𝐋'𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐋 𝐃𝐔 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄 / 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐋

⋆ 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 ⋆

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author's note:
i'm adding some bonus content that doesn't really affect the story like at all. these chapters will be from povs other than shermar's and include slight easter eggs. it's just something fun for me to do while i take breaks from the main story. feel free to skip if you aren't interested. :)

comment, vote, share, and gimme besos.

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bonus content: one
this content precedes- chapter six
「 c.s 」

i slammed the car door shut, the noise echoing through the nearly empty parking garage. a quick glance at my reflection in the tinted window revealed a strand of hair sticking out. with a sharp grumble, i shoved it back into place.

my heels clicked against the snow-slick asphalt, too sharp for my liking, really. i was boldly announcing my rush for the world to hear— exactly what i didn't need. it would've been better to slip past the security cameras unnoticed, but subtlety was a luxury i couldn't afford today.

the light overhead flickered ominously. i whipped around, realizing i'd almost forgotten to lock the car. 'get it together, colette.' my thumb mashed the button on the fob, and the car beeped in response. satisfied, i blew out a heavy breath, watching it puff in the cold air.

the skyscraper loomed ahead, bathed in the fading orange and gold light of the setting sun, its glass surface gleaming like it owned the city.

'of course i'm late today of all days.' my breath came quicker, annoyance simmering beneath the surface. 'and fuck, i'm so out of shape.'

i adjusted the leather strap on my wrist, the alligator texture digging into my skin. my eyes flicked to the street— deserted, quiet. nothing unusual. 'okay, calm down. don't worry.'

a glance at the cream dial had me kissing. the setting sun could've told me that i was cutting it close. 'eight minutes. shit!'

the walk to the building felt endless. lucien had taken up so much of my time, leaving me to scramble for this meeting. a fresh wave of anxiety prickled at the back of my neck. i could already feel the sweat starting. 'great.'

inside the lobby, the warm air and faint scent of coffee offered a brief distraction. i smiled inwardly at the memory of the cafe. the way he struggled to keep his cool electrified me.

the sterile smell of floor polish snapped me out of it. 'focus. first things first, get to roseberry.'

fingers fumbling, i searched for my key fob, a tangle of charms hanging from my lanyard getting in the way. the nervous energy was helping. i told myself it was just anxiety, but honestly, the thrill of playing with fire always got to me.

"hey, ms. sinclair," a sultry voice cut through my thoughts.

i looked up, a smile wiping away my scowl. aurica twirled a piece of hair around her finger, her eyes practically begging for a compliment.

"awe, wait! it turned out so cute."

"it looks good, don't it?" she gloated, turning her head to show off. she was practically gleaming under the lights.

"duh!" i rolled my eyes, my lanyard somehow slipping from my fingers, keys clattering to the floor. 'perfect.' i could feel eyes turning toward me, attention i hated but somehow kept drawing today.

"girl," when i looked back over at aurica, she was giggling. "you're a mess."

i flicked her off, snatching up my keys and scanning my ID. "i'll see you later!"