Laura
I stormed off into the room, my fists clenched at my sides. Jake could sit there all night fiddling with that useless phone for all I cared. We were stuck in the middle of nowhere, and I knew there wasn't going to be any service out here. But of course, he wouldn't listen to me, not about the route, not about anything. He never did. I slammed the door behind me, half-expecting him to barge in and yell at me again, but there was only silence. I stayed there for another ten seconds waiting to hear a bang on my door but none came.
I kicked off my shoes and flopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The old wood beams looked sturdy enough, but the place had an eerie feel to it, like something out of a horror movie. The rain had calmed, but the weight of the storm still lingered in the air, heavy and oppressive, much like the tension between Jake and me.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to force myself to sleep, but the moment I did, I saw him. Jackson. His face appeared in my mind as clear as day, his cold eyes staring right through me. My stomach twisted into knots, and I felt the familiar panic rising in my chest. I sat up, my breath coming in short, sharp bursts. This is why I didn't want to come back to California. The memories of my former relationship still haunted me, creeping into my thoughts at the worst possible moments.
Could I ever forget Jackson? I don't think so. He was once my all. I was madly in love. I truly loved him. I really thought he was the one. My Prince Charming. If only I had listened to my aunt. Just maybe, I would have escaped the horror that now haunts me every time.
"Better not to remember the trauma. I don't need that now." I thought to myself as I jumped off the bed and started pacing the room, trying to shake off the fear, but every time I closed my eyes, there he was again. Jackson, with that smirk on his face. He had loved to control me, to make me feel small, and even though I had escaped, those scars hadn't healed. They still ached, especially now, in this place that I had vowed never to return to.
My fingers curled into the bedsheets as I sat back down, my heart still racing. You're stronger now - I told myself.
You're not that person anymore. But it didn't matter. I couldn't shake the fear, couldn't quiet the thoughts that swirled around my head.
The rain started again, soft at first, then heavier than the first time, tapping against the window like fingers drumming on glass. I grabbed my phone and swiped it open to checks the time. It was past midnight. I needed to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be another exhausting day of meetings with Jake, and I couldn't afford to be this rattled. He's mad enough at me as it is and any mistake would tip him off the edge completely. His anger would rain down on me like brimstones.
I don't think I want that.
I lay back down, pulling the covers over me, but sleep wouldn't come. The rain was louder now, and the wind picked up, howling outside like it wanted to tear the cabin apart. I curled up into a ball, pressing my hands to my ears as if I could block out the storm.
Just as I was starting to drift off, a clap of thunder roared so loudly that I bolted upright in bed. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt a surge of panic wash over me. I couldn't stay in this room any longer. I needed air, I needed to get out of here.
I threw the covers off and rushed toward the door, my mind racing as fast as my heart.
Jake
I watched withad fury as Laura walk away, her back rigid with anger as she slammed the door to the room behind her. Good. Let her stew in her own mess. She had caused this entire disaster, and now she was acting like the victim. Typical.
I turned back to the phone, trying once again to get a signal. Nothing. It was a waste of time, but I couldn't just sit there doing nothing. My mind was too full of everything that had gone wrong. The car was totaled, we were stranded in this dump of a cabin, and I had a meeting in Atlanta tomorrow that I couldn't afford to miss.
That meeting had been in the back of my mind all day. That's why I had been rushing through the meetings here, trying to wrap things up so we could get back. But now, thanks to Laura's little freakout, I don't even know if we'd make it back in time.
I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to push down the frustration that was building inside me. Every time I looked at Laura, I felt my blood pressure spike. She didn't listen, she didn't follow orders, and now we were stuck here because of her.
I dialed again, listening to the dead silence on the line. I couldn't stop thinking about the meeting in Atlanta. This deal was crucial, one I had been working on for months, and now it might slip through my fingers because we were stranded in this godforsaken cabin.
After a few more tries, I gave up. There was no point. I rubbed a hand over my face, feeling the exhaustion starting to set in. I glanced toward the room where Laura had disappeared. Part of me wanted to go in there and give her a piece of my mind, let her know just how much she had screwed things up. But I held back. I'd been watching since we got in the house, she hadn't gotten over the first round I emptied on her. Also, I was too tired for another fight, and it wasn't worth it. Not tonight.
Maybe in the morning, I would address the disrespect she displayed this evening. I don't tolerate such from anyone, least of all my assistant. Someone on my payroll. Never! She isn't getting paid to talk back at me. Even if she's right!
I stood up, stretching out the tension in my shoulders, and made my way to my own room. As I passed by Laura's door, I felt a surge of anger rise up again. I could hear her moving around inside, restless. Good, I thought. Let her worry about what she's done.
But as I stood there for a moment, listening to the sound of the rain outside, I couldn't shake the thought that maybe…maybe I had pushed her too far. I shook my head, dismissing the idea. She deserved it. She needed to learn her place. But still, the anger wasn't as satisfying as I thought it would be.
I pushed the door to my room open and collapsed onto the bed. The rain started up again, this time heavier, drumming against the roof like the world was falling apart outside. I closed my eyes, hoping to sleep, but my mind kept drifting back to the meeting tomorrow. If I missed it…I couldn't even finish the thought. I wouldn't miss it. We'd find a way to get out of here in the morning.
I just hope Laura still has my schedule for tomorrow. It would be disastrous if she doesn't but also good because that would be a good chance to punish her for today. For making me have to sleep in this silly cabin and bed, soft to be fair, but not as cozy as my king sized bed back at home.
The storm outside intensified, pulling me out of my thoughts. The rain turning into sheets that lashed against the windows. I could hear the wind howling, rattling the cabin, and I pulled the blanket up higher, trying to block out the noise and find some sleep.
Then, suddenly, a thunderclap so loud it shook the walls ripped through the night. I bolted upright, my heart racing. The rain pounded even harder now, and I could feel the tension from earlier still simmering inside me.
I was about drifting off to sleep when I heard something like a door being opened. Could that be Laura? What is she looking for by this time? - I thought to myself as I quickly got up to check. I can't be bothered about my meetings and how my assistant mysteriously disappeared in the night. No one would believe me.
I pulled the handle and the door to my room flew open, and there she was, Laura, eyes wide with panic as she rushed out of her own room. We both stopped short, staring at each other in the hallway, the storm raging outside as if it were echoing the turmoil between us.
We had almost collided, both startled by the thunder, and now there we stood, face to face, soaked in tension…