31. EVE
31
EVE
I 'd had a quick shower when the car arrived, leaving little time to process everything. I keep him blocked on my phone to surprise him and see if he was with Sasha. Ash called the condo from the hotel, but I hung up on him. I wanted to send a message, but now I feel stupid and immature.
During the drive, I had a few hours to think, letting me rehearse what I would say when I arrived. The GPS in the car has a countdown to the doomed meeting.
We arrived at a magnificent hotel. Its grand facade shimmers under the sun, straight out of an old movie. Massive, fluted pillars stand in a stately row across the building's front, their shadows stretching long in the afternoon sun. The smell of salt and seaweed in the air when I opened my door. The rhythmic crash of waves a constant background hum.
“I will take care of your luggage.” The driver, with a gentle click, closes my door.
My mind is a whirlwind of scenarios, each one a different path, a different outcome. Were they sharing a room together? I force myself to move forward. I would soon discover the answer.
I glance at my phone to see what floor they are on. I take the elevator up to the floor. When the door creaks open, I step out cautiously, my senses alert to any sound or movement. My heart thumps, afraid I'll see them around the corner, but the hallway is empty and silent. Two penthouses are on this floor. Their doors close to the elevator.
I creep to their door, putting my ear as close to it as possible, straining to hear anything behind it. Except for the hallway heater's rhythmic, almost hypnotic hum, complete silence surrounds me. With a delicate rasp in my throat clearing, I knock faintly on the heavy oak door.
Silence.
I knock again, this time with more force.
Silence.
I step back, a calm breath leaving my body, giving me relief I didn’t have to deal with this right now. They must be out. My imagination takes flight, picturing them strolling along a breezy beach or perhaps engrossed in conversation at a romantic restaurant. I walk back to the elevator when the penthouse door opens behind me.
“Eve?” Sasha calls out to me.
I spin around, fury boiling at her voice's sharp, shrill sound. “I’m here to see Ash.”
She plants herself firmly in the doorway, using her body as the entrance obstacle. I can’t walk past her or even see into the room. I cross my arms and wait impatiently for Ash to appear, my face burning with anticipation.
“He’s busy.” She looks back into the room, her voice almost a hush.
“Ash!” I stretch up on my tiptoes, peering into the dimly lit room, but no sign of Ash.
“Did you read any of his texts?” A friendly smile stretches across her face.
She’s enjoying this. And maybe she knew something I didn’t since I blocked Ash from contacting me. Perhaps I went too far. “Tell Ash I need to talk to him.”
The elevator door opens, and the hall boy has a cart with my things on it. His face pales as he spots Sasha, and he stumbles back, stuttering, “Umm…madame…Your things.”
“Put them in the room.” My voice is strong and unwavering as I hold Sasha’s gaze.
“There’s no room in here.” Sasha’s smile strains her face. “Take them to the lost and found department.” She says, closing the door in our faces.
I approach the door and bang on it hard. “Ash!” My voice shakes. How can he let her treat me like this? What the fuck was going on behind that closed door?
The door creaks open again, and a scornful scoff replaces Sasha's cheerful smile. “You’re making a scene.”
I push on the door, nearly knocking her over with this surprise strength from somewhere in my body, and step into the luxurious penthouse. “Ash!” I call out.
Ash doesn’t reply. I keep going into every room, checking each one thoroughly. They are all empty. Relief washes over me as I find the master, but my stomach drops when I see Sasha's clothes and Ash’s clothing strewn across the floor. Behind the closed door, I hear the shower's steady drumming and the faint hiss of steam.
“Ash.” His name, a fragile whisper on my lips, shatters the composure I'd fought so hard to maintain, the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place, bringing unbearable pain. A wave of weakness washes over me, and my legs give way, sending me to my knees. Hot tears stream down my face, blurring my vision. It was all fake. He meant nothing he said to me. I hang on to the bed, my arm shaking. I felt like a toy in his hands, a game he played with for amusement, picked up and thrown aside whenever the mood struck him.
“Oh, get up.” Sasha stands by the door, “What did you expect would happen with the two of us rekindling our love?”
I want to scream and yell at her, but Ash did this. His choice of her over me felt like a stab in the back. I wouldn’t let him fuck with me anymore. I pick myself off the floor and walk past her again, my legs wobbling with each step.
“Why did you even come here?” Sasha asks.
“I don’t know.” My lips tremble as I try to keep it together.
A brief flash of sympathy crosses Sasha's face, quickly replaced by her usual smirk. “At least you know now.” She offers.
I roll my eyes and return to the hallway, the hall boy still standing there with my things. “Take them down,” I say, passing him. I’m drained of energy, both physically and emotionally. There is no fight left in me.