Page 99 of A Dark Duet

Yeah, not happening. Shrugging my shoulders, I tell him, “Sure, thank you.”

“Follow me. I know it’s late so I will give you a tour of the house another time when we get home.”

Home. Sounds nice but this is definitely not my home. Looking at the interior of the impressive house, there are white walls and marble floors with wood accents. Glass is used to divide the open interior space that feels like you are outside. The downside of the house is that it feels empty and impersonal. Like a house you would rent temporarily with no memory of anyone living in it. The pool can be seen from all angles of the house with an outdoor gas fireplace with a screen made of glass. The lights of the pool reflect the water against the glass like a mirror. My eyes travel to the second floor in awe, it overlooks the pool area and patio like a hidden oasis.

He turns to the right down a hallway and at the end, there are double doors that must lead to his master bedroom. He stops and opens a door to the left. “I thought you would be more comfortable in this room,” he says, waving his hand to a room with a king-size bed and white sheets.

Everything is white whereas in contrast my bedroom in my apartment is black. “There is a private bathroom through there with everything you need. If you need me, my bedroom is right next door through the double doors.”

“Thank you,” is all I manage to say, wringing my hands, looking around the room.

Funny how three years ago, I would have been honored and overjoyed to be invited to his house. Now, I couldn’t care less. Jaden thinks he can help me but it’s too late for me. Living a life of solitude is what I have gotten used to. A dark room, with dark thoughts and dark memories.

“If there is anything you need, beautiful. I’m right here.” I turn my head to face him. “I appreciate you doing this for me, but I think it’s too late for me, Jaden.”

“No, it isn’t. It’s never too late,” he says, getting closer to me. He tilts his head down and raises his index finger to caress my cheek softly. My eyes find his and I know mine are blank because he frowns. “Please let me in,” he whispers.

“There is nothing to see. It’s just dark and the best thing for you and everyone is to leave me alone. You don’t need my poison. You don’t need someone like me, no one does.”

He flinches at my words. “That is where you are wrong. Your best friend needs you. I need you. Let me take care of you for a while. Let me do that. Please.”

Raising my chin up to look into his eyes, he leans his head down because Jaden is tall at six foot three to my five foot two and massive. His arms are so much bigger than before, and his thighs are hard solid muscle. Definitely big but lean from when I last saw him three years ago.

At the club, I didn’t want to acknowledge how much I’m attracted to him. But my body secretly aches for him to touch me. He offers for me to stay for a while and I let my guard down. But then what happens after he finds that I take up too much of his time, then he will kick me out and I’ll be lost all over again. That can’t happen. Ever.

He was always my safe haven, the one man that fought for me when I was hurt. He fought alongside his best friend for Giselle and me, keeping us safe from the monster that tried to destroy us. Jaden was the man that kept me going until he told me to go.

After I left, I was lost with nowhere to go except to the place that I thought I would never set foot in again, a dance club. Dancing for money, lost in the dark with no sense of belonging because he didn’t want me. He wanted what he has now and that doesn’t include me.

“I’ll stay for the night. Please don’t change your routine for me. It’s all I ask, and I will stay out of your way as much as possible.”

His lips caress the top of my ear. “I want you in my bed and in my space right beside me. You think you can do that?”

The silence stretches as my mind decides for my body, standing still and unmoving, listening to his words.

God, he smells so good. Closing my eyes, my body says yes but my soul screams in dark agony and my heart hurts. Shutting down in my silence as I scream inside, knowing when I fall asleep, the demons in my memories will come and collect.

“I can’t, Jaden. I can’t go through this again with you. I-I’m sorry,” I say, turning away and running into the bathroom adjacent to the room, closing the door and locking it.

Jaden

Looking at the closed door of the bathroom Briana ran into before locking it, I run my fingers through the strands of my hair. The sound of the water runs, and I at least know she is taking a hot bath.

The way she gazes at me with so much hurt and sorrow, the pain she hides within, it’s so great it crushes me to see it. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to make it go away. I’m not expecting her to forgive me or to run to me with open arms.

The vibration of her phone catches my attention on the bed and I’m not one to snoop but it vibrates a second time, the screen lighting up with a notification. When I pick it up, it’s a text from Ethan. Motherfucker.

Ethan: You must have figured out by now that I told Jaden Cyprus about our agreement and I know it was wrong of me to invade your privacy. He must have contacted you by now and I’m sorry. I did it because I care deeply for you and he came to me concerned and didn’t want you to worry or even worse, your best friend, Giselle. I know I told you no emotion, but the truth is, I fell for you the moment I saw you and your darkness called to me. When you dance, it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, like an angel of darkness. I knew I had to have you any way I could. The way you come undone on my lips was the most beautiful gift you have given me. I miss you, Briana.

I drop the phone like it burned my hand. That son of a bitch. I told him to leave her alone. The rage inside me boils and I leave the room like there is fire on my ass. The only person I have to blame is myself because if I hadn’t let her go, none of this would be happening except for the fact I didn’t know she was hiding something, but I never noticed it because in my arms, she slept like an angel and I was at peace.

We were at peace, and I threw it away because I’m a coward that doesn’t know how to love the woman that loved me so effortlessly. I snuffed the remaining light in her beautiful eyes.

After a cold shower, I lie in my bed and listen. Hoping that tonight she can sleep in peace. Trying to stay awake, I dose off a couple of times, but I slap myself to keep my eyes open, hoping she comes to her senses and lies with me in my bed.

After a while, I take a peek at my phone, I notice it’s two in the morning. Satisfied that she should be asleep, I close my eyes, hoping my demons spare me tonight.

Darkness consumes me, and hands are trying to hold me back from reaching a bed with sounds of whimpering. When I try to see what is on the bed, I see it’s dark and the only light is coming from a small twin-size mattress, the smell of putrid urine and cigarettes hits my senses.

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