Secrets We Keep

2

Marry Will? MARRY WILL?!

How fucking sick does a person have to be to marry that fucking psycho? I rub my face as I try to fall asleep, but with Will's hot breath and loud snores, as well as his arm hovering over my waist. My movements are little.

Unwrapping myself from his grip as I try to get out of bed, I quietly leave the room.

"Where... Do you think you're going?" Will says still half asleep. "Get back here."

I rolled my eyes in the almost pitch-black darkness, wondering how he knew. "I can't sleep, I'm just going to make coffee or something like that..." I reply, slowly making my way out of the bedroom. I don't even wait for his response before I close the door behind me, into an unfamiliar room– an unfamiliar house. "Right... this isn't home," I whisper to myself as I slowly observe the house. Even in the dark, I can see the many weapons poorly hidden in each corridor.

Making my way into the kitchen, I make a quick coffee. I sit down on one of the metal stools on the island and sip my drink in peace. "Can I sit here...?" One of Will's bodyguards asks with a small smile. I patted the seat, inviting him. "Thanks."

"No problem. Hey, can I ask you something?" I ask, facing the bodyguard. His blonde mullet and pajamas hug his muscular body in all the right areas. I try not to stare for too long but by the time I come back from my thoughts, his sly grin tells me I've been caught.

"You know you're marrying my boss, right?" The bodyguard says, in almost a question. "By force..." I reply in almost a whisper.

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, I finish my coffee and place it in the dishwasher. "Lorrie...Lorelei, but everyone calls me Lorrie." I say, extending my hand to the bodyguard.

"Erik." He reaches out and shakes my hand. His firm grip and his smile make me melt– almost.

I let go of his hand, hesitantly and smiled back at him. "Well... I'll see you around?"

"Yeah... for sure," Erik replies walking back to his room. "Goodnight?"

"Goodnight!" I reply before walking back to the bedroom. And maybe... Now I can fall asleep...?

❀

The letter from two days ago still sits beside me, in the dining room, of a new house, Will's house, which I'm unfamiliar with. Maybe Erik can show me around?

"Hey love, I'm off to a meeting with a few colleagues from work," Will says, putting his coat on and kissing my cheek. "Stay here like a pretty doll and don't go anywhere. Okay?"

I put on the fakest smile I can muster and wave him goodbye. As he leaves my focus is back on the letter. I tear it open and reveal inside an invitation to a masquerade ball. Another masquerade. "Bring a plus one?" The invitation says on the bottom in the fine print. "Maybe I should invite Erik– just as a bodyguard!" I think to myself. I could use the protection.

I walk into Erik's shared room and knock, praying that he's alone in there. I would hate for another bodyguard or even another member of Will's entourage to catch me asking someone who isn't Will to be my plus one.

"Erik...?" I ask, knocking again. I stand there at the door. It's only 8:21 AM. I wouldn't expect anyone to be awake anyways. I'm about to leave before the door opens, revealing Erik dripping with water from head to toe, wrapped in a white towel, his muscles and abs revealed in broad daylight.

He raises an eyebrow at me. "Hey... whatcha need." He asks, rubbing his eyes. "Sorry... I just got out of the shower." He smiled awkwardly. I don't blame him. I try to stay focused, I can't afford to be distracted.