Love is Pain || Damon Torrance

IV: Chapter Four

Present

"This way Miss Bailey and Miss Fane." The man smiled and took a set of keys, leading us toward some elevators. "I'm Ford Patterson, one of the managers."

He held out his hand, and Rika shook it first before I did.

"Nice to meet you," Rika replied. We had spent the morning packing all our belongings into Rika's Tesla and drove straight to Meridian city screaming in pure excitement the entire time attempting to forget last night.

I looked around the lobby of our new apartment building, Delcour, as we walked. It was a twenty-two-story skyscraper in Meridian City, built to house apartments and penthouses, and even though it wasn't nearly as tall as some of the buildings surrounding it, it still stood out. Entirely black with gold fixtures on the outside, it was a work of art, and the interior was just as lavish. I couldn't believe I was living here.

"You're all the way up on the twenty-first floor," he explained, stopping us at the elevator and pushing the button, "which has an amazing view. You'll be pleased."

I gripped the strap of my bag over my chest, barely able to wait. Nothing sounded so good as to wake up in the morning and gaze over the vast city. My entire life the only constant had been the ocean. Even the convent had been right beside the ocean and although it was rare we got to experience it, I had the perfect view from my bedroom window. There was many a night I had spent staring out the windows watching the waves crest and break.

While some felt lost in large cities—the lights, noise, and action too much—I couldn't contain the thrill of being part of something bigger. The energy excited me. And I craved the chance. The loss of safety net. Lost was exactly what I wanted.

I checked my phone again, making sure I hadn't missed a call from Dot. She would always be hesitant about me leaving especially after everything that had happened.

After Mr Ferguson, Rika's security had left her house last night, having found nothing inside or around the premises, I'd crawled into bed with Rika.

Rikas gift had been a gorgeous dagger and a note that said, Beware the fury of a patient man.

I'd Googled it to find that it was a John Dryden quote, and I knew what it meant. Those who are patient, plan. And beware the man with a plan.

But a plan for what? Why the focus on Rika? I tugged on the ring around my neck and thumbed it lightly. Part of me still hopes deep down that last night was a fluke and Damon had forgotten about me in prison.

I brought the box of lingerie and note as a form of self-torture and because I was hoping I could return the expensive-looking lingerie without a gift receipt since the tags were still on.

The soft bell dinged, and I followed Mr. Patterson into the elevator, seeing him press twenty-one. But I narrowed my eyes, noticing that there were no floors higher than that.