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As I reach my car, I fumble with the keys, my hands shaking with adrenaline. With one last glance over my shoulder, I slide into the driver's seat and peel away from the curb.
What the hell have I gotten myself into? What was supposed to be harmless bit of fun has transformed into my worst nightmare.
My thoughts whirl like a tornado of confusion and regret.
Enzo. My father's best friend. A man almost twice my age. There's no one who could have been a worse candidate to move on with, and yet I'm drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Knowing it'll end up in my own demise but risking it all for a moment of fleeting pleasure.
It isn't like the signs weren't there. Even if he wasn't my father's best friend, he is still trouble.
Silvano's warning rings through my head. He told me that Enzo isn't all that he seems.
What else do I not know about him? Do I even know him at all?
I reach the hotel room, getting the slightest bit of relief for being away from all the madness.
My phone is buzzing non-stop.
Enzo. Dad. Enzo. Enzo. Dad.
I never once pick up. I can’t face either of them right now, not after what just happened.
I need a distraction, and I turn to the only thing that I know will help.
My work.
It’s proven useful before to restore some semblance of calm when my world is falling apart. It might just help again now.
I open up laptop and turn to the pile of videos waiting to be edited.
But as I sift through the footage, frustration gnaws at me.
There he is again.
Enzo.
He’s in almost all of the videos I’ve taken. It’s like no matter how hard I try, there’s no escaping him.
It’s crazy how looking back, things were much simpler. Before shit hit the fan. The two of us laughing together, his handsome face showing annoyance when he realizes I have the camera on and then playing along anyway.
I shut my laptop, throwing it to the side.
That’s what I get for mixing business with pleasure. Even at work, I can’t escape the one thing I’m trying to run away from.
My phone begins to ping again. This time, notifications demanding my attention.
With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I check the comments on the video I last uploaded.
What a slut. I’ve heard she’s sleeping with the owner.
Social climbing her way to the top. Some people stop at nothing.
Ugh… what does he even see in her?
Some of my oldest followers are trying to defend me against the criticism, but the trolls don’t stop.
How do they even know about Enzo? No one knows we’re seeing each other. He’s done a great job at keeping that a secret.
As I continue to scroll, things take a turn for the worse. Several of the influencers are posting against Enzo.