Chapter 10
When the cab slowly entered the Velvet District, my heart began to race again—but for a different reason entirely.
The Velvet District was one of the most exclusive areas in the city. It was home to
some of the wealthiest individuals in the city, and if you lived around here, then it was not out of the ordinary to bump shoulders with a celebrity or two.
The cab drove past rows of extravagant mansions until it reached the area where the towering luxury apartment complexes were located. It slowed down in front of a towering glass–and–steel structure that practically screamed luxury.
“We’re here, ma’am.” The cab driver announced as he parked right in front.
Thank you so much. I smiled at him, scanning the barcode he provided for the payment.
“Payment received.” He confirmed as his phone beeped almost immediately.
I stepped out of the car, my heels clicking against the smooth pavement as I made my way toward the building’s revolving doors.
“Welcome ma’am” The security at the door greeted me with a smile,
Thank you.” I smiled back.
The lobby was just as elegant as I remembered, polished marble floors, crystal dropping chandeliers, and the kind of quiet that came with being soaked in wealth and privilege.
1 walked straight to the reception area. Here, you had to announce your arrival unless you were a resident’s approved guest.
The place feels more like a five–star star restaurant. Security was tight–one of the many reasons I liked this place.
“Good morning, ma’am. What floor are you going to? The receptionist asked, shooting me a warm, professional smile
“Seventy–ninth floor, Apartment AI responded.
It was the second–to–last floor, the penthouse being the final one. I still remembered how bummed she was when she couldn’t get the penthouse suite because someone else had paid for it just seconds before we arrived.
“What’s your name, please?”
“Alina Dawn” I told her, silently praying to God that I was still on the resident’s approved list.
I honestly didn’t know if she would let me up if I wasn’t–not after how 1–treated her in the past.
“You can head right up, Miss Dawn. The receptionist said after a few seconds, making me release a breath of pure relief.
Thank God I was still on the list.
“Thank you” I shot her a grateful smile and made my way to the elevator,
“Enjoy your stay.” She called after me.
Listening to the calming instrumental music playing inside the elevator as I rode up to the seventy–ninth floor did absolutely nothing to calm my nerves.
The ride felt longer than usual, but I knew that was just my anxiety getting the best of me. Luckily for me, no one got on during the trip. I had the elevator and my twirling thoughts all to myself.
There were only two apartments on the seventy–ninth floor. As I walked down the immaculate hallway toward Apartment A, my steps slowed. My palms began to sweat. My hands started to shake, my heart was racing and my head was pounding.
Get it together, Alina. What’s the worst that can happen?” This was my poor attempt at pep–talking myself.
“Well, the worst that can happen is her throwing water on me and screaming at me to leave.” I countered myself.
Honestly, it’s what I deserved.
ay back toward the elevator–only to stop.
“Maybe this was a bad idea,” I muttered, turning around and making my way
1/3
6:27 AM
Chapter 10
I didn’t sneak out of Lucian’s estate and risk Lucian getting furious with me just to go back without achieving anything
“Come on, Alina. You’re not a chicken. You can do this.” I told myself, turning back around toward the door.
Anyone watching me in this instance talking to myself would probably think I was insane. I was just glad there were only two apartments on this floor, no one else around to witness my breakdown.
“Ah, fuck it.” I muttered under my breath, and pushed the doorbell
I held my breath as I waited.
It felt like hours passed, but it was really only a few seconds before I heard muffled rustling from the other side. Then the door opened revealing fiery red hair. A soft face that looked like it had just woken up.
Her eyes widened as soon as she realized who was standing in front of her.
“Alina, what the hell are you doing here?”
Talia
My voice cracked, heavy with emotion, as I threw myself into the arms of my best friend.
And then the waterworks began.
“I’m so glad to see you,” I said between hiccups, hugging her tighter.
Talia had remained loyal to me until her death in the past life, and it was all because of me. But now, I was going to make things right.
I was going to protect her.
“What’s going on? Why are you crying?” Her tone was laced with confusion as she slowly began to pat my back in comfort
The simple action only made me cry harder.
“Alright, let’s take this inside before my nosy neighbor gets a new topic to post about.” She said, pulling me into her apartment and closing the door.
Her neighbor was a famous celebrity blogger, and Talia didn’t get along with her at all.
No surprises there.Talia didn’t like anybody.
Her apartment was just as I remembered, it was classy, spotless, and decorated in a style that screamed luxury. She led me to the couch while I continued to cling to her, and even when she tried to gently detach herself, I only clung tighter.
I just want to go get you a glass of water. I’ll be right back.” She assured me
Reluctantly, I loosened my grip, and she disappeared for a moment, coming back a few seconds later with a cold glass of water in her hands.
“Here.” She passed me the glass.
I took it from her and gulped it down in one go, only then realizing how parched I was.
“Thank you.” I smiled at her, my eyes fixed on her face as though afraid she would disappear if I blinked.
“Your makeup is all messed up.” She pushed a box of tissues across the table toward me before sitting on the couch opposite.
My ruined makeup was the least of my worries, but I took the tissue anyway and dabbed at my face.
We sat in silence for a few minutes, just staring at each other, until she finally broke it.
“There’s something weird about you. I can’t wrap my fingers around it.” She scanned my face, as if searching for something. But when she didn’t find whatever it was she was looking for, she broke eye contact and leaned back in her seat. “You know what? I honestly do not care, And why are you at my house losing your shit?”
Her lone was cold. Hostile.
I wasn’t surprised. I had expected it.
Chapter 10
“Talia__”
“No, hold on.” She cut me off sharply, her hand raised. “If I remember correctly, you told me to never show my face to you again if I didn’t accept your relationship with that scum, Adrian. So, why then are you here in my apartment, my space?” She folded her arms across her chest, her voice quivering ever so slightly. “Because let me tell you–my opinion about him, or your relationship with him. hasn’t changed since the last time we spoke.”
Talia’s eyes
Pain.
held anger.
And most of all disappointment.
My heart broke. The urge to cry returned, stronger than it was before.
“I was wrong.” I said softly.
“Listen, I couldn’t care less what kind of a person you think- WAIT WHAT?!”
宙
