Chapter 5: The day after

(Claire's POV)

I walked aimlessly. The morning was just starting. I hadn’t really slept. I heard the conversation with his father. The streets were quieter than usual, replaying what the conversation was about.

I could still feel the warmth of his skin on me, the way his voice had deepened when he whispered in my neck, how his breath smelled like mint. His touch still lingered despite his absence.

But still, I slipped out from under him before the sun even rose. I wonder what he would think of me. Adjusted this drop of my bag

I was trying to preserve myself, to preserve whatever was left of my heart. Trust me when I say I have come across men like that before. And Dante was the kind of man who made you forget you were supposed to protect yourself—the kind who kissed you like it was a promise of forever, the kind who disappeared before morning ever came so you couldn’t have a chance to ask him to stay.

I didn’t believe in fairy tales anymore. Fairy tales were for little girls. How could I believe in fairy tales? Not after Ben. Not after the note. Not after the empty apartment I came to meet yesterday. Not after the life I thought I was building had vanished in the twinkle of an eye.

At that moment, I had learned several lessons. I learned that men like Dante didn’t belong to anyone. No matter how tender his touch was, no matter how he ignited a spark inside of me, no matter how gently he gave me the nickname baby.

The night was so perfect— too perfect. And that’s why I had to leave.

Perfect never stayed with girls like me.

I walked to Maddie’s place because apparently, she didn’t live far from him. But it felt like 100 miles, especially as the thought of him kept going round and round in my head.

All I could see was his eyes on me, his hands on me. Gosh, I had to get a grip.

I buzzed the apartment building, and Maddie opened the door in a hoodie and pajama shorts, rubbing her eyes from sleep. I was grateful that she wasn’t pissed off at the odd time I chose to come back.

“Well, you look like someone who needs an exorcism. And maybe some coffee too. Why the hell do you look like this? I thought you’d stay over and have a good sleep.”

I let out a loud laugh at her words as I stepped inside. “Right now, I would agree with you. I need a lot of things.”

“OK, first of all, are you hungry?”

I shake my head.

“Are you drunk?”

“Maybe just a little. I didn’t get any sleep at all. Ohh, let’s just say I didn’t let myself sleep,” I confessed.

Maddie pointed to the couch. “Sit and start talking.”

I dropped my bag and fell into the cushion. My limbs were tired and achy. I felt raw, although I didn’t have sex. I didn’t realize when Maddie had left me to go get two steaming mugs of coffee. I was so grateful for that. I was so grateful for Maddie—for having her as a friend.

“So are you going to start talking or should I just assume that you probably robbed him, stole his car, ran away, and joined a cult?”

Honestly, she was trying to be funny, but I wasn’t even able to summon up a laugh. I just folded up my legs against my chest and held the mug to myself.

“I slept with him. I mean—I had sex with him.”

“Ohh, but I thought that’s exactly what you want to do with him?” Maddie blinked.

“Yeah, kind of.” I gave her my best dry smile.

“Was it...?”

“You mean was it good? Better than it had a right to be, I guess.” I looked at my fingers as we sat in silence.

“Damn, Claire. Do you have feelings for him already?”

“No! Of course not. I don’t even know what came over me. I was out of my mind and he was there. It wasn’t even like he said the right things. He was just looking right. I don’t know, but I felt something.”

“And then what happened next? Because it sounds like there’s a next in what you’re saying.”

“I left.”

Maddie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait. What did you just say? You left?”

“Before he could even wake up. He didn’t realize I wasn’t sleeping all through, and once he slept, I just took it as my cue to disappear. I thought I wouldn’t even make it out.”

“So you’re telling me you ghosted him?”

I nodded. My response.

“Girl, that man was built like a Greek god. You didn’t even take his number at least?”

I just stared at my mug because I knew she was right. “No. I didn’t trust myself to not want to stay if I were to type my number into his phone.”

“Claire.”

“I just... I just don’t.  men like him don’t stay with women like me.  That kind of chemistry does not exist. We’re not even from the same world. I am the gutter, and he's from royalty.”

Maddie rolled her eyes at me. “Just admit you’re scared.”

“Of course I am scared! He looks too perfect. I don’t even know if his name is Dante. I told him mine was Ivy. When I was there, he got a call from a man—I think that’s his father—but he thought I was sleeping. It sounded shady.”

Maddie was quiet for a moment. “Do you feel safe right now?”

“Yes and no. I feel safe because you’re my sister. I don’t feel safe because I’m feeling too much.”

Maddie opened her mouth to give me a response, but a knock at the door interrupted us. She got up immediately and gestured for me not to follow her. She looked at her security cam on her desktop.

“Two guys in gray suits at the door, holding briefcases.”

The knock came again before I could give a response, more insistent than before. Maddie went to the door, unlocked it, and pulled it open. I got up immediately so I could be by her side.

A tall man came in without even being invited. He looked well-groomed, clean-shaven. He looked like he was in his mid-40s—or maybe older than that. His gray suit was well-tailored, with no wrinkles. His shoes were so well-polished. But there was no smile on his face.

“Are you Claire Anderson?”

“Yes. What is this about?” I asked. I made sure my voice sounded strong, not to give away the fear that was bubbling inside me.

“I am from Dells Enterprises. Your father would like to speak with you.” He handed the card over to me.

I took it from him, completely thrown off. “I—I don’t have a father. I’m an orphan.”

The man’s face was unreadable. “But you do now."