Chapter 9

-Alison-

I ascended to the next floor, seeking out my childhood bedroom. Stepping inside, I was struck by the familiarity of it all. Everything was exactly as I remembered. Making my way to the bathroom, I decided to freshen up, hoping to erase any traces of the recent encounter with Jared.

After cleaning myself, I caught sight of myself in the mirror, and I couldn't help but notice the aftermath of our time together. My appearance screamed freshly fucked—hair tousled, clothes rumpled, and a telltale red mark encircling my neck where he had gripped the chain. Yet, it was the bruise above my collarbone, a stark reminder of Jared's bite, that truly concerned me.

Rummaging through the bathroom, I eventually unearthed some concealer, my mother keeping the room stocked. With careful application, I managed to mask the bruise, albeit with a slight stinging sensation under my touch. Once satisfied with my efforts, I tidied myself up, smoothing down my clothes and fixing my hair.

Taking a moment to scrutinize my reflection, I was met with a flood of conflicting emotions. There was no joy in the image that stared back at me, only a profound sense of confusion and loss. Leaning against the counter, I struggled to hold back tears.

"Don't cry. Don't cry," I whispered to myself, though the reason for my emotional turmoil eluded me. Was it the intoxicating allure of Jared's presence once again, or the weight of his ominous threats hanging over me? I had hoped that returning home would signify the end of my tumultuous connection with Jared. Yet, his relentless pursuit made it clear that I was mistaken.

The enormity of my past actions weighed heavily on me, leaving me feeling powerless and indebted. As long as Jared believed I owed him, my fate remained out of my hands. It was a familiar feeling, reminiscent of my younger days when I was informed my true desires weren't welcome. But amidst the entrapment, there was an undeniable pull toward Jared, complicating matters further.

And now, a part of me, a dangerous and hidden aspect I'd long attempted to suppress, remained indifferent to Jared's threats of making my life a living hell, so long as he continued to appear. Even if he was the monstrous figure haunting my existence, his mere presence was enough to draw me to him time and again. The realization offered little solace, for I understood all too well the precariousness of my situation. Jared had to cease his relentless pursuit. He had to leave me alone, or else I knew I would pay dearly. But how could I possibly make him stop?

Laughter echoed from downstairs, prompting me to leave the bathroom and peer out the window at the party below. Amidst the throng of guests, I spotted Jared mingling with both my parents and their friends, effortlessly blending in. He had finally met my mother's criteria—successful, affluent, attractive, and influential. While my mother remained oblivious to Jared's true occupation, her discerning eye for quality had earned him her seal of approval. It dawned on me that even if I implored Jared to stay away, he had received a direct invitation into my world that he couldn't refuse.

My mother had ensnared him, drawing him into her orbit for her own protection, to ascertain whether Jared had truly transformed into someone she could embrace within her social circle. Little did she realize the darkness lurking within him. While she believed her gesture would evoke gratitude, Jared sought only destruction. I resigned myself to the fact that I could never escape him now. By showing up here, he had irrevocably intertwined our fates.

"Shit," I muttered, covering my eyes and struggling to steady my racing thoughts. How would I survive the sudden bomb Jared had thrown into my life? I forced my hand away, smoothing back my hair and attempting to convince myself that I could endure his presence. Even if our conflict persisted indefinitely, a never-ending cycle of games between us, I vowed to never give in. Jared wouldn't emerge victorious, but I couldn't be certain of my own triumph either. Nevertheless, hiding away in my room wouldn't alter the fact that the lion was already among us, and it remained uncertain who would fall prey to his claws first.

Resolving to face the situation head-on, I descended the stairs, only to find Warren searching for me. "Oh, there you are!" he exclaimed upon seeing me.

"You were looking for me?" I inquired.

"Of course, you had been gone for a while," he replied, his tone sounding genuine. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to believe that he genuinely wanted my company. After Jared's cold treatment, it was comforting to feel wanted by someone without ulterior motives.

As I approached Warren, he instinctively put his arm around me, guiding me back to the party. Spotting a server approaching with drinks, he motioned for her to come to us. She handed us our drinks, but I couldn't help but notice her fleeting glance at me, followed by a blush before she hurried off. I followed her with my eyes after taking my drink, finding her reaction peculiar.

"Did you notice that?" I asked Warren.

"What?" he responded, taking a sip of his drink, demonstrating once again his lack of attention to my surroundings.

I sighed, shaking my head, dismissing the encounter before turning my attention to the crowd. Warren led me to a group of acquaintances our age, and we engaged in conversation. However, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Glancing around, I caught Jared's gaze fixed on me. But his eyes seemed to be focused lower on my body, and when I followed his gaze, I noticed Warren's hand resting dangerously low on my back. I offered a small smile, subtly adjusting my position and diverting my attention back to Warren.

To my relief, Warren seemed pleased by the sudden display of affection. I kissed his cheek, then his lips, and for a brief moment, we locked eyes. In that moment, it was easy to forget that our love had faded, or perhaps never truly existed. When he looked at me like that, it felt like a glimpse into the past when things were simpler.

"Having fun?" he inquired.

"Yeah, the night isn't so bad. Just don't leave my side," I replied.

He seemed pleased to hear it, but deep down, I hoped that Warren would act as the shield I needed against Jared. If I kept Warren close, Jared would have no pretext to approach me, I reasoned. I let my arm rest around Warren as the conversation flowed around us, but I found myself not engaging much. Despite this, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Even though Jared wasn't looking at me anymore when I glanced his way, the sensation persisted. Who could be watching me now? I scanned the room, but I couldn't spot anyone who seemed to be observing me.

Turning back to Warren, I relished being in his embrace, finding solace in his presence. His warmth brought a sense of calmness that I had thought had vanished from our lives. It was evident that he was making an effort, and I was grateful for it. With Warren by my side, navigating through the complexities of this evening felt a little more manageable, even with multiple monsters lurking in my life.