Page 27 of Haunt Me

“I might have loved fucking you like a slut, but you deserve to be treated like a princess... always,” he says, causing my entire face to flush with warmth.

He gently lowers me out of his arms, and my bare feet make contact with the cold, smooth tiles of the bath steps. Taking my hand, he guides me into the warm, inviting bath. As soon as I sink into the water, a soothing sensation washes over me, melting away the tension in every muscle. With a content smile, I gaze up at him, “Thank you.” I softly say, unsure of what exactly I’m thanking him for—for running me a bath or for rearranging my organs.

Both, I guess.

This time, there’s no cocky smirk and witty response.

Instead, he offers me a warm and sincere smile and leans in to plant a soft, tender kiss on my lips. It’s notfueled by hunger or lust, but rather by a gentle, genuine desire. My eyelids flutter shut, embracing the moment completely.

He pulls away and I keep my eyes closed for a few seconds longer, but when I finally open them—he’s gone.

Leaving behind only the lingering scent of his presence, the taste of him on my lips, and his infamous letter.

Chapter 16

Starlet

“Holy shit, yes!” Chloeexclaims, her voice filled with excitement, as I walk through the door. I’m wearing a flowy, thigh-length red sundress adorned with small white flowers that scatter over the vibrant material. Completing the look, I have on white open-toe heels.

“Are you sure? It doesn’t make me look too... innocent, does it?” I ask, spinning around to get Chloe’s opinion. We’ve decided to go to the club tonight and I don’t want to look like a complete slut, but also don’t want to look like I got lost on my way to the library.

“No, you look fucking hot,” she replies, causing me to giggle. “Besides, you are innocent, right?” She looksat me suspiciously, raising an eyebrow, and I feel my cheeks instantly heat up.

“Holy—you let someone finally pop your cherry?” Her response makes me scrunch up my nose in disgust.

“Ew, don’t say it like that, but if you must know... yes.”

“My baby’s all grown up!” she yells at the top of her lungs, her voice deafening as she jumps up and dramatically throws her arms around me. “So, how was it—or should I askwhowas it?” she asks, flopping back down on my bed with a wide smile. I’m certain she won’t like my answer.

“Um, well—my stalker,” I whisper the last word, but her face clearly indicates she heard me perfectly.

“Please tell me I didn’t hear what I think I did?” she asks, a scowl forming on her face.

“I... don’t know what happened, okay? I just... I wanted it…from him,” I confess, my voice trembling with embarrassment. I can’t even bring myself to look at her, feeling a deep sense of shame, even though I don’t regret what happened.

She sighs, rubbing her hand over her face, before saying, “Okay, okay... just be careful, Star. I’m notgoing to judge you or your decisions—you’re a big girl. But don’t be stupid, okay? You have no idea what this man is capable of—or you do, my point is—keep a clear head."

I nod, mustering a faint smile, and hold my hand out for her to grab. “Can we get out of here now, please? I need alcohol in my system.” My response elicits a chuckle from her, and she takes my hand as we hurry out the door. Going to the same place where I met Caden feels eerie, especially after everything that had happened, but I refuse to let it spoil my night.

I’m determined to enjoy it with my girl.

A few blocks away from the club, we decide to park and walk the rest of the way. The city lights illuminate our path, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. This place is constantly bustling, especially during the school holidays and spring break. As we approach the club, the flashing red and blue lights of several policecars catch our attention, casting an eerie glow on the entire street.

I quickly glance at Chloe, only to find her already staring back at me with a deep frown. We notice a woman standing a few feet away, and I decide to approach her and ask about the situation. “Excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you, but do you happen to know what’s happening?”

“It's that young man that went missing a few weeks ago, they found his body.” Her answer feels like a punch to the gut.

My face turns pale and it feels like all the air has been sucked out of my lungs. Thanking her, I turn back to Chloe and she immediately senses my unease, “What is it?”

“They found Caden’s body,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the din of the club. As I try to keep myself composed, she mutters something, but my mind is too consumed by thoughts to comprehend her words. Her hand grabs mine, pulling me forcefully towards the club doors. Each step feels heavy, the weight of the whole ordeal bearing down on me.

Inside the club, the air is thick with the scent of sweat and alcohol. We make our way through the pulsating crowd, our movements guided by the rhythmic thumping of the music. Desperate to escape reality, I resort to my usual coping mechanism in times of stress—getting drunk. Chloe orders two bourbons and two shots of tequila, a decision I already regret not making myself.

I down the shot of tequila, the fiery liquid scorching its way down my throat, causing me to grimace. “That’s disgusting,” I cough, trying to rid my mouth of the bitter taste. In an attempt to numb myself further, I quickly gulp down half of my bourbon, hoping it would drown out the remnants of the tequila.

“Woah, slow down, Star. You’ll end up on the floor if you keep going like that,” Chloe chuckles lightly, her words laced with concern.

“That’s exactly what I want,” I reply, finishing the rest of my drink in one swift motion. The number of shots and drinks I’ve consumed blurs together, but I’m too intoxicated to care. We dance like fools, our movements are erratic and carefree. I gesture towards the bar, indicating my intention to get another drink.With a thumbs-up from Chloe, I stumble my way towards the counter.

---