somewhere else to go. I just knew where this place was because this is where I typically go." My cheeks warm with the lie, I regret not calling Stephan outside and getting him to come find me, the last thing I wanted was to make this beautiful man mad.
This is the first time I went to an actual hotel; most of the time, I just stay in some motel on the edge of the city really close to the office and leave Stephan a voicemail telling him where I am. Usually, I'm crying and apologizing because I know it bugs him that I have a job. I went against his expressed wishes, but I couldn't be trapped, and I already couldn't follow my dreams. I will not have someone tell me that I can't be around those who are living my dreams; a girl's gotta be happy somehow.
"It's okay. Are you just passing through, or do you plan on staying a while?" His gruff voice asks me, but this time it had a note of softness to it. I stare down at my trembling hands, willing for them to still.
"I can just go somewhere else; it's okay. I didn't even think about che-" I'm cut off by a light growl, and I squeeze my eyes shut, tensing at the noise. I should've just called Stephan and apologized. I should have just quit the job like he told me to. I shouldn't be here.
"No, you have a room. I just need to know how long you plan on staying so I know where to put you. So, will you be staying for a long time, or are you just passing through?" His tone gave me a sense of finality that overwhelmed me. I burst into tears, staring down at my engagement ring.
"I don't know how long I'm going to stay." I look up from my trembling hands, and I look right into deep blue eyes with yellow wrapped around the pupil. My hands fly up to cover as much of my face as I can, my breath stuttering in my chest. "I'm really sorry; that was incredibly embarrassing of me to lose my composure like that. I'm so sorry." My heart is hammering against my chest, and I feel like I can't breathe.
"You don't need to apologize to me; are you okay? You're on the verge of hyperventilating. Are you having a panic attack?" His voice hums in my ears, and raises with something that resembles panic . His eyes look at me with concern, but his face remains only slightly changed. I open my mouth to speak, but I fall short. The only thing that leaves my mouth is a heaving gasp as I struggle to compose myself. What should I say? What am I doing here? Where am I even?
"How about I get you settled in your room first? You don't look like you're in a mindset to be in public. Do you have someone I can call for you? If you need anything at all, I'll be just over there." He nods his head over to the bar. "And I'll be doing paperwork for god knows how long. If you need someone to talk to, come and find me." I nod at his words and go back to staring at his chest as he turns and heads for the elevator. He reaches over to press the button and freezes before he makes contact. His head snaps to me, then the floor around me, and his eyebrows furrow. "Where are your bags, love?" He questions turning towards me.
"I walked here from work... I didn't plan to stay anywhere tonight so I didn't pack for the occasion." I rub the back of my neck and try to reach past him to press the up button for the elevator, itching to get away from his piercing gaze.
"No," He grabs my wrist before I can press the button, fire lighting up my skin. He glances over to the lobby, back at me, down at my left hand, and then back to the lobby. His grip tightens for a moment before he turns back to the elevator, pressing the button with so much force the button sticks for just a slight second before returning out. When the doors open, he pushes me inside the elevator, following slowly, taking up the frame of the elevator door.
"What are you doing?" I shriek out, feeling way too crowded in an elevator that only two people occupy.
"Is the fiance making an appearance?" He gruffs out back to me, pressing the button for the 17th floor.
"What?" My eyes linger on his big hands, craving for them to touch me again with that same fire, bringing the same mindless peace they did in that moment.
"The ring. You have a ring on your wedding finger, but you don't have a wedding band. So fiance, obviously." His words come out like fire, something about the way that he says it feels like both jealousy and rejection. "So, is he making an appearance?"
"No, I actually hope that he doesn't know that I'm here. We had a fight and I didn't think it was smart to go home" He turns his head to respond to me, but the elevator dings before I can form the words.
He turns towards the opening elevator doors. Grabbing my right wrist, he leads me out into the oddly large but small hallway. Two door on opposite ends of the hallway and he leads me towards 1701. Taking the Key Card, he opens the door and brings me into the room. It is absolutely stunning, and looks far too expensive. Did I just walk into the most expensive hotel in the city?
"You said you walked here from work; there will be a car downstairs for you whenever you need to go to work tomorrow. Just call the lobby about 5 or so minutes beforehand, and we can have it parked outside for you. I'm assuming you don't want to wear the same clothes that you currently are tomorrow, so there will be a clothing delivery outside for you in the morning at 6 am sharp. If you do not answer, it'll be left at the door for you. Breakfast is at 7 am; do not be late. If you have any issues, again, I will be down at the bar for a few hours, and if I'm not there, I'm in my apartment upstairs. Feel free to knock if you need anything." He rushes out in a forced tone and goes to walk out of the room before turning on his heels. "I didn't catch your name."
"Juliet, but my friends call me Julie," I say quietly, staring at the little hint of stubble that rolls down his neck so elegantly. "Uhm, the car? Is there a driver... or do I have to drive it myself?" I nervously laugh out, going back to staring at my hands. God, I hope he doesn't find that question stupid. What kind of 23-year-old can't drive? Me, I'm the 23-year-old who can't drive.
"I can arrange a driver if that makes you more comfortable?"
"Yes, please." I smile down at my hands, and I hear him start to walk away. Only, his shoes come into eyesight, and his hand comes up and tilts my head up by the chin so I'm looking right at him.
"When you smile because of me, love, make sure you look at me when you do it. You have a beautiful smile, love; don't be afraid to let people see it." I feel the red flush my cheeks again as I stare into his beautiful eyes. My chin lighting up against his touch. "W-What's your name?" I nervously stammer.
"Eros." He drops my chin, winks, and turns, walking out of my room. The worst part was he shut the door behind himself. Completely and abruptly cutting off his presence, leaving me more hollow than when I walked into this place.
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