ELEANOR
There I was outside Armando’s door, my hand hovering just an inch away from knocking. My heart was racing, my body heavy with exhaustion. A deep breath filled my lungs as I tried to brace myself for whatever awaited me on the other side. I didn’t want to be here. Every part of me screamed to turn around, walk away, and hide in my room. But I knew I couldn’t.
Just as I was about to knock, I heard his voice from the other side, calm but commanding. "Come in."
My hand froze. How the hell did he know I was standing there? I hadn’t even knocked. My chest tightened, and I swallowed hard, feeling a wave of nervousness sweep over me. I turned the knob slowly, pushing the door open, the familiar scent of his expensive cologne washing over me as soon as I stepped inside.
The room was da
