006

Kehlani’s POV

How I left Chase’s mansion, I had no idea. 

All I knew was I was back at my house and right now, that was the best thing that could ever happen to me. 

Biting the corner of my lips, I lay curled up on my bed. My knees were drawn to my chest and my blanket was pulled so tight around me that it now felt like a shield. 

The room was dark except for the faint glow from the streetlight outside my window which casted long shadows across the walls. 

Every shadow looked like a threat and every sound felt too loud.

Squirming, I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Don’t think about it.” I whispered to myself so I could control my ragged breath but it was of no use.  

No matter how hard I tried, the memory kept replaying. I dug my fingers into the fabric of my blanket as my breathing grew shallow.

I was home and safe, that is all that matters. – I repeated that to myself like a mantra, even though my body refused to believe it.

I was still trying hard to be sane when I heard the faint sound of my door lock turning.

My heart stopped that instant. 

Every muscle in my body went rigid as fear surged through me. 

With my eyes wide opened, I kept staring at the bedroom door like it might burst open any second. 

My breath caught painfully in my throat.

“No, no, no.” I whispered , pulling myself up. 

My hands kept trembling as I reached for the lamp beside my bed but I stopped halfway. 

What if it wasn’t safe? What if whoever it was didn’t want the light on?

“Hello?” I called out, my voice shaky and barely recognizable. “Who’s there?” I asked, hoping to get a response but I was greeted with a deafening silence. 

The lock clicked again and was followed by the unmistakable sound of the door opening.

Panic clawed at my chest and my heart slammed so hard it hurt. 

I scrambled backward on my bed until my back hit the headboard, my eyes glued to the doorway.

“I… I’m calling the police,” I lied, my voice cracking. “Whoever you are, you need to leave now.” I yelled only for the door to be flung open the next second. 

“Kehlani?” a familiar voice called gently.

I froze because I recognized the voice. 

“Ashley?” I whispered back. 

The light of my bedroom flicked on, flooding the room, and there she was. 

Ashley stood in the doorway with her bag slung over her shoulder with her brows furrowed in concern. 

The moment she saw my face, her expression changed completely.

“Oh my God,” she gasped, dropping her bag. “What happened?”

I didn’t answer, I couldn’t. The relief that had hit me was so sudden that my body gave out. 

I slid off the bed and rushed toward her, throwing my arms around her like she was the only solid thing left in the world.

She hugged me back, pulling me into a tight and warm embrace. 

“Hey, hey,” she murmured, rubbing my back. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe.” She mumbled, rubbing my back in an upward and downward motion. 

The word safe made my throat close up then I broke down in her arms.

“I thought…” I sobbed. “I thought someone was breaking in.”

Ashley pulled back slightly, holding my face between her hands. Her eyes scanned me carefully, worry etched deep into her features. 

“You’re shaking. Kel, what’s going on? Did Hunter come here?”

At the mention of his name, fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. 

Ashley sighed softly, guilt marring her features. “Okay, say no more.”

She guided me back to the bed, helped me sit then sat beside me, pulling me into her side. 

I leaned into her warmth, my body still trembling.

“You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to,” she said gently. “But whatever it is, we’ll deal with it, together.”

I nodded, even though the truth felt lodged painfully in my chest.

She brushed my hair back from my face then with a soft voice, she said, “I’m going to make you some coffee. You look like you haven’t slept.”

Now left to myself, all I could do was stare at the wall, my thoughts spiraling. 

How was I supposed to explain any of this? 

I couldn’t tell her about Chase. My life was at stake here. 

Ashley returned a few minutes later, holding a mug. The smell of coffee which filled the room grounded me just a little.

“Here,” she said, handing it to me. “Take small sips, it's piping hot.”

Nodding, I wrapped my hands around the mug, grateful for the warmth. 

“Thank you.” I whispered and she nodded in response. 

After watching me for a while, she adjusted on her seat.

“You were crying when I came in. Was it Hunter?”

I hesitated, then nodded slowly. It was easier to let her believe that.

Ashley scoffed, rolling her eyes. “That asshole does not deserve this much power over you.”

I managed a weak smile.

“You know what?” she continued. “You need space, a new routine and no Hunter.”

Setting the mug aside, I swallowed.

“About that,” I said quietly.

“About what?” She asked, raising her brow at me. 

“I… I sent in my resignation letter today.” I bit out. 

“What?” She gasped, her eyes wide as saucers. 

“I quit,” I repeated, staring down into my coffee.

Ashley shot up from the bed like shebhad been pricked by a needle. “You quit? Kel, that job was amazing. You just started!” She pressed. 

“I know,” I said quickly. “But I don’t like the environment.” I tried to defend my decision even though it sounded weak. 

With her hands resting on her hips, she stared at me like I had grown a second head. 

“The environment? You loved that place yesterday.”

“I was wrong.” I mumbled, shaking my head slowly.

There was no way I was returning to Vortex after what had happened. No fucking way. 

I would rather remain jobless than be a part of an organization that has a dark side. 

“That’s not an answer,” Ashley pressed, she wasn't going to just accept my tale just like that. 

“Did someone do something to you? Was it your boss?” She asked, holding my shoulder. 

Biting my lower lip, I tightened my grip around the mug. “I just don’t feel comfortable there.”

“That doesn’t sound like you.”

I shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

She softened slightly, sitting back down. “You’re scaring me.”

“I’m scared too,” I whispered.

We sat in silence for a moment then my phone buzzed on the bed beside me.

The sound made me flinch violently.

Ashley noticed and that made a frown to mar her features at once. 

“Easy, it’s just your phone.” She whispered , holding my arm. 

I stared at the screen only to see an unknown number blaring on it. 

My heart dropped into my stomach as multiple thoughts began to make rounds in my head. 

Don’t answer it, ignore it. – I said to myself. 

“What?” Ashley asked, when she noticed my expression. “Who is it?”

“I don’t know,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Then don’t answer.”

I should have done as she asked but something deeper and darker told me I couldn’t ignore it so I answered.

“Hello?” I said cautiously.

There was a brief pause then his voice came through the line, calm and unmistakable.

“Kehlani,” Chase called. 

My blood ran cold as the whole world went black. 

“I’m at your door.” He added after a brief pause.