Chapter 11 Hi, Sugar
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Hi, sugar.
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
“R … RO … ROSE … ROSALINA! ROSA, RUN!”
“Mama, mama, no, mama, come!”
I jerk awake violently, my lungs burning and my legs tangled in the sheets.
My chest caves in painfully, and my lungs constrict. I try to breathe in, but it is just so hard.
The residue of the nightmare digs its hold into my ribs. My whole body jerks painfully as I try to fight the current, but it is stronger than me.
It hit all at once. My chest tightens like a fist is closing around it. My breath turns shallow no matter how much I try to breathe in.
My heart is pounding erratically. The walls are closing in on me. Hear crawls under my skin, and my body shakes.
I can’t see.
I can’t breathe.
There’s no air. I am going to die.
Oh God. I am going to die.
Suddenly, something slams open, light bursts through the darkness, and hands reach for me.
“Breathe, breathe, breathe for me, my love. In and out. Easy. Gently.” Eve’s soft voice fills my ears, and air slowly fills my lungs.
My eyes water as my body trembles in her hold. The fist around my heart presses tighter, and oh, oh, I am going to die.
Eve is saying something; she is panicking, but I can barely hear her as I fall deeper into the hole. Everything blurs and stretches, time fades and falls.
A deeper voice cut through my panic attack. Ricks’s. I am moved off the bed. He presses my body to the cold tile, and I gasp for air. He places a cold bottle of water on my chest, and my vision clears slowly. I start to return to myself. The panic seeps out of my body, but my eyes cloud with tears. My heart aches painfully from so much grief.
“Can you hear me, Scarlett?” Rick asks firmly.
I nod and push myself up. Eve is right beside me in her signature nightwear. Worry is painfully etched on her face.
“I’m fine.” I lie through my teeth.
I am not fine. Something is very, very wrong. I haven’t had nightmares in almost a month, since we left, since we got here, and now, out of nowhere, a visceral nightmare? Something is wrong.
“You’re not fine, Scar. Work is taking a toll on you. This week has been exhausting, and you need a break.” She says, her gaze on me, and her words made of steel.
I attempt a stupid smile, “Good thing we are celebrating your birthday tonight. I have a wonderful gift for you.”
“Don’t change the subject,” She glares at me.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. It’s like you said, I’m exhausted. I need to get back to sleep, and so do you. I promise you, I’m fine.” I assure her, even though every word tastes like ash in my mouth.
Begrudgingly, she leaves, and Rick follows her behind. I avoid his knowing gaze and try to go back to sleep.
I can’t.
All I can see is my mother.
I get off the bed and work out instead. I keep myself busy with different things. Soon, morning comes like a thief, and I dress up, ready to make today the best birthday she has ever had.
The day passes in a wonderful blur of home-cooked meals, gifts, pretty dresses and more gifts. She almost fainted with joy when I gave her the Photography kit. I spend a pretty penny on it, but I don’t care about the money. All I care about is her.
An hour before we leave for a very exclusive club, Rick pulls me aside.
“I need to know what I’m fighting against, Scarlett. I can’t fight blindly.” He speaks calmly, but the look in his eyes is not calm.
I clench my jaw hard. I knew he saw that something was off. At least he didn’t call me out in front of Eve.
“You don’t have to worry. I got away. We are safe. There’s nothing to be scared about.” I murmur, then slip away before he can ask any further questions.
Soon, Eve and I get ready. One of the gifts I got her is a Versace Crystal Medusa Mine Dress. It has a cowl neckline and accentuates her curves the perfect way. My dress is a beautiful pixie dust mini purple dress with bows on the straps. It is one of the dresses the agency got for me. I am not working tonight, but it is hard to turn it off.
“You look so beautiful.” I smile at her. I spent the last twenty minutes styling her beautiful hair. She is always the prettiest woman in every room. I don’t deserve her.
“Don’t she look perfect, Rick?” I tease, glancing at Rick. He is dressed for the part.
He clears his throat, “She does. I’ll be in the car.”
With that, he walks out.
I turn back to my best friend and give her a knowing smile.
“Come on, let’s go.”
We walk out of the apartment together and fifteen minutes later, walk into the VIP section.
Neon lights pulse in red, purple, and strobes, blurring out people’s faces, and leaving me with the buzz in my throat and veins. A laugh spills out of me like ink. The urge to dance overwhelms me. Bodies move in a mass, glittering dresses, polished shoes, and champagne glasses.
I lean against the bar and watch as she dances freely, the spotlight on her.
Moments like this, I forget all my past and my job. I have enough money, but I want more. I never want to go hungry again.
Cash and card flashes at the bar.
I take a step forward and join Eve. Euphoria fills my bones. I throw my head backwards, and laughter spills out of me like ink. I run my hands over my body, which is when I see him.
I know who he is. Roman Sterling. They say he wears one of the deadly sins like a second skin.
His gaze on me is still unflinching.
Goosebumps break over my skin. Shivers trickled down my spine. Tonight is my night off, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun. He looks like he fucks like a God. Time to find out.
Eve has her hands full with Rick, so she won’t miss me much. Still, I’m about to tell her when she waves me off, a warm smile on her face.
I turn around, and there he is. He reaches for me with rough hands, wrapping one around my hip, pulling me flush against his hardness. I expected his hands to be soft, but the roughness elicits dirty thoughts from me.
“Are you here alone, pretty?” He rasps, voice thick and rumbling.
Easily, I switch into my work persona.
“Hi, Sugar. I’m alone. This place is noisy, though. Do you know somewhere quiet?” I purr, my hand on his chest, rubbing.
“I own this place. Come with me.” He smiles, and I nod, biting my lower lip. Hunger gnawing in me.