The Masked Love - SexStrings

Chapter 2 - Nora

"Common! Wake up, Nora!" My heart raced as I heard the frantic voice cutting through the fog of sleep. It was already 11 AM. Today was supposed to be a pivotal moment-the first interview after finishing school. The anticipation of earning my first part-time job twisted in my stomach like a knot. I bolted upright in bed, my heart pounding in my ears. The gravity of the situation hit hard. "Oh God, the interview!" I shouted, my voice sharp with urgency, shattering the silence like glass under pressure.

"Fine, cool down," she said, her voice dripping with hidden tension as she continued to talk. "You still have one and a half hours, so hurry up. Your breakfast is ready, and I'm heading out on a date." Her words trailed off with an unsettling edge.
"Ah, fine," "I was bored anyway,", I said. Her eyes darted to the door. See you, my darling," she said, a warm smile playing on her lips as she disappeared down the stairs.

As I headed to the bathroom, the sound of the door shutting downstairs echoed ominously, leaving me engulfed in an air of unease. The room was already stifling, the steam from the water thick and oppressive.
Lazily, I sank into the tub, the door unlocked-a choice I'd soon regret. Suddenly, I heard the unmistakable creak of my door opening. Half-naked, I lunged towards it, heart pounding, to shut it immediately.

It was War. "Hey!" he shouted, his voice heavy with a strange, deep-seated emotion as if he had seen something he shouldn't have. I laughed nervously and replied, "When the time comes." Yet, inwardly, I was anything but calm. I had never been one for romantic clichés, and the reality of relationships felt far removed from the dramas we were used to.

Later, I cautiously opened the door, peering out to ensure no one lurked in the shadows. Dripping wet, I dressed quickly for the interview-choosing a black Mast and Harbour blazer that fell to my knees, a black and white infinity necklace, and white pearl studs. My hair was styled in a small knot, leaving the rest to cascade freely. Descending the stairs, I expected to see War, but he was gone. "He left!" I exclaimed the words echoing in the space. Perhaps my words had struck a nerve. But deep down, I knew his departure was part of a larger, unspoken game.

Whenever he was like this, he would call me back within the hour-a ritual much more thrilling than any fabricated drama could ever portray.

I grabbed my SUV keys along with the few profile documents I had hastily prepared the night before and stepped outside, the chill of the air sharp against my skin. I turned on my heel and locked the door, but as I turned back, my breath caught in my throat. War stood there, shadowed and still, as if he had materialized from the very depths of my unease.