A soft quiver of exhale fled from me, followed by a pulse, and I don’t mean from my heart. I pressed my knees together to somehow tell myself I was still in a state of being ridiculously horny.

UNKNOWN: Now tell me, what are you doing awake at this hour?

I gripped the phone tightly when I saw the time read 3 am.

UNKNOWN: Were you dreaming about me, naughty kitten?

I swallowed a loud lump down my throat, thickened by the tension suddenly tainting the air.

UNKNOWN: Don’t leave your husband on read.

I could almost hear that dark threat in his tone. I shouldn’t reply to him, I really shouldn’t. But if I don’t, I’d prove him right because silence would only give the wrong idea.

Me: My dreams are better off without a snake like you.

UNKNOWN: That’s right... Keep being naughty.

I gasped softly.

UNKNOWN: It only makes me eager to come back as soon as possible.

Drop this fucking phone, Ana...!

UNKNOWN: Take a picture for me, little kitten. I wanna see you right now.

Me: Go to hell.

The dots popped up and disappeared, repeating twice to the point I could almost hear him snicker.

Me: Besides, you have a wonderful view already. Your trusted secretary is within arm’s reach.

Fuck! Did I just send that? Am I cursed or something? Because I keep doing weird shits right now.

UNKNOWN: Now, now, kitten. Let’s not dwell on parties that don’t concern us.

I sent a sticker with a middle finger.

UNKNOWN: Is that a way of telling me you want my finger inside you?

I gasped loudly. EW!

UNKNOWN: Disgust? That hurts me, kitten. Seems like I need to remind you...

My mind raced when the next text popped.

UNKNOWN: How drenched you were for me... my little slut. The taste of you still lingers in my tongue, and no amount of whiskey can wash it away.

I blocked him.

I tossed my phone against the bed like it was on fire, only for it to give off a haunting buzz, the screen lighting up as if the device was possessed.

I crawled close, breath heavy and uneven.

UNKNOWN: Wrong move, kitten.

A shudder raced through me when the dots swirled.

UNKNOWN: Do more for me.

He’s enjoying this. He loved it when I defied him. I have lived a life where being stubborn was a questionable offense.

My father would scold me for being selfish, even Jacob grew displeased whenever I didn’t listen, but here’s this impossible man who wanted it.

I dropped to my knees and grabbed my phone, my pulse roaring in my ears as I switched it off, darkness covering my room.

~☆~

I couldn’t sleep.

I had to use my concealer to cover up the eye bags that formed overnight. I had turned on my phone earlier, and found no other text.

I had no idea why that rattled me to the core.

I took deep breaths as I neared the entrance, trying to erase last night, but that was asking too much for my brain.

My steps slowed down when I saw Lisa talking to two men as if giving instructions.

What’s she doing here? I thought she was on a business trip with Zade?

My body locked instantly. If she’s here, does this mean he’s back?!

That is not good.

My palms got sweaty, and my nerves skyrocketed until walking became a heavy task, and I’m seconds away from bolting to my room and barricading myself there.

Lisa sent the men off and finally took notice of me, eyes dragging to my powder blue wrap ballet leotard with a short flowing chiffon skirt and a fitted gray ballet shrug, my pink tights and leg warmers with flats.

"Mrs. Salvero..." she said sweetly.

"Lisa..." I answered bitterly.

She has succeeded in making the top list of bitches I wanted to cancel.

"Ms. Wade. Put some respect to that name."

"Mm, right. Wouldn’t want to forget how important you are."

"But your memory isn’t serving you any better. You forget yourself a lot," she said, amused.

I could tell she was still eaten away by how Zade dismissed her in his office days ago.

"Naturally. I can’t help it if I’m forgetful." I walked.

"And where do you think you’re going?"

I halted and faced her with a stern look. "Excuse me?"

"I don’t recall Zade giving you permission to leave while he’s away."

I clenched my Stanley Cup tightly, trying to keep cool. But my eyelid twitched from my rising annoyance.

Hold on... did she just say while Zade is away? Isn’t he back yet?

"Who knows..." she continued. "You might crawl up in your childhood sweetheart’s arms. Haven’t you caused him enough trouble?"

My nostrils flared, but I kept my cool as strong as possible, a smile tugged on my lips.

"Don’t you have some important business trip to be on instead of acting like a salted bitch?"

Her smile dropped.

"You’re Don Salvero’s precious secretary, aren’t you? So why exactly aren’t you glued to his side right now?"

"Because, unlike a piece of property like you, I’m charged with overseeing the company in his absence."

She sounded so proud of herself. Someone needs to climb down her high horses because it’s quite obvious right now.

"Last I remember... I thought that was Elliot’s responsibility."

Her mouth hung as words were lost to her.

I shrugged. "Oh well... What would a spoiled princess like me know? I’m sure you were left behind for far more important purposes. Ciao."

Smirking, I left, descended the stone steps to a car waiting. Not just any car, but the same one Zade gifted me.

"Good morning, Mrs. Salvero..." the chauffeur greeted, handing me the key fob.

I blinked. "You’re not driving me?"

"No, ma’am..." He replied politely, opening the car door for me.

That’s odd.

Stumped, I searched for any car waiting to escort me, but there was none. That alone should excite me, but all I felt was downright suspicion.