21.

-HER-

I take a breath in relief as I walk out of his office. I am happy that the day is finally over and I could go home and rest. I do not look back as I walk out of the building.

It’s dark outside. I check my phone as I head to the metro station. I find a few missed calls from mum and a couple of messages in the group. I check them as I board the train.

They don’t seem very happy with what had happened. It reminds me of Holly’s threat. We have been exposed to her. I couldn’t help but wonder what she could do to us for framing her.

Though I don’t understand how he got to know that we framed Holly? How did he know that Holly wasn’t the one who vandalized the office?

The cameras were still not working. Troy was sure about that because he sometimes assisted the council members in the IT department. It was close to the Server Room where the screens were set. According to him, they haven’t been working for days.

I cannot possibly think how he managed to know that it wasn’t Holly who vandalized the office. Could it be that Holly randomly gave our names? I am sure I and Lisa’s names must be somewhere top in Holly’s hit list.

If it already wasn’t there then I am sure it now exists after what we did. I always had a wrong feeling about this plan and it turned out to be true.

Though, it surprised me that he did not do anything major after he found out that we vandalized his office. I am grateful to him for this but it makes me suspicious. There’s something more to this than we could see or we know.

Is he planning to play us because we framed Holly? Could it be that he and Holly planned this for us?

My headaches the more I think about it. I already had a pretty long day today. I couldn’t wait to go home and crash on my bed. Also, the weekend is near. I’d have more time to myself to think.

When I arrive home, mum bombards me with numerous questions. I straight-up lie to her. I couldn’t afford the courage and patience to explain everything to her.

I made this mess and it should be upon me to clean up.

I go upstairs and take a hot shower before changing into comfortable pajamas. The twins are home. It means that dinner will be easy for me.

When I climb downstairs, everyone is already on the table. I join them silently.

“What made you late today?” Dad asks, directing the spotlight to me. I sit up before answering, “I was hanging out with some friends,”

“I thought you went to college for studying?” He questions me pointedly.

“It’s fine, dad. College shouldn’t be only about studying,” Agatha speaks up, taking me by surprise.

“Yeah, hanging out with friends is fine. Just make sure you do your classes too,” Agnus joins in too and I nod. It’s very rare when the twins speak up for me. I offer them a small smile for this.

Dad could be strict sometimes, especially with me. Since I didn’t follow the twins’ path, it disappoints him. I understand that he is very much concerned about me which leads him to scrutinize my decisions but sometimes it messes with me.

Dad gives me a pointed look before the dinner continues. Agnus seems to be very happy tonight because he won a very important case. I closely listen to him as he tells us about the case.

I rarely listen or participate in any conversation over dinner. Tonight seems to be different. Well, today was different. It instantly makes me think about him.

I rush upstairs as soon as I finish dinner. I instantly collapse on my bed. The softness and the comforting scent of my mattress remind me of how tired I am and how I have been looking forward to this moment.

I lay in darkness and wait for sleep to greet me. I don’t know if it’s because of the tiredness but as I drift into a deep sleep, I feel my body getting heavier, sinking deeper into the mattress.

It’s oddly one of those nights when I am deep into sleep but my consciousness part is somewhat awake. I remember listening to the wild howls through the quietness of the night. They seem louder and nearer tonight.

I hum in my sleep as I toss around in the bed. I am asleep but I am somewhat awake. I am aware of things that I wasn’t before. It’s odd. I know that due to this I am going to wake up tired the next morning.

It’s like sleep paralysis.

In the young hours of the morning, my sleep deepens and finally, the dreams greet me. Whatever I dream, it seems so surreal. I almost believe it to be true.

I dream about him.

I am back in the office with him. Helping him to sort things. He is asking me questions before we find ourselves standing close. I feel the strange and overwhelming pull towards him.

Before anything could happen, the black-haired girl walks in. She instantly catches his attention. Jealousy claws at my chest as I see her step closer to him. She whispers something in his ear. It looks something seducing.

His eyes darken and he nods at her. She throws a nasty look at me before holding his hand and taking him out of the office. I am left alone and hurt.

I wake up abruptly. The dream didn’t end. I remember everything very vividly except how it started. It was weird but a part of me doesn’t want this to turn into reality.

Though, why should I care? He already has two girls. He is a player and I shouldn’t care much about him, right? I don’t know why but I am finding it hard to swallow this.