EIGHTEEN

Lyra walked briskly down the hallway, her cheap stilettos clicking on the hard marble floor.

She was confidently striding in her so-called durable shoes, the kind that could go through anything and everything. She had worn them for years now and trusted them to be able to take her wherever she wanted. But as fate would have it, one of the heels suddenly detached from its base while she was walking on the sidewalk, causing her to slip and stumble forward.

The sound of the heel detaching itself from its base was a loud snap that seemed to echo throughout the lobby as if it were announcing something bad was about to happen.

She clutched a cardboard box tightly in her hands, papers peeking out of the top.

It sounded like a warning sign but before she could react, gravity took over and sent her tumbling forward towards an unsuspecting person who didn't realize what had happened until he felt someone bump into him.

The contents of her box spilled all over the floor, papers scattering in every direction. Lyra's heart raced as she watched helplessly as a glass object fell from the box and shattered on the hard floor.

The sound of her shoes as she was falling forward was a loud thud that seemed to reverberate through the entire street, like a drum beat announcing her impending doom.

According to Lyra those cheap yet durable stilettos that had just cost her a lifetime of embarrassment were a staple part of her wardrobe. Despite the fact that they were relatively affordable, they were made to last. The black faux leather was smooth and shiny, with just a hint of sheen, giving the shoes a sleek and stylish appearance. The pointed toes and four-inch heels elongated her legs, making her appear taller and more confident than she felt.

The shoes were simple, but they added a touch of elegance to Lyra's overall look. They were perfect for dressing up a simple outfit or adding a touch of sophistication to a casual look. Lyra had purchased the shoes at a discount shoe store in the mall, drawn to the affordability and durability of the shoes. She had never been one to spend a lot of money on clothes or accessories,

Lyra looked up and saw that it was Ace she had bumped into, she immediately lowered her gaze.

Lyra felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry," Lyra mumbled, quickly bending down to pick up the papers.

Ace knelt down beside her, his eyes never leaving her face. Lyra tried to ignore the way his gaze lingered on her, trying to keep her eyes downcast as she grabbed the papers.

Lyra was about to touch one of the glass pieces when Ace suddenly held her hand. Lyra froze, a chill running down her spine.

She remembered five years ago; the last time his hand had touched hers was a time she dreaded and wanted to erase from memory. It was a time they had stripped her of clothing in Jared's bedroom and had sex with her.

She shivered at the thought of it, jerked away from him and said in a shaky voice: "I can do this myself."

She gathered the rest of the contents of the box, ignoring the broken glass on the floor. "I'll get the cleaners to take care of this," she said quickly grabbing the detached heel and ran off with it in her hand, embarrassed about what had happened.

She tried to walk away as fast as she could but the lack of balance caused her to limp on one foot. Her gait was uneven and awkward as she tried to make haste without looking too obvious.

The box in her other hand seemed to be getting heavier by the minute, making it difficult for her to keep up with the pace that she was trying so hard to maintain. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her as people stared at her odd form of locomotion.

But despite all this, she kept going, determined to make it out of the public eye as soon as possible.

Ace watched quietly as Lyra ran off in an iconic limp with the box, leaving behind a trail of blood on the floor. He knew that the glass must have cut her, but he hesitated to call out to her. He knew the reason for her uncomfortableness and he didn't want to make things worse between them.

Getting to his feet, he straightened his pants and walked slowly to his office.

Lyra rushed through the hallways, feeling hot tears gnawing their way to her eyelids.

She remembered feeling powerless and scared while they each took turns with her body; laughing at how easily they had taken advantage of her vulnerability. It was an experience that left deep scars within Lyra's heart and mind - never able to fully erase it no matter how hard she tried.

Lyra made it to her office just in time, breathing heavily as she closed the door behind her. She set the box on her desk and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

One heel was completely detached from its base while the other was still hung by a thread. She sighed in disappointment as she realized that these so-called durable shoes would no longer be able to take her wherever she wanted them too anymore.

“Oww,” she groaned, noticing sharp pain in her finger. Glancing down, she saw a thin red line running across the tip of her index finger. She had been so focused on picking up the papers that she hadn't even felt the glass cut her.

Lyra's heart sank. This was the last thing she needed today. She had so much work to do, and now she would have to deal with a bleeding finger and detached heels on top of everything else.

She felt like he needed to disappear to a very far distance and never return.