Chapter 29

The whirlwind of the audition had settled, leaving behind a swirling vortex of confusion in its wake. Jason's actions, the other man’d actions with the red diamond ring, defied any semblance of logic. It was still burning on my hand as I couldn’t seem to get out of the area fast enough. Jason had pushed me to audition, then that mand had rewarded me in front of Bennett with the very symbol that had filled me with dread. What game was he playing? Jason? What were his intentions?
One moment Jason seemed like an ally, offering cryptic advice and a lifeline into this bizarre world. The next, he was an enigma, his motives shrouded in secrecy. It was maddening, this constant push and pull, this feeling of being a pawn on a chessboard where the rules were constantly shifting.
What about Caleb?
“Caleb’s coffee turned out differently because of you,” Jason said, coming up behind me. 
“What?”
What the hell did that mean? Was he targeting me because of that? When had he even had time to have coffee other than that day? Was Caleb back already? The weight of these questions pressed down on me, suffocating. I needed air, some space to clear my head and untangle the knot of anxieties twisting in my gut. With a resolute nod, I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door. I hurried away from them, away from the audition area and the company until I got onto the street. 
The sterile walls of the building felt like they were closing in on me. I needed the open sky, the comforting anonymity of the city streets. Maybe, amidst the bustling crowds and the rhythmic hum of traffic, some clarity would emerge from the chaos.
Stepping out into the cool evening air, I took a deep breath, the crisp air filling my lungs. The city lights twinkled like scattered diamonds. The street seemed oddly orderly, calm, unlike me. As I walked, the rhythmic thump of my feet on the pavement provided a steady counterpoint to the frantic thoughts swirling in my head.
I needed a plan. But how could I formulate a plan when I didn't even understand the situation, the forces at play? A part of me longed to confront Sebastian, to demand answers. But another part, a cautious voice whispering in the back of my mind, urged me to tread carefully. I’d already slept with him twice. The first time felt transactional, but the second felt… Different. Not better, just different. Shame weighed on my mind.
Everything was a mess, and I had no way out. Every move I made felt wrong. It felt like it would never end and never stop.  Pushing these thoughts aside for the moment, I focused on the task at hand – clearing my head, forming a plan out. I wouldn’t hear back about the role for a while yet. I had time at least for a walk. Perhaps a walk in the park, the gentle murmur of a nearby fountain, would provide some solace, a temporary respite from the whirlwind I found myself trapped in. With a renewed determination, I continued walking, the city lights casting long, dramatic shadows that mirrored the uncertainty clouding my path.
The city lights blurred into a watercolor mess as I wandered, lost in the labyrinth of my own thoughts. Jason's cryptic behavior, the red diamond ring, the whole audition, the kidnapping – it felt like a fever dream, a bizarre and unsettling one at that. Was it connected or not? Did it matter or not? 
Could I do anything about it or not?
I’d finally gotten close enough to Sebastian to have his attention on me. Did I want to do anything about it?
Then, a spark flickered in the dusty corners of my memory. I'd stumbled upon that lingerie store where the man in the rabbit mask was a while ago. Thinking back, a strange sense of curiosity tugged at me. Maybe, I could find a break from the relentless confusion of my situation.
With newfound purpose, I changed course, my steps quickening as I navigated the bustling sidewalks. Relief washed over me like a tidal wave when I spotted the familiar storefront – its lopsided sign and overflowing window display a beacon in the urban sprawl.
The shop was deserted as before. Lingerie was still around and the floor was bathed in the same soft, inviting glow I remembered. This time, though, dozens of plush rabbits, in every color imaginable, filled the shelves and spilled onto the floor, creating a sea of fluffy softness around the lingerie displays. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. This place, with its inherent absurdity, felt oddly comforting.
My gaze drifted towards the back of the store, where Mr. Rabbit's unmistakable silhouette had been standing before. He wasn’t there. On a stool was a half-stitched thing that looked suspiciously like a miniature rabbit coat.
As I approached, a playful thought bubbled up from the depths of my increasingly stressed mind. With no one around to witness my momentary indulgence, I decided to embrace the peculiar. 
“Hello?”
Then, I saw Mr. Rabbit's furry mask hanging on a nearby hook, a mischievous glint sparked in me.
I reached for the mask, the soft fur tickling my fingers as I lifted it. The urge to try it on was irresistible. Slipping it over my head, the world transformed into a muffled soundscape. A giggle escaped me as if from someone else. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d done something so silly.
Just as I fumbled for my phone, intent on capturing this silly moment, a pair of strong arms encircled me from behind. A startled yelp escaped my lips. I tried to struggle, but the arms were like a vice around me. 
“What are you– Let me go!”
The man chuckled against my ear. The mask muffled the sound slightly, but there was no mistaking the warmth and amusement in the man’s voice.
It felt almost sinister.