Page 11 of Love Me

“When will I stop hurting over him? I’m afraid to face him,” I croak, my voice betraying my inner turmoil.

“No. You can do this. Indifference. You know how it looks, so act the part.”

And I will.

After Mia leaves, I flop onto my bed. Nerves chase the sleep away like a horde of hungry hyenas. I toss and turn until I shoot upright and yank open the nightstand.

You’re allowed one moment of weakness.

I open the box. The necklace dangles from my fingers. These letters that once formed words that were my entire world now remind me of my stupidity.

“You and me.”

“Today, tomorrow, always.”

The memory rushes to the front of my mind.

Sarcasm seeps from my lips. “Our today, tomorrow, always, was quite short, huh?”

I snap the box shut. “You didn’t destroy me then. Now you have no chance, Kaden.”

His name––poison on my tongue—stabs my heart for the hundredth time.

“See you soon.” Hunter winks at me.

I hug my best friend next, then pick up my belongings. They fit into a piece of luggage slightly larger than the one I arrived in London with.

There’s a chill in the September air. I wait outside for the car, standing upright with stiff shoulders. My hair falls down my back in light waves. My shoes are polished. Under my trench coat, my cream-colored dress with buttons running down my chest hangs perfectly, and my stockings add the final touch of elegance.

The driver opens the back passenger door, and Felix steps out. Two years have done little to change his appearance; a few more silver specks in his hair and slightly deeper lines are the only obvious concession to time. Perfectly dressed in a custom-made suit, he takes me in and gestures for me to approach.

I bite my cheek and reach him with a small smile.

“I don’t know how you did it, but I’m watching you,” he says, not sounding pleased.

“I’m ready to serve the Family.”

He eyes me intently for a second, then takes in the boarding school.

“The time apart must have been clarifying.”

You have no idea.

“I have my loyalties in check now,” I say, bowing my head slightly.

His inquisitive eyes meet mine again.

“Get in.”

We spend the drive to the airport in silence. Felix is on his phone. I have my hands tucked in my lap, eyes out the window. Leaves change colors into yellow and orange, creating a perfect autumn painting. Each passing mile reminds me I have a mission to accomplish.

Calm and collected.

As we take our seats on the Family’s private plane, Felix is typing furiously on his phone, with his eyebrows drawn together. Vigilance is paramount.

“Always observe without them noticing, Celine.” Cillian drilled this into my head until it became second nature.

When we land and disembark, my heart twists. A sudden bout of nostalgia holds me hostage.

---