Page 2 of Ruin Me
“Can I help you?” The guy asked from behind the counter, a broad smile on his face. I wheeled my bag next to me and smiled at him, trying to hide how fucking nervous I was.
My fake ID had worked at the airport, but only because the girl had barely looked at it, I had no idea if it would work here. The idea of being shot back to my father to meet his demands filled me with absolute dread.
“I have a booking,” I said, my voice uneven. He must have known I was nervous, but he didn’t say anything.
“Sure, what was your name?”
I handed my cards over before thinking about answering him.
“Ah, this is perfect, thank you.”
He looked down at the ID, and my heart just about launched from my chest until he clicked on his computer and his smile was back.
“Ms Audra Wells?”
I nodded, remembering the name I’d chosen. It wasn’t connected to my real name or a family member, so it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to know I’d chosen it.
“Perfect, you’re booked in for a couple of nights in a Superior City Side room. Do you have any bags you’d need us to take up to your room for you?”
“No,” I said quickly, clutching the handle of my bag tighter. “Sorry, no, I have only this one and I’m good to take it up myself.”
“No worries,” he replied. “Here’s your room key. You are room 212. You just need to take the elevator to the eleventh floor. We are open twenty-four hours should you need any assistance, andour room service is open for twenty-four hours as well. Enjoy your stay, Ms Wells.”
I took my cards and the key from him, high tailing it to the elevator. My heart was running a million miles an hour as the elevator doors slowly opened, and I waited for the cube to empty before I jumped in, scanned my card and hit the button that read 11. Once the doors closed, I felt a sense of relief flood me as I waited for the lift to climb. Finally, the doors opened and I looked at the digital display on the wall to see I’d made it to my floor. I wheeled my bag out and looked for the number 212.
Once I got to it, I scanned my card and walked in. The smell of crisp linen and a different room hit me immediately. I closed the door, waiting for the telltale click to tell me it was locked. I pulled open the blinds of the window and took in the view of the harbour. The water was just so placid and beautiful.
I’d made it.
I’d gotten away.
A surge of relief flooded through me and for the first time since I’d run, I could breathe easy.
I opened my handbag and pulled out the letter that remained unopened. My name on the front in his handwriting told me just how bad the contents would be. I pulled out the mini bottle of whiskey from my bag and downed it quickly before I picked it up, breaking the wax seal and pulling the letter out.
Hadley,
I’ve been told about your plans, but I must say if they do happen to be true, I will be disappointed. I’ve made the most exquisite plans for you, have found you someone to truly make you happy and you go and disrespect me like this.
I won’t have it.
You will marry Emerson Carter in one week and you will be a happy wife to him.
No matter where you go, I will find you. There’s not one place you’ll be able to go where I won’t.
Now, do the right thing.
For me.
For your family.
For you.
Your Loving Father, Emanuel.
I scoffed at the letter. A threat to remain quiet, to do what was expected of me. But I knew the real reason for the sudden interest in realising he had a daughter for the first time in my life. I was a pawn. He could easily manipulate situations because he had someone he could essentially sell to keep his creditors happy.
I wasn’t going to marry someone to pay his debts. They werehisdebts, and he could do whatever the fuck he wanted with that but I was not going to be sold to someone especially to that monster.
