The car stopped in front of a fancy apartment building in Knightsbridge. In the dim light, I could make out the sleek, modern lines of the building.
David carried our bags inside. The first room had a cozy feel, with chairs arranged around a warm fireplace. We were soon greeted by the maid.
"Addie, this is Nikita, our maid," Eloise introduced.
"Hello, nice to meet you," I said, offering a polite smile.
"Nice to meet you too," Nikita replied warmly.
David set our bags down in the living room. "Goodnight, Miss Eloise. Miss Addie," he said before leaving.
"Goodnight, David," Eloise and I echoed.
Eloise then began showing me the rest of the apartment.
"You have a terrace!" I exclaimed excitedly as we reached a door that led outside.
The terrace was charming, with a table and some chairs. The door to it was already open, inviting the night air inside. I felt a strong urge to hang out there.
"We'll relax out there later," Eloise promised with a smile.
I followed her as she continued to show me around. We moved on to the bedrooms.
"This is my room," she said, pushing open the door to reveal a spacious room.
"Wow, your room has a scenic view of London," I admired, looking out at the city lights. "And that walk-in closet is amazing."
Eloise nodded, "I can also access the terrace from here," she said, gesturing to a door that led directly outside.
"There are five bedrooms in total—three upstairs and two in the basement," she explained. "Do you want to sleep upstairs or in the basement?"
"There's a swimming pool in the basement," she added, trying to make it sound more appealing with a playful smile.
I pondered for a moment. "Should I choose the one close to the terrace or the swimming pool?" I mused aloud.
Eloise chuckled. "I think you'd enjoy the one leading to the terrace." She guided me to a room that was nearly identical to hers but without the personal touches. "This will be your room."
It was cozy and inviting, just like Eloise's place had been. I immediately knew I wanted this room. Maybe next time, I'll try the basement, I thought, but for now, this felt like the perfect choice.
"Let me go down and release Nikita for the night. I'll give you a tour of the basement later," Eloise said, leaving me to settle in.
I changed into something more comfortable and made my way downstairs. Now that I had more time to take everything in, I noticed just how beautiful Eloise's home really was. It had high ceilings, polished wooden floors, and massive windows that let in streams of golden light. Everything felt both luxurious and lived-in, like every detail had been carefully chosen but still made it feel like a home.
The art on the walls, the elegant furniture—everything screamed wealth, but not in a way that was cold or unwelcoming. It was the kind of place you could easily get lost in, and I kind of wanted to. So this is what it's like to live here every day...
I found Eloise setting up the dining table. She smiled when she saw me.
"Nikita's prepared something fancy for us," she said with a grin. "She's gone now, though."
I walked over to help with the last of the plates. The table was set neatly, and the smell of food wafting from the kitchen made my stomach rumble.
"What did she make?" I asked, curious.
"Roast chicken with saffron rice, grilled vegetables, and some light soup on the side," Eloise replied, effortlessly. "Nothing too crazy, just simple but good."
I smiled. "Simple for you means five-star."
She laughed. "Yeah, I guess."
We sat down and began to eat, the atmosphere light and relaxed. The meal was delicious, and we chatted casually about school and other things, enjoying the peaceful moment.
By the time we finished eating, I felt full and content. We gathered the dishes and carried them to the sink.
Eloise loaded the dishes into the dishwasher with practiced ease and turned it on. I watched her for a moment, appreciating how down-to-earth she was despite the luxury that surrounded her. "You're pretty good at this," I teased.
She laughed. "Hey, just because I have help doesn't mean I can't do things myself."
"Let's head to the basement," she said with a grin. "I want to show you the rest of the house."
The basement was unreal—like something out of a movie. There was a fully equipped gym, an indoor swimming pool, two more bedrooms, a private cinema, staff quarters, a cozy library, a CCTV room, and even a wine cellar.
"Tomorrow, I think I'll sleep down here," I joked, glancing around in awe.
After the tour, I returned upstairs to the terrace. Eloise stayed downstairs to unload and turn off the dishwasher. I began sipping some Dom Pérignon that Eloise had gifted me from her parents' wine cellar.
As I enjoyed the wine and the view, I relaxed on the terrace. Eloise eventually joined me, carrying a bottle of Grey Goose vodka and a portable speaker. She paired the speaker with her phone and set up a playlist for us. The soft strains of music began to fill the air, enhancing the peaceful atmosphere of the evening.
