In The Morning| 18+

TEN

T E R E S A

"Hm"

The soft morning light filters through the hotel curtains, I turn my head as my eyes open and land on the sleeping Alejandro. A soft smile appears on my lips as I stare at him, which does not last long because the second I blink everything comes crashing down.

What we did last night, what I did to Jasper and Florin last night, who I became last night. The memories of it all just came crashing down on me causing me to lose my smile as I start to hyperventilate.

I use my hand to cover my mouth as I try to breath normally, I glance at Alejandro who is still knocked out asleep with his hand loosely draped over my stomach. Oh my God, what have you done Teresa?

I finally catch my breath and slowly lift up his arm allowing myself to roll away from his grasp before lightly setting it down, I grab my pantie off the nightstand and put it on before tip toeing around the room looking for my dress.

Alejandro stirs in the bed making me freeze before slowly turning my head to look at him to see him still asleep, he turns over in the bed giving me a view of his perfectly toned back that has numerous tattoos on it.

The sheet is loosely covering his ass but they are sheer so the sun is just giving me a full show, I shake my head as I peel my eyes away and pick my dress up off the floor. I quickly put it over my head then my body before fixing my breasts in the dress.

I push my hair behind my ears as I look around the room for any of my belongings. My phone. Where is my phone?! I slowly tip toe my way over to his nightstand and grab my phone as he stirs again makng me close my eyes as my heart starts to race.

Seconds go by, still utter silence except his light snoring. I slowly open my eyes to see him still asleep, I turn around and silently run to the door quickly benidng down to pick up my heels. I bring my shaky hand to the doorknob and slowly turn it unlocking it.

I close my eyes as I open the door, heart pounding. Then I freeze—stillness. Utter silence. Carefully, I slip out of the room and pull the door shut behind me as quietly as possible. Then I bolt—down the hallway, around the corner, and into the stairwell.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," I whisper over and over as I race up the stairs, my breath coming fast and shallow. I burst out of the stairwell, run to my door, and fumble with the handle before finally getting inside.

The door clicks shut behind me—I lock it.

I toss my heels and phone onto the bed and start pacing, my mind spiraling.

"Oh my God, oh my God... OH MY GOD, TERESA!" I shout, pressing both hands to my head, trying to make sense of what just happened. You became who you hate.

I shut out the noise in my head, trying to steady myself. I need Antonia. My steps are unsteady as I make my way to the bathroom and flick on the light. The mirror reflects a version of me I barely recognize—hands trembling, skin flushed, guilt clawing at my mind so intensely it feels like physical pain.

I draw in a sharp breath, lungs burning. My hand lifts before I can stop it, and I strike myself—just a quick, jarring slap across my cheek. The sound echoes in the silence.

My skin stings.

But I'm still trembling.

My reflection stares back at me in the mirror—wide eyes, lips parted, body rattling like a leaf in the wind. I can't breathe right. I feel like I'm slipping out of myself.

I hit myself again. Harder.

My head jerks slightly to the side, and for a second, the world tilts. The sting lingers. But the shaking... it doesn't stop. My fingers twitch, my jaw clenches, my shoulders quiver under invisible weight.