1|Echoes

Extreme darkness has always been an enemy of mine. I hate not knowing what’s coming for me or what’s already there, but for the love of my life, I’m willing to face my fears.

“Miss Zia,” my driver and closed-in security detail Erik called before I could slide out of the limo. Erik is like a father to me, but I know I’m giving him too much headache that Dad doubles his salary every year.

“Come on, E,” I pouted, “it’s Calvin’s birthday. Give me some boost here.”

At the age of forty-one, Erik is still as fit as a man in his thirties. He had to be in keeping up with my exceptionally stubborn behavior. He has no job other than to be with me - guard and protect me - all the time, which has proven to be a challenging task. Since I was thirteen, the bodyguards assigned to me quit even before the end of their first month in service.

I’m an obedient child, you just have to make sure that the rules are in detail or I will find a loophole.

“Boss said you are not allowed to party with these brats,” Erik mumbled, thick brows knitting together.

My fingers itched to push the door open, as if the plush chair of this bullet-proof limousine is burning my ass.

I chewed on my lip, Erik’s eyes narrowed to slits. Before I could open my mouth, he raised his glove-covered hands from the steering wheel, rubbing them over his face. I giggled, voicing out my argument. “Well, I am not here to party, aren’t I? I am here to give my present to Calvin… no partying.” With a shake of my head, I opened the door, knowing that I already won the petty squabble with my bodyguard.

Huge trees in the space where Erik parked the car concealed it from the highway. The autumn breeze made me shiver as the sole of my Tom Ford heels touched the ground behind the Luciano manor. In this part of the estate, the only gleam available is the security lamppost that’s present every fifty meters. I know this place by heart, even in the absence of proper lighting, but I’m still grateful for the reticent light of the moonless skies.

Erik slides out of the car, pulling his suit closer to his body, eyes scanning the perimeter like he always does. He looks calm and collected, but with the way his hands and body shift, there’s no question that he’s on guard. Prepared to take a bullet for me if he has to.

“Where are you going?” I asked, hearing him trail behind me, taking on the route that will lead to the back entrance of the manor.

“I am not allowed to leave your side,” he mumbled as a matter of fact. His boots and my shoes create crushing sounds against the dried leaves on the ground.

I hummed, ducking when a shadow of a lowered tree branch blocked our path. “I will have sex with Calvin tonight. Are you gonna watch?”

The old man choked on his breath, clearly taken aback by my crude words. I bite my lip, preventing a fit of laughter from erupting out of my chest. Erik cleared his throat, recovering quickly from his shock. “No, that would be… inappropriate.”

“Ah, have you had sex before, E?”

His deep intake of air made me giggle loudly. I knew he had no relatives, no wife or girlfriend. He’s been working as my bodyguard for seven years now, not even taking a day off.

“I did.”

I wasn’t expecting him to answer truthfully. I intend to make him uncomfortable, which I hope would cause him to trace back our tracks, back to the limo.

“Uhm, was it good?” I asked, genuine curiosity twisting my attempt to provoke him further.

“You silly child,” he hissed, giving up on my teasing. “It won’t work this time so stop asking me unladylike questions.”

“You’re no fun,” I huffed, smiling as the clearing came into view.

My heels stabbed on a few dried leaves, piling like skewered, unhealthy vegetables, so I had to remove them. Erik offered his forearm, giving me something to hold on to while I took off my shoes.

“I was wondering, Miss,” Erik asked as I stood on my bare feet. The cold grass tickled my toes while I plucked the skewered leaves one by one, crushing each out of my expensive shoes. “Where’s your gift for Sir Calvin?”

“In my dress pocket.” I held onto his forearm again, putting on my shoes.

We walked side by side through the clearing, halting a few times to evade the passing guards like they were mere street passers on a casual day. It helps that this manor is practically an extension of my house, knowing every hidden exit and safe passage like it was a kid’s obstacle course in a park.

“I don’t even want to ask what it is,” my accomplice grumbled under his breath. I chortled, gazing at the old man with a telling squint in my eyes.

The loud rock music breaks the silence of New York air as we get closer to the main house. Screams are getting clearer, chatter and scent of wild party evident in the air. I dread what the outcome of the Luciano manor would be in the morning. Knowing Calvin, he’d probably have everything cleared before his parents arrived from their business trip to Sicily.

We headed straight to the rear entrance. But seeing that guest crowded the kitchen as well, I had to stop and think of a way to get into Calvin’s room without getting caught.

Their security might have allowed every drunken student from our college to pass through, but I’m sure none of them will give me the same leeway. My parents are the coolest in the world, apart from the fact that I am forbidden to party, that is.

In my deep thoughts of how to get in, I didn’t notice that a guard caught a glimpse of me.

“Miss Zia,” he called, whatever his name was. I hate that everyone in this manor knows who I am. Sometimes I just want to blend in with the crowd like a chameleon. “What are you doing here?” The young guard wearing the same attire Erik has on approached us.

Think Zia… fast.

“Hey.” I approached him before he could call it in. “Uhm, I’m just here to see Calvin… please don’t-” I gasped, seeing Erik choke the security guard while I rumbled with my words. “E?!” I hissed. Panic coursed through my system, watching him drag the breathless guy behind the bush that surrounds the manor.

“What?” Erik rolled his eyes, a cute manner he does when he’s annoyed. “Your word has no power here. Can you climb to his room?”

I smiled, realizing he was indeed helping me. “You’re the best, E,” I giggled, sauntering further through the east side of the manor where Calvin’s room is located. It’s on the third floor but rock climbing is a pastime of mine, so it’ll be easy for me to reach it, and safer it seems.

Reaching our destination, I hand over my shoes to Erik. They serve no purpose anymore even if they complete the sultry look of my smocked mini dress.

I began climbing, setting one foot on the windowsill while my opposite hand reached for the upper sill. This part of the manor remained closed off to the guest, because it’s where the residential rooms are located. The Luciano’s are particular with valuing their privacy.

Without sweating much, I reached the ledge of the second floor and breathed out as I paused on the balcony. Erik was still on guard down below, holding my shoes. I gave him a salute when he looked up, making sure I was safe. I continued to climb, using window sills and ledges as my leverage, until I reached the balcony of Calvin’s room.

The lights are off from all the adjacent rooms and I plan on waiting for him here, enjoying the gentle icy breeze swaying my hair. I stood on the edge of the space, giving Erik another salute, a signal for him to disappear for a while.

Luciano manor has a better view of the city that never sleeps. I inhaled deeply, relishing the beauty of the New York City skyline.

My hands burned a little from the climb. I love it; I love every second of exerting effort in gaining what I’m aiming for.

Basked in the darkness, not even ten minutes into my waiting mission, a commotion broke off from Calvin’s room. My heartbeat doubled at the thought of finally giving in to my body’s desire.

Calvin and I have been together since I was sixteen, the beautiful outcome of being betrothed to him. A lot of women in this modern time might reject the idea of arranged marriage but not me, because I actually love my husband-to-be and he loves me the same.

The lights remained off, but I was sure that he’s the one who entered his room. The balcony doors are open, allowing the cool breeze in while letting the sound out. His laughter crooned, sending jolts of electricity through my entire body.

This is it. We’re finally doing the deed.

One foot in front of the other, I padded across the platform to enter his room but froze when I heard another laugh - a giggle - a flirty one - following Calvin’s.

The girl’s laughter stopped, and a moan followed. The sensual sound of mouths sucking one another echoed louder than the blaring music on the west side of the manor.

My heart, my poor heart, is breaking. I can hear it, it’s louder than the church bell on Sunday morning.

~~

AN

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