Page 83 of The Invite
Unlocking the screen, I pass him the damn phone. His fingers fly over the screen as he types out the text and in seconds, hits send. He’s so rude, conceited, and controlling that he doesn’t even bother to ask if I have another option to go to work.
Simply does as he pleases as long as it suits him.
Thank goodness, I was planning to take the bus.
Bridging the distance between us, he hands the device back to me but not without a warning, “Don’t let me catch you alone with him ever again. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Running one last salacious gaze down my naked body, he walks past me. His strong scent lingers in my bedroom as a minute later, I hear my front door open and shut, confirming that he hid my key in the first place.
I wait ten more minutes before running downstairs.
The key is in the hole and I twist the lock into place. However, it doesn’t bring me the comfort or security that it did yesterday morning. I’m clueless as to how he keeps getting in. Tonight was supposed to get me ananswer but my plan failed terribly.
I cannot afford to move into another house.
He’ll probably find a way into that as well.
With a defeated sigh, I drag myself upstairs and take a warm bath. Then I change into a tee and nothing else. My body is exhausted from the highs and lows of tonight. The moment my head hits the pillow, I’m out as a light.
***
After rising, I go about my morning routine in slow motion. Fatigue isstill heavy in my bones. I’m drained both mentally and physically.
Is this what my life is going to be?
Somehow, I manage to get dressed for work in a floral wrap dress with my hair up in a ponytail. Despite the tiredness, my face is naturally aglow.
Even though the orgasms are forced, they still do wonders for my skin. There’s more color in my cheeks but my eyes are another story. With one look at them, everyone can tell I’m lonely and miserable. No matter how much I try to act like I’m happy and independent, I cannot succeed.
I’m tainted far too deeply by the cruelty of life.
Downstairs in the kitchen, I make myself a cup of coffee. The scent of freshly brewed caffeine instantly lifts my spirits. I take a sip while mentally preparing a to-do list for my class today.
I’m excited to read the assignment I gave the students yesterday. It was fun having a frank discussion with them. Something I have Ace to thank for, but he taught me friends don’t say thank you to each other.
I hate how Augustus is ruining the single friendship I have in this town, which was on the cusp of growing. I was so ashamed for letting him butt his head in it that I purposely didn’t check the text he sent Ace last night.
What if he was rude and damaged what little bond Ace and I formed?
What if Ace asks for anexplanation? What will I say to him? I don’t want him to think I’m trying to avoid him.
Knowing my head will keep spinning with worst-case scenarios, I immediately grab my phone in the living room and open the messenger app.
Ace’s name is at the top.
ME: Hi Ace, my car has arrived so I’ll be driving myself to the school. Saving you the trouble to come pick me up.
Okayyy… I’m shocked. This is asimple and polite way of declining. A quality I didn’t expect Augustus to possess. Then again, he was pretending to be me without raising suspicions.
Judging from Ace’s reply, which came in the morning, I’d say he accomplished it.
ACE: It was no trouble at all, Nessa. I enjoyed your company. See you at school.
I’m glad my friendship with him is still intact.
However, there’s one problem. I don’t have my car yet. So, what am I going to tell Ace when I don’t arrive in one?