Eloise handed me a glass of vodka. "Here, try this."
I took a sip and winced slightly. "It's strong."
Eloise chuckled. "I keep it hidden in the kitchen. It's my stash. I don't want my parents to know I drink."
She poured herself a generous amount and took a hearty swig, her mischievous grin widening.
"Drinking is fun," she said, pouring herself another glass of vodka.
"Eloise, what's going on? Why are you drinking so much?" I asked, concern etched in my voice.
She paused, her face suddenly clouding with a mix of sadness and vulnerability. "I need alcohol to feel good," she admitted, her voice trembling. "Ever since Tyler… since what happened… I've been troubled. I feel depressed all the time."
"Eloise, have you talked to your parents about what you're going through?" I asked gently.
Her face twisted with frustration and sadness. "They don't care," she said, her voice trembling. "My mother's dogs are more important to her than I am. She even travels with them because she can't bear to leave them behind. But me? I'm just... here."
As she spoke, her sobs grew more intense, and she gripped her glass of vodka tightly. I reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, trying to offer some solace. Her words came out in broken, slurred phrases as the alcohol took its toll.
"I live in this house alone most of the time," she continued, her speech uneven. "They pay Nikita to look after me, but she has her own family. I don't want her to miss out on being with them, like how I miss out on being with mine."
"Please, Eloise, stop drinking," I urged softly. "Tyler isn't worth this. I know someone who went through something similar with him. She says she'll come forward and tell her story if you do."
Eloise's eyes, clouded with drunkenness, lit up with a glimmer of hope. "Who is it?" she asked eagerly.
"I can't say," I replied, shaking my head. "She doesn't want her identity revealed just yet."
"Please, Addie," she begged, her voice breaking. "I promise I won't talk to her."
"I'm sorry, Eloise. I can't. It's her secret to share, not mine."
At that moment, Eloise's phone rang. She fumbled with it before answering, her voice unsteady. "Hi, Nadia."
There was a pause as she listened, her expression shifting to one of concern. "I'm sorry she's done that again," she said sympathetically. "You can come over, but I have company tonight. She's a friend."
Eloise ended the call and looked at me, her eyes still watery. "That was Grayson's sister."
"Nadia?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah, she's having some trouble at home. She wants to spend the weekend here to get away from her mom."
"That's fine," I said, trying to keep my composure. "I don't have a problem with her. I can't hate her just because of her brother."
"Good," Eloise replied, her relief evident. "She's a nice girl. Their mom brings her lovers home, and it makes Grayson furious. He feels disrespected."
She continued, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and sympathy. "Whenever they fight, their mom throws Grayson out of the house. It makes him moody and angry, which Nadia dislikes. She prefers coming here when that happens."
"Where does Grayson go?" I asked, trying to understand the situation better.
"He sometimes stays here, or he goes to his dad's house. He and Nadia have different fathers," Eloise explained.
"Wait, Eloise, I thought only Nadia had sleepovers here! Are you telling me Grayson stays over sometimes too?" I asked, surprised.
"He doesn't do it as often, which is why I didn't mention it earlier," she clarified.
"Is he going to sleep over tonight?" My concern was growing.
"I doubt it," Eloise said, though her tone was less confident now. "He will drop her here, that's the only thing I am certain about. Sometimes he stays and other times he will continue to his dad's."
I felt a knot of worry tighten in my stomach as I thought about Eloise's confession and the possibility of Grayson staying over. He was dropping Nadia off, so his presence seemed almost certain.
"Eloise, are you and Grayson friends?" I asked, trying to get clarity. "I remember the first day I sat with you, he called me 'Darkie' and you heard him. You told him to stop calling me that, and he apologized right away. It struck me as unusual."
"Yes, we're good friends, Addie," Eloise admitted without hesitation. "I won't lie to you."
"Is it going to be a problem for us?" I asked, hoping to clear the air.
"No," Eloise responded, her voice steady.
"I don't decide who you talk to or not," I said, trying to keep my emotions in check. "But just know that I hate him, and nothing can change that."
"I understand your position," Eloise said gently. "He has been mean and cruel to you, and your pain is valid. I'll find a way to be friends with both of you without causing issues. Okay?"
I nodded, appreciating her honesty. "Okay," I said, trying to be diplomatic. "Thank you for understanding.
"I'm going downstairs to prepare something for Nadia," Eloise confessed, heading toward the stairs.
