Married to the Devil

Chapter 7

It had been almost a week since the café encounter with Derek. I stayed at Cass' house, brooding, and still upset. She kept me around until she couldn't stand my moodiness anymore.

And so, I was kicked out.

And I didn't blame her. Cass had always been the amazing friend that every girl wishes she could have but doesn't always get. She's strong when she needs to be, caring, kind, and doesn't accept shit from anyone. She also has a keen sense on when she needs to spread some tough love around to get someone back on their feet, namely, me.

I couldn't wait for Cass to become a mother. She had all the right qualities.

I hadn't moved from her couch in days. My heart still ached, but I felt a lot better since last week. As an avid runner, not moving had made my legs weak. I don't know how they managed to find the strength into my apartment lobby.

It wasn't that big of a building to begin with. Just a tiny three story overlooking a beach. Sounds luxurious? Hardly. I couldn't even step out on my balcony without getting whacked in the head by a beach ball. And it's noisy all the time. Maybe that's why I got the penthouse suite for such a cheap price.

We never had an elevator, and I'd always been glad for the exercise. But not today. Maybe it was the grief. Or the fact that I hadn't exercised, eaten health consciously as I normally would've , or done anything else for that matter, but as I got to the top stair I found myself panting for my next breath.

My hands clutched onto the railing as I slugged a gym bag Cass lent me, with a pile of clothes I'd habitually left, onto my shoulder.

My hands trailed through my thick, brown hair pulled into a messy, scraggily bun. I felt large strands poke out of it and sloppily fall in every direction around my head. I knew that I probably looked like a monster.
I was just glad that I hadn't run into any kids on the beach.

I blinked as I walked down the corridor of the third floor, and stared slowly at the shiny, false gold plated numbers on the doors of the other rooms. I walked to the end of the hall.

303

This one was mine.

A slight smile cracked upon my lips at the thought of finally being home. Something messy. Happy. And completely mine.

I swung open the door after I unlocked the it from my key I'd stashed in Cass' gym bag.

The room was bright and sunny from the morning sun. I glanced over at the open window, blowing in the ocean breeze.

My jaw slacked and my eyebrows scrunched up in thought. I couldn't remember the last time I'd left the window wide open. The wind often brought in tons of sand that I had to sit and clean out of the cracks in my hardwood floors. I walked over and closed it quickly.

I must've forgotten that I'd even opened it.

I cringed at the thought of my floors being assaulted by sand for a week. Surprisingly, when I scanned the room, I couldn't find a trace.

Huh.

I dropped my keys on the side table beside my entryway and took off my sneakers.

My socks slid across the smooth floor as I walked to the bedroom in slow, paced, steps.

I stopped.

My gaze flew to my bed. Not to the unorganized and messy blankets and bedsheets, but to the figure on top of it.

The cause of all my grief.

Derek sat on top of it. His feet were flat on the floor, and his hands were clasped together in his lap, his fingers figeted together in angst. He looked like he hadn't slept properly in days, the white in his eyes around that magnificent green was all red and strained. His mouth twitched in anger and he rose abruptly.