Alle Kapitel von Five: Kapitel 1 – Kapitel 10

I feel my breath slipping away. Every gasp of air rips through my lungs, as if something invisible slices it apart before it can reach me.I open my eyes. Sweat clings to my skin like a second layer, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t slow my racing heartbeat.Ever since I turned twenty-two, those recurring nightmares have tormented me—every single full moon.My father, far too reserved since my mother vanished from our lives, gives me a crooked smile every time I try to explain the strange coincidence between my night terrors and the lunar calendar.He says I’m exaggerating.That it’s just stress.I look away from the fractured sky, where a blackened moon is embedded like an unblinking eye in the middle of the night. From the shadows, a jagged, toothy grin emerges on a blurred face—a face that seems to root itself into pointed ears that stretch and elongate, melting into a savage snout… until it becomes a beast that should not exist. A presence that makes me shiver before I can ev

The lamps give off a dim, dull light; only the glow of the laptop on our faces is visible, creating a calm and comforting atmosphere.I move a little closer to Sam. My dress shrinks so much that it almost reaches my underwear, but I don't notice.I explain computer concepts that I learned on my own and prepare an Excel spreadsheet so that he can understand. My throat feels dry from talking so much.He seems to understand everything, but there is a contained nervousness that is noticeable in his gaze. His pupils dilate slightly, and every so often his fingers tense on the desk, as if measuring his own strength.His eyes scan the huge window, covered by curtains. The full moon shines outside, and I notice that something in him seems to react to that light: his skin looks smoother, his breathing more controlled... and the tension in his muscles is impossible to ignore."Sam... Sam.""Yes... yes... I understood everything perfectly!""Sam... is something wrong?" You look like you want to

I walk into the elevator while looking at Sam; he still has those bruises on his neck and those marks on his face-he looks like a retired boxer.The white, perfect tiles on the floor look like pieces of mirror placed with great care, and the walls are so spotless that you feel guilty just breathing, afraid of dirtying them.When Sam opens the door to the room assigned to us, everything is even better: a huge, beautiful bed right in the center and impeccable, tasteful décor.Sam fixes his gaze on me while I unpack. He's positioned comfortably on the floor, giving me that flirtatious look."I'll sleep in the bed! You on the floor," I order firmly."We'll see about that," he challenges, devouring me with his eyes."The meeting is at three... we have plenty of time to relax.""What do you mean, relax?""There's a pool... in the back... very small... but very private... want to go?""No! I don't know how to swim and I don't have a swimsuit.""You don't need one... it's just a dip... come o

"Why do you even care if I'm a virgin? You've slept with thousands of women... why does it matter to you?" I shout, walking quickly toward my suitcase.Sam says nothing. He's silent-just watching me, following my every move with his eyes."Are you going to stand there like an idiot?""No... I didn't know it was so important to you.""What?" I ask, as if I hadn't heard him."Did the games bother you?" he mumbles with that soft, honeyed voice."I thought you liked them," he adds, curious.I cross my arms, and little by little my anger starts dissolving when I hear him so vulnerable."I did like them, Sam, but I'm not into casual flings. I like seriousness... and unfortunately, you're not serious."Sam's eyes widen like marbles, staring at me as if the rest of the world didn't exist."Let's go to the party... it's our duty as part of the company. When we get back, I'll figure out how to explain everything to you," he mutters, standing up and checking his watch.I turn back to my suitcase

“I… what is all this, Sam? Are you trying to make a fool out of me?” I mutter while fixing the bed.“Wait, Tela… trust me… I—”“Trust you? Seriously? I hear you telling that other woman that all of this is just fun for you, then you come back, give me a dress… take it off me… and the best part! You give me a book—some… some… thing—and tell me to read it!” I shout, furious.“What is all this? Are you crazy? Do you expect me to believe… what, Sam? Go on, surprise me, you damn liar!”“Tela, wait… listen—” Sam mumbles, grabbing my arm.“Say it! Go on! That I’m a wolf? Seriously, enough! Stop treating me like an idiot. Sam, stop.”“But Tela, listen—”“NO! Leave me alone! I’m not Tela, I’m Estela! Leave me alone!”Tears stream down my face like rivers. I feel stupid, ridiculous. I thought Sam and I were getting somewhere. But I was wrong. He’s laughing at me—I’m a joke to him.I take off my clothes, slip into a tight gray dress I had packed in my suitcase, and head to the meeting’s conclusio