ica'

vehicles lined the valet entrance. My hands were clenched tightly in my lap, my breathing slow and shallow as Raymond opened his door and st

hand Raymond placed on the small of my back was ice-cold. We walked side by side but I felt like a s

red the building,

entence, heads turned and a

oat we

oom, raising a glass. "May I have your attention, please! Let's welcome our most

ood still, my body stiff and my heart hammering behind my ribs like it wanted to come out. I could

hear it. "Be obedient and stay silent," he whispered, eyes fixed forward.

tly, but no sound ca

toward him like moths to flame. The smiles, the handshakes, the fake lau

I was dismissed and fo

the bar at the far end of the hall. Every step I took was measured and slow

old the bartender, k

d me without question. I took a sip and let the coo

t?" a voice ch

ir faces. Two women, blonde, face filled with heavy makeup in high heels st

asked, raising a sculpted brow. "I mean, no o

but soaked in venom. I opened my mouth

met Ra

, but somehow his eyes were locked on me like a sniper

a smile. "Yes," I said simply, l

e second woman said, swirling her drin

alking about parties, the single men in the hall, rumors and the number

drifted off, bo

signaled the barten

onger than water to su

e, someone slid onto the stool beside me.

he said, her voice smooth l

and eyes that didn't flinch. She looked like someone who kn

pping from her wine glass

g I misheard her.

ightly, amused by my r

till surrounded and laughing. Ob

o pluck your eyes out. I just wanted to s

ened. "

colder. " You and I know that you're jus

h a small grin on her

ha

till have something left of yourself. Because if you don't, swe

cold. "Why...

ine in one smooth motion, "I don't like sha

and gave me a wink that felt m

r evening,

ppened. My legs felt numb, my fingers trembli

talking wit

and tighter now. I stood, my heels shaky b

oached. Just kept talking to some sil

ve," I whisper

nored

I want t

't look at me or ack

y palm. My pulse th

another drink, that smirk still on her lips like she wa

nap

D!" I s

hing s

stunned than before. Heads turned. Eye

ing heavily. "I'm done staying here. I'm

. His face was unreada

th a smile that di

s... later," he said

ng my ground. "We'll

took photos. Joyce laughed quietly in the corner, like s

hed my arm gently, but his voice... H

g a scene," h

. "Let them see w

the fire in me, fueled by fear and h