4 Valeria

4

Valeria

Drink this.

I’ll take care of you.

Sh, it’s okay, Valeria. Fuck, you’re so hot.

It’s okay, a few more—

I woke up with a gasp. Memories of that night playing in my head. The scent of cheap beers, the stench of smoke, the thick air. Sweat sheeted my body as I sighed, running my hands through my pajamas, feeling the satin bedsheets underneath me. I clutched the pillow and bit my lip when I made sure I had my underwear on.

Thank God.

“You are safe, Valeria,” I muttered to myself. “It has been a decade. You are safe. I am safe. I am okay.”

I laid back on the bed, asking Siri for the time. It was half past midnight. That meant I would meet Khalid in a few hours. Cuddling my pillow, I played his latest interview, falling asleep to his deep voice whispering in my ear, soothing me.

***

I was a little nervous after sending the text to Brandon. Rejecting his idea to meet up for another date.

I reminded myself that I had to do it. I wasn’t attracted to him and after the time at hi