His own to have

THE NOTE

CHAPTER 2

THE NOTE

LIAM’s POV

The first thing that caught my eye when I woke was the bloodstain on the sheets where she had slept. A pang of concern flared in my chest, and for a fleeting moment, I thought she had gone to take a shower. A genuine smile crept onto my face, one that had eluded me for far too long, igniting a flicker of warmth in the cold, dark recesses of my mind.

But that brief happiness faded quickly as my gaze fell on a note lying on the bedside table, stark against the polished wood. Just as I was about to rise and join her in the bathroom, my body yearning for her once more, I picked up the note, my heart racing with anticipation.

The moment my eyes skimmed the words, a wave of intense rage washed over me, igniting every muscle in my body. Each word felt like a knife, cutting deeper into my resolve. I read the note again, hoping it might somehow transform into something different, but the words remained cruelly unchanged. In a fit of fury, I flung it aside, watching as it drifted to the floor like a fallen leaf.

“Damn it!” I cursed under my breath. The anger pulsing through my veins felt both foreign and familiar, a dark and intoxicating mix that threatened to consume me. I reached for my phone, determined to contact her manager. This time, I wasn’t going to give this task to my personal assistant as I usually would. I had been frequenting this hotel for over four years, but the urgency coursing through me demanded immediate action.

I recalled sitting in the back of my car earlier that day, my driver droning on about something trivial, a monotonous buzz that I had tuned out completely. I had waved him off, too consumed by my thoughts to pay attention. My only desire was to get home, to confront this situation head-on and settle the matter once and for all.

“Have you seen the money I just sent?” I barked at the manager when he picked up the phone, his surprised stutter barely registering in my mind. I wasn’t interested in small talk; I needed results. The impatience in my voice was unmistakable, and I could almost hear the tension crackling in the air.

“Get me the same girl you sent last night” I ordered, cutting him off before he could respond. He knew me well enough to understand the consequences of disobedience. The weight of authority settled over my shoulders, and I relished the power it provided, even as it tangled with my simmering rage.

As I sat in my office, the familiar hum of the city outside filtering through the window, I replayed the events of the previous night, still simmering with anger. She had slipped away quietly, leaving me alone with my thoughts, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of abandonment that accompanied her departure. I anticipated what the night would hold, how many questions I would have for that green-eyed stranger, and how desperately I intended to possess her.

Every time I closed my eyes, I could see her vividly—the way her hair had cascaded over her shoulders, how her laughter had danced through the air, and the way her eyes sparkled with mischief. I wanted to claim her so fiercely that she wouldn’t even think of escaping or leaving behind a note to forget what had transpired. My chest tightened again at the memory of her written words: Nobody tells me what to do. The defiance in those words was intoxicating, a challenge I was all too willing to accept.

Since that encounter, my mind had been in a tumultuous haze. Her loud moans and desperate pleas echoed relentlessly in my head, a haunting melody that refused to fade away. I knew I wouldn’t find peace until I had her entirely to myself—the softness and sweetness of her body etched into my memory, a permanent reminder of the connection we had forged.

I slammed my laptop shut, giving up on any pretense of work. Four hours had slipped by since my arrival, yet all I had accomplished was to replay the previous night in my mind, growing angrier with each recollection. How could I have allowed her to slip through my fingers? The thought was maddening, a vicious cycle that churned within me. I needed to regain control.

TERESA’s POV

I sat in the sterile hospital room with Emma and my anxious mother, my heart pounded heavily in my chest as I anxiously awaited news from the manager I had been linked with. It was Saturday afternoon, the day after that unforgettable night. The vivid memories played in my mind like a highlight reel—his touch, his voice, the way he had made me feel alive in a world that often felt so gray.

When my phone vibrated against the cold metal of the table, I didn’t wait for it to ring. I jumped up, my eyes glued to the screen, willing it to be the news I had been praying for. A wide smile spread across my face, and without saying a word, I nodded at the worried Emma. She instantly understood, returning my smile, relief washing over her features as hope flickered to life.

Excusing myself, I answered the call, my heart racing in anticipation. The manager’s voice came through, brimming with good news that sent a thrill down my spine. He asked for my account number and instructed me to return to the same hotel and room that evening.

Dread coiled in my stomach at the thought of stepping foot in that place again. Why did I have to go back there? But with the money needed for Jovan's operation hanging in the balance, I knew better than to upset him. The stakes were too high. Reluctantly, I agreed, forcing myself to suppress the uncertainty gnawing at my insides.

After we hung up, I felt a rush of excitement as a notification pinged on my phone. The money had come in. I jumped up, barely able to contain my joy, and rushed to share the news with my mom and Emma. My heart raced with the possibilities this windfall could bring, not just for Jovan, but for me as well.

My mother didn’t even ask where the money had come from; she was so elated that it didn't cross her mind. Preparations for the operation began immediately, and soon Jovan was wheeled into the theater, a determined glint in his eyes. I grasped my mother’s hand, squeezing it tightly, feeling the warmth of her presence steady my nerves. We were in this together, no matter the outcome.

A week later, the three of us walked out of the hospital together, my mother, Jovan, and I, our hearts lighter and filled with happiness. The weight of uncertainty that had hung over us like a dark cloud had finally lifted. I realized my decision had been worth it, though I had no idea it would lay the foundation for my future in ways I couldn’t yet comprehend.

As we stepped into the sunlight, I felt a mixture of relief and excitement coursing through me. This was a new beginning, a fresh start. And despite the apprehension that tinged my thoughts, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something extraordinary was waiting fo

r me just around the corner.