I watched her go, feeling the weight of our conversation settle heavily on my shoulders. With a sigh, I picked up her vodka and took a sip, hoping it would help numb the growing unease. Thinking about Grayson and the way he had treated me made me feel a deep sadness.
I headed downstairs when I heard the bell ringing. Nadia and Grayson walked into the house.
Grayson and I exchanged a look as Nadia greeted us.
"Hi, Eloise," Grayson said, completely ignoring me. "My dad and his wife both have COVID-19. Can I stay the weekend?"
"Grayson, you'll have to ask Addie because she's my guest tonight," Eloise responded. "If she says yes, then I'll agree. But if she says no, then I'm sorry."
Grayson walked up to me, meeting my gaze with an unblinking stare. "Kamara, I'd like to stay here tonight because my dad and stepmom have COVID-19," he said, his tone carrying an edge of desperation.
"No," I said firmly, trying to hide my frustration. "Not after everything you've put me through. I don't care if you get COVID-19 or sleep on the street."
Grayson seemed unsurprised by my response, as if he'd been expecting it all along.
"Addie, please let my brother stay here," Nadia pleaded, her voice wavering. "I don't want to get COVID-19. If Grayson gets sick, it could spread to me and our mom. I don't want that to happen."
She was right—if Grayson got sick, it could lead to a bigger problem. I didn't want that for anyone.
"Okay, you can stay," I relented, though the words felt heavy on my tongue. "But I don't want Grayson to talk to me, and he needs to keep his distance."
"Agreed," Grayson said with a small, almost smug smile.
"Nadia, Addie is sleeping upstairs tonight. You'll sleep in the basement with Grayson," Eloise said, clearly trying to keep things organized.
"That's fine," Nadia agreed, her voice carrying a note of resignation.
This night was turning out to be more complicated than I'd anticipated. Grayson and Nadia headed down to the basement to put away their things.
"Addie, I'm sorry. I didn't know about his dad and step mom having COVID-19," Eloise said apologetically.
"It's not your fault. I don't want to think about him," I said, trying to push the thought of Grayson out of my mind.
Eloise stayed downstairs while I returned to the terrace. A moment later, my phone buzzed with a text from Tendai.
Tendai: Hey bae 😘
Tendai: How's the sleepover treating you?
Addie: Sleepover's chill. Guess who crashed? Grayson and his sis. He is friends with Eloise. I told him to stay clear of me.
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: Aw, babe, come crash at mine. You know my door's always open. Leave that jerk with Eloise.
Addie: I promised her that I'd stay with her this weekend. I don't want to bail on her. Grayson knows better than to mess with me in her home; she'll kick him out pronto.
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: Alright, have a blast. If he steps out of line, hit me up. I'll swing by and lay down the law. 💪
Addie: Goodnight, boo! 🌙
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: Just Tyler and me out tonight. Grant and Roe are MIA. I think Roe's gone to have an abortion. She has done this several times. 😔
Addie: What! I didn't expect this. 😲
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: I tried talking sense into Grant. He thinks contraception will mess with Roe's fertility.
Addie: They're messy 😩
Addie: G'night, T.
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: Sweet dreams, love. 😴💖
I put my phone down and looked up, realizing that Grayson was standing at the entrance of the terrace, holding a drink in his hand.
"What are you looking at?" I asked sharply.
"I'm just standing here for some fresh air. Is that a crime?" he replied with a hint of mockery in his voice.
Before I could respond, Grayson's phone rang.
"Hey, Chris," I heard him say. "Yeah, Nadia is here with me at Eloise's home. She'll be okay."
He hung up shortly after. Chris must be Nadia's father.
"You know," he started, turning his attention back to me, "I had a feeling it was you here with Eloise when Nadia mentioned she had someone over. It's usually just me and Nadia who sleep over. Eloise rarely invites anyone else to her home."
"Eloise is my friend now. Does that bother you?" I asked, my tone defensive.
"No," he responded nonchalantly.
"Good. Eloise is a nice girl. I hope you don't turn her against me like you did with Mae."
"I never told Mae to hate you," he revealed. "That's all on her."
"Where's Prince Charming?" he asked with a smirk.
I refused to respond, glaring at him instead.
"You know, Darkie," he continued with a sly grin, "if you weren't with Tendai, maybe you and I could have some fun together this weekend."
"Can you please leave me alone?" I demanded. "You can't bully me at school and now try to do it here."
"Chill out, I was just testing you," he said with a laugh, clearly enjoying the tension he was causing.
