Chapter 50: WHAT I DID
The moment I was far enough from the school, I pulled over to the side of the road, my hands trembling slightly as I killed the engine. I leaned back for a second, taking deep breaths to steady my racing heart before twisting in my seat to reach for my bag in the back.
“Where is it?” I muttered under my breath, fumbling through the contents blindly. My fingers brushed against something soft, and I cursed when I realized it was the hair I’d shoved in there. It tangled in my fingers like it was alive, and mocking me of my semi-helplessness.
“Ugh, for fuck’s sake!” I snapped, yanking my hand away. I grabbed the bag by its strap and turned it upside down, shaking it violently. The entire contents spilled onto the passenger seat: scissors, my handkerchief, the clump of hair, Heather’s phone, a few pens, books and finally, my phone.
I exhaled sharply, relief washing over me as I snatched it up. Turning it on, the screen lit up to show the time: 7:45 PM.
I stared at it for a moment, breathing in and out. My head throbbed, my limbs felt heavy, and my chest ached with the aftermath of adrenaline.
Another deep breath. I tossed the phone back onto the seat and started the car.
By the time I screeched to a halt in front of Platinum 88, my nerves were still on edge. I grabbed my phone and my school bag, sparing a glance at the mess on the passenger seat and floor—Heather’s phone, the bat, and the damn hair.
"Not my problem anymore," I muttered.
Climbing out of the car, I spotted one of the bulkier security guards by the entrance. Without wasting a second, I threw him my keys.
“Set everything you think doesn’t belong in a car on fire,” I said curtly. “The phone particularly, the bat, the hair, all of it. Burn it. Then clean the car—thoroughly. Not a stain, not a strand of hair. You know what I mean.”
He nodded without question, as he walked toward my car.
I didn’t wait to see if he’d follow through. Adjusting my blazer and smoothing my hair, I strode into Platinum 88. A few shoppers were still inside, browsing leisurely as though the world revolved around their whims.
I clenched my jaw, ignoring the itch under my skin as I walked past them toward Tabitha, who was chatting with a wealthy-looking woman. She had an air of effortless wealth, her servants standing behind her like shadows, carrying an array of platinum's branded shopping bags.
“Tabitha,” I called quietly through the murmurs, making my way to where she was standing with the woman. I stopped behind her and quietly said, “I want this place empty and closed,”
She turned quickly, and when her eyes met mine, she straightened, her professional smile faltering. “Miss Blakely,” she acknowledged with a slight nod.
"You heard what I said"
Her gaze darted to the woman she’d been speaking to, but she didn’t hesitate. “Yes, Miss.” She nodded at one of the attendants nearby. The attendant moved quickly, weaving through the shoppers and quietly whispering to them one by one. The smiles on their faces dropped, replaced by reluctant acceptance as they began to gather their belongings.
I turned to a second attendant standing by the counter. “Fucking get me a cigarette,” I ordered impatiently. “I’ll be in the office.”
The girl flinched slightly but nodded, scurrying away without a word.
I didn’t bother looking back as I made my way to the office.
By the time I reached the office, my breathing was uneven, and my fingers twitched at my sides. I slammed the door shut behind me and leaned against it for a moment, trying to gather myself.
I sat down heavily on the chair, dropping my bag on the ground beside me and my phone onto the desk. The pain in my chest felt unbearable, like a knot I couldn’t untangle. My head was really pounding hard.
I stood abruptly and walked to the window, staring out at the city lights. The night was quiet, peaceful even, which felt almost offensive compared to the storm raging in my head, or the awful crime I just committed. I placed a hand against the cool glass, exhaling sharply.
A knock on the door broke the silence. I turned, pushing my hair behind my ears as the attendant walked in. She held out a cigarette and a lighter.
I walked up to her, taking them both without a word. Flipping the lighter open, I lit the cigarette, the small flame reflecting briefly in her nervous eyes. I took a drag, letting the smoke curl out slowly before speaking. “What’s your name?”
“Olivia,” she said quietly, her gaze flickering to the ground and back to me.
“Olivia,” I repeated, tasting the name on my tongue. I walked to the desk, placing the lighter beside my phone. Bending slightly, I grabbed my bag and stretched it toward her. “Take this to the security guy outside. Tell him to do the same thing I asked him to do with the car to this bag. Everything in it, except my stationery, books, and school stuff, needs to go. Make sure the scissors are the first thing to burn.”
Her hands trembled slightly as she took the bag, clutching it close to her chest like it was a ticking bomb. She nodded quickly, turning to leave.
“Wait,” I said sharply, stopping her in her tracks. She turned back to me, her face pale.
“Olivia,” I started again, my tone lower but no less commanding. “The security man is the only one allowed to open that bag. If I find out anyone else so much as peeked inside—” I paused, taking another drag of the cigarette, the smoke filling the air between us. “Well, let’s just say I hate it when people poke their noses into things that don’t concern them. Understand?”
“Yes, Miss,” she said quickly, bowing her head.
“Good,” I said, exhaling smoke through my nose. “And tell your boss something for me. It’s been almost a decade. Do I have to grow old before she listens to me and empties this place out? If I have to wait any longer, I’ll assume everyone here is just dead.”
She nodded again, and hurried out of the room. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving me alone with the smoke and my thoughts.
I stared at the cigarette between my fingers, watching the ash collect at the tip. I didn’t even feel the satisfaction I usually did. Everything was too loud in my head.
What did I just do?