Juliet
I step into the hotel room, my breath catching at the sheer opulence that surrounds me. It feels more like an extravagant apartment than a standard hotel room, with sleek furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the city below.
Setting my purse down on the plush sofa, I take a moment to soak in the tranquility and sheer silence of my surroundings. The chaos of the outside world feels so distant here, replaced by a comforting sense of calm that washes over me like a warm embrace. Pretty places have never failed to make me completely forget about the terrors of life.
I reach into my purse and retrieve my phone along with the charger cord, settling onto the sofa as I begin composing a message to Autumn, my best friend.
“Hey Fall, you won’t believe where I ended up tonight. Long story short, I had a blackout moment and somehow ended up at this gorgeous hotel. It’s like something out of a dream. Can we catch up later? Need to fill you in on everything.”
With a sigh of relief, I hit send, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders as I reach out to my friend for support. Despite the uncertainty of my situation, being in this beautiful space offers me a sense of sanctuary, a brief respite from the chaos of my everyday life.
I wait for Autumn’s reply, and take a moment to appreciate my surroundings once more, feeling a surge of gratitude wash over me. In this moment, surrounded by luxury and serenity, I know that I’ve made the right decision to seek refuge here. And as the city lights twinkle outside the window, casting a warm glow over the room, I allow myself to relax, if only for a moment, knowing that I am safe. My phone buzzes in my hand, and I see Autumn’s name flashing on the screen. I swipe to answer, bracing myself for her reaction.
“Juliet, what the hell? Are you okay? You can’t just drop a bomb like that and expect me not to freak out!” Autumn’s voice is filled with concern, and I can hear the worry laced in every word.
“Autumn, hey,” I greet, trying to sound calm despite the churning unease in my stomach. “I’m okay, really. It’s just been a crazy night.”
“A crazy night?” Autumn’s voice rises with incredulity. “Juliet, you said you had a blackout. How is that just a crazy night? You know how serious this is.”
I wince at the sharpness in her tone, knowing she’s right. “I know, Autumn. I just… I don’t know what happened. One moment I was at work, and the next thing I remember is standing outside in the pouring rain in front of this hotel.”
There’s a heavy pause on the line, and I can almost feel Autumn processing my words, her concern tangible even through the phone.
“Are you safe now?” Autumn’s voice softens, her worry transitioning into a gentle inquiry. I draw in a shaky breath, grateful for Autumn’s unwavering support. “Yes, I’m safe. I made it back home.” My body tenses with the lie.
“Okay, good,” Autumn exhales, the tension in her voice easing slightly. “Do you want me to come over? We can talk about this in person.”
The offer touches me deeply, she was the closest thing I had to a sister and she made sure I knew that. “Thank you, Autumn. But I think I just need some time to process everything tonight.”
“Of course,” Autumn responds understandingly, I can practically hear her shaking her head in agreement. “Just know that I’m here for you, whenever you’re ready to talk. And if you need anything, absolutely anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, overwhelmed by Autumn’s unwavering support. “I will. Thank you, Autumn. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” Autumn reassures me, her voice warm with affection. “Now get some rest, okay? We’ll figure this out together tomorrow. You’re coming to work tomorrow right?”
I nod, even though Autumn can’t see me. “Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Autumn.”
“Goodnight, Juliet. Sweet dreams.” As I end the call, a sense of security washes over me, knowing I’m not alone in navigating this shithole and that if no one else believes what I’m going through, Autumn does. With Autumn having my back, I feel a flicker of hope midst the darkness that threatens to consume me.
My trembling hands set my phone down on the side table before turning the lamp light off, casting darkness across the room.
As I lay in bed, the silence is deafening, broken only by the sound of my own erratic breathing. Pulling the blankets tightly around me, I burrow deeper into the warmth, seeking solace in the cocoon of fabric.
But sleep eludes me, my mind consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Images flash before my closed eyes, fragments of memories whipping past my lids threatening to drag me along for the ride.
And then, as if summoned by the darkness, the nightmares descend upon me like a relentless tide. I find myself standing in the dimly lit hallway of my childhood home, the air heavy with tension and fear.
Ahead of me, the door to my father’s study looms ominously, a silent sentinel guarding the secrets within. With trembling hands, I push it open, the hinges creaking in protest.
Inside, the room is shrouded in darkness, the only bit of light is the moon streaming through little holes in the curtain.And there, seated behind the desk, is my father, his features twisted into a mask of rage and cruelty.
Beside him stands Stephan, his expression blank and vacant, as though he’s been drained of all emotion. My heart clenches at the sight of him, the man I once loved now nothing more than a puppet in my father’s grasp. I try to speak, to plead with them to stop, but my voice is nothing more than a whisper lost in the void. And then, without warning, my father rises from his seat, his eyes burning with malice as he advances towards me.
“Juliet,” he hisses, his voice a venomous whisper that sends shivers down my spine. “You thought you could defy me and get away with it? You thought you could betray your family and walk away unscathed?”
I shrink back, the weight of his words crushing me like a vice. “Father, please,” I plead, my voice barely audible. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Silence!” he roars, his fury echoing off the walls of the room. “You have brought shame upon this family, Juliet. You have disgraced us all with your disobedience.”
I tremble under his gaze, my limbs feeling like lead as I struggle to stand my ground. But my father’s anger is a force unto itself, relentless and unyielding.
“And you,” he continues, turning his wrath towards my fiancé, who stands silently by his side. “You dare to stand here, a spineless coward incapable of defending his own honor? I gave you the opportunity to run this empire that I have build, and you dare to encourage her.” My fiancé flinches at the accusation, his eyes darting nervously between my father and me. But he remains silent, a silent accomplice to my father’s tyranny. “You knew the rules when I allowed you to see my daughter. Yet you continue to disrespect my rules.” My father winds his fist back and makes contact with Stephans jaw. Stephan’s body moves with the punch, landing in a heap on the ground. Awake, dazed and definitely not full there.
A shriek leaves my throat and I open my mouth to protest, to defend him against my father’s accusations, but no words come. I am paralyzed, trapped in a nightmare of my own making, powerless to escape.
I try to flee, to escape the clutches of the nightmare, but my feet are rooted to the spot, bound by invisible chains. And then, just as my fathers hand reaches out to grasp me, I jerk awake, my body drenched in a cold sweat.
I jerk up from the bed, confusion hits all of my senses. Somethings different in the room and I just can’t put my finger on it. Rolling to the edge of the bed, I grab my phone.
1:13AM
I hadn’t even been asleep for a full 2 hours.
ns 15.158.61.19da2
