SASHA’S POV
I sat on the edge of the bed in my father’s guest room, staring at my phone. The screen lit up with Roland’s name. The sight of it made my stomach churn, though I wasn’t entirely sure why.
A part of me hesitated to answer, the logical side telling me that no good would come of this.
But then again, ignoring his call might seem petty or overly dramatic, and I wasn’t the type to leave things unresolved-no matter how uncomfortable they made me feel.
My thumb hovered over the screen for a moment longer before I gave in and swiped to answer. “Hello?”
“Sasha,” Roland’s familiar voice greeted me, warm but cautious, as if he wasn’t sure how I’d react.
“I just wanted to check in on you. I heard what happened from Sebastian.”
His words took me off guard. “What happened?” I asked, though my tone came out sharper than I intended.
Roland hesitated, but only for a beat. “The situation at the party,” he clarified.
“Sebastian told me things were a bit tense. He said you left early.”
I exhaled slowly, my grip on the phone tightening. “Did he ask you to call me?”
“No, this is just me,” Roland said quickly.
“I called because I was worried about you. You’ve been through a lot, and I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
I leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling. It was an innocent enough explanation, but something about this call felt… off.
Roland and I had never been particularly close; our conversations rarely went beyond pleasantries or the occasional professional exchange.
Now, here he was, calling me unprompted, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“I’m fine,” I said, my voice measured. “I’m at my father’s house, taking some time to clear my head.”
There was a pause on the other end, just long enough to make me wonder if he was considering his next words carefully.
“I understand. It’s good to take some space when you need it,” Roland finally said, his tone gentle.
“I just wanted you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
I frowned, sitting up straighter. His offer was kind, but it felt out of place. Roland was Sebastian’s closest friend, and while he’d always been polite to me, we weren’t exactly confidants.
“That’s thoughtful of you,” I replied, keeping my tone polite but distant. “But I think I have all the support I need right now.”
“Sasha,” he began, but I cut him off.
“Roland,” I said firmly, “I appreciate your concern, but I think it’s best if you don’t call me for personal reasons unless it’s at Sebastian’s request.”
There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end, and I could almost picture Roland’s expression-confused, maybe even a little hurt. But I didn’t waver.
“I don’t mean to sound rude,” I added, softening my tone slightly. “It’s just… I don’t feel comfortable with it.”
“I wasn’t trying to overstep,” Roland said, his voice quieter now, almost apologetic.
“I know,” I said quickly, not wanting to drag this out any longer.
“But I need to set boundaries. I hope you can understand that.”
Before he could respond, I ended the call, placing my phone face down on the nightstand.
For a moment, I just sat there, the silence of the room pressing in around me. My mind was racing, replaying the conversation over and over.
Why did I feel so uneasy?
It wasn’t like Roland had said or done anything overtly inappropriate. He’d called out of concern, plain and simple. But something about it didn’t sit right with me.
Maybe it was the timing, coming so soon after the tension with Sebastian. Or maybe it was the way he’d framed his concern-as if it was his responsibility to check on me.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the lingering discomfort. This was exactly why I’d come to my father’s house-to get away from all the chaos and confusion, to give myself space to think.
But even here, miles away from Sebastian and all the drama that seemed to follow him, I couldn’t escape it.
I stood and walked over to the window, pulling back the curtains to let in the afternoon sunlight.
The garden below was quiet and serene, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions inside me. I watched a pair of birds flutter between the trees, their movements so effortless, so free.
For a brief moment, I envied them.
The sound of footsteps in the hallway broke my train of thought, and I turned just as one of the house staff appeared in the doorway.
“Mrs. DeLuca,” she said softly, “your lunch is ready. Would you like me to bring it up to you?”
“No, thank you, Clara,” I said with a small smile. “I’ll come down in a bit.”
She nodded and disappeared down the hall, leaving me alone once again.
I sank back onto the bed, my thoughts returning to the call with Roland. Was I overreacting? Had I been too harsh?
No. I shook my head, resolute. I’d done the right thing. Boundaries were important, especially now.
But even as I told myself that, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this was just the beginning of something more complicated.
By the time I made my way downstairs for lunch, I’d managed to push most of my lingering doubts to the back of my mind.
The dining room was quiet, the table set with a simple but elegant meal: grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and a side of fresh bread.
As I sat down, my phone buzzed on the table beside me. I glanced at the screen, half expecting to see Roland’s name again, but it was just a message from one of my friends, checking in.
I responded quickly, grateful for the distraction, and then focused on my meal.
The food was delicious, but my appetite was minimal. I picked at the chicken, my thoughts drifting back to Sebastian.
What was he doing right now?
I hadn’t spoken to him since I’d left the penthouse the morning after the party. He’d tried calling once, but I hadn’t answered.
A part of me felt guilty about that-I knew he was probably worried-but I needed this time to myself.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was being unfair. Sebastian wasn’t perfect, but he’d made it clear how much he cared about me.
Maybe I should’ve given him the benefit of the doubt, trusted him more.
Or maybe I was just fooling myself.
I sighed, pushing my plate away and leaning back in my chair. This wasn’t getting me anywhere.
After lunch, I decided to take a walk through the garden, hoping the fresh air would help clear my head.
The sun was warm on my skin, and the gentle rustling of the leaves provided a soothing soundtrack to my thoughts.
I wandered aimlessly, letting my mind drift. Images of the party kept flashing in my head: the strangers’ faces, the whispers, the text messages.
And then there was Sebastian, his eyes full of concern as he tried to reassure me.
I wanted to believe him.
But trust wasn’t something that came easily to me, not after everything I’d been through.
As I rounded a corner, I spotted a small bench beneath a flowering tree and made my way over to it. Sitting down, I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, letting the sunlight wash over me.
For a moment, I let myself imagine a different reality-a world where there were no secrets, no doubts, no complications. A world where I could trust Sebastian completely, without fear or hesitation.
But that world felt so far away.
My phone buzzed again, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen, my heart sinking as I saw Sebastian’s name this time.
I hesitated, my finger hovering over the screen. But just as I was about to answer, the call ended, leaving me staring at the blank screen.
I set the phone down beside me and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. The weight of everything felt crushing, and for the first time in days, I allowed myself to cry.
The tears came slowly at first, then all at once, as if a dam had broken inside me.
And for the first time, I admitted to myself just how much this was all hurting me.