12: He had a date yesterday

“Valerie!” Derek’s voice cracked through the air the second I stepped inside. He stood behind the reception desk, jaw tight, clipboard in hand. Victoria was right – he was in a foul mood.

“You’re late.” His eyes glaring at me, trying to burn holes through me.

“I’m here now,” I murmured, smiling innocently at him while slipping past him toward the staff corridor.

“Barely,” he snapped. “Don’t think I won’t write you up again.”

Wouldn’t expect anything less from you, a**hole!

I swallowed my protest. The last thing I needed was more trouble.

My cart waited in the supply room, already stacked with fresh linens and miniature soaps.

I frowned, staring at it, wondering who –

“You’re welcome,” sounded a cheerful voice from behind me, making me catch my breath and nearly jump out of my skin. Victoria grinned triumphantly behind me, clearly pleased with the success of her sneak attack.

She was leaning against the wall, her long brown hair was braided neatly down her back, resting elegantly against her maid uniform.

“F*ck, Victoria!” I exhaled. “Don’t ever do that again.”

“Language, Valerie!” Derek’s sour voice carried down the hall.

Victoria rolled her eyes and gestured me to follow, out of earshot.

I gripped the cart handle and hurried down the corridor with her.

We stopped by the service elevator, about to go to the first floor.

“Val, be careful today,” Victoria said with a playful pat on my shoulder. “Derek is extra touchy today. And you sure know how to get under his skin.”

I sighed. “He’s always a jerk. Nothing special about today.”

“Well,” she smirked secretively, leaning in closer. “I heard he had a date yesterday.”

“A date? Derek? With a girl?”

“Mm-hmmm,” Victoria raised both brows, as she nodded, beaming with anticipation, just waiting to spill the beans.

“And the girl knew she was meeting… Derek?” I had a hard time imagining anybody accepting a date with Derek, voluntarily.

“There’s more,” Victoria’s voice almost squeaked, bouncing in place. “It was a disaster.”

Not surprised by the outcome of the date, but more of the source, I raised a brow at her. “How do you know that?”

“Because Sandy told me.” Victoria clutched her hands to her mouth, like she was trying to contain an outburst of laughter. I groaned. Sandy was another maid that Derek seemed to favor, for some unknown reason. I couldn’t stand her. Her long pink nails, her fake laugh, pretending to be your friend one moment, talking behind your back the next. Guess she also pretended to be Derek’s friend just to get the juicy gossip about our manager. Poor Derek.

“Should we even be laughing about this? I mean… I almost feel bad for him.”

“Oh, come on,” she rolled her eyes at me. “You can’t be serious! He’s been a dick to you every single day, and you pity him? Karma, b*tch, that’s what this is!”

“Only because I rejected him.”

She gasped, recoiled, measuring me. “Whaaaat?”

“I know, I’m sorry – I just, I-I,” exhaling, I closed my eyes, shaking my head. “I didn’t feel it was something I should share.” She stood motionless, open-mouthed, staring at me. Like I just confessed murder.

“I’m sorry.” I shrugged.

She gasped again, always so dramatic. For a moment, my mind drifted back to Santiago, the lion and his molten eyes, imagining how Victoria would react if I told her that story? She would probably faint on the spot. Then I wondered if the lion had noticed my betrayal yet. What was his reaction? Was he furious? Angry? Or maybe worried? Scared that Wiktor’s men would find me first? Getting ready to tear the city apart to find me? I was surprised to feel that a part of me hoped for the latter. But it also made me feel shameful.

“You don’t get to just I’m sorry your way out of this – spill!” Victoria’s slightly offended voice demanded.

“Okay, okay – I’ll tell you everything.” I grinned holding my hands up in surrender before patting down my uniform for my employee card to unlock the elevator. But I found nothing.

“Oh no…” I groaned, realized I had forgotten it at the front desk. With Derek.

Victoria’s eyes widened, already smiling. “Don’t tell me…”

I glanced back at the corridor, towards the front desk. I couldn’t see him, but I felt his nauseous presence, knowing he would be there. Watching. Judging.

“Well get going, girl, I haven’t gotten all day!” Victoria commanded, sending me off toward the front desk.

Bracing for another round with Derek, I slogged back toward the lobby – already rehearsing excuses in my head. But to my surprise, the front desk was empty. Only the receptionist sat there. She was on the phone with someone who sounded irritated, and she was busy trying to soothe the guest with a polished smile.

Perfect.

I slipped behind the counter, snatched my employee card, about to head back to Victoria – already picturing her smug grin – when my eyes flicked to the tall windows across the lobby.

And I froze.

Ice spiralled through my veins, paralyzing me.

A tall figure leaned casually against the streetlight outside, smoke curling from the cigarette glowing between his fingers.

Even from here, I recognized him.

“Slacking off, are we?” A voice snapped from behind, making me gasp and jolt so hard I nearly dropped my card.

I spun around, all color from my face drained.

Derek stood clutching his clipboard, scowling at me.

“N-no… I was just – ” I trailed off, staring into the air, lost in my own thought.

Sh*t. Less than a day. Less than half a day, and he had already found me. What do I do? Run? But then I’d run straight into his arms. I wasn’t safe here. But I was less safe out there.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost – are you okay?” Derek’s voice softened, and he looked at me with an expression I’ve never seen him show before: concern. It was unsettling.

“I-I’m fine…” But my eyes betrayed me, nervously looking over my shoulder, out through the tall windows, out into the street –

Gone. The streetlight was empty. No cigarette. No glow. Like he had never been there.

“Do you need to sit down, Valerie?” Derek tilted his head, frowning, hand half-raised as if to steady me.

I recoiled, jerking back before he could touch me.

“No – I… Victoria is waiting for me.” I darted past him, rushing down the staff corridor, away from his false sympathy. Away from those tall windows.

But the face under the streetlight lingered in my mind.

His cold gaze watching the doors.

Waiting.

My blood ran cold

He had found me.