The next week passed in a blur, a whirlwind of emotions and events that left me both exhrated and unsettled


    Mom had recovered enough to return to her corporate job, her strength and resilience shining through as the resumed her daily routine. The house felt Theber with her presence, her footsteps echoing in the hallway, the familiar tter of dishes in the kitchen, and her soft humming as she prepared for


    wasforting, grounding me amidst the chaos that had be my life.


    Kiki had been staying with us for over a week, with only one day absent. His presence was both afort and a source of tension. Comfort because we were growing close, and I had started to think of him as a good friend. This sense of humour for one was really interesting


    We were intimate every night for the days, he stayed, and a chas it embarrassed me to admit, I enjoyed every second of it. It felt like a release, a way to shed the stress and bundem that weighed me down. I had even started initiating things, surprising myself with my newfound boldness


    However, Niki had been getting rougher with me, his touches more intense, his grip firmer, Chen leaving bruises and marks, Not that I wasining In fact, I found myself craving it, the pain mingling with pleasure in a way that was both confusing and exhrating, I knew he was doing this because he left my reaction towards it was positive. Perhaps this was why I hadn’t quite enjoyed sex before because I had a pain kink? The thought made me blush, but I couldn’t deny the truth in it.


    Despite the highs, there were <b>lows</b>. Dmitri and Lagar had kept their distance after the incident, but I still felt eyes on me whenever I went out. I had asked Nikol about it, and he confirmed that he had someone keeping an eye on me, insisting he wouldn’t stop. But the paranoia persisted, a constant weight on my shoulders. Why did it feel so different now? So much more sinister?


    It was Friday evening, around 6 pm, and we were having dinner together–mom, Niki, and me. Niki had brought takeout, seafood soup, grilled and fried seafood, and garlic bread. The aroma filled the dining room, mingling with the soft clinking of cutlery and the hum of conversation.


    As we me k cleared his throat, drawing our attention. “We need to go on a trip to celebrate the opening of the fifteenth branch of SIRROCCO in Beacon His he announced


    I paused, my spoon hallway to my mouth. “Is it going to take longer than a day?”


    He shook his head. “One night will be enough. The opening is in the morning, and the anniversary g for Forever 99 is at night<b>, </b>which we will also be attending”


    I nodded in understanding but then remembered.


    “I don’t have anything suitable for a g. Unless you count the dress bought for my high school promughed at the thought of wearing that pooty purple princess gown. Yeah, George was sometimes too supportive of my <b>choices</b>. I was a fan of my little pony oven as a teenager and so that had been my dream dress. Mom was skeptical about me wearing that abomination, maybe if I had listened to her then I wouldn’t have looked like aplete


    Niki smiled, his <b>eyes </b>twinkling Ho’d gotten you’re not too tired.” He said.


    en his ha


    shands on my photo album, so he knew exactly what I was talking about. “We can go shopping now it


    1 looked at my mother, who only shook her head. “Go. You should rx. I can take care of myself


    Niki turned to her, his expression warm. “Would <b>you </b>like


    ou like <b>to </b>join <b>us</b>, Beatrix?”


    Sheughed, waving him off. “I’d rather not be a third wheel It’s Friday night; you t


    two should go on a <b>date</b>, even if you’ve already had dinner, Maybe


    Once we finished dinner, leht, Niki driving un downtown to another store. I looked at the <b>name </b>SIRROCCO and recognized it <b>as </b>the Vetrou’s fashion brand. The staff greeted us politely as soon as we entered not giving my green 1 shirt <b>and </b>white washed jeans another nce, Niki walked alongside me, scanning the racks with a disceming eye


    Instead of waiting for me to select something, or going to sit on the sofa and use his phone, he walked beside me<b>, </b>after a few <b>minutes </b>he pulled out a dress he liked and showed it to me. I grimaced at the bodycon dress in light blue.


    13:11 F, 25 JULA


    pett be asked, vabing in rubros.


    Loka alle un perfortable. And hight Ledded.


    He chuckled, “Okay somethingfortable and flowy”


    <b>DUM </b>


    He formed around and led me to the other side of the store, where the dresses were less boujee, more wearable, but just as gorgeous, with darker and menevihtaet velers, the picked out a dress in wine red velvet, with a sweetheart neckline lined in thinestones and off the shoulder sleeves, and a long tea length skirt. Why brows booked up at shook my head, smiling


    no way that would <b>look </b>good on me it was too….expensive looking. I wasn’t used to dark colors. Especially not rad


    Niki looked at me, moving closer. “Just try it on for me, alright? If you don’t like it, we can buy something else.”


    tbit my lip, wanting to argue, but then sighed and took the dress over to the changing room. As I looked in the mirror, I couldn’t help but feel another shiver up my spine framed, turning around. I was inside a room, then why did it feel like someone <b>was </b>still watching? I was thinking too much, wasn’t


    hoped) was as put on the dress.