The day dragged on faster than expected, but that didn't ease the suffocating tension that lingered in the air. Dinner was over, but the silence that followed was anything but peaceful.
I filled Riley in on everything that had happened between Isaac and me—though, truth be told, I wasn't sure what to make of it all myself.
"Finally, I couldn't take it anymore," she said, breaking the silence.
"The tension between you two is suffocating. So, what are you guys now?"
I froze, the weight of the question pressing down on me. What are we? I asked myself, but the answer wasn't clear. "I guess we'll just have to find out tomorrow," I replied, though I wasn't convinced.
A sharp laugh broke through my thoughts. "Oh, I forgot you don't have your shift tomorrow," Riley teased, a note of mockery in her voice.
I could feel the jealousy creeping up in my tone. "Yeah, well, I hope you enjoy it," I muttered, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them.
Riley wasn't fazed. "You better get some rest, because tomorrow is going to be one hell of a day. I heard Mr. Lance talking about some important guests."
The name sent a shiver of disgust down my spine. I barely suppressed a grimace. "Ugh," I muttered, my body recoiling at the thought of Mr. Lance.
By the way, I heard he called you to his office," Riley continued, her voice turning casual. "You didn't really fill me in on what happened there."
I braced myself for this. I knew it was coming. But I wasn't about to tell her the truth—not now, not ever. It wasn't worth it. She'd freak out, and Isaac would hear about it.
I lied smoothly, my voice steady, though my stomach churned. "He just gave me a stern warning."
Riley stared at me, unconvinced. "Really?" Her tone was sharp, probing.
"Yeah, I was terrified he was going to fire me," I added, waiting for her to buy it, hoping she would.
"Well, I'm glad it turned out fine." Riley's voice softened, though she seemed to be mulling over my words. "Anyway, Skai, I have to go. Charles is making me do the dishes. Talk to you later."
"Alright, bye," I muttered, my mind already elsewhere, the conversation slipping away as she hung up.
I couldn't believe I had to face Mr. Lance tomorrow. The thought made my skin crawl, but there was no escaping it.
The hours seemed to move at an agonizing pace, and before I knew it, the day was gone, the night hanging thick with anticipation.
I wasn't ready for my shift.
I could feel something dark and dangerous in the air—a feeling that refused to leave, no matter how hard I tried to push it aside. I couldn't shake it.
Desperately, I tried to occupy myself with anything—anything to keep my mind from spiraling. I found myself helping Maliya, trying to focus on the mundane, hoping it would offer some distraction. But no, the dread only deepened.
Finally, it was time for my shift, and Isaac, ever the reliable presence, offered to drop me off. It wasn't out of kindness. No, I knew he was watching, his eyes always calculating, always waiting for something to snap.
But I didn't care. I was grateful. I'd have been late, and Mr. Lance had no tolerance for tardiness. Not that I cared about what he liked, but I couldn't afford to lose this job.
Isaac pulled up outside the club, and for a moment, I hesitated before stepping out. "Thanks for dropping me off," I muttered, my voice cold.
He smiled, but there was something about it—something off. "Remember, take care of yourself," he said. "And don't get into trouble."
I barely suppressed a laugh, my thoughts darkening even more. "I promise I won't," I said flatly, before slamming the door behind me.
I entered the club, the familiar scent of it hitting me like a brick wall. The darkness of the place enveloped me, just like it always did. I hurried to the back and changed into my uniform, my mind swirling with thoughts I couldn't push away.
Isaac and I hadn't talked about what happened the night before, and I didn't know if I could handle it any longer. The silence between us was maddening. What were we? Where did I stand? I had to know, but I was scared to ask. And I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.
One thing was for certain: today was going to be a day that would change everything.