Chapter 58 When Secrets Breathe Between Walls
The sound of the knock pierced the room and Amanda's eyes flew open in shock. The silence that took over for a brief moment was scary. She could hear Wilson's heart beating fast.
"Amanda!" Rowan called out softly. Amanda's panic intensified. With tears still wet on her cheeks, she quickly pushed Wilson away.
Rowan knocked again. His voice followed the knock. "Amanda? Are you okay in there?"
This time, Amanda wanted to respond but Wilson stopped her by placing his left hand on her mouth. He shook his head to signify that she should not answer.
The situation was dire, and Amanda needed to act swiftly. She looked around and motioned for Wilson to hide in the bathroom. "Stay here" she whispered.
He reluctantly complied, slipping into the small space just as Rowan tried the doorknob.
She was yet to regain her composure when Rowan came into the room. "Hey, Amanda, what's going on?" Rowan's tone held concern as he spoke.
Her voice shook as she responded, "Why, I'm fine"
"Are you sure about that?" Rowan moved closer. "I heard you talking to someone when I got to the door…but"
Amanda's heart skipped and she interrupted Rowan immediately although it was a reflex action. "You did?"
"Yes, I did." Rowan continued. "But it stopped when I knocked and you didn't respond. I was confused and worried"
Amanda flustered and with her heart pounding, replied in a shaky voice, "Sorry, I was just talking to myself and I got caught up in my head. I didn't know you were knocking. But I am fine."
Rowan didn't buy her explanation. He was sure something was off but just could not lay his hands on the facts. "I heard movements, Amanda."
"Yeah, mine. I was pacing" she responded.
Rowan sensed the awkwardness in her voice but decided not to press further. Instead, he said, "Okay, I was just checking in on you to see if you are comfortable. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be in the living room or my room."
Amanda nodded hastily which made Rowan more suspicious. "Are you sure everything is alright?" He asked again.
"Yes, we are good," Amanda responded. Her heart still pounding.
"Okay," Rowan said, walking to the door. At the door, he turned back to Amanda, "I will get them to refresh this room. It reeks of my brother and its quite suffocating, isn't it?"
Amanda gasped for breath hearing Rowan's statement. He rushed back to her side. "Are you okay?" Amanda shook her head as she could not breathe well.
"Breathe in," she did as Rowan instructed. "Now breathe out" They repeated the process for a while until her breathing was stable.
"Did you just have a panic attack?" Rowan asked, concerned etched on his face. Amanda didn't respond. "Alright, just relax." He helped her to the bed. "Take a nap, I will check up on you later, okay?"
Amanda nodded as Rowan walked out of the door. She jerked at the sound of the door.
As Amanda heard Rowan's footsteps recede, she sighed with relief but knew she had to act quickly to get Wilson out of her room before Rowan notices anything.
Hastily, she jumped out of the bed and went to the bathroom door. She whispered to Wilson, "It's clear now. You need to leave.
"How?" Wilson asked.
Amanda was taken aback by the question. "How did you get here?" She snapped.
"Without you getting a panic attack. Do you hate my brother that much?" Wilson asked.
Amanda scoffed. She does not know if Wilson was manipulating her with the reality only he believes to be true or if he truly thought she hated Rowan.
"Get out or I stop covering up your ass" Amanda yelled.
"You will not do that," Wilson said with confidence but Amanda's yell convinced him she would do as said.
"Don't you dare me!"
"Fine. I get it. I just need a little distraction to get out of here without Rowan knowing." Wilson said softly.
Amanda pushed him out of the bathroom without hesitation. " I'll create a distraction if needed." She didn't think about what she said. All she wanted was for him to leave.
Wilson nodded and silently walked to the door. Amanda rushed to the door, peeking into the corridor to ensure Rowan was far enough away.
With one last, worried look, Amanda opened the door cautiously, making sure the coast was clear. Then, she guided Wilson out of her room, moving quickly and quietly down the corridor.
Rowan was sitting on the resting chair in the balcony. "Find your way out from here. I will keep Rowan's attention on me." Amanda said before she walked away from Wilson to Rowan in the balcony.
Rowan was surprised to see her. "I thought I asked you to take a nap."
"How could I when I am so scared," Amanda responded.
"Come here!" Rowan said, gesturing to her to join him on the resting chair that was big enough to take two people. Amanda joined him without hesitation. She would have thought about it if it wasn't the situation with Wilson.
Rowan put a reassuring arm around her, his concern palpable. "Amanda, you know you're safe here, right? If something is troubling you, please do not hesitate to share it with me."
She nodded, trying to compose herself. "I know, Rowan. I just had a really strange encounter earlier and it left me quite shaken."
"Really? What happened? Rowan asked, his brow furrowed.
Amanda sighed. " I read something similar to what is going on right now on Instagram. The young woman was murdered brutally. She even had a small girl." She decided to fabricate a story to keep Rowan's focus away from what happened earlier in her room. She sensed that he was not convinced earlier.
Rowan's grip on her shoulder tightened protectively. "How are you feeling right now"
"I don't know, calm, I guess," Amanda said. She was truthful with her response about how she feels.
"Good. Now, that is how I want you to feel here. You are safe. Nothing or no one will hurt you under my watch, I promise. I just need you not to keep anything from me. Okay?" Rowan assured.
Amanda nodded with a smile. "Thank you"
Rowan smiled back, his worries momentarily put to rest. "Well, I'm here for you, always. But for now, how about we sit here and enjoy the night together? Maybe it will help you relax more"
"Sure." Amanda nodded.
"One more thing," Rowan added. "How about we change your room? I think Wilson was the last person in that room because it sure reeks of him and now you do too"
"Really?" Amanda asked, sniffing her shirt.
They were still talking when Anna came, "Sir, you have a visitor!"
Surprised, Rowan asked. "Who is it?"
"Your brother, Wilson!" Anna responded.