Chapter 19

Diane's POV

The dots quickly connect in my skull as I stare at Conrad, wide-eyed. I think I've figured out how he made them back down.

I mean, they literally looked like mean lions ready to destroy, but within a few seconds, everything changed. That nonchalant, mean personality? Crushed! They were completely shaken, looking like kittens beaten by the rain.

"You threatened them?" I narrow my gaze at him as I ask.

He looks at me, just for a brief moment, then shrugs. "Two options were what I placed before them. They made the decision. No threats here." He responds softly, and I shake my head.

I'd be mad to believe he didn't threaten them. Maybe not a threat of having their skulls pulled out or something, but a threat is a threat.

"Sir..."

"No words, Diane. Come with me." He glares at me.

I shake my head, suddenly remembering what I told him over the phone today.

"I'll come at my own pace, not now." I object slowly. He turns, tilting his gaze toward me. There's something about his gaze. 

"You don't wear a nightie to the door, especially not when you have these kinds of people pulling up at your doorstep." He says casually, and I gasp, my entire body turning cold.

I quickly lift my hands, shielding myself, and I hear him scof. 

I press my lips tight. "I'll come, promise. But I've got things to handle first." I rush my words, and before he can say another word, I rush into my room and bang, I slam the door shut, resting my back against it.

Oh God.

My heart pounds loudly in my chest, and I desperately hope he won't start banging on the door.

Not that I think Conrad Beaumont would stoop that low. He always has me confused, wondering what exactly is going on with him.

One minute, he's acting nice, like really nice, that you'd think he's the perfect boss one could ever ask for, and the next, you fear he'll crush you with just a stare. The kind that makes you shiver, gulp and avoid his gaze.

I quickly leave the door and rush to the window the moment I hear the sound of his car.

He's leaving, thank goodness, and that's... disappointing... in a good way, actually. What are you thinking? Disappointed because he left? Oh, come on.

After he drives out, I return and collapse onto the bed, ruffling my hair like I've suddenly lost it.

How could I forget I was dressed in my nightie? Oh well, I wasn't bothered by Conrad seeing me like that; those two freaks saw too, and maybe that's why they forced me to sit in their middle like I was some hostage or piece of trash.

I slam my hands on the bed, hissing angrily at myself.

***

I slowly stand from the dressing chair, then stare at my reflection in the mirror.

I'm wearing a short black gown that stops right below my knee, with a slit from the left down to my mid-thigh. The gown has silver stones on it and a sharp V-line. It hugs my body so well, like it's tailor-made for me, accentuating all my curves.

I have light makeup on, and my hair is neatly packed into a bun.

I don't look calm. I look nervous, really nervous, like I've been pushed to the frontline of the world's war and I'll be snapping any moment.

I gulp, my heart racing. I can hear it pounding in my ears.

Why am I nervous? I have no idea, but I can't control the anxiety.

With a sigh, I pick up my phone from the table, shove it inside my purse, then bolt out of the room.

I wave down a cab and tell him the address. Of course, Conrad sent me the address of his place a few hours ago, because I had no idea where it was.

The drive to his place is quiet, the kind of quiet where everyone is swallowed by their own thoughts. It seems the cab driver has a lot running through his mind too, and so do I. No talks, no chit-chat; he just keeps his gaze on what he's doing, and seriously? I love it. I don't want a random cab man questioning me about stuff I'm not ready to answer.

A single beep slams through my phone, and I exhale, pulling the phone out from my purse.

Hazel: I'm back. I'm fucking back, Diane, and I'm at the airport. Can't wait to see you.

After reading the message, I shut my eyes for a brief moment, then open them. This text is supposed to lighten my mood, cheer me up, but it doesn't. Or maybe it does, to an extent.

Ask me what I want? To tell the cab driver to turn around and head straight to the airport. But can I do that? Nope.

I made a promise, so basically, I'm a debtor, the kind of debtor that screams beautiful chaos, because Diane Hall is going to pay with her body.

"We're here." The cab driver's voice jolts me out of my thoughts. I nod, get down from the cab, and pull out some notes from my purse to hand to him.

I turn to the building behind me and stare at it for a moment.

It's the perfect lonely-boss kind of building. White light tears through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and I grip the hem of my dress, biting my bottom lip hard.

And almost immediately, a beep.

Freaky Boss: Are you going to stand out there? Or do I come downstairs to get you?

My heart pounds. No, it explodes. I lift my gaze from the screen to the building, but I see no one. Just the white, tall building, lights tearing out of every part of it as if they're on display or some kind of shitty competition.

He isn't standing there. I can see no one, and somehow it looks as if he can see me from wherever he is.

Another beep.

Freaky Boss: Don't get worked up over it. I can see you.

Bingo!

I know he can, but where exactly is he?

I want to type back a reply when my phone beeps again.

It isn't from my freaky boss, it isn't from Hazel, and it definitely isn't from the unknown sender.

My blood freezes as I stare around.