Page 62 of Isolation

“Look Rave, as you pointed out, I didn’t have a problem hurting one of my best friends if it meant helping you achieve something better. That’s how little other women mean to me. That’s how quick I am to sacrifice everyone and everything for you. So, it just sucks when you pick other people over me, okay?”

Raven looks stumped. She stares at me as if she doesn’t have a single coherent thought. Neither of us utter another syllable as we tidy up.

“Thank you,” she finally says quietly. “Not for hurting your friend’s feelings,” she quickly adds to clarify. “But for helping me achieve something better.”

I stare at her, surprised by her admission. It takes me more than a few minutes to regain my