16. Winver
SIXTEEN
“Have a good day, my love,” I say, standing by the elevator door holding up his lunch I made for him the night before. He smiles while taking it then leans in giving me a forehead kiss. “Love you, Winnie.”
I watch as the elevator doors close, taking the love of my life away for the day. I hate how he works all the time, but I can’t really complain. He does a lot to provide for us and soon, I’ll be working alongside him.
I head back to our bedroom needing to get ready for the day. Picking out a dress Axel gifted me a couple weeks ago, I slide on the white, flutter sleeve mini dress then tie a robe around me heading into the bathroom. It doesn’t take me long to do my natural makeup look for the day. Not until nightfall when I’ll add some more dramatic eyeshadow before he gets home. I move on to my hair next, deciding on curling it into beach waves then taking out a white ribbon, adding it to the back of my head. I take one good look at myself, admiring my outfit, ready to take on another beautiful day.
This morning Axel insisted I go and do some shopping, giving me his black card. All he asked was that I also pick out some things he had texted me before he left for work. He also told me that whatever I picked out, to make sure it would look good for when I start working with him. He even gave me a list of stores to go to, as well. I slip on some white Chanel sandals and grab my pink Chanel bag to match, embarking on a much needed shopping day.
With shopping bags clinging on to my arms and cutting off my blood circulation, I enter the last store that Axel told me about. A sales associate comes over with a big smile on her face, her slicked back hair looking flawless. Even her makeup shows not a hint of streaks in sight.
“Welcome in! Do you need any help finding anything?”
I sit my bags down on the floor, pulling out my phone from my purse. I scroll through our messages then show her the necklace he wants me to get. “Here is what I’m looking for!” Her brows raise and her smile grows wider.
“One second.” She walks over to the counter talking to another associate when her smile drops showing disappointment. Her coworker goes into the back as she turns to me smiling, holding up her finger for me to wait. A few minutes pass before a familiar man walks out from the back. Chad! He’s wearing a gorgeous navy suit with a flashy, red tie along with the same Rolex he wore last night. Even his hair is styled back with light gel.
“Winver!” He greets me with open arms as he pulls me in for a hug. His expensive cologne stings my nostrils.
“Hi, Chad! I didn’t even realize this was your jewelry store,” I warmly say, looking around at all the displays of diamonds.
“Yes, this place is my sanctuary.” He holds out his arms looking all around his store. “What may I do for my best friend”s amazing girl?” I smile as I pull up the picture Axel sent me, showing him the necklace.
“Oh yes…the halo necklace would look stunning on you! Follow me, dear.” He waves his hand, taking me to the back of the store where we’re met with a vault door. He enters the code, opening up millions of dollars in one little room. Necklaces on their own displays surround the middle of the room in a circle, while loose diamonds line the back wall. Right in the middle of the room sits a gorgeous diamond necklace, stealing the spotlight from all the other ones.
Chad pulls out white, velvet gloves from his pocket, putting them on before taking out the necklace delicately. The light reflecting off the diamonds makes each of them twinkle as he pulls it out slowly, holding it up for me to see.
“Here is the beautiful halo necklace Axel has picked out for you!” He holds it up closer to me, allowing me to inspect each diamond.
“He picked this out for me?” I say with disbelief. This looks like too much money. Yes, I come from wealth, but I’ve never seen anything like this up close and personal before. I don’t even think my own mother owns anything similar to this.
He laughs at my question. “Of course he picked this out for you! You need something that stands out when you start working with him, you know. Turn around, let me put it on you.”
I turn around, holding up my hair for him to put it on. Once he clasps the back together, I walk over to the mirror, looking at the huge diamonds that sit just above my collarbones.
“God, this is…beautiful,” I breathe out.
“Thirty carat, rounded marquise diamonds made for someone just like you.” He comes up behind, looking at me through the mirror.
“Just like me…” I mumble to myself though he hears what I said.
“Indeed. Every angel needs their halo.”
I gasp for air, holding my neck and shooting straight up. I look around assuming I’m still at their place, but I’m back in my own bed. Lifting up the covers, I notice I’m not in my torn leggings anymore, but now have my cotton pajama shorts on. I yank down the hem of my shirt, seeing that I’ve been completely changed into a new set of clothes. I try to replay everything that happened, not having any memory after I passed out on their bed. I notice my phone charging on my nightstand as I tap the screen to see the time. Five in the morning? How long have I been out? My shift ended at seven, but when I went to the haunted house, I completely lost track of time. How long was I there before they took me back here?
The pain from the chains is still present and my entire body feels sore. I know it’s from when I was with the guys, but it still takes me back. I shake off that memory, hitting my pillow and curling up again.
Heaviness clings to me; my thoughts paused with grogginess surrounding me. Pulling up the blanket covering me from the chin down, I close my eyes. I drift back off into a deep sleep with no desire or want to take a bath to drown out the nightmare I just had.