"By the way, I would never be with you, even if I wasn't with Tendai. The mere sight of you makes me sick to my stomach," I shot back, my voice laced with disgust. "Now, go away."
Grayson's smile faded slightly, but he didn't argue. He simply shrugged, walked over, and took the chair Eloise had occupied earlier in the night.
I couldn't stand being on the terrace anymore with Grayson. He had completely ruined that for me.
"Leaving already?" Grayson said, his smile lingering. "The night's only just begun."
I saw the smirk on his face but chose to ignore it. I continued to my door, the one that led to the terrace, and entered my bedroom. I changed into my nightie and climbed into bed. The silk sheets were incredibly comfortable, enveloping me in their softness.
After sending Mom and Dad an update about how the sleepover was going, I settled in and soon fell asleep, letting the day's worries drift away with each breath.
I heard someone shouting my name, the sound distant and muffled, as if it were coming from far away. I slowly opened my eyes. The room was pitch black—I had turned off the lights before falling asleep.
"Eloise, why are you waking me up? I'm still tired."
"Shush! Keep quiet, Addie."
It was Grayson. It was the first time he had ever called me Addie.
"Someone's broken into the house," he whispered urgently. "They're downstairs. You need to stay quiet so they don't hear us."
"We need to tell Eloise and Nadia," I said, feeling worried.
"They're downstairs with them," he replied, his voice strained. "I tried to call the police, but the signal's jammed."
We both froze as the door handle began to turn. "I locked the door," Grayson whispered.
"What about the other one that leads to the terrace?" I asked quietly.
"I locked it too," he said.
The man outside began to force the door open, and my heart raced with fear. The sound of the door creaking under pressure was almost unbearable. I couldn't see Grayson's reaction in the pitch-black room, but his presence was a faint, tense energy beside me.
I could hear the man's grunts as he tried to force the door open, each sound magnifying my terror. Instinctively, I grasped Grayson's hand, a reflex that startled me; I would never have done that under normal circumstances.
Then, a deafening shot rang out. The man had fired at the lock. The door burst inward, and my heart raced wildly. I stared in horror as a dark figure entered the room.
Grayson, showing incredible bravery lunged at the intruder. They began to struggle fiercely, the sound of their fight echoing in the room. I heard the gun clatter to the floor amidst their scuffle.
In a frantic panic, I leapt out of bed, desperately searching for the weapon. The light from the corridor cast just enough illumination to reveal the gun. I grabbed it, my hands trembling, and quickly switched on the room light.
The bright light revealed the intruder—a man clad entirely in black, with a ski mask obscuring his face. He stopped fighting with Grayson the moment he saw the gun aimed at him. Realizing his cover was blown, he bolted out of the room, disappearing down the corridor.
Grayson grabbed the gun from me and dashed after the man. I followed, but I was too slow. By the time I reached outside, I saw a car speeding away with Grayson standing, gun in hand, aiming after it.
"Addie, go back inside," Grayson called out, spotting me. "I'll keep watch. You need to help Nadia and Eloise."
"Grayson, be careful," I said, surprising myself with the concern for my bully. I hurried back inside, my thoughts focused on helping Eloise and Nadia.
I heard crying from the kitchen. The door was locked from the outside, but the key was still in the lock. I quickly unlocked it and opened the door.
Eloise and Nadia were huddled on the floor, tears streaming down their faces.
"Guys, you're safe now. The robber is gone." They stood up shakily and hugged me.
"Where's my brother?" Nadia asked, her voice trembling. "Is he okay?"
"Grayson is outside, keeping guard in case the thief comes back."
"We need to call the police ASAP; the signal is back on," Eloise said, checking her phone. She dialed 911.
"Hello, someone broke into my home," Eloise said, her voice trembling but trying to stay composed.
She quickly gave details about our location. "The police are on the way," she said, hanging up with a sigh of relief.
"I need to go see my brother," Nadia insisted, her anxiety evident.
"No, it's too risky," Eloise and I said in unison, our voices firm but sympathetic.
Turning to Eloise, I asked, "How did you end up in the kitchen?"
Eloise took a deep breath, her face pale. "We were just talking in the living room. Grayson had gone out to the terrace to have a drink. Suddenly, a man appeared with a gun. He ordered us into the kitchen, and locked us in.
"I knew something was terribly wrong when he left our phones with us," Eloise said, her voice shaky. "And I was right. I tried to call the police, but there was no signal."
