Page 102 of Made to Sin

I lifted my lips into a small smile. “If that’s all, I’m going to head back to sleep, but thanks for worrying.”

He looked like he had something more to say, but with a shake of his head, he replied, “Goodnight.”

I didn’t know if I was glad or disappointed that he didn’t say it. I blamed sheer curiosity for the latter and not because I was secretly hoping for him to give me something more.

“Goodnight,” I mumbled and slammed the door in his face.

I leaned against the door, my shoulders slumping almost immediately. It was good that I ended the conversation. It was good that he didn’t continue. It was good that we drew boundaries.

Luciano let out a sigh on the other side of the door but eventually gave up too. As the opening and closing of another door rang through the hallway, I stupidly kept my ear alert to see if Sofia was around. It might have been wishful imagination, but relief washed over me when the only sound came from the crickets outside.

I couldn’t help but wonder if what I believed was so “good,” why did the blood pumping in my veins feel like it was threatening to stop? Why did the butterflies in my stomach drop dead to the darkest pits?

All because Lady Luck gave me the cruel fate of crushing on Luciano Beneveti.

At least it wasn’t love.

—

Luciano didn’t mention anything about our broken routine the next day. Nor the next. Nor the next…

It was expected after our talk the other night, but it didn’t stop the hollowness from caving in my chest. I wanted him to care, wanted him to ask me why I haven’t been coming to his bed, wanted him to like me a fraction of how much I liked him.

It never happened.

We ended up going the easier route and developing a new routine at some point. In the mornings, he would go super early to work. By the time I woke up, the house was already empty— with him not being around, Sofia disappeared too. At work, aside from doing whatever he asked, our conversations were slim to none. Finally, after my shift, I would leave first, and he stayed out until an ungodly hour of the night.

It sent a tear through my heart at how easily we went from laughing to ignoring each other, but it was for the best.

—

“Hi Sheryl, do you mind checking me in for today?” I greeted thefamiliar brunette.

Instead of going to the organization’s headquarters today, Arnold dropped me off at the shelter. Eda was still recording statements, and I tagged along for the comfort.

“Hello there. Of course not…” The receptionist looked up and squinted slightly as she took in my presence. “Katarina, right?”

I smiled that she remembered. “Yes.”

She typed something on her computer and then handed me a visitor’s badge. “Have a good time visiting. Oh, also, someone was looking for you a while back if you don’t mind stopping by her room today.”

“Ha-Jin? Yeah, I brought more makeup products for her.”

“I’m sure she’ll be happy to take them, but no. The person is someone else— her name is Tori. Her room is down the hall from Ha-Jin’s, so you shouldn’t get lost. Room number one-thirty.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll check it out. Thanks, Sheryl.”

While I was curious to see what this Tori person wanted to see me for, I made a pit stop to Ha-Jin’s room to give her the gifts first.

The petite girl beamed when she saw me. “Katarina! What are you doing here?”

I ran over to where she was sitting by her vanity and lightly wrapped my arms around her. I noticed her bruises were fading, the jarring patches of purple now a pale yellow.

“I brought you something,” I announced.

I gave the bag to her and waited for her reaction. She gasped and then squealed. I couldn’t help but fall into laughter with her.

“Stop, this is so nice. You didn’t have to.”

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