“What’s going on?” My voice booms across the foyer. Their heads snap to me, and they freeze mid-action.
“It’s the penthouse, sir. Something’s not right,” Matthew stammers, staring down at his feet. I can see his heartbeat in his throat and the sweat gathering on top of his brow. I narrowed my eyes at Matthew because that simply was not possible.
“Are you sure about that, Matthew?” I question darkly, my nerves on their toes.
“P-Pretty sure, boss. We got notification of a breach, and we were trying to figure out whether we brought it to your attention before or after the situation was handled.” I can see the anxiety surrounding him, so thick I could pick it up.
“Y’know Matthew, I’m starting to question your role as my head of security. How the fuck are you supposed to know what to do unless you inform me of the situation.” I walk over to the elevators without another glance and press the button. The elevator ride was pretty much silent besides the buzz of Matthew’s anxiety.
“Where was the breach located inside the penthouse?”
“Stairwell entrance, sir.” What the fuck? I usually lock that; how was that door breached?
The elevator doors open with a soft ding, and I clench my fists anticipating a fight. I walk in a few steps, but I don’t see anything. The only thing unusual is the faint smell of coconut. I walk further into my penthouse and turn towards the kitchen, where I have this huge window that faces into the city; the entire wall along that side of the penthouse is pretty much windows. I don’t see anything, so I turn back to Matthew.
“I think you should go and check the two spare rooms, and I’ll go through and clear the living room, master bedroom, office, and library,” I say slowly and quietly as I notice his face pinch and lose color. His eyes go wide, and I spin on my heels.
Right there, in front of the window, is someone moving.
She’s slowly walking against the window, her face softly lit with the low light coming from the city.
“Boss-”
“Shut the fuck up, Elliot, so help me, God.” I whisper back at him, taking another step towards her. Her face becomes clearer, and I notice her eyes heavy-lidded and glazed, her footsteps so soft it looks like she’s tip-toeing. My eyes run up her bare legs, and I can make out a baggy piece of clothing cutting off high on her thighs; she’s not wearing any pants. Just a baggy shirt that completely engulfs her upper half.
Suddenly, realization hits me.
Juliet.
She’s sleepwalking.
My heart pounds in my chest as I absorb the situation. She’s completely vulnerable, almost naked, and unaware of her surroundings. I feel a surge of protective instinct, and panic set in. I can’t let anyone else see her like this.
“Matthew, get out!” I snap, my voice cutting through the air like a whip. “Get everyone out now!”
Matthew stumbles over his shoes, still processing the situation, but I don’t have time for explanations. I grab him by the arm and physically push him towards the door.
“Clear everyone out, and make sure they don’t come back until I say so,” I command, my tone leaving no room for questions.
As the room empties, I turn my attention back to Juliet. She continues to move in her sleep, completely unaware of the chaos around her. My instincts kick into high gear, and I make a quick decision. I need to guide her back to her room without anyone else witnessing this vulnerable moment.
“Juliet,” I called softly, approaching her with caution. “It’s Eros. You’re sleepwalking, and I’m here to help you.”
I move beside her, shielding her from the view of anyone who might still be lingering. With a gentle touch, I guide her away from the window, leading her back to her room.
As I guide Juliet into her room, the scent of coconut remains in the air, a lingering reminder of the surreal events that just unfolded. No ones been able to break into my penthouse, and she did it. In her sleep.
Her movements are erratic, as if she’s caught in the clutches of a nightmare and I notice the subtle tremors in her limbs, and the shakiness in her breathing. We exit the elevators and I notice her door was left wide open. Definitely not a safe choice, but what can you expect of someone stuck in their unconscious mind.
Once we reach her bed, Juliet becomes more distressed. I watch as her eyelids flicker and her face twist with sadness and pain, such a beautifully broken woman. Gently, I guide her to lie down, ensuring she’s safe and comfortable. Her breaths are uneven, and a soft whimper escapes her lips, and my stomach lurches. The vulnerability etched across her sleeping face strikes a chord within me, evoking an unexpected surge of protectiveness. I can’t protect her from whatever is in her head, but I can protect her from whatever is out there that hurts her so bad I slowly get up from the bed beside her, too aware of how heavy the room is with emotion. I can’t stay with her, she doesn’t know me so she won’t trust that I’m safe for her.
Exiting the room, I find Matthew waiting nervously, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. The urgency to keep this incident under wraps is palpable, recognizing the need to shield Juliet from unnecessary scrutiny.
“Keep everyone away, and make sure there are no leaks about what just happened,” I instruct Matthew, my voice carrying a firm undertone. Matthew nods in acknowledgment, understanding the gravity of the situation. As he takes on the responsibility of maintaining confidentiality, I’m left alone with my thoughts. The events of the night have shaken me more than expected. I’ve never had something leave me feeling so panicked.
As I walk through the dimly lit hallways of my hotel, I can’t shake the feeling of unease that gnaws at the edges of my consciousness. Juliet’s distress weighs heavily on my mind, her tear-stained face haunting my thoughts like a ghost from the past.
But amidst the turmoil, a nagging doubt takes root within me. There is a possibility that she could be a pawn, or even the mastermind behind a clearly obvious take down. The thought is unsettling, yet I can’t ignore the sense of unease that gnaws at the edges of my mind.
I’ve always prided myself on my ability to read people, to discern their true intentions hidden beneath the surface. But with Juliet, I find myself at a loss, her emotions a tangled web of contradictions that defy easy explanation.
I retreat to my penthouse, hopefully intruder free this time, and I’m left grappling with the unsettling realization that this woman that has some kind of pull on me could either be my success or demise. And as much as I want to believe in her innocence, a part of me can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to Juliet than meets the eye.
I have this strange feeling that I’m going to get either fucked over, or sucker punched.
ns 15.158.61.37da2
