Page 8 of Eternal

If only those women knew what they’d be getting into with him. He’s even more fucked up than I am. Probably why we work so well together.

“Freya, are you ready to go?” I ask as she downs the rest of her drink.

She looks at me with wide, innocent eyes, “Yeah, what time is it?” She’s reaching for her clutch.

“It’s one AM,” I extend my hand out for hers. It engulfed hers, as I led her out the doors to my car, but there’s a warm familiar feeling when we are touching as if we were supposed to be doing this the entire time.

I look over my shoulder and watch as people are already whispering about us leaving together. Freya is not the woman who I brought with me, I had long since abandoned her, but she seemed content in the arms of Sinner who grins over his shoulder at me. .

Freya lets go of my hand to dig out her phone, I’m assuming to text Serena that we are on our way to her place.

“I’ll just need the address,” I tell her as I open the door to my Aston Martin.

She rattles off the address, and I know exactly where Serena lives. Same building as mine, not that Freya necessarily needs to know that. It’ll just make it much easier for me to get into their security system.

We drive in comfortable silence, and Freya’s hand creeps over to me, seeking the comfort of my hand. I clutch it and press a kiss to the tops of her knuckles.

“Thank you for the drinks and conversation tonight, Soren.” Her voice is small, nervous even.

“There’s no need to thank me, Freya. I just hope you can move on from the past.” I murmur to her. “I think you’ll make an excellent writer.”

Her face twists up like I’ve gifted her the world.

“Thank you,” She whispers, resting her head back.

We drove the rest of the way in silence, her hand still clutched in mine. I don’t think she minds. I won’t do anything else to her. I refuse to. I park the car in an available spot and open her door for her to get out.

I take her hand as she leads the way to the elevator, selects the floor, and inserts the key.

Floor 18. P2.

I repeat it over and over in my head, needing to memorize it for security purposes of course.

We stop in front of the door, when she leans against the door, “Isn’t this normally the part when I invite you in and we fuck?” Freya asks, her face flushed from alcohol or embarrassment, I can’t tell.

My hand reaches out to caress her cheek, “Not for our story. Good night, Freya.”

I don’t even kiss her goodbye. I just turn and leave, walking back to the elevators. One day in the future, but now is not the time.

Chapter three

Freya

Iwokeupthenext day to Serena crawling into bed with me. “I’m sooo tired.” She yawns.

Her yawn is contagious, and I mimic her, humming my agreement as she climbs in to cuddle with me. My phone rings on the bedside table. It’s the day before the gala. There are many things Serena and I must do before the event with so little time. I roll over, groaning as I read the caller ID of my buzzing phone.

“Good afternoon, my sweet. Is Serena with you?” My mother’s cheery voice echoes through. It's so fucking fake.

“Good morning, mother. Yes, she is.” I reply, my voice descending into a monotone whisper. Serena shakes her head vigorously, burying her head deep into the pillow. It’s too early in the morning for her. For both of us, actually.

“Put me on speakerphone, please.” I do as she says. “Good afternoon, my babies. Listen, tonight we have a dinner I'd like you both to attend. Freya, in particular, is required to go.”

Serena looks at me incredulously, and we talk through our eyes. Both of us wanted to know whyI,in particular, was called out.

I start to protest when my father chimes in, booming on the phone, “No arguing with us. Just do as you’re asked, Freya.” His voice is so clipped that it almost puts the fear of god into me.Almost.

I close my mouth and glare at the wall. “Fine.” I suppose I can just use this as an excuse to wear my new Dolce and Gabbana dress.

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