Page 68 of Lovestruck at Sundown
Me:Too bad because I met this Architecture major at school when you left for Vancouver, and he says he wouldn’t mind sharing me with you.
W.S.:Guillermina … don’t test me. Or I’ll have to discipline the unruliness out of you the moment I get back.
That last message made me blush. And my cheeks weren’t the only thing on fire. I could feel the need pulsing in my core all the way down between my legs. Thankfully, I was home and about to unlock my apartment door when I read that.
W.S.:No sassy comeback? Come on, play with me.
Shaking my head at my phone’s screen, I laughed and shut the door behind me. I dropped my bag on my bedroom sofa and threw myself back on my bed, which was neatly made. Weird. I looked around my room suspiciously, my brow wrinkling. Now I was 100% sure I’d left my bed unmade.
My breath hitched as a dreadful sense of panic crept up my spine.
Another incoming message from William popped up on my screen, but I was frozen, listening to footsteps nearing my bedroom door.
Memories of seeing Thomas inside my bedroom months ago invaded my thoughts. But it couldn’t have been him. He was dead. And I wasn’t in danger. Caleb had told me so in his letter. No one was after me. I was safe. And why would someone who wanted to hurt me make my bed? I almost laughed, but I was still on edge. Nothing made sense. So I grabbed my phone, ignored William’s unread messages, and texted him with shaky fingers.
Me:There’s someone inside my apartment. I’m freaking out. I hear footsteps.
W.S.:Wait. Aren’t you supposed to be at school?
Me:Focus!
A soft knock on my door made me let out a short but loud shriek.
W.S.:That should be Vesna. My housekeeper.
“Miss Murphy?” A female voice with an accent spoke from the other side of the door.
“Jesus Christ,” I muttered.
Me:I’m going to kill you.
“Coming!” I angrily tossed my phone on the bed and opened the door to find a short, chubby woman with dirty blonde curls held up in a messy bun. My heart was still pounding in my ears as I recovered from the previous scare.
“I’m sorry I frightened you, Miss.” She extended her hand. “I’m Vesna. I work for Mr. Sjöberg. But you usually aren’t around on Friday mornings.”
I knew it! Well, actually, I didn’t. I knew something was off about the bed being magically made and the dirty dishes disappearing from my sink. It wasn’t surprising to find out William was behind this. But I was glad to confirm I wasn’t going insane or that my dad was sending Mimi without my approval.
“Nice to meet you, Vesna. You can call me Billie,” I said, shaking her hand. “And no worries. I just wasn’t expecting you to be here.”
“I’m almost done.” She smiled warmly. “I’m finishing up with the kitchen, and I’ll be on my way.”
“No worries.” I smiled back. “Take your time.”
“I’ll let myself out once I’m done. If you need anything, I’ll be next door at Mr. Sjöberg’s apartment.”
“Thank you so much.”
She nodded once and headed back to thekitchen.
Me:I’m still alive. In case you were wondering. Not that you seemed worried about my safety.
W.S.:That’s because I knew you weren’t in any danger.
Me:Just met Vesna. Why didn’t you tell me she’s been
cleaning my apartment?
W.S.:Would you have allowed me to do this for you if I’d asked?
