#Chapter 44 – Did You Bring Them?
#Chapter 44 – Did You Bring Them?
Stella
My hand feels numb beneath Adrian’s touch. I attempt to wiggle my fingers away, to slip out of his deadly grasp, but he only tightens his hold on me. The numb feeling makes my skin and muscles of my hand feel like they are being poked by millions of tiny little needles.
“Adrian,” I breathe out, trying to not show how much pain am in through my voice, “please let go.”
He does not respond. The man simply walks me through the hotel lobby, dragging me behind him, as our footsteps echo throughout the room. There are barely any people inside the resort, seeing how the time has fallen deep into the night.
We reach the elevators and he presses the button. I stand at his side, looking down at our connected hands. My skin is white, completely void of blood flow and life. I gulp and look up at him, blinking away any tears that have formed. Even my lungs feel weak and wheezy since he walked us away at such a fast pace.
“Adrian,” I try to speak to him again, “my hand. You’re hurting me.”
He finally registers my words and turns to look at me. His grip on my hand loosens just as the elevator doors open. I step inside and take my place in the corner, watching as he follows, pressing the buttons.
The doors close. He turns to face me and takes a few steps forward. I swallow the lump in my throat and tilt my head to look up at him.
Adrian pushes away fallen strands of hair and tucks them behind my ear. He places his hand against the elevator’s wall right beside my head. All of the air that was once in my lungs has been sucked out, leaving a burning sensation on the inside of my chest.
My heart races and my hands begin to slightly shake. I grab the fabric of my pants to steady them, hoping that Adrian does not notice.
He leans down, his emerald green eyes now at the same level as mine, and tilts his head to the side. He is quiet. His gaze moves over my face and it sends chills down my spine.
“Why did you bring him here, Stella?”
His question seems easy on the surface level but is quite deceptive. It is a trap, I know it is, and I refuse to fall into it. If he wants to start a fight, then he can be my guest, but won’t be a participant.
“What do you mean?” I ask, mimicking his head tilt.
“You know exactly what I mean. Do not play stupid or coy with me,” his eyes darken.
I try to look away from him but he follows my gaze, blocking my view of the elevator. The soft sings of the room fill in the silence as I try to figure out what Adrian’s plan is
“I didn’t invite him or bring him along,” I tell him the truth, something that he clearly does not believe as my words hit his ears. “I didn’t even tell him where I was going”
“Liar.”
“I’m not lying to you, Adrian,” I sigh. I feel weighted down beneath his gaze. His eyes burn into mine, making me feel naked and exposed even though it is just the two of us aside the elevator.
“Then why is he here? Why is he antagonizing us?” Adrian’s questions, while completely valid, make me feel so uneasy. I shift in my spot, retreating into the wall as much as I can, watching as he leans in
#Chapter 44 – Did You Bring Them?
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“I don’t know,” I breathe but, my breath mixing with his. “He said that he’s here on business. I don’t know why he would lie about that.”
“So you really don’t know?” Adrian quirks up an eyebrow, his eyes moving over my face all over again. Butterflies erupt on the inside of my stomach. I nod, swallowing the leftover spit in my mouth.
Adrian remains quiet. He slowly begins to pull away just as the ding from the elevator tells us that we have arrived at our floor. Adrian pushes off of the wall and away from me, his eyes remaining on mine.
He shoves his hands into his pockets, my crossbody purse still hanging from his shoulder. He gestures his head to the hallway, his blonde hair falling into his face.
“Come on. Let me show you to your room,” he says and turns around without another word.
Once Adrian is out of my sight, I am able to breathe again. I step out of the elevator, taking each and every step slow and steady, not wanting to rush into something that could do irreparable harm to Adrian and I’s already strained relationship.
I turn the corner, trying to find my way through the never–ending hallways and keep up with his brisk pace as well as I can. His blonde head of hair is quick down the hall, turning to the right.
I fasten my pace, my lungs feeling weak and on the verge of a coughing fit. Just as I turn the corner, my eyes are met with another familiar head of blonde hair.
Clara’s smile is big and wide and I can see it from down the hall. I slow my pace, my mouth going dry, watching as she flings her arms around his neck, her body crashing into his. Even her voice is loud as it travels down the hallway.
“Adrian! Honey! I didn’t know you were here!” Clara’s voice is like nails on a chalkboard.
I cautiously approach, placing my hands behind my back. Clara presses a kiss to Adrian’s cheek and pulls away. That is when her blue eyes land on mine.
“Stella? What are you doing here?” her voice falters yet the fake happiness remains within.
“I’m on vacation with my husband,” my words remain neutral and dull. Adrian turns to look at me. There is something unreadable on his face but it radiates nothing but regret and sadness.
“Oh! Your husband?” Clara turns to Adrian, raising her eyebrows in a confrontational manner.
“It’s complicated,” Adrian begins.
“I bet it is,” Clara’s words are sweeter than honey. It makes my teeth rot and not in a good way.
My eyes flicker to Adrian. He begins to move towards me but Clara draws him away. I swipe my tongue over my teeth and nod, reaching out to the my purse from him before immediately backing away.
Staring at the two of them, it’s so obvious as to why Clara is here. He brought her as his one true love and I…I’m the doll he still dresses up when it’s convenient for him.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” I hide the anger in my voice, remaining as calm as I can. I push past them and begin to make my way down the hallway.
I hear footsteps behind me, feeling Adrian’s familiar touch wrap around my wrist. I stop and close my eyes, not wanting any tears to fall while I look at him as my heart slowly rips to shreds on the inside of my chest.
“Stella, please, let me explain,” he breathes out. I shake my head and turn to face him.
“Did you bring her here?” I ask, mimicking his question from the elevator. “Is she here to serve as a reminder of
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#Chapter 44 – Did You Bring Them?
your true love? To antagonize me?”
Adrian’s expression softens, He shakes his head and takes another step towards me. I take one backwards and keep the distance between us.
“That’s not fair,” Adrian sighs.
“Isn’t it?” I spit the two words at him, hoping that they’d hurt. I look over his shoulder at Clara before turning back to him. “Can’t keep her waiting, right?” Adrian lets go of my wrist and I slip away down the hallway.
Tears begin to roll down my cheeks, my ‘silent cries hidden behind a stoic face. My cries become loud once I am inside my bedroom, burying my face into my pillow, allowing my sobs to lull me into a restless sleep.
