Chapter 62: Can You Imagine?
Chapter 62: Can You Imagine?
Chapter 62: Can You Imagine?
EVANGELINE
I take the last sip of my coffee and close the email app before clicking the shutdown button in the corner of the screen.
Ready to switch into weekend mode, I close my laptop on the kitchen island. At the same moment, my phone vibrates with a new notification on the screen.
I pick it up, expecting it to be Tess, but the name on the screen makes my stomach twist with familiar discomfort.
Aleksander.
A reminder of the mistake I made last night. The only thing worse than letting him in was losing control like that.
I’ll never forgive myself for giving in.
Staring at the screen, I consider not opening the message and simply ignoring him. But my curiosity gets the better of me, telling me I can decide that afterward.
✦
Aleksander:
About the cameras, I need to make sure you really want me to remove them, even if they might be the only reason he disappeared.
✦
It’s not exactly what I expected. But maybe he’s finally realized what he did.
Still, trying to make me change my mind is completely Aleksander. But I’m not going to let him keep trying to manipulate me anymore.
Even if he might be right, I won’t let him use that as an excuse to keep spying on me.
It would just be like trading one lunatic for another.
I reply, short and to the point: I do.
His response doesn’t take long.
✦
Aleksander:
It’ll be done by the end of the day.
And I hope you’ll reconsider the promotion, now that you know I had nothing to do with it.
✦
Does he really think I’m going to believe that? And why does he even care?
Deciding he doesn’t deserve an answer, I set my phone aside. Suddenly, the doorbell echoes through the house, reminding me that Tess was on her way.
The thought of having her here for the weekend isn’t just comforting; it also makes me feel a little relieved now that there won’t be anyone watching me anymore.
Excited, I head for the door.
✽
“They’re gone,” Tess says, coming back from the window, where she spent a good part of the early afternoon watching Aleksander’s team remove the cameras. “So, where were we?”
“Something about one of the guys out there being hot?” I tease from my spot on the couch.
“He really was.” She laughs, dropping down beside me. “But I think we were talking about the promotion... Do you really believe he set all of this up?”
“Yes, but it seems like you don’t,” I say, giving her an intrigued look.
“Maybe because it’s easier to believe you earned it on your own.”
“If that were true, why him of all people?”
“It could’ve just been a coincidence.”
“After throwing me away like trash and disappearing for a week... you don’t believe that.” I scoff.
“Fine, maybe he’s a sadist. But you should consider the other possibility too.”
“I don’t know...” I sigh. “I just wish none of this had ever happened.”
“Don’t worry, it’ll pass. You’re not the first woman to fall for a good-looking, smooth-talking bastard, and you won’t be the last.”
“Thanks.” I laugh. “But I still don’t understand why he came here.”
“Maybe he just felt bad that you were about to lose the opportunity. Which is just one more reason for you to accept the promotion.”
Of course, because he’s just a good Samaritan.
As much as her words make some sense, I can’t simply trust him. Not after what he did and how he made me feel all these days.
Remembering it only makes me feel even worse about reacting the way I did last night. Even though I didn’t think it was possible, I managed to humiliate myself even more.
I don’t think I’ve ever been this ashamed of myself.
“Hey...” She gives me a light nudge with her elbow. “That’s enough. Stop thinking about it.”
I nod, turning my attention back to the TV.
I try to focus on the dating reality show Tess loves, but my mind keeps going back to Aleksander’s reaction in the office.
The way he accused me of forgiving Luke.
At the time, I could’ve sworn he seemed consumed with jealousy.
But now the idea seems completely absurd. After all, why would he be jealous after sending me away?
✽
Tess is standing in front of my bedroom window, staring at something outside when I come back from the bathroom after brushing my teeth.
“Hey...” I say, feeling an instinctive sense of unease. “Is everything okay?” I ask when she turns toward me.
“Mm-hmm...” She nods, coming closer. “I was just thinking about how bizarre it must’ve been to see someone standing out there... watching you.”
“Do you really think this is a good time to remind me of that?” I ask, sitting down on the left side of the bed.
“You said he disappeared, right?”
I nod. But the truth is, I’m still wondering what made him stop. Maybe it was the cameras, but that still wouldn’t explain why the messages stopped too.
Unless Aleksander did something about the number. Now more than ever, I’m inclined to believe he wouldn’t have a problem hiding things from me.
But it doesn’t matter anymore. As long as they both disappear forever, I’ll be fine.
“Where did you go?” Tess asks, joining me on the bed.
“Nowhere.” I smile, slipping under the covers like she does. “Thanks for coming. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Anytime.” She smiles, her eyes already sleepy. “Good night,” she says before turning to face the other way.
“Good night,” I murmur back.
Following her lead, I turn over, settling my head on the pillow. I stare at the warm yellow glow of the bedside lamp I can no longer bring myself to turn off at night, until my eyes finally start to grow heavy.
They’re almost fully closed when my phone screen lights up beside the lamp.
I blink, and it’s almost impossible to suppress the familiar shiver.
Trying to ignore the feeling, I reach for it.
Aleksander.
His name glows on the screen, leaving me confused.
Unable to resist, I open the message.
✦
Aleksander:
Is it really true?
✦
What? What does he...?
No. I don’t care. I’m not going to let him keep tormenting me.
Tapping his name, I look for the option to block his number, but my finger hovers over it.
I shouldn’t hesitate, but I can’t help it.
Frustrated with myself, I put my phone back on the nightstand and try to sleep again.
But I can’t. No matter how tightly I close my eyes, his damn message keeps tormenting me.
The minutes pass. My eyes fixed on the damn phone.
Until the screen lights up again.
I pick it up.
✦
Aleksander:
Can you imagine where I am right now?
✦