The Lonely Hearts Club

Chapter 63: The Art Gallery (Bree)

Hades is different.

At first, he didn't care about me. He only checked in on me because Lana obliged him to.

After a while, he kind of cared about me, but not really. He was conflicted with his feelings at least.

Now, he's incredibly intense about trying to maintain my safety, something I never thought he would be obsessed about.

I didn't lock the front door and he started panicking. It's so weird to think about how we used to be the opposite, I was obsessed with my locking mechanisms and he didn't care nearly as much.

He sleeps now with his arms wrapped protectively around me as if he does so, nothing will hurt me.

Today I have to go to the art gallery to be interviewed by Vivienne for the job position of gallery and sales consultant. It's not a groundbreaking, million-dollar job opportunity, but it's something I'm hoping I can do.

I feel like I'm starting to go back to the person I was before Rowan came into my life and ruined everything. Back when I never worried and was always doing things.

I try to sneak out of Hades' arms, but he just tightens them around my body. I mean, have you seen Hades? His arms are incredibly strong and muscular—there is no way I can sneak away without getting him to physically let go of me.

"Hades," I whisper, tugging on his hand.

"Yeah?" He mumbles sleepily.

"I need to go," I say.

"What?"

"I'll be back," I promise.

"Alright." He says, slowly, tantalising slowly letting go of me.

The first job I ever had was working at the laundromat when I was ten. I got three dollars an hour, it was extremely shit and I spent all my money on cafeteria food.

After a while, I got bored and decided to stop.

I've had random jobs since then, basically, I'd show up to a place, and ask if I could work there and that's how I got the job.

And over the years I have done...unethical things to get money, but we don't talk about that.

I'm a changed person.

But mainly I need this job so I can, of course, pay Hades back. I don't care what he says about money, I don't care that he doesn't need it. I feel so guilty having lived here so long without paying him anything.

At some point, I need to go back to my old apartment and get the money I have stashed and raid that as well.

I get ready quickly, getting changed into something plain and not pajamas.

Then, I write Hades a note and put it on my pillow.

I'm at the art gallery, I'll be back soon x

It's short and simple.

I kiss his nose before leaving. As I walk down the hallway and enter the elevator, I try to steady my breathing.

I can do this.

Everything is going to be fine.

Molly, a blonde receptionist waves madly at me as I enter the luxurious foyer. I don't even feel compelled to go out the emergency exit anymore.

I wave back.

"Have a lovely day, Bree!"

"You too Molly."

Some people are just...nice. I much prefer Molly to the other snooty receptionists.

My car got stolen a few years ago and I don't have a new one, so looks like I'll be catching the bus to the gallery.