Chapter 5: The Most Dangerous of Them All

I woke up to the sun rays filtering into my room through the window. I turned on my right side, my eyes closing tighter, my chest lightly heaving. My mind immediately went into action, and I woke up with a start, a gasp leaving my lips, my heart thumping with dread.

I turned, squinting my eyes at the sun. Fuck. I was late. I swear, I had to be late.

I stood up and immediately ran to the bathroom. I was done bathing in five minutes, and my dress was all dried now. I pulled it, then gave a sigh as I took it in. It was extremely creased, but I barely had time. I wore it like that, my hair still damp as it fell down my shoulders, and I pushed my feet into the sneakers.

I grabbed the bag, stuffing the money that still remained in it. I opened the fridge, grabbed one of the bottled juice that Dan had given me, and I ran out of the house.

I ran to the busy road, stuffing my face with the juice as I waited for a cab. By the time I got one, the bottle in my hand was empty, and I entered the backseat, my hand on my chest as I tried to catch my breath.

I gave him the card, then leaned back, my eyes closing. How could I be late?

I leaned forward. "Do you know what the time is?"

He checked the phone, lying next to him. "Quarter to eight."

I lay back, my hand coming to my forehead, my chest heaving. The ride was, luckily for me, smooth, and I checked the time before alighting. Exactly four minutes to eight.

I ran towards the rotating doors and barged in, my chest heaving. I stopped, my lips parted, my eyes wide as I took in the massive building in front of me.

Everything seemed like it was encrusted in gold, and I could see a massive staircase that was covered in an elegant red carpet from where I stood.

I looked around, then up. It had at least twenty floors, and I swallowed, my chest heaving. How was I supposed to find him?

There was nothing about him anywhere, and I didn't even know his name, so I couldn't even go to the reception. I swallowed hard, then timidly walked towards the large reception table. There were a lot of people, people who looked like they spoke wealth and opulence. People who weren't like me.

I bit down on my lips as a couple walled away, leaving one reception table open.

"E... excuse me?"

The man behind the counter raised his head and gave me a polite smile. I could see how his eyes slowly took in my dressing, however.

I cleared my throat. "I... I am looking for someone."

"Okay. What is the name of this person?"

I swallowed. "I can only describe him. He is tall and...-"

"Ma'am. You can only provide me with a name, and I will check our entries. A description will not help."

I bit down on my lips harder. "Surely, you can help me out. He is a very handsome man -"

The man chuckled, then cleared his throat. "We have handsome men over all the time, ma'am. Please step aside."

"Please, I just need to meet him. Please. Please, I beg of you."

"Ma'am. Step aside, or I will call security right now."

"When did you start letting these peasants in here, Dennis?"

I turned to the woman who had spoken. She was an elegant, tall woman. Her eyes held mine in a rather condescending manner, and she let them slowly drop to my feet.

"Madam Larissa, we are very sorry. I will have the security take her away."

My eyes widened, and I shook my head. "No. Please, no. I really... really need to meet this man. Please!"

"The man you are looking for is probably in one of those family owned motels, sweetie. That is the only thing a man who takes interest in a dirty little thing like you can afford."

My lips parted as the security men came around me. My eyes filled with tears, and I swallowed, my chest heaving.

"That is not quite true, Larissa."

I looked up, immediately recognizing the voice. The man was standing a foot away from us, his eyes cold. He was wearing a black robe, his hair falling back, his eyes thin. He was holding an elegant walking stick, his lips pursed.

"Sin?" The woman, Larissa said, turning to him, her eyes wide.

"Yes. Me. I am the one she came looking for, and last time I checked, I could afford your father's business."

I turned to her, and our eyes met. Hers were filled with scorn and hate, and I knew that it passed the simple disgust she obviously felt for people she deemed below her status. There was something between this mysteriously beautiful man and this haughty woman, and it seemed like I was getting caught in the middle of the fire.

"I thought you could do better, Sin."

"What I can do is not your business anymore." Slowly, he turned to me. I felt my breath hitch, my eyes wide.

He moved the walking stick to his left hand, then slowly stretched his hand to me.

"Come to me, darling."

I blinked, unable to believe anything that was happening.

"Sir," Dennis, the attendant said, leaving his station. "I am sorry. I did not know she was looking for you. I am sorry. Please forgive me."

Sin didn't say a word, his eyes focused on me. Slowly, I covered the distance to him. My fingers lightly trembled as I stretched towards him. The tip of my fingers touched the tips of his, and he suddenly pulled me further, his hand wrapping around mine.

His eyes took me in, the cold threatening to freeze me at least halfway. His face gave nothing away, and I felt almost compelled to say an apology.

"I... sorry I was late."

He didn't reply, his hands tightening around mine. "Let's go."

I turned to the attendant, who seemed completely rattled, and the woman who looked like she was about to start spitting fire.

Slowly, I turned to Sin. The most dangerous of them all.