When the cab slowly entered the Velvet District, my heart began to race again—but for a different reason entirely.

The Velvet District was one of the most exclusive areas in the city. It was home to

some of the wealthiest individuals in the city, and if you lived around here, then it was not out of the ordinary to bump shoulders with a celebrity or two.

The cab drove past rows of extravagant mansions until it reached the barea /bwhere the towering luxury apartmentplexes were located. It slowed down in front of a towering ss–and–steel structure that practically screamed luxury.

“We’re here, ma’am.” The cab driver announced as he parked right in front.

bThank /byou so much. I smiled at him, scanning the barcode he provided for the payment.

“Payment received.” He confirmed as his phone beeped almost immediately.

I stepped out of the car, my heels clicking against the smooth pavement as I made my way toward the building’s revolving doors.!--

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“Wee ma’am” The security at the door greeted me with a smile,

Thank you.” I smiled back.

The lobby was just as elegant as I remembered, polished marble floors, crystal dropping chandeliers, and the kind of quiet that came with being soaked in wealth and privilege.

1 walked straight to the reception area. Here, you had to announce your arrival unless byou /bwere ba /bresident’s approved guest.

The ce feels more like a five–star star restaurant. Security was tight–one of the many reasons I liked this ce.

“bGood /bmorning, ma’am. What floor are you going to? The receptionist asked, shooting me a warm, professional smile

“Seventy–ninth floor, Apartment AI responded.

It was the second–tost floor, the penthouse being the final one. I still remembered how bummed she was bwhen /bshe couldn’t get the penthouse suite because someone else had paid for it just seconds before we arrived.

“What’s your name, please?”

b“/bAlina Dawn” I told her, silently praying to God bthat /bI bwas /bstill on the resident’s approved list.

I honestly didn’t bknow /bif she would let me up if I wasn’t–not after how 1–treated her in the past.

“You can head right up, Miss Dawn. The receptionist said after a few seconds, making me release a breath of pure relief.

Thank bGod /bI was still on the blist/bb. /b

“Thank you” I shot her ba /bgrateful smile and made my way to the elevator,

“Enjoy your stay.” She called after me.

Listening to the calming instrumental music ying inside the elevator as I rode up to the seventy–ninth floor did absolutely nothing to calm my nervesb. /b

The ride felt longer than usual, but I knew that was just my anxiety getting the best of me. Luckily for me, no one got on during the trip. I had the elevator and my twirling thoughts all to myself.

There were only two apartments on the seventy–ninth floor. bAs /bI bwalked /bdown the bimmacte /bhallway toward Apartment A, my steps slowed. My palms began to sweat. My hands bstarted /bto shake, my heart was racing and my head was pounding.

bGet /bit together, bAlina/b. What’s the worst that can happen?” This was my poor attempt at pep–talking myself.

“Well, the worst that can happen is her throwing water on me and screaming at me to leave.” I countered myself.

Honestly, bit’s /bwhat I deserved.

ay back toward the elevator–only to stop.

“Maybe bthis /bwas a bad idea,” I muttered, turning around and bmaking /bmy way

6:27 AM

I didn’t sneak bout /bof Lucian’s estate and risk Lucian getting furious with me just to go back without achieving anything

“Come on, Alina. You’re not a chicken. You can do this.” I told myself, turning back around toward the door.

Anyone watching me in this instance btalking /bto myself would probably think I was binsane/b. I was just d there were only two apartments on this floor, no one else around to witness my breakdown.

“Ah, fuck it.” I muttered under my breath, band /bpushed the doorbell

I held my breath as bI /bwaited.

It felt like hours passed, but it was really only a few seconds before I heard muffled rustling from the other side. Then the door opened revealing fiery red hair. A soft face that looked like it had just bwoken /bup.

Her eyes widened as soon as she realized who was standing in front of her.

“Alinab, /bwhat the hell are you doing here?”

Talia

My voice cracked, heavy with emotion, as I threw myself into the arms of my best friend.

And then the waterworks began.

“I’m so d to see you,” I said between hups, hugging her tighter.

Talia had remained loyal to me until her death in the past life, and it was all because of me. But now, I was going to make things right.

I was going to protect her.

“What’s going on? Why are you crying?” Her tone wasced with confusion as she slowly began to pat my back infort

The simple action only made me cry harder.

“Alright, let’s take this inside before my nosy neighbor gets a new topic to post about.” She said, pulling me into her apartment and closing the door.

Her neighbor was a famous celebrity blogger, and Talia didn’t get along with her at all.

No surprises there.Talia bdidn’t /blike anybody.

Her apartment was just bas /bI remembered, it was ssy, spotless, and decorated in ba /bstyle that screamed luxury. She led me to the bcouch /bwhile I continued to cling to her, and even when she tried to gently detach herself, I only clung tighter.

I just want to go get you a ss of water. I’ll be right back.” She assured me

Reluctantly, I loosened bmy /bgrip, and she disappeared for a moment,ing bback /ba few secondster bwith /bba /bbcold /bbss /bof water in her hands.

“Here.” She bpassed /bme the bss/b.

I took it from her and gulped it down in one go, only then realizing how parched I was.

“Thank you.” I smiled at her, my eyes fixed on her face as though afraid she would disappear if I blinked.

“Your makeup is all messed up.” She pushed ba /bbox of tissues across the table toward me before sitting bon /bthe bcouch /bopposite.

My ruined makeup bwas /bthe least of my worries, but I took the tissue anyway and dabbed at my bface/b.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, just staring at each other, until she finally broke it.

“There’s something weird about you. I can’t wrap my fingers around it.b” /bbShe /bscanned my face, as if searching for something. But when she didn’t find whatever it was she was looking for, she broke eye contact and leaned bback /bin her seat. “bYou /bknow what? I honestly do not care, And why are you at my house losing your shit?”

Her lone was cold. Hostile.

I wasn’t surprised. I had expected it.

“Talia__”

“No, hold on.” She cut me off sharply, her hand raisedb. /b“If I remember correctly, you told me to never show my face to you again if I didn’t ept your rtionship with that scum, Adrian. So, why then are you here in my apartment, my space?” She folded her arms across her chest, her voice quivering ever so slightly. “Because let me tell you–my opinion about him, or your rtionship with him. hasn’t changed since thest time we spoke.”

Talia’s beyes /b

Pain.

held anger.

And most of all disappointment.

My heart broke. The urge to cry returned, stronger than it was before.

“I was wrong.” I said softly.

“Listen, I couldn’t care less what kind of a person you think- WAIT WHAT?!”

宙