Bully stepbrother

31. Ambiguous

MADISON

I'm stuck in that damn unhelpful breathing thing that does nothing but amplify my aimless thoughts. Everything I see is tinged with red in my vision.

Caleb left an hour ago, yet I'm still unable to react to anything he told me or the thoughts I've tried to bury since morning.

Caden, Caden, Caden. It's always about him. I long for a world without his tempting eyes, the mesmerizing sound of his perfect voice, the irresistible pull of those soft lips. I yearn for a world without Caden's elusive scent, a flavor no one can compete to a quarter of, the warmth of his body when he uses it to intimidate me. Perhaps I crave a world where I understand that abstract feeling. Or maybe I just want a world where I have all the package, along with a caring stepbrother, like everyone else.

Right now, I'm in a mess.

I can't even face him because I don't know how to. After the mess I've dealt with twice already, you can understand. I should, because any girl with a spine wouldn't sit in an empty office, lost in thought while the enemy lurks.

I shoved the wad of money into Caleb's chest and demanded he leave my office. I warned him to stay away, as I don't want to see him again. And that's the truth; I can't handle more pressure with Caden's burden weighing me down.

The fact that Caleb agreed to Caden's fifty thousand from the start makes him a snitch. I had higher hopes for him, I trusted him. For a moment, I believed he could be the one I'd escape with, leaving Caden behind. But he shattered that naive dream, proving the real world isn't a fairy tale.

Why should I believe him now? Why listen to him?

I need strength. I must keep my defenses up. Maybe I can even wield a weapon to fend off my fears.

Without thinking, I grab my jacket, sling the small crossbody bag over my shoulder, and leave the office.

"Leaving already?" Julie asks, packing up her things from the desk.

"Yep, already," I nod.

Despite having fewer clients, I've consistently been the last to leave the building. Well, if you don't count the security team, Raphael and Granger, who spend their nights guarding the place.

"If you're headed home, why not ride together?" Julie suggests.

"Julie, I don't really..."

"Don't say a word. It's my pleasure. Besides, Oxford Avenue is on my way. Why not toss that bicycle in the trunk and hop in the car?" She raises an inquisitive eyebrow, and I know it's best not to drag this out.

"Alright, thanks," I reply with a grateful smile.

"Hold on, I'll just use the restroom, and then we'll head out," she whispers the word 'restroom,' glancing towards the entrance where Raphael is.

I can't help but smile as she does a little jog to the bathroom, leaving me alone in the eerily quiet reception area.

Still smiling, my bag vibrates. For a moment, I forget about technology and civilization, that there's a mobile phone in my bag. I jump and let out a girly, panicked scream. Wide-eyed, heart racing.

"Are you alright, Miss Thaddeus?"

Loud footsteps approach, and then a woman's voice, filled with terror: "Murders in the building?"

My eyes shift from Raphael to Julie, and the woman has her panties around her knees. My eyes widen further, if possible.

Once she realizes her dramatic situation and the onlookers, she curses under her breath and pulls up her underwear. Luckily, her dress is above-the-knee, sparing her blushes. "Why the scream, girl?" She directs the question at me.