Candlelight and shadows

Chapter 4 whispers

Chapter 4 whispers

The morning came too quiet. The rose still sat on my dresser, its petals wide open, soft and fresh, releasing that gentle scent that reminded me of him… of Jeremy. I stared at it for a moment, a small smile tugging at my lips , but something in my chest twisted. He hadn't called. Maybe not yet. Maybe he was busy. But what if… what if he wasn't going to?.

I didn't know what I was feeling, desire or fear. Fear that maybe he thought I wasn't his type. Fear that maybe he saw through me , that he thought I was like others, after his money, his name, his luxury. But I wasn't. I was more than that. I wanted him, his laughter, his scent, his quiet dominance, everything that came with him.

“ Good morning, sleeping beauty!” Lara's voice cut through my thoughts, playful and sweet. “ I hope your night was great. You were smiling all through your sleep. Oh and Jeremy called earlier. I had to take the call on your phone”.

My head shot up. “Lara, why would you pick my call?”.

She looked at me with a casual shrug.

“It rang nonstop. It was disturbing.y beauty sleep. I had to help you, girl”.

“Lara…” I said, half sighing, half curious. She never answered my phone before, not once. Why now? Why him? The one person I actually wanted to talk to myself.

She grinned. “Relax. He said he wanted you to be the first person he spoke to before heading to his morning workout . Isn't that the cutest thing ever?”

I couldn't help the smile that escaped my lips. “Really?”

“Yes , girl! I think you've got him hooked”.

“You think so?”

“I Know so. Look, he even sent you messages. Check your phone.

I rushed to my inbox, heart racing. My fingers trembled slightly as I unlocked the screen. Was he already thinking about me? Was I that unforgettable? I hadn't done anything special, had I? Maybe being beautiful was enough. Maybe for once, I was a fantasy and just just a distraction.

Then I read his message:

Good morning, Adina. I hope you slept well. I did, because I dreamt of you. Can't wait to see that smile again.

My lips curved as warmth filled my chest. I read it twice, thrice, and couldn't stop the giggles that slipped out.

The smell of pancakes and maple syrup drew me out of my daze. Lara was in the kitchen, flipping them effortlessly, humming that same tune she always did when she was in a good mood.

The clock ticked. My smile vanished.

“Oh my God! I'm late!”

“ Late? For what now?” Lara asked, startled.

“For the presentation!” I darted around the apartment, searching for my heels. “The new lipstick lunch, remember?” My boss sent the final brief last night.

“You didn't even eat!” Lara called as I grabbed my bag.

I snatched two slices of pancake, stuffed one in my mouth, and waved.

“Bye, Lara! Bye, baby girl!”

Have a blast!” She shouted.

“You too!” I yelled back, slamming the door behind me.

The city was awake and loud, horns blaring, people rushing, the usual chaos that somehow kept me alive. I hailed a cab and scrolled through Jeremy's messages again, smiling to myself like a lovesick teenager.

When I finally reached the office, I barely caught my breath when my boss appeared.

“Good morning, Adina”, she said. “How's the presentation coming along?”

“Good morning, ma'am. It's amazing. I've been able to curate the formula and add the improvement for the new line. I think it's going to sell incredibly well”.

“Really?”

“Yes ma'am. Especially among young women. Once we get approval, we can send it out to the factory for production”.

My phone buzzed. I glanced down, and my heart skipped, Jeremy. I quickly flipped my phone face down, pretending to stay composed, though a smile betrayed me.

“Hmm?” My boss raised an eyebrow, amused.

“Sorry, ma'am, I stammered. “As I was saying the formula_”

She interrupted gently, still smiling.

“Adina, you're brilliant. And beautiful, I just hope he doesn't take you for granted”.

I blinked. “Sorry ma'am? What do you mean?”

She leaned on the counter, lowering her voice. “The young man calling you. I've had it before”.

I froze. For a moment, I didn't know what to say. Her tone wasn't mocking; it was protective.

“Ma'am, it's nothing serious”, I said, brushing it off with a small laugh. “Just someone I went on a date with”.

She said knowingly. “Be careful with those ones, Adina. The ones who make your heart race too fast usually leave it bruised”.

Her words lingered long after I left her office. I couldn't shake it off. That night, while lying in bed, I scrolled through Jeremy's messages again the way he said name, the effortless charm in his tone, the promise behind every word. He wasn't like the others. I felt it.

And yet, somewhere deep down, a quiet whisper echoed. What if Lara had answered more that just the call?

I pushed the thought away.

Instead, I imagined Jeremy's smile, the way he'd looked at me like I was an art, not a temptation. I wanted to that again, not the girl who was desired, but the one who was kept.

Still, I phone buzzed again, I hesitated.

Jeremy: can I see you tomorrow night? Dinner at my place.

My breath caught.

The rose on my dresser had began to wilt, but it's scent still lingered, soft and intoxicating

Like a promise.

I type back:

Yes. I'd love to.

Then placed the phone on my chest, I starred at the ceiling, heart fluttering with something that felt dangerously close to hope.

But as the room felt silent again, a shadow of Lara's laughter echoed from the kitchen. Light, carefree and somehow… knowing.