Craving the Truth

Chapter 5: Unwelcome Messages

Chapter 5: Unwelcome Messages

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, cutting through the remnants of my drunken stupor. I groaned, turning away from the harsh light, my head pounding like a drum. My mouth felt dry as sandpaper, and a wave of nausea rolled through me as I sat up in bed. The memories of last night came rushing back—Dominic, the kiss, the way he made me feel—and I couldn't help but smile despite the pounding in my head.

But that smile faded quickly as I glanced at my phone, the screen flashing with a notification. I reached for it, squinting against the light, and my heart sank as I saw the message from an unknown number.

Stay away from Dominic. You don't know what you're getting into.

A chill ran down my spine as I read the words again. What the hell? My stomach twisted uneasily, and the hangover suddenly felt insignificant compared to the dread that settled in my chest. Who was this person? And what did they mean by "you don't know what you're getting into"?

I quickly scrolled through my contacts, searching for any clue as to who might be behind the message. My heart raced as I considered the implications. Had I done something reckless last night? Had someone seen me with Dominic and decided to intervene?

I tried to shake off the panic rising within me and forced myself to focus on the message. Was this a prank? An attempt to scare me away from him? My fingers hovered over the screen, contemplating a reply, but I hesitated. What if it was someone connected to Dominic?

I stumbled out of bed, my legs shaky as I tried to gather my thoughts. I needed to talk to Mia. She'd know what to do. I quickly threw on a pair of sweatpants and a loose shirt before heading to the living room, where she was sprawled on the couch, still asleep.

"Mia," I said, shaking her gently. "Wake up!"

She groaned, burying her face deeper into the cushions. "What time is it?" she mumbled, sounding half-asleep.

"Late! We need to talk!" I pressed, my voice rising with urgency.

Finally, she stirred, blinking up at me, her hair a wild mess. "What happened last night? I don't remember much after... oh god, did we really drink that much?"

"Yeah, but it's not just that," I said, my heart racing as I sat on the edge of the couch. "I got a weird text this morning from an unknown number."

"What did it say?" Mia asked, sitting up straighter, her interest piqued.

I quickly recounted the message, watching her expression shift from groggy confusion to concern. "That's... unsettling," she said, her brow furrowing. "Do you think it's serious?"

"I don't know! I mean, it could be a prank, but what if it's not? What if it's someone who knows Dominic?" I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me, and I raked my fingers through my hair. "What if I've put myself in danger?"

"Okay, breathe," Mia said, her tone steadying as she grabbed my hands. "Let's think this through. Have you talked to Dominic since last night?"

"No, I haven't. I was too hungover and freaked out," I admitted, my heart sinking. "But I feel like I should tell him about the text. Maybe he knows who it is."

"Definitely," Mia agreed. "But be careful. If someone's threatening you, we don't want to give them any more reason to act."

I nodded, the gravity of the situation settling heavily on my shoulders. "I'll text Dominic. I just need to know what's going on."

I pulled out my phone, fingers trembling as I typed a message to Dominic, trying to keep my tone casual despite the worry gnawing at me.

Hey, do you have a minute to talk? Something happened last night.

After hitting send, I felt a surge of anxiety wash over me. What if he didn't respond? What if this was a bad idea? I glanced at Mia, who gave me an encouraging nod.

"Just wait for his reply. We'll figure this out together," she reassured me, though I could see the concern etched on her face.

As I sat on the couch, waiting for Dominic's response, the weight of the text loomed over me, a dark cloud of uncertainty that threatened to overshadow everything.

What had I gotten myself into?