Page 21 of Haunt Me

She nods and immediately reaches for her laptop on the coffee table making me giggle. She can’t wait to play detective. It does help that both of us are Criminology students. We know where to dig up anything we need to.

I was in the kitchen busy with some drinks for us when Chloe said, “Oh, my brother and I are going out to dinner tonight with that friend of his I told you about—you should come with.”

“No, no, I don’t wanna spoil the night.” I dismiss her request.

“Oh come on, we’re practically family, plus—he’s hot.” She wiggles her eyebrows with a sly smile on her lips.

I let out a giggle, “Fine, but just this once, I have a stalker remember, I don’t want any more blood on my hands.” She smiles wide and nods her head before taking a sip of her drink.

I smile nervously at her because I’m terrified, to be honest. If Argent sees me with another man, who knows what he’ll do. So, I’ll be polite and go, have a few drinks, and leave. There is no need to put yet another man’s life in danger. I won’t be the cause again.

What I’m doing is incredibly risky. I can’t believe Chloe talked me into going to dinner with them.

The aroma of sizzling steaks and the murmur of hushed conversations fill the air of the dimly litrestaurant. An uneasy knot forms in my stomach and my eyes dart nervously around the room, expecting Argent to appear at any moment, ready to slice someone open. My nerves are on edge, and Chloe’s presence does little to ease them.

“Would you calm down? It’s just dinner. When you’re done, you can leave, alright?” she reassures me, gripping my hand tightly and I only manage a nod in response.

“They’re here!” She squeals.

I’m torn between staying and bolting out of this place but before I can make a decision, I hear a familiar voice behind me.

“Hey, ladies.” It’s Adrian, and he’s accompanied by someone he introduces as his good friend from high school. Taking a deep breath, I rise from my seat and turn around, but the sight that greets me drains all the color from my face.

Please, let this be some kind of sick joke.

I stare at him in disbelief as he holds out his hand, a smug look on his face. “Argent, a pleasure to meet you.”

My voice trembles as I respond, “Um, Starlet. The pleasure is all mine.” I reluctantly place my hand in his,and just the touch alone sets every nerve in my body ablaze. Quickly pulling my hand away, I hurriedly return to my seat, my heart pounding so loudly in my ears that it drowns out everything else as he takes a seat next to me.

Oh, boy.

We order drinks for the table, the clinking of glasses mixing with the faint hum of conversation. The aroma of appetizers wafts through the air, teasing our senses. The two men engage in lively chatter, but I’m too lost in my thoughts to hear their words.

“You okay, Star? You’ve barely said anything,” Adrian’s voice breaks through my reverie. I snap back to reality, realizing that everyone at the table is now staring at me.

“Oh, um, yeah, you two don’t give anyone time to talk,” I respond jokingly, eliciting a chuckle from Adrian.

“Well, the table’s yours. Anything you want to share with the class?” Argent remarks, his smug look irritating me. I shoot him a glare, but he only responds with a smirk that sends a strange sensation through my core.

“No, nothing. Well, nothing thattheydon’t already know,” I say, gesturing toward the siblings. It’s true. They know everything about me, and I consider them as my own brother and sister.

“Tell me then, anything—everything,” Argent insists, his eyes locked onto mine, filled with genuine curiosity.

“O-okay, where to begin?” I start, my voice slightly shaky.

“I’m a criminology student and a part-time waitress. I work to pay for my studies because, unlike my spoiled sister, I actually have to work for what I want.” Argent’s unwavering attention intensifies, his gaze piercing into my soul.

“My parents always favored my sister. My mother never wanted to see her flaws, but somehow, my flaws were the only thing she saw,” I continue, my eyes lowering as I stare into my drink. The bitterness of reality fills my words. I don’t want to feel sorry for myself, but the truth is, I’ve always yearned for even a fraction of the love my sister received from my parents.

“Nothing I did was good enough. They wanted me to study law because both of my parents are lawyers,but when I told them I wanted to do criminology instead, they went on and on about how I’ve always disappointed them. I always felt like I had to prove that I was worthy of their love and acceptance, and my sister... well, she just got it, because, well—just because,” my rant comes to a halt, my eyes now brimming with tears, and pity fills the gazes of those around me.

I turn my head towards Argent, his eyes softened with understanding. I quickly wipe away the threatening tears, apologizing before excusing myself and making my way to the restroom.

As I stare at myself in the mirror, a wave of embarrassment washes over me, my cheeks turning bright red. The words just kept spilling from my mouth and I couldn't stop them. I don’t even want to imagine the thoughts that are running through Argent’s mind at this moment.

While lathering my hands with soap and rinsing, I pause to take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself to head back out there. Stepping out of the restroom, I crash into a sturdy chest. I raise my eyes and meet Argent’s penetrating gaze, and before I can utter a sound, he swiftly maneuvers me back into therestroom. The moment he steps inside, he swiftly locks the door, and my eyes widen.

“What are you doing?” I ask hastily.

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