Page 123 of Damn Roommate

“Yes, beg for me.”

Niklas bends his face into my hair, which he smells. This simple gesture gives me palpitations and increases my anxiety. I have dreamed of this moment for a long time, but that was before I met Rikard, and he destroyed me slowly. Conflicting emotions are unleashed inside me and prevent me from thinking clearly.

With trembling lips, I finally dare to raise my head to look him in the eyes. I don’t know what he reads on my face, but he steps back. All wickedness leaves his features.

“You should go away.”

“The will—”

He cuts me off.

“I’m not in the mood, I’m going to ask that the reading be rescheduled for Monday.”

“Oh, I… Alright. We booked a hotel room. I guess we can stay two more days.”

“What hotel?”

“The Royal Ruby Hotel.”

His thick eyebrows furrow before he leaves me alone in my room. I take a long breath as I lean forward.

Shit!

Why does he have this hold on me? After all this time, it hasn’t evaporated. I don’t know what to think about what just happened. Does he hate me? His abrupt gestures towards me prove it. He has not always been kind towards me, but not like that. Will he let me explain the real reasons for my departure? Things are going to be more complicated than I thought.

I have to go back down before Rikard asks himself questions. I leave the fox on the bed and gently close the door.

My boyfriend is in the living room, near the buffet. In conversation with a young woman, he only notices my presence when I stand by his side. My gaze falls on the blonde who is keeping him company.

“Jonna?” I exclaim, amazed.

“Lovisa!”

Jonna throws herself into my arms, laughing. I hadn’t seen her for a long time.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” I say, smiling.

“I’m here to support Niklas, poor thing. He has no one now.”

He has me.

“You’re right, he’s lucky to have you.”

“That’s right,” Jonna chuckles, pushing me with her shoulder. “I asked your boyfriend to go out for a drink and talk about the good old days.”

How did they come to talk to each other? Among all the guests, they had to meet.

“I want to know everything about Lovisa when she was fifteen,” Rikard says, pulling me close to him.

In my memories, Jonna is the kind of person to speak her mind. Is that still the case? I don’t want her to release information that would give Rikard an opportunity to blame me.

“If you wish, we can leave now?” she offers.

“I wouldn’t say no, this place sucks,” Rikard agrees.

“I will let Niklas know that we are leaving,” she says.

Seeing her again is unexpected. At the time, we were best friends. My hasty departure could have made her resentful, like Niklas, but it is quite the opposite. What a relief!

---