Chapter 8
833 Words
Laura Sterling
“Derick… kiss me again. Just like that…”
Laura’s voice came out as a soft, dreamy whisper while she sat at her vanity table, slowly running the silver brush through her long dark brunette hair. In the mirror, her hazel eyes sparkled with pure adoration.
She was back in her old bedroom, sunlight streaming through the lace curtains, and her heart felt light and full of hope.
*Seven years ago… when everything still felt possible.*
She closed her eyes, a shy smile playing on her full lips as she replayed the memory of Derick’s kiss from earlier that afternoon.
The way his hands had gently cupped her face, the warmth of his breath, the way he had looked at her like she was the only woman in the world.
“He said he wants to treat me like a queen,” she murmured to herself, her cheeks flushing pink. “He promised he’ll repay every cent if I help him get started… but I don’t even care about the money. I just want him. I want us.”
“He’s so gentle, so humble. A simple janitor who looks at me with such genuine love. No one has ever made me feel this way. I’m going to marry him. I know it in my soul.“
The brush moved gently through her hair as she daydreamed, lost in the sweet love bombing that had completely swept her off her feet.
Derick’s words echoed in her mind: “Laura, you’re my everything. Let me prove I’m worthy of you. One day, I’ll give you the world.”
The door to her room opened softly.
“Laura, sweetheart… can we talk?”
Her father, Alexander Sterling, stepped inside, followed by her two elder brothers. Their faces were serious, especially her father’s, etched with deep worry.
She turned on her chair, still holding the brush, her expression bright and determined. “Dad, brothers… what is it?”
Her father sat on the edge of her bed, studying her closely. “We’ve heard you’re serious about this Derick Cole. Are you really sure, Laura? He’s just a janitor in your company. We’ve done some checking… something feels off about him.”
Laura’s smile faltered for a second, but she quickly lifted her chin, her voice confident. “I’m sure, Dad. I’m completely in love with him. He’s kind, he listens to me, and he makes me feel cherished. I won’t change my mind.”
One of her brothers stepped forward, his brow furrowed with concern. “Sis, if you’re this certain, we won’t stand in your way. But please… be careful.”
Her father’s face remained clouded with worry. He reached out and took her hand. “Laura, I trust your judgment, but I have a bad feeling. He seems too eager, too perfect. What if he’s after more than just your heart? The company, the money…”
“Dad, please trust me,” Laura begged softly, squeezing his hand. “Derick loves me for me. Not for Sterling Group or the fortune. He even said he wants to repay every cent if I ever help him financially. It’s real love. Can’t you see how happy I am?”
“Why can’t they understand? Derick is my future. He’s not like the men who only see me as a CEO. He sees the woman behind the title. I’m so in love… I can’t imagine life without him.“ I thought.
Her brothers exchanged uneasy glances but eventually nodded.
“If you’re sure, Laura, then we support you. We just want you to be happy.”
But her father didn’t look convinced. His eyes stayed heavy with unspoken fears. “I love you, my girl. I only want what’s best for you. Just… promise me you’ll be careful with your heart and with the company.”
Laura stood up and hugged him tightly, her heart still floating on clouds of romance. “I promise, Dad. You’ll see. Derick will prove himself. Everything will be perfect.”
The dream felt so warm, so safe, so full of possibility. She could almost smell Derick’s cologne, hear his soft promises again.
Then a strange, deep voice cut through the haze.
“Laura… Are you awake? You will be fine...Try to wake up and have some water.”
The voice was commanding pulling her away from the golden memory.
The bedroom began to fade, the faces of her father and brothers blurring.
Laura’s eyes fluttered open in confusion, they welled up with tears that she let out a scream that tore from her chest, her body heavy and aching. The sweet dream dissolved into cold reality she was not prepared to face.
“No… I was so happy there. Why am I being pulled back? Am I… not dead after all?“
She blinked slowly, her voice weak and trembling as the unfamiliar voice echoed again in her mind.
“Who… who are you? Am I really alive?”
- Writer
