Chapter 27: Out of Reach.

Selene

I wake up to barely any sound of traffic outside the penthouse windows, it’s muted from me being so high up but is constant. New York is alive, and buzzing like my mind, which hasn’t truly rested since that damned video of that smug bitch in bed with Adrian.

I grab my phone —and there is a text from John, “Early meeting. Text if you need me. I’ll be back in two hours to fetch you, enjoy breakfast . ” And just then there's a knock on the door and a waiter rolls in a big trolley with different breakfast goodies like fresh croissants, jams , bacon, eggs , waffles , muffins and fruit. And a card with a small jewellery box . I open it up and there is a stunning tanzanite necklace , bracelet and earrings . The card says " I think this will look amazing on your beautiful skin, John x."

I try not to think too much into his attentiveness. At least, I tell myself I don’t. He probably showers all his conquests with expensive gifts . But I can't help but break into a small smile.

I slide out off the chair after , pull the robe I have on tighter around me , and try to shake off the weight in my chest. But my phone—silent for the past twelve hours—calls to me. Not literally. That would be easier to ignore.

I unlock it again and unblock Adrian.

18 missed calls. 12 unread messages. All from Adrian.

I almost delete them all again. But something inside me wavers.

I tap the first voicemail.

“Selene. I swear I don’t know how that happened. I woke up with her in the bed and—she wasn’t supposed to be there I don’t remember anything after having one drink. I didn’t—fuck, I didn’t touch her. Please just call me. Let me explain. Please Selene baby I'm begging you, let me explain. I got back and found her in my room, I never came to Denver with her . She was there , had bribed her way into my room , she poured me a drink and that is all I remember. ”

I exhale slowly, heart thudding. It’s the crack in his voice that does it. Not the words. The pleading.

Another ping. A new message.

From Jonathan.

Selene, listen I don't want to get to involved in what's going on between you and Adrian, but I think you need to see this . I got a hold of the footage from the hotel. Please won't you let him explain. He deserves better. Bianca is a bitch. She always wins in the end, don't let her win this time please . I've never seen my brother so besotted with a woman like I've seen him with you.

I stare at the message, dread crawling up my spine. Have I jumped the gun ?

Check your email. You’ll see what kind of man you’re dealing with.

I hesitate. Every instinct screams not to look. But I do.

There’s a video attached. Not like the one from before. This one’s grainy. Security camera footage? I hit play.

It’s Adrian. In the hallway outside his penthouse. Pacing. Running his hands through his hair. Slamming his fists into the wall. A man falling apart.

It loops and I can't help the tug on my heart strings at the sight of the man whom I've clearly fallen for, looking like his world has ended.

Maybe he wasn’t in bed with her by choice.

Suddenly, everything I thought I knew about the past 48 hours twists into something murkier.

I drop the phone on the bed like it’s scorched me.

God.

What if I was wrong? I just don't know what to think anymore. This still doesn't excuse how he rushed out after her though . That still stings me and I know I will never be able to deal with that emotionally draining situation.

Adrian

I haven’t eaten. Haven’t slept. My entire team thinks I’ve lost the plot with the way I’m yelling over the Zoom meeting. I'm snapping at everyone and jumping their asses over nothing.

Jonathan walked in mid-rant earlier and just handed me coffee like he was dealing with a rabid animal. Maybe he is.

Ive tried everything. Messages. Voicemails. Even reached out to John, begging him to let me know where she is staying or if he could give her a message from me .

The bastard hung up on me.

It’s not just losing her. It’s that I’m losing the only person who saw me—really saw me—for who I am. Not the power, not the money. Just Me.

And now she thinks I betrayed her. With Bianca, of all people.

Bianca’s silence since the hotel stunt has been deafening.

Too quiet for my liking.

Which means she’s planning something.

I open my security feed again. Go frame by frame over the night I can barely remember.

And there it is , I see a something that explains things.

A figure slipping out of my room before I arrived. It was the concierge.

No—someone posing as one.

I freeze the image. Zoom in. The face is blurred, but the uniform’s off. Slightly wrong shade in the color . No pin and way to clean.

I forward the footage to my head of security.

“Connor , Run facial recognition. I want an ID. And I have want it like yesterday.”

If I can prove this… as well as the toxicology report maybe I can get her back.

If it’s not already too late. I don't even want to think of her in John's grasp. I will kneel down in front of her if I have to , but I'm not going down without a fight .