Chapter 32 Eloise
Eloise
I stand in front of the floor-length mirror in my dressing room, smoothing my hands over the silky fabric of my dress.
It hugs my curves like a second skin, flowing to the floor in shimmering pools of gold.
The slit on the left side extends up to the top of my hip, revealing the entire length of my leg whenever I take a step.
The dress brings out the color of my eyes, and paired with the dramatic smoky eye and red lipstick, they’re almost frightening.
I bring a hand up to my face, tucking a rebellious piece of hair back into its updo. No matter what I do, it keeps falling forward into my eyes, refusing to do what it’s told.
It’s driving me insane.
I’ve been slowly losing my mind for the past week, cooped up with zero human interaction—and I’m starting to think this piece of hair is the thing that will make me snap.
Ever since the two security officers brought me back to the mansion, I’ve been forced to stay in my bedroom, cut off from everyone and everything. I couldn’t even go downstairs to get a damn snack.
I haven’t seen much of Forest, but based on hushed conversations I’ve overheard, he’s still around—though, not for much longer.
Once, Dave could forgive, but the second time I snuck out, Forest was as good as gone.
Dave is working on finding a replacement for him as we speak, and I have no doubt the new guard will be far more cruel than Forest.
The more I think about it, the deeper I fall into that ever-present pit of despair. Taking a deep breath, I step away from the mirror, needing to focus on something to take my mind off my bleak situation.
I gaze toward the exit, knowing in a few minutes, I’ll have to go out on that stage. My stomach roils with disgust. The last thing I want to do is perform—but what else is there for me now?
I’m about to turn back to the mirror when there’s a knock on the door. Confused, I whip my head over my shoulder. “Hello?”
The lock clicks open, and I’m surprised to find Forest standing in the threshold. He’s dressed in a navy-blue suit, complete with a tie and dress pants—looking quite snazzy despite his surly frown and angry eyes.
“Hi, Forest. What’s up?”
Forest doesn’t say a word, just steps into the room, stopping a foot away from me. Silently, he holds his fist out, gesturing with his chin that I should do the same. I hold my palm out flat, and Forest places a small, folded note into the center.
I gaze up at him, a question on the tip of my tongue, but the look in his eye has the words dying in my throat. “Tell them the truth, Eloise.”
“What?” Tell who the truth? “What are you talking about, Forest? What is this?” I’m not sure what’s happening. He’s said more words to me in this one interaction than in the entirety of the time I’ve known him, and none of it makes sense.
He just shakes his head, silently telling me not to question. He closes my fingers over the note and steps back, his expression clearing. “Are you ready for tonight?”
“I… suppose.”
“Nervous?”
I quirk a brow. “Not particularly.” It’s the same set I always play. There’s no reason to be nervous. At least, there shouldn’t be.
“Well, I wanted to tell you before…” He clears his throat. “I wanted to say what a rare honor it has been to know you, Miss Eloise.”
I frown, still not understanding. “Thank you, Forest. That’s…” Nice? Strange? “That’s very kind of you to say.”
Forest leans closer, his good eye shining with an emotion I can’t place. “And also… I’m sorry I didn’t—that I couldn’t…” He shakes his head, clearly unable to say what he wishes. “I wish I could have done more. For you.”
He doesn't need to say what. He’s seen some of the torment Dave has put me through—enough to know what’s going on in this house isn’t right.
I think back to his small gestures of kindness over the past months, and how he’s tried to bring some light to days filled with darkness and cruelty.
He didn’t have to do that—he could have looked the other way like everyone else.
He could have made everything worse, and instead, he chose to help me.
A wave of emotion overtakes me, and I rush forward, wrapping my arms around Forest’s middle in a massive bear hug. Forest tenses, but after a few moments, he relaxes into the embrace and hugs me back.
At the sensation, tears come to my eyes. I can’t remember the last time I experienced platonic love or care, but I think this is as close to it as I’ve come since my parents died.
After a few moments, Forest pulls away, reaching up to pat the top of my head. “Now, don’t mess up your makeup because of me. You’ll be late for your show.” He nods to the note still clutched in my hand. “And you really don’t want to be late for this one.”
“Why?”
But Forest has already turned and gone from the room by the time the word is out of my mouth.
With nothing else to do, I look at the note in my palm.
Steeling my nerves, I peel apart the folds, smoothing the crinkled paper with trembling fingertips.
I know what I’m going to find, yet it shocks me to my core all the same.
It’s a song. And not just any song—but one written by Riot.
I think back to our conversation on the beach. How he hadn’t written anything in years, blocked by his grief and lack of inspiration. And now, he’s written a song. For me. Because of me.
I turn the page over, and my heart stutters as I take in the words scrawled in thick black ink at the bottom. Five little, messy words, but they’re enough to make my dead heart sing.
See you soon, little muse.