The harsh morning light stabbed through the gap in my curtains, dragging me from a restless sleep. "Damn, last night was brutal," I mumbled, the remnants of dollar bills and cheap perfume clinging to my skin. I was relieved it was over. Some nights at the Velvet were harder than others.
I dragged myself up, the thought of a hot shower the only motivation I needed. After scrubbing away the night, I threw on some sweats and a t-shirt and headed downstairs. Even though Ace's mansion still felt foreign, the need for caffeine was universal.
As I descended the grand staircase, the sight that greeted me nearly made me trip. Christian and Haiden, both shirtless and clad in low-slung sweats, were a vision of sculpted muscle and dark tattoos. My face flushed, and a strangled sound escaped my lips. Gods, they were attractive. The way their abs rippled, the intricate ink that snaked across their backs… Stop it, Hailey! I internally groaned, trying to regain my composure.
I hurried past them, muttering a vague "Morning," and beelined for the kitchen. I could feel their eyes on me as I fumbled for the coffee pot. The rich aroma filled the air, a small comfort in the face of my sudden awkwardness.
"Good sleep?" Haiden's smooth voice cut through the silence. He was already at the stove, expertly flipping what looked like pancakes. The scent of cinnamon and maple syrup mingled with the coffee, creating a domestic scene that both soothed and unnerved me.
"Yeah," I managed, taking a grateful sip of my coffee.
Christian leaned against the counter, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, I bet you did," he chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. My cheeks burned even hotter.
"S-shut up," I stammered, taking another large gulp of coffee to hide my embarrassment. His laughter only intensified, drawing a confused frown from Haiden.
"What's that about?" Haiden asked, his gaze shifting suspiciously between me and Christian.
"N-nothing!" I yelped, my face now the color of a ripe tomato. Haiden clearly didn't believe me, but he didn't press the issue. Christian, however, just continued to chuckle, clearly enjoying my discomfort. I shot him a glare, which only made him laugh harder.
Haiden finished making breakfast, and we all sat down at the large kitchen table to eat. The pancakes were light and fluffy, a testament to Haiden's surprisingly domestic skills.
"So, where's Ace?" I asked, trying to change the subject. The mention of his name seemed to darken the mood. Both Christian and Haiden scowled.
"He's out," Christian said vaguely, his tone clipped.
I nodded, finishing my coffee in silence. The air felt thick with unspoken tension.
Hours later, I was back in my small apartment, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. It was all too much. The Velvet. Ace. Christian and Haiden. It was all a messy jumble.
Killing the guys last night still sat heavy in my stomach. Even if they deserved it, taking a life…it wasn't something I ever imagined myself doing. Then there was the sex with Ace after, a twisted way to cope that I wasn't proud of. And then…the proposal.
Two hours ago, Ace had proposed. He'd asked me to be his wife. And I'd said yes. Now, staring at the dingy walls of my apartment, doubt gnawed at me.
He sent me a location, and I ended up in a secluded rose garden, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. In the center stood a table set for two. It was ridiculously romantic, almost too perfect. Ace stood there, impossibly handsome in a black and gold suit, holding a bouquet of red roses.
"Welcome, beautiful. Before we begin, I have something to say..." he said, handing me the roses.
"What is it?" I asked, a genuine smile lighting up my face.
He smiled back, a dazzling, heart-stopping smile, and then dropped to one knee. He took my hand, sending a swarm of butterflies into my stomach.
"I love you, Hailey, and I want to be with you forever," he began, his voice full of emotion. He opened a small velvet box, revealing a diamond ring that sparkled in the candlelight. "Will you marry me?"
The air seemed to leave my lungs. "Y-yes!" I squealed, excitement bubbling up inside me.
The rest of the night was a blur of romantic gestures, delicious food, and whispered promises. We talked about the future, about building a life together. It felt like a dream.
Now, though, with the memory of the stolen life still so fresh, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Like a dissonant chord in a beautiful song. He was so attentive, so loving…but his phone kept buzzing with notifications all night, always turned face down on the table. Was he cheating? Or was I just being paranoid?
He told me to plan the wedding however I wanted, that money was no object. It was incredibly generous, but it also felt…intense. Like he was trying to buy my happiness.
I wanted to marry him, right? I loved him. Didn't I? But why did this feel so rushed? Why did I feel like I was overlooking something crucial?
I felt a headache coming on. I sank onto my worn couch, the weight of the diamond ring heavy on my finger. This was supposed to be a happy time. But all I felt was a growing unease, a sense that I was walking into something I didn't fully understand.