Chapter 6
Chapter Six
LILY
You really should be careful what you wish for.
Except mine is coming true months, hell, maybe years later.
That wish expired! They surely have expiration dates.
I no longer want to spend all my time with Tristan.
I don’t know if he is even working. He cannot be working because he is constantly hovering around me.
I can’t do anything without him noticing, and I really need to get a new message to Teddy.
It appears her plans too have gone off the rails, but she assures me she has the situation handled.
That in itself is scary. I love my Teddy Bear best friend, but planning and execution aren’t her strong suits.
That girl has a way of stumbling into a mess, likely of her own making.
She’s got a heart of gold and can be a little na?ve.
I would be lying if I said I’m not a bit worried for her safety in the outside world.
“Are we heading back home soon?” I ask, pretending to be extra bored.
I don’t have to pretend, but I am trying to cover up my nervous energy.
Things are off between us, and I can’t put my finger on it.
Sure, we have had our normal banter, but I sense a change.
Something has shifted. That or I’m losing my mind.
“In a hurry?” He sits down with his tablet. I’m sure he’s reading over some contract. No one works more than him. That’s all he ever does, but what he’s doing here he could have done from home.
“I would rather be in my own bedroom than a hotel. At least that cell has all of my things.” I throw a little jab because why not. If I act too nice, he’ll get suspicious. I have to keep consistent if I ever hope to get home and ultimately make my escape with Teddy.
“People fight to get reservations here.” He ignores my comment. I turn my face toward the window to see the Eiffel Tower.
The hotel and suite are amazing, but this massive room that could be a condo is set up for a family with the extra rooms or for a honeymoon suite. We are neither of those things. This place is so freaking romantic that it makes my heart ache. It’s a stark reminder of what I don’t have.
I know I’m rough around the edges and my mouth can be terrible, but I’m still a girly girl at heart. I want a family more than anything. I adored and loved my father, but he worked so much. I spent a lot of time on my own. I could manage myself, not that Tristan believes so.
Everything I own is in the palm of his hand. We both know that. It wouldn’t bother me if the situation were different, but it’s not.
“I’m not those people,” I say absently, still watching out the window. “Have you stayed here before?” I stupidly ask. I don’t want to know about the other parts of his life. I’m not allowed. He hasn’t said that outright, but I know.
“This one? No, it was recommended.” I turn my head to meet his eyes.
“By whom?”
Tristan hesitates, and I’m not sure if he’s trying to recall or if he doesn’t want to tell me. I let the silence stretch between us. My father taught me that. I’m sure he taught Tristan too. It makes people uncomfortable, and they will feel the need to fill it.
“Sasha.”
“Right.” I roll my eyes. I hate her, and I hate that I hate her. I know she hates me, but I also know she’s not mad about it.
“Why do you dislike her?”
“She’s a bitch.” There, I said it.
What’s he going to do about it? I’m over the niceties.
If my plans get back on track, I’ll never have to see her again.
Tristan will be all hers. That thought burns, but it’s better that way.
It’s not his fault he doesn’t see me in a romantic light.
That’s on me, but I have to get away from him.
I can’t move on if I stay here, and he won’t let me for some reason.
“You can turn out cold growing up in our circles.” Yes, their circles; they aren’t mine. I would ask if he’s as quick to come to my defense as he is hers, but not many know about me. I’m a little secret tucked away.
“Yes, the world is hard when you have all the money and don’t need a job.”
“Technically she has a job, and the same could be said about you.” I gasp, sitting up from where I’d plopped down on the couch, swinging my legs back and forth on the side.
“You won’t even let me get a job!” I hiss at him.
“You don’t need one.” We stare at each other. This time he wins the stare-off.
“This is bullshit. I don’t understand why I’m here. Why are you keeping me locked away? I don’t get any of this.” I throw my hands up.
“Your father trusted me with your care.”
“I’m an adult,” I growl at him. “In case you didn’t notice.”
“Everyone notices.” He tosses his tablet down next to him. “And you’re not a captive. You could leave.”
“Liar.”
“If you wanted to leave, you would.” Who is he trying to convince, himself?
“Wouldn’t it be less of a hassle if you didn’t have to worry about me? Just let me go out there and live my life.”
“No.” I don’t know how he manages to make the one word sound so cold, but he does.
Is he saying no to me being a hassle or letting me go live my life? I’m starting to wonder if he even knows.
“We can’t do this forever.” I jump to my feet.
“I don’t understand why you want to get away from me so badly.”
“I want to have a life!” Not be this girl tucked away from the world. I mean, it wouldn’t be horrible if it were by a man that loved and adored me. One that wanted to cherish me. If that were the case, I could get behind that.
“You have a life with me.”
I burst into laughter. “This is no life. You don’t even like me.”
“That’s bullshit. You know I love you. You’re my family.” He even manages to say all that with the same coldness. Ouch. I mean, I knew that, but hearing him say it out loud really drives the point home.
I’m like an annoying little sister to him.
A responsibility he has to handle. And he is very much keeping me captive.
He has all the control. Without him, I have nothing.
Wait, that’s not exactly true. I have a very determined Teddy Bear on my side.
She’s my only hope at freedom and some sense of a real life afterward.
“Nothing to say to that?”
“We’re not family.” I force the words out. I don’t know if I’m trying to hurt him, but in a selfish way, I want him to feel a little heartbreak. I know mine is shattered.
“Lily,” he calls after me as I head toward my own room in the suite.
I pause at the door. “I want to go home,” I tell him. I’m hanging on by a thread here. I need to get away from him before I have a full breakdown charged with a panic attack.
“I’ll take you home.”
“Thank you.” I shut the door behind me and lean up against it. I swipe the tears that fall, making me mad at myself. I won’t cry over this. I’m tough—or I thought I was.