Shaylene

☁️ Chapter 13☁️

The outfit Shaylene was meant to put on for the evening's soiree with the Suaves was off her mind now _especially after her encounter with Ethan.

It was a little black knee-length dress that showed off a good length of her legs which added an extra attractive appeal to the gown. It was formal, classy but simple.

She stared anxiously at her reflection as she smoothened the dress against her body. Alisa had picked it out for her before the revelation of the state of her mental health.

Her mind went back to her parents and how they were currently being the perfect hosts. Afterall, they had been best friends with the Suaves long before she was born which probably added an extra layer of sensitivity to the situation.

She wondered how they were doing. She had met them on her way up to her room dressed and looking ready like the power couple they were.

Absentmindedly studying her reflection, she rubbed her bare wrists in a soothing motion. She wasn't sure how Ethan would react when _if he ever discovered she had lasered off the last part of him that they once shared. Deep down she wished she could also erase the pain and memories that came from losing her daughter.

Her mind went back to the way Ethan's eyes lingered on her neck, branding her like a searing iron. She sucked in a breath as she trailed her fingers down the nape of her neck in a sensual motion.

She felt the hotness of his breath as he closed the gap between them. An inch closer and she would have surrendered herself into his arms. Was she that easy? Wasn't four years enough to rid herself of whatsoever emotions she once had for him?

Her thoughts flowed towards the pretty lady he had with him. Eleanor, was she? She looked sophisticated but totally different from his usual 'types'. She hadn't seen the girl leave the room so she didn't want to come to any sudden conclusion but if she came with them, it meant they were probably serious so why then did Ethan choose that moment to be awkward.

"I wanted to confirm a thesis." His words resonated in her head as she swept her hair into a sleek chignon. Jewelry was confined to a pair of diamond studs that she almost always had on. Her face was left bare without any make-up whatsoever.

Shaylene groaned, willing herself not to overthink things. She didn't understand why every sense of logic disappeared when it came to Ethan.

She still had nightmares of the day when everything went spiral regardless of the amount of prescriptions she got. Her breath hitched as she refused to relieve the memories. Atleast, not when they were just steps below her.

She sighed and braced herself for another episode of tense air. Just as she grabbed her cellphone, it rang.

It was Gigi. She'd missed the intern's humble friendship for the past year. If Shaylene had her way, she'd still be over at Princeton Medics taking care of her assigned patients, especially one that had grown on her. A young man in his early 30's.

She had informed the few mates she related with --Gigi, Leigh, Tim and two paramedics, Sean Doherty and Mark Harper -who had come through for her at some point during her late start at the Center, that she had some emergency at home so she'd be unavailable for awhile.

Though she wasn't one to let people in, the same way Annabelle weaved her way into her life was the same with her Princeton pals and she loved them. As scary as it may seem.

She picked up the phone and placed it to her ear. Listening in rapt attention. She knew Gigi would only call in case of any emergencies which was why her heart pounded in fear of what could've gone wrong.

"Hello?"

"David's dead," came Gigi's voice, breathless and scratchy like she'd gone hours in tears. "He's gone."