"Where did he come from?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, trying to piece together the nightmare.
"He must have come through the front door," Eloise replied, her eyes wide with fear. "It's an easy point of entry."
Eloise's gaze turned to me, her eyes searching for answers. "Addie, what happened upstairs with you and Grayson?"
I hesitated, the weight of the night heavy on my shoulders. "I was asleep when Grayson woke me up," I began, my voice shaking. I told them everything that happened up until the moment I opened the kitchen door for them.
Eloise and Nadia listened intently, their expressions revealing their concern and relief. Nadia's face softened as she spoke, "My brother is a hero."
"Grayson saved us tonight," Eloise added, her voice filled with gratitude.
They were right. Without Grayson's quick thinking and bravery, things could have ended much worse.
"Let me check my parents' room to see if their jewels are safe," Eloise said, her tone laced with worry. She walked out of the kitchen, leaving Nadia and me alone.
Nadia turned to look at me. "Addie, why do you mistreat my brother when he likes you?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"He has a funny way of showing it, Nadia. You can't abuse someone and expect them to like you," I said, my frustration evident.
Nadia's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "You know, when he got suspended because of what you said, Mom kicked him out for those days. He had nowhere to stay. He ended up crashing with one of his friends."
I felt a pang of guilt. "What about his father? Couldn't he stay with him?"
"His stepmother isn't comfortable with him staying too long, so he had to figure out somewhere else to go," Nadia explained, her voice quivering.
"You can't blame me for that, Nadia. Your brother has bullied me ever since I joined Riverview Academy. He had it coming," I said, my voice heavy with the weight of past hurt and anger. The memories of Grayson's taunts and the cruel things he'd done flashed through my mind, making my heart ache anew.
Nadia's voice cracked with hurt. "My brother is sweet, caring, and loving. You don't see that side of him."
"I don't believe that," I said, the weight of our argument pressing heavily on my chest.
Just then, Eloise returned, looking visibly relieved. "Nothing was stolen," she said, though her voice carried an edge of lingering anxiety.
"Then what did the thief want?" I asked, my heart racing as fear gnawed at me.
"He shot at my door. Are there any valuables in that room?" I asked, my curiosity mingling with a growing sense of unease.
"Addie, there's nothing valuable there. If he broke in, it's because he wanted you," Eloise said, her tone resigned.
"This is my first time here—only my family and Tendai know I'm here. How could he have known to find me here?" I said, my voice barely a whisper as dread settled over me.
The sound of police sirens outside the house cut through the tension, and the three of us exchanged relieved glances, comforted by the knowledge that help had arrived.
We walked out of the kitchen into the living room, where Grayson reappeared, accompanied by a police officer. "I'm Officer Zahara Fils-Aime. Can you tell me what happened?" she asked, her voice steady and authoritative.
Eloise and Nadia explained their experience to Officer Zahara, their voices tinged with the residual fear from the night's events. Grayson recounted his actions, his face showing a mix of relief and lingering concern. When it was my turn, I described what had happened from my perspective, my voice unsteady but clear.
Officer Zahara listened attentively, then turned to me and said, "Show me the bedroom where this happened."
I led her, along with Eloise, Nadia, Grayson, and a few other officers, upstairs to the guest bedroom where the intrusion occurred. My hands trembled slightly as I guided them to my room.
"Are you two dating?" Officer Fils-Aime asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. Grayson and I exchanged uncomfortable glances, the implications of her question adding to our distress.
"No, Officer. I was on the terrace when I heard noises from the living room," Grayson said, his voice filled with determination. "I saw a man with a gun and tried to call the police, but there was no signal. I ran to Addie's room to wake her up. I locked both doors that are in her room so that the intruder couldn't get in easily."
"Did he take anything?" Officer Fils-Aime asked, turning her attention to Eloise.
"I checked; everything's intact," Eloise confirmed, though her face was still pale with worry.
"It seems to me that this wasn't just a thief—he came to kill you, Addie," Officer Zahara said, her words chilling me to the bone. "You should thank this boy here; if he hadn't acted, you'd be dead."
The weight of her words hit me hard. This wasn't just a robbery; someone wanted to kill me. But why?
"Can you show me the footage from the cameras?" Officer Zahara asked Eloise. The footage showed the man clearly—he wore a ski mask, gloves and was covered all over.
