Ignoring the protests of my aching physique, I stagger in direction of the closest bystander, desperation lending urgency to my voice. “Have you ever seen a girl? Darkish hair, about this tall?” I gesture wildly, my phrases tumbling out in a frantic rush. “Her title’s Angelica. Please, she may be in peril.”

The bystander shakes his head, his expression a mixture of concern and confusion. “I haven’t seen anybody like that, mate. Are you alright? You seem like you took a fairly onerous knock.”

I barely register his phrases as I proceed to scan the gang, looking desperately for any signal of Angelica’s acquainted determine. However because the minutes tick by with no signal of her, a chilly dread settles within the pit of my abdomen.

Gritting my enamel towards the ache, I power myself to give attention to the duty at hand. I want to search out Angelica, it doesn’t matter what it takes. Ignoring the protests of my battered physique, I start to weave by means of the wreckage, calling out her title with growing desperation.

As sirens wail within the distance and emergency responders rush to the scene, I realise that she’s not right here…she by no means was. Reduction floods my physique and I sag. However then I preserve sagging and I’m falling…

Darkness threatens to assert me as soon as extra and I simply have sufficient time to whisper a silent prayer of gratitude for Angelica’s security earlier than I’m claimed by ache.

ChapterTwenty-Three

Angelica

Ishould have been excited to be given the week off by Mr Mortimer. I’d been wanting ahead to taking some vacation later within the yr, nevertheless it was a pleasant shock to immediately be given time without work now.

A break from the relentless hustle at work and from having to see, be round and work with Lycus needs to be a welcome reduction. However as an alternative of lounging on the sofa with a e book or getting out of the town for a break, I discover myself consumed by ideas of Lycus.

It’s ridiculous, actually. He’s my colleague, my nemesis even. However these days, there’s been this plain rigidity between us, a spark that refuses to be ignored. And towards my higher judgement, I’ve discovered myself creating emotions for him.

However now, with this week off, all I can take into consideration is him. It’s like he’s infiltrated each nook of my thoughts, leaving no room for anything. And the worst half? He’s gone fully silent.

I’ve tried calling, texting, emailing—each type of communication I can consider. However there’s been no response. Not a single phrase from him. And the extra time that passes, the extra my anxiousness grows.

I can’t shake the sensation that one thing is mistaken, or that he’s intentionally ignoring me. However why? What might I’ve probably performed to deserve this?

Unable to face the uncertainty any longer, I discover myself outdoors his condo, coronary heart pounding in my chest. I pound the door frantically, hoping past hope that he’ll reply.

However there’s nothing. No sound, no motion from inside. Simply silence.

Tears prickle on the corners of my eyes as I realise what’s occurring. He’s ghosting me. The realisation hits me like a punch to the intestine, leaving me reeling with a mixture of anger, disappointment, confusion, and worry.

I attempt to maintain it collectively, attempt to push down the rising tide of feelings threatening to overwhelm me. But it surely’s no use. The floodgates burst open, and earlier than I do know it, I’m sobbing uncontrollably on the doorstep of the person who’s damaged down my partitions and thawed my coronary heart with out even saying a phrase.

How might he do that to me? How might he simply disappear with no hint, leaving me to choose up the items of…no matter it’s I’m feeling for him?

However amidst the ache and the tears, there’s one thing else effervescent to the floor—a fierce willpower to not let him get away with this. I could also be damage, I could also be damaged, however I refuse to let him have the satisfaction of seeing me crumble.

With a shaky breath, I wipe away my tears and straighten my shoulders. This isn’t the tip. After I return to work on Monday, I’ll confront him. He can’t run from me endlessly, not once we’ve been assigned this account to collaborate on.

With a resolve hardened by damage and confusion, I step again from Lycus’s door, my hand trembling as I wipe away tears. Being ghosted by somebody I’ve grown to take care of cuts deep, however I refuse to let it outline me.

This is the reason I don’t date. And okay, so Lycus and I have been by no means courting, however this simply proves that I’m proper to keepeveryoneat arm’s size. Being lonely beats being damage any day.

As I stroll away from his condo and again to my very own, the load of unanswered questions presses down on me. What might have precipitated him to immediately lower off all communication?

Did I do one thing mistaken? Was all of it only a recreation to him? Fuck with my head, so I used to be off my recreation for the journey, hoping to sabotage me in some way?

Every step I take feels heavier than the final, the uncertainty gnawing at my insides. However amidst the turmoil, a glimmer of willpower glints to life. I gained’t let Lycus’s actions dictate my value or my happiness.

No, solely cheese can do this.

Returning house, I discover myself torn between desirous to bury myself in distractions and needing to confront the reality head-on. With a deep breath, I attain for my laptop computer and pull up my work emails. Maybe there’s a clue hidden in our latest correspondences, one thing to make clear his sudden disappearance.

However as I sift by means of the numerous messages, there’s nothing. No indication of any impending battle or strained relations. It solely deepens the thriller surrounding Lycus’s vanishing act.

Frustration simmers beneath the floor as I shut my laptop computer, feeling no nearer to understanding his motives. However I refuse to wallow in despair. If Lycus desires to play video games, then tremendous—I’ll play alongside. However on my phrases.

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