Deception and Desire

Chapter 3

The first thing I had checked for when I woke up this morning was if there was another letter placed in the bathroom but alas there was none which made me a bit relieved.

After uncovering the letter yesterday night, I placed a call to my aunt to inform her about it. She being protective, sent over a security company this morning to set up security cameras around the house. I couldn't bring myself to be mad about the invasion of privacy because it was for my good. If someone could come into my house when I wasn't here what are the chances the person couldn't do it again?

After careful deliberation, I decided to pack a few essentials and stay at Daphne's place till the security cameras were fully installed. A hotel would have been better but, due to the movies I've watched, It's gonna be a hard pass for me.

“Hey girl,” Daph says, opening her arms to welcome me in.

“I don't think I saw you at some point again at the club,” she says, grabbing a glass of water and taking her drugs probably for the throbbing headache she must be having after her aggressive drinking last night.

“I was around” I paused walking off into the house more before I made my next statement.

“With Sebastian” I finished off, walking away further into the room I'll be staying In.

“spill” Daph yells running after me and jumping on my bed waiting for me to give her some juicy gossip I didn't even have.

“It was nothing for real, we just talked. It wasn't anything interesting, trust me-” I was Interrupted by Daphne's phone ringing in her hands with Sebastian's name popping up.

“Nothing you say huh” she giggles, composing her posture before picking up.

“Hello”

“Really?” She asks, wiggling her brows at me.

“Okay, I'll ask when I see her,” she says and hangs up.

“What did he say?”

“It was nothing for real,” she teases and runs out.

“Daphne Pentacod Peters” I called after her but I made no attempt to chase after her. I placed the bag I brought in the corner and got dressed into something more comfortable.

“At least let me know what he asked so I'll know how to reply to him when I come across him at work” I pleaded as we made our way to the kitchen.

“He just asked if I've heard from you that he hasn't been able to reach you since last night-”

“Hope you didn't tell him I was at your apartment” I interrupted.

“Girl, you've got to let me finish my sentence." She says rolling her eyes playfully. " and no I didn't.”

“Sorry Mom” I teasingly joke earning a playful eye roll from Daph yet again.

“I'll head out now”

“We'll meet at work,” Daphne says, gathering her stuff and walking out the door.

I needed to get some rest because I hardly got any from last night, having the feeling I wasn't safe by just spending a night at my house.

After my nap, I got dressed and ready for work, I can't be getting on Samantha's bad side at this point.

I made my way out the door attempting to lock it, I heard the sound of a camera shuttering causing me to look around slowly but I couldn't find anyone. Maybe I was just being paranoid, after all, I had a long night.

I hurriedly locked up, digging my hand into my bag to ensure I still had my pepper spray with me.

I decided to take the longer route to work because my aunt once told me to change my route often for safety and that was what I did.

I got to work, quite late than expected, discarding every question that came my way about my reason for being late.

“Miss. Carter, I will need you to work on the dress with your group that Emily Moore will be using to attend the gala for the grand opening of the hotel on the other side of town next month.”

“I expect nothing less than the best from you.”

“I will do my best Ma, I promise not to let you down,” I say receiving a nod of approval from Samantha before she walks away.

“Looks like someone got work up her sleeves,” Daph says engulfing me in a side hug.

“So… have you heard from lover boy?” Daphne asks wiggling her brows as she nudges me with her shoulders.

“Why can't I come across normal people in my life?” I dramatically say, throwing my hands up at the universe earning a playful smack from Daphne.

“Oww, what was that for?” I teasingly ask, playfully rubbing my arm.

Earning a huff from Daphne she dramatically turned away and walked off.

“Get me a cheesy burger thanks” she yells as she makes her way back into the office.

So dramatic.

I settled into my office seat, booting up my computer and sparing a glance at the clock. Two productive hours later, I shut down my computer, rising from my desk and doing a mini stretch.

Exiting the office building since it was lunch hour, I hailed a cab and directed it to the restaurant I usually frequented. Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed a guy on a motorbike start his bike almost immediately, trailing the can I was in.

I shut my eyes massaging my temple, this had to all be in my head. I said to myself, trying to assure myself.

It's crazy how this wasn't the first time I had seen someone in a motorbike trailing me, at first I thought nothing of it but after yesterday I couldn't help but be paranoid.

As I alighted from the cab, making my way into the restaurant, I gave my surroundings a glance in search of the motorist but there was no sign of him nor his bike. Thoughts of the mysterious man faded into the background as I focused on getting Daphne's and my order and getting away from here as soon as possible.

I made my way to the front desk to make my order, as the man walked away to pack my order, I decided to google how to stop being followed, laughing at some of the funny stuff that popped up.

As I raised my head from my phone, my eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of a man standing across the street, he was staring straight at me and something about the look made me shiver down to my bones.

“Weirdo”, I whisper.

I had always had a weird feeling that I was being watched. I would subconsciously glance over my shoulders for any guilty-looking person but wouldn’t find anyone.

I have also begun to notice that same man lurking around me at times. I had no idea who he was or what he wanted from me. It always gives me the chills and I am very sure I am not being paranoid.

My order finally came and I wasted no time in paying and getting the hell out of this place.

I walked out, scanning my surroundings once again but there was no one around. I should probably go visit a therapist or something, there were no cabs to flag down which made me feel more anxious. Suddenly a black car stopped in front of me and to my surprise, it was Sebastian.

Why was he here? Was he the one stalking me all along?

I walked away from his car not daring to enter for all I knew, he could be the stalker who knows?

“Stop! Don't go”

Those mere words on a normal day would have had me running but I didn't run instead, I looked around me and realized a guy was secretly taking pictures of me again from behind a tree.

“Let's go”

“Why?” Sebastian worriedly asked, looking around.

“Now!” I yelled a little bit above a normal tone.

We made our way into his car and he drove off and to my dismay, the motorbike from earlier trailed behind us.