CHAPTER TWO
1198 Words
~~~LILITH~~~
The next morning, the maid's voice echoes up the stairs. “Ma’am, the car has arrived.”
My lips curve before i can stop them. Ares will be out there to pick me up. That's all that matters. my plan falling into place. Today, I was leaving behind my dignity, my carefully crafted image, and everything I pretended to be while living here.
“Careful with that” I snap immediately at the maid wrestling with my box down the stairs. “It’s very fragile.”
Speaking of fragile my heart, it races as I near to the door. Heat flaring in my chest.Would he notice me?
I had smeared a sharp red lipstick,slipped into a blue dress,all so he would see me the way I needed him to.
I push the thought away and step out. The car door opens
My breath catches.
“This is it. Don't smile yet--not yet.” but my lips betray me
Four long years of waiting, dreaming, imagining this moment. And when the car door swings open---
Not Ares.
Just a stranger in a dark suit bowing slightly. My stomach plummets.
"Hello, Miss Lilith. Mr. Greebs asked I pick you up," the driver says, polite but firm.
"Where are we headed?" I ask, sliding into the backseat, my hands clamping around my leather bag.
"To the house, ma’am."
“Is he busy?” I ask, trying to steady my voice, but it comes out sharp.
The driver shifts uncomfortably. “He’s in a meeting, Miss. He said he would see you after.”
It tastes like avoidance, like an afterthought. Ares was never too busy to pick me up for holidays when I was thirteen.
The laugh that rips out of me is wrong, sharp, and too bitter, but it’s either a laugh or admit the truth: I didn’t survive this far only to sit in some empty house and wait for him like a forgotten child.
If I have to get Ares, I don’t need to do what he says, I won’t wait. Not another minute. Not another breath.
“Take me to him,” I say without recognizing my own voice
The driver's gaze catches mine in the rearview mirror. He stares at me cautious, before he finally breaks.
“I’m sorry miss, but my instructions were—”
“I don't want any instructions. Take me to his office now.”
A long pause stretches the car. The engine idles, then, against my will, he drives the other direction.
By the time we pull up to the gleaming Greebs property, I don’t wait for him to park properly. I get out and drag my legs towards the building.
The lobby stretches before me like a cathedral of commerce, my heels echo
My stomach twists with every step.
I take the sharp corridor into the office proper.
The receptionist, a blonde, looks up very pertinent with a practical smile.
“Good afternoon Miss, how can I—”
“I’m here to see Mr. Greebs” I cut her off with a half smile, disgusted at this procedure.
She blinks further, her fingers hover over her keyboard. “Do you have an appointment Miss?”
“I never need one.”
"Miss I'm sorry, but you can’t go up there. Mr. Greebs isn’t seeing anyone right now," She says
“But if you’d like, I can book a schedule---”
Oh here we go. I’m not just pushed by this woman. it’s the whole company.
Does no one know me? Hell. Anyone.
“No.” my palms are flat on the marble. “Call him. Tell him Lilith is here”
Her smile falters. Something flashes in her eyes, maybe recognition? Fear?
“Miss, I really cant—”
“Miss Lilith.” A deep voice from behind makes me turn,
Two men in dark suits, wires tucked behind their ears.
Bodyguards. Great, more bodyguards.
“You need to come with us”
They close the space. The larger one plants his feet and rest a and hand near his radio.
“Mr. Greebs is unavailable.” he says.
“I just want to see Uncle Ares,” I say fixing my most pleading eyes on them
“Leave Miss”
It seems they are trying to box me in, not even letting me push through. They really underestimate how desperate four years can make someone.
“I’m not leaving.”
I clench my fist and force my gaze ahead, making sure I divert their attention away from the elevators.
The other guard shifts his hands moving towards his jacket, definitely a clear warning.
“Miss, don't make this difficult.”
Bunch of suckers.
The lobby suddenly feels sensitive and too exposed. Everyone is watching. Employees in suits, clients with briefcases. All witnesses to my humiliation like a total jerk.
But i won’t be stopped. Not now
I force a smile and let it widen. There has to be something I can do, and I wont waste time.
"Of course I understand…Uh—Can I use the restroom?"
The guards exchange surprised glances. I keep my cool.
The receptionist answers, "Down the hall, left side." I nod with a sweet smile and walk slow and deliberate towards the hall. their eyes burn into my back, tracking my every movement.
At the corner, I glance back, they're pretending to be relaxed.
A girl strolls out of the restroom; I duck behind the pillars, certain they didn’t see. I count to ten listening for their footsteps.
They’re distracted; the receptionist is busy on the phone.This is my chance.
My heel finds the speed I forget they had. Someone shouts, one of the guards I think but I’m already hitting the elevator button multiple times.
“Stop her!”
Panic courses through me. My breath quickens, and I bite the inside of my cheeks. It’s exhilarating, every muscle in me humming. Their footsteps pound towards me.
I’m this close to losing my f*****g mind.
The elevator dings and slides open in my salvation.
“Hey, Stop right there, Miss!” their voices fuse.
I dive in, slam the button for the twelfth floor,I keep jamming close until my fingers turn bruised red.
Through a narrowing gap I catch a glimpse of the guards lunging. The large one reaches;he tries to shove his hands in.
The door shut.
Only then do I release the breath I have been holding. Hot air gushes through me; the sweat at my temples cools.
“What an escape” I mutter, though I know this isn’t over.
Floor twelve approaches. I refuse to think about what waits behind that door. I’ve imagined this moment a thousand times;A small smile slides across my face but that quickly fades,
The light begins to flicker. I pace, unsure. Suddenly the elevator shudders to a halt. The glow light dims: the buttons go dark.
“No No No.”
I pound the illuminated panel, slapping the twelve button like a maniac, hoping some kind of shaft will open and pull me out.
I’m stuck. My phone and bag are back in the lobby because I ran.
Shit, I’m so screwed.
- Writer
