Deception and Desire

Chapter 4

The drive back to work was quiet, I requested for Sebastian to follow a different and longer route other than the one that usually led to the office. I know he had a lot to ask but he didn't, which I truly appreciated. I kept glancing at the side mirrors, checking if I would see the motorist which I didn't. It was either I lost him or he had stopped tailing after us. Whichever one it may seem to be, I'm happy I was not being followed at the moment. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and rested my head on the headrest as I tried to clear my head.

Why was Sebastian around at that very point in time? Could it have been a coincidence? Or could he have also been stalking me as well?

So many questions flooded my mind but I didn't want to ask to avoid being asked any questions in return.

He dropped me off at the office but didn't follow me in, he said he had to do something important. Which I found to be suspicious. What could he have to do during office hours? Was he going back to meet that motorist perhaps? Were they working together?

Hurriedly, I made my way into the office building, at least I would be safe inside the four walls of the building. I walked over to Daphne's office, handing her the cheesy burger she had requested earlier.

“Hello, lunch break was over minutes ago, what took you so long?” She asks, unwrapping her burger and taking a bite.

I wanted to tell her about the hooded man I've noticed following me but I didn't want to because it would make her paranoid so instead I lied. " something came up. plus I met Sebastian when I was out." Well technically, it wasn't a lie. I knew saying that would get her mind off asking me further questions about what held me down and it did.

“You'll probably say it was nothing right?” She teased while wiggling her brows at me.

“It was nothing, it was more of a weird thing than a cute thing,” I say taking a bite out of my burger.

“I have no idea what you just said, but I'll take it as if you're trying to hide your love story from me,” Daph says, laughing and earning a dramatic eye roll from me.

I picked up the rest of my things and made my way out of her office. As you see, Daphne was more like the brains of our friendship because she was into tech while I was into designing

If the case was different, different in the aspect that I was getting threatening texts instead of being followed, I would have involved her but sadly, that wasn't the case so I didn't want to involve her in anything dangerous, already living with her even if it's for a short while is putting her in danger, I can only but imagine the danger she'd be in if I get her involved in something she isn't supposed to be in.

“Jess, what are your thoughts on the designs for the ball gown?” Micheal asks, poking his head into my office with a pencil and drawing pad in his hand.

“Uhmm, my head is a bit preoccupied at the moment.”

“How about I arrange for a meeting tomorrow?”

“That would be awesome.” I smiled, waving him off as he walked away.

Daphne pokes her head in too “I never knew you were into Micheal as well.” Daphne gushes making pouty lips at me

“My aiming skills are pretty good, don't test me, babe,” I say playfully. She waves me off and begins walking away.

After a couple more hours, Office hours finally ended but I stayed back a little finishing off some new design ideas I had for the grand opening of the hotel that Mrs. Moore would be wearing, after all, I came in late this morning.

I finished off some cute details in the dress, glancing at the design once again, I smiled, satisfied with the outcome before packing up my things to head home since it was already quite late.

As I locked my office and made my way home, I knew walking home by this time was dangerous but I still did it anyway because I knew I could protect myself, I didn't earn the black belt for no reason

Making a quick stop at a taco spot, I settled down to satisfy my tummy knowing fully well Daphne and I were both terrible cooks.

Once I was done eating, I continued my journey back home till I finally made it home.

The door was unlocked, so thankfully I didn't have to start looking for my keys since Daphne was home already, probably in bed.

I dropped my bag on the living room couch and sank into the couch, letting out a sigh as I kicked off my six-inch heel.

After a few more minutes, I walked over to the kitchen fridge, craving water since I hadn't taken any after devouring my tacos. Shuffling sounds echoed from the room nearby, indicating Daphne might be awake looking for something.

After quenching my thirst, I walked over to the bin but something on the kitchen aisle caught my attention, freezing me in place. A note from Daphne stuck to the aisle, letting me know she wouldn't be home tonight. Panic settled in me faster than I could blink. If Daphne wasn't home then who was here?

"Daph, are you still here?" I asked, hoping she was yet to leave and that her voice would break the eerily silence but the only reply came in the form of the corridor light coming on, my fear heightened as I frantically glanced around the kitchen for what I could use to defend myself. I picked up the mop stick placed in the corner, righting my fingers around it as I took timid steps towards the corridor.

I still couldn't see the invader properly as the light placed in the corridor pathway was red due to Daphne's eccentric style which right now I was really regretting.

The man's gaze bored into mine, my heart racing as I stood on the spot watching him grin at me, awaiting a reaction from me.

“Who are you?” I questioned, raising my mop stick in front of me in readiness for what was to come.