"We'll track the car's license plate and the gun's serial number," she assured us. "Addie, be careful—someone wants you dead. We'll leave a patrol here tonight."
Zahara and the police officers gathered everything they needed and left. I couldn't shake the fear gnawing at me. Why would someone want to kill me?
"Addie!" Eloise said, tapping my shoulder. "You're lost in thought—I've been trying to get your attention. You need to call your parents and tell them what happened."
"I don't want to burden them with this right now. They're dealing with their own issues."
"Then stay with me tonight," Eloise offered. "My bed is big enough for the three of us. Grayson can take your room."
"Okay." I felt a bit safer knowing Grayson was nearby—he had saved my life tonight. But as I lay in Eloise's bed, I couldn't sleep. My mind kept replaying everything that had happened.
I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Eloise and Nadia. Maybe some fresh air would clear my head.
I found Grayson on the terrace, drinking alone. He turned to face me when he noticed me.
"Grayson, thank you for saving my life," I said quietly. "What happened was terrifying—I can't sleep."
I sat beside him as he poured vodka into a glass and handed it to me. I took a small sip, feeling the alcohol burn slightly as it slid down my throat.
"I almost died tonight," I said, my voice trembling as tears began to spill uncontrollably. I was crying in front of him, my enemy, but he didn't mock me.
Gently, he stood up and pulled me into a hug. It was surprisingly warm and comforting, a gesture that felt both unexpected and strangely soothing. His scent—clean and masculine—enveloped me, and for a moment, the fear and pain melted away. I shouldn't have felt this way, but the embrace was too reassuring to ignore.
He leaned in and kissed me softly. For a moment, I froze, stunned by the suddenness of it. I pulled back, wide-eyed, but then, almost instinctively, I kissed him again. His lips were gentle, with a faint taste of vodka, and for a brief second, I let myself get lost in the moment. But as soon as it hit me—what I had just done—I pulled away, my heart pounding. What did I just do?
I walked back inside, ignoring Grayson's calls after me. I returned to Eloise's room, my heart racing.
Why did I kiss him? Why did it feel… nice? This was so confusing. I loved Tendai, not Grayson. Maybe I was just feeling gratitude because he saved me. But still… Stockholm syndrome? No, that's for people who fall for their captors.
I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts swirling around. Whatever happened tonight—this kiss, this confusion—it couldn't happen again.
I grabbed Eloise's AirPods from the table and put on some music, hoping it would help me sleep. But even as I drifted off, I kept waking up, haunted by nightmares of the attack. When I finally slept, it was only because the dawn had broken and light was streaming through the curtains.
I woke up to an empty room, with Eloise and Nadia gone. The bright light streaming through the curtains suggested it was nearly noon. As the events of last night replayed in my mind, a heavy sense of shame settled over me. How would I face Grayson after everything that had happened?
My phone buzzed with messages from Tendai and Soren.
Soren: Hey, I heard some crazy stuff from our cousin. Apparently, Mom's family wants her to leave Dad. They're blaming him for what happened to her.
The message sent a jolt through me. I couldn't believe what I was reading. My heart sank as I imagined the pain this would cause. Dad never asked Sabrina to do what she did.
Tendai: Hey love. How'd you sleep? 😘
Addie: Hey T, rough night. We were attacked last night. Some dude popped shots at my door. Grayson swooped in and saved the day. 💥🚪
Addie: I was so scared. I managed to sleep around 6 am. 😩
Tendai is typing…
Tendai: That's so bad Addie, I am sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm comin' over. Just share the location, I'll GPS it. 🗺️🚗
Tendai was on his way; I needed to tell Eloise. I didn't want her to feel unhappy about inviting people over to her house without her knowing.
My clothes were in the other room, the one Grayson was now sleeping in. I hoped he wasn't inside.
I knocked at the door twice but there was no response. I opened the door and begun packing up my things as fast as I could so that Grayson wouldn't find me.
"Where are you going?" Grayson's voice startled me. He had quietly entered the room.
"I'm moving my stuff to the other room," I replied, keeping my tone even. "I need to shower and get dressed."
"No, let me go back to the basement bedroom," he offered, a hint of guilt in his voice.
"No, Grayson. I can't stay in this room after what happened yesterday," I said, feeling guilty about what happened last night between the two of us.
"Oh, I understand," he said softly. He tried to hug me, but I recoiled in shock. Last night had definitely altered our relationship.
"I'll let you pack," he said, noticing my reaction. He walked out of the room.