CHAPTER 002: THE STRANGER

SONIA’S POV

A very long time ago, someone once dear to me said betrayal would come in different shapes, forms and sizes and so I should be mindful of the words that comes out of my mouth and especially who I say those words to. My Mother also said not everyone likes the idea of anyone else being happy except them. Those were the words she said before she died in my arms 19 years ago. I was just 5 years old.

Looking at the two people I thought I knew like the back of my hands, I realize that my Mother wasn't wrong. She'd never been wrong. I had only ever said good things about Shaun to Jessica and with everything I'm seeing now, she wanted to have a taste of what I had fed her.

“Sonia honey, It's not what it looks like,” Jessica says to me and suddenly my hand itches to grab the gun in my purse. I haven’t used it before but how hard can it be?

“It was your stupid talk that made me come here, you know?” I say to Jessica and look at Shaun who has been stunned to silence all these while. He picks that moment to speak.

“Baby, go inside. I'll handle her.” He pulls Jessica inside and closes the door behind him.

Handle me?

“How did you find me here?”

“That's what you're bothered about?” I ask unbelievably, my voice raising up a notch. Shaun grabs my arm and pulls me down a shadowed corner of the hallway.

“Don't raise your voice at me,” His eyes are suddenly red and different, the hold he has on my arm growing tighter “If you had just minded your business, none of these would be happening.”

“Oh what, it's my fault that you cheated and got caught?” No matter how hard I try to contain it, my voice breaks, betraying me. “How long have you been fucking my best friend behind my back, Shaun?”

“It doesn't matter. If you want to join us, there's room for you.” He pauses, looking at me like he expects me to agree to his offer. I can only feel my lips tremble.

“Fuck you, Shaun.” I whisper, pained to be experiencing such cruelty from a man I thought loved me. I suddenly regret not removing my shades earlier from my clutch to cover my red rimmed eyes. There's no doubt Shaun takes pleasure in seeing me this way because what he says next only shatters my heart the more.

He lets go of my arm. “I've tried being rational with you but you're too bull headed. Leave now or I'll call security on you.”

“You wouldn't,” I choke, my throat too strained to let my words flow freely.

Shaun looks ahead and waves his hand, the action making the muscles in his shoulder pop out. I don't focus on what I once found attractive. Instead, I turn to see that he has in fact waved over two security guards who are now coming over.

“What seems to be the problem, Mr. Parker?” The bulkier of the two asks while still approaching as his partner speaks into his walkie talkie.

Having had enough humiliation for one night, I walk around Shaun, open my clutch, take out my shades and wear it.

“She’s an intruder. I don't know how she got access to my room.” I hear Shaun say behind me as I walk away.

“We apologize, Sir. We'll make sure she doesn't bother you anymore.” Probably the second one says. I hear their heavy footsteps behind me as I wait for the elevator to open.

They enter the elevator with me as we go to the ground floor of the hotel. Usually, I tend to avoid being in the same space with men as large and intimidating as these two behind me but it seems like my mental energy is exhausted for the day. My phone dings in my purse and I bring it out to see who the text is from.

Shaun: Things wouldn't have ended up this way if you had just minded your business, Sonia. Because of the love I still have for you deep down, I'll permit you to sleep over at my place just for tonight, but you're going to have to leave first thing tomorrow morning.

The imbecile.

I don't realize that I'm crying until I see a drop of tears splash on the surface of my screen. My attempt to wipe it away is futile because it just keeps streaming down my face.

When the elevator opens, I'm a shaky mess, totally different from how I was when I walked in here earlier. My heels click on the clean tiles of the floor as I walk as quickly as I can, eager to leave the hotel that suddenly holds a bad memory for me.

I'm almost through the doors when I suddenly bump into a hard figure. Strong, firm hands grip my arms, saving me from what would’ve been an embarrassing fall.

“Forgive me.” I utter, in apology without looking at the man who saved me from further embarrassment. I turn to leave but he doesn't let go.

“Are you alright, miss?” His voice is as deep and beautiful as his hold on me is firm and yet gentle. I'm pushed to look at his face. I have to strain my neck up and for the quickest second ever known to man, my breath slows down as my hazel eyes meet the deepest blue ones I've ever seen. His piercing eyes sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight, drawing me in with their intensity. His chiseled features and strong jawline along with a mop of sandy blond hair makes him irresistibly rugged despite the perfectly pressed black and obviously expensive suit he's putting on.

“Y-yes, I'm fine.” I watch as he notices the security men somewhere behind me. He shakes his head and I notice as they acknowledge his silent command and turn away.

“They're gone now.” He lets go of me, stepping back and adjusting his coat on his large form. I can see that he has questions, curious about my situation… or me? I don't know… but he doesn't utter a word. Instead, with a little smile on his face, he dips his head slightly, turns and walks away, leaving me with the ton of people trooping in and out of this luxurious hotel.