Chapter 58: Not Again
Chapter 58: Not Again
Chapter 58: Not Again
ALEKSANDER:
My phone vibrates on my desk, pulling my gaze away from the garden outside.
Stepping away from the window, I set my glass of whiskey down and pick up my phone.
I open Grant's new message.
✦
"Miss Sinclair is home.
I'm heading back."
✦
She's home.
It's done.
The silence hangs heavy as I sit behind my desk.
I close my eyes.
Take a deep breath.
Wait.
Satisfaction.
Relief.
Anything...
Nothing.
Only her scent.
Her moans.
Still clinging to me.
No.
I get to my feet, draining the last of the amber liquid from my glass.
It's over.
You did what you had to do.
A shower. A good night's sleep.
Tomorrow everything will be back to normal.
✽
In my bedroom, I drop my phone and suit jacket on the bed before starting to undress.
My fingers stop at the second button of my shirt when my gaze returns to the dark fabric lying across the sheets.
I notice the traces of dirt.
A few blades of grass.
Beneath her…
I swallow hard and pick up the jacket.
Her perfume still trapped in the fabric hits me.
I clench my jaw.
I push the memories away.
Then I remember the mask.
I slip my hand into the pocket and pull it out.
Staring at it for a moment, I set it down beside the jacket.
I won't need it anymore.
On my way to the bathroom, I strip out of my clothes.
I turn on the shower and stand motionless beneath the hot water for long minutes, hoping to regain control and clear my mind.
But when I lie down in bed and close my eyes, the memories are still there.
The way she said my name...
That look...
The feel of her around me.
Fuck.
It's over.
✽✽✽
"Mr. Volkov?" Claire calls, her voice sounding distant while making my head ache even more.
The result of another night spent tossing and turning.
"Yes?" I say, pulling my eyes away from nothing and rubbing them.
"Are you alright?" She looks at me with concern.
"Yes. Are we finished?" I ask, trying to remember where we left off.
"Yes... you've kept all of tomorrow's appointments," she says before standing, but hesitates before leaving. "If I may... you should try to get some rest, sir."
I nod.
"You too. See you tomorrow."
"See you."
I watch her leave.
When the door closes behind her, I let out a sigh of frustration.
Pathetic.
Even if it's Claire, I can't allow my employees to see me like this.
But after barely managing to concentrate during the meeting earlier today, it was inevitable that she would notice.
After four nights without sleeping properly, I may have to resort to extreme measures.
One or two bottles.
With that in mind, I gather my things.
I'm on my way out of my office when a new email from Harrington Row appears on my phone.
✦
Dear Mr. Volkov,
I am writing to inform you that the Board has decided to accept your recommendation.
The official communication to the employee will take place by the end of the week.
✦
Good.
She deserves it.
✽✽✽
Fuck...
I drape my arm over my eyes, trying to silence my thoughts.
Even exhausted, I can't switch off.
Almost a week...
This should've been over.
With a sigh, I give up and sit on the bed.
My eyes settle on the bottle of whiskey on the nightstand, but I know it won't work.
Just like it didn't work last night.
All it got me was an even worse headache the next morning.
I don't need anything else getting in the way of my work.
This week has already been difficult enough.
I grab my phone before leaving the bedroom.
I head downstairs to the kitchen and take a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
Through the windows, I stare at the lake outside while I drink it.
Maybe a little fresh air will help, since I can't spend another three hours at the gym.
Leaving the bottle behind, I step out into the garden.
The night air is nearly freezing.
Cold enough to make my face sting.
But the cold doesn't stop me from continuing my walk along the edge of the lake.
I keep going, one step after another, trying to silence my mind.
...
When I finally stop, realizing where I am, I feel betrayed by my own mind.
I stare at the entrance to the maze.
I know it's too late to turn back.
So I step inside.
It only takes one step between the towering hedges.
My pulse quickens.
My breathing grows heavier.
Her scream.
Her footsteps.
Breathless.
Lost.
Running from me.
Begging to be found.
When I reach the same corridor, I stop.
And I can see everything...
Her body beneath mine.
Every sound, every moan...
It's as if I can still hear her...
Still feel her.
Right here.
And it's driving me insane.
Tormented.
But I can't leave.
I just stand there.
Losing all sense of time.
...
Suddenly, my phone vibrates in my pocket, tearing me away from the memories.
Pulling my eyes away from the dark grass, I take it out and open the new notification from the security team.
✦
Sir, we've detected activity at Miss Sinclair's residence.
✦
Without hesitation, I tap the link beneath the message.
The camera feeds fill the screen as I rotate my phone sideways.
Then I select the best angle.
It's her.
But she's not alone.
The traitor...
My stomach tightens.
Why?
My body stiffens as I watch him follow her.
Why is he there?
Why is she with him?
The car...
Where were they?
What the fuck is going on?
She shouldn't be talking to him.
She shouldn't even be looking at him.
But she seems...
Different.
Her unsteady steps...
Has she been drinking?
I clench my teeth.
The way she struggles to unlock the door only confirms my suspicions.
She's vulnerable.
And he's taking advantage of it.
Fuck.
Why is she still talking to him?
Don't let him in.
Just send him away.
Suddenly, he pulls her into a hug.
My body locks up.
The air catches in my throat.
No.
After everything...
I'm not going to let her make the same mistake again.