Chapter 175
Lydia
Of everything Julia could say, or ask, I never imagined it would be about my death. A heavy silence weighed between us. I was surprised by the question and her audacity in asking it in such a relaxed tone, as if she were just inquiring about the weather.
Her eyes peppered my skin, and my senses heightened. We were standing over on the 20th floor, behind a railing, and I couldn’t stop the funny idea from crawling into my head as I repeated the question, ‘Have you ever imagined how you’ll die?’
My expression relaxed, and I inhaled softly, stepping towards the railings. I wiped a finger on it, feeling the cold and smooth iron.
“Why? Do you want to throw me over?” I asked, leaning on the railing. She stepped towards me, each step careful and calculated. “I doubt that’s why you brought me here.” I stole a quick peek at my watch. “You don’t have all day.”
“I’ve always thought about that, you know.” She stood close to the rails and looked over. Her shoulders locked, quickly, she took a step back. Fear flashed through those once confident eyes.
She was afraid of heights, I noted mentally.
“I’ve never been afraid of death, not when I’ve never been truly loved,” she took another step back, placing a secure distance between herself and the railings.
“If you are looking for someone to open up to, I know a good therapist.” Every second I spent here was important, and I know Mason must be concerned about me.
“I see death as a relief, I don’t have anything I should live for, at least not anymore,” she continued, ignoring my earlier words.
I won’t try to stop her this time. 120 seconds more before I leave.
“But you are different. You have a man who loves you,” she paused, and I studied her face. Although there was a hint of pain in her voice, the fiery look in her eyes when she spoke about Mason was gone, replaced with something foreign.
She looked into the night, “You have children and friends.” She swallowed and continued, “That’s one reason why you need to live,” she returned her gaze to me. Warm glow reflected on her face, exposing her misty eyes.
I kept a straight face, not caring about the emotions she may feel, because I know how manipulative she can
- be.
“Victoria is up to something. I don’t know the details, but your life is in danger.” Her phone beeped, but she ignored it. “I may have hated you and tried to ruin you, but I don’t wish for your death.”
“And you expect me to believe you?” I raised a brow. How does she not hear how ridiculous she sounds?
30 seconds more.
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Chapter 175
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Her expression didn’t flatter, “I’m dead serious.” Her phone rang, interrupting her. She raised the screen to her face, and her hands around the phone tightened. She stiffened, and the look on her face was one I know.
Fear. Raw and undiluted.
Ten seconds more.
She ended the call and looked at me. “You have to protect yourself. That’s the only way I can spend the rest of my life repenting for what I’ve done to you.”
Two seconds.
1 peeled away from the railing, “Goodbye, Julia,” I turned, “you’ve successfully wasted my time.”
Just when I reached for the doorknob and opened it, she said, “Stay alive, Lydia. You need to-”
I shut the door before she could complete her sentence. Without proof, she shouldn’t expect me to believe her. It was my fault for giving her a listening ear in the first place.
I tapped on my screen, stopping the recording. I was tempted to delete it, but saved it. I still couldn’t push the thought that it can be used someday.
Just as I was about to lift my head, I bumped into a tray and in a beat, my dress tucked to my skin as liquid ran down. Drops of drinks splattered on the white wall, and broken glass was scattered all over.
A loud gasp escaped the girl’s lips, and her knees thudded on the floor. “What are you doing?” I asked at the same time she began rubbing her hands together, her shoulders shook.
“I’m sorry, I… your dress, I ruined it,” hot tears slid down her cheeks.
My heart melted at the sight of her, and I held her by her arms and raised her to her feet. “It’s just a dress.” No, it wasn’t. It was a gift from the man I loved, which cost thousands of dollars. But she had no use for that information.
“I’m truly sorry, ma, I…”
“It was a mistake, don’t beat yourself too much.”
My chest clenched at the thought that the dress everyone admired had been ruined. I liked the dress too. But it wasn’t worth fusing over, after all, this was a coincidence.
“There’s a restroom at the end of this hallway,” she said softly, her voice still clouded by pain and fear.
“Thank you,” I said, and then walked to the restroom as she said.
I stepped in and closed the door before me before walking to the mirror. The stains didn’t come off, red patches lined the yellow gown, but it wasn’t too bad, I can wear it for the rest of the event, I assured myself.
Inhaling a scent of breath, I turned back and walked to the door.
I squinted when I tried to open the door, but it didn’t bulge. On the third try, I pounded heavily on the door.
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Chapter 175
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“Anyone there?” I yelled, although I didn’t think my voice went past the door.
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Where is my phone? I tapped on my body, only to find it wasn’t on me. I gritted my teeth at the discovery, I must have dropped it during that brief encounter.
Now I was stuck in the restroom. I kept hitting the door, and it wasn’t until about ten minutes had passed that the door clicked open, and I stepped out. But no one was in the hallway.
I rushed back to the spot where I had knocked into the girl, but it was empty, no one, the floor was sparkling clean like nothing had happened. My eyes swept through, stopping briefly on the vase of plastic flowers.
There was no way it would be there. That was at least three feet away from me.
The phone could be tracked, for now, I knew I had to go back to Mason so he doesn’t get too worried.
Everyone had gone to the field where the fireworks would be watched. I stepped out, smoothing my dress as I walked.
Fireworks exploded in the sky, colouring it briefly, however, no one bothered watching it. Mummering spread across the field; instead, a cloud had formed at the side.
My eyes combed through the crowd in search of Mason. A waiter holding an empty tray was about to walk past me, but I stopped him. “What’s happening over there?” I asked, standing some feet away. There was a silver pin on the waiter’s button–down shirt.
I wasn’t a fan of crowded places, so I thought it would be best to stay far from them.
“Someone fell,” he pointed to the building, “from up there,” the waiter replied flatly, before brushing past me.
As the word sank into my mind, I started walking towards the crowd, my step slow and shaky. Although he had not pointed out the exact floor, I could tell that a fall from up there would be fatal.
People parted when I touched their shoulders, creating a path for me to walk through the crowd. The look on their faces was the same, scrunched up with worry and pity.
Whispering only increased. Phones were held up, capturing the moment.
Soon, I was at the front, a man was bent over holding a girl in his hand, her hands fell lazily to the side, swaying from back to front as he moved her gently.
He had his back towards me, but I would recognize his back anywhere. It wasn’t the suit, it was the way he was built, those toned muscles even his suit couldn’t hide.
My throat tightened and I swallowed, wondering why Mason was holding the fallen girl.
I took two steps forward, “Mason.” My voice was calm, hiding the confusion rising within me. He didn’t turn. I closed the distance between us, “Why are you- oh my God!” My heart leapt in my chest, slamming harder
than it has ever been.
On the floor was Mason, holding on to a bloodied Julia. My hands found my open lips and clapped over them, “What happened?” I asked in a shaky voice. Mason kept a straight face as he examined her pulse.
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“She’s still alive,” he said, his voice calm, his demeanor too collected for the scene in front of us. Mason finally looked
- up. relief flushed through his face as he held my eyes briefly.
On the other hand, I couldn’t process my feelings or hide the fact that I was shaken at the sight. A few minutes ago, I was with Julia. Ten minutes later, she was down here, covered in cuts and bruises. Blood spilt out from the side of her head.
She had looked visibly afraid of heights earlier and had stood a considerable step away. There was no way she jumped over herself, not after she asked me to stay alive.
“How long will it take the ambulance?” He asked no one in particular.
No answer. He lifted his head and looked over his shoulder. Chill sprang from his gaze, and the air felt stiff. “No one called an ambulance?” He questioned, his eyes narrowing with every word.
It was true he didn’t like Julia, especially after what she pulled, but just like me, he didn’t want her dead.
Mason wasn’t that evil.
Without an ambulance, Julia was going to die.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
Synopsis : Worst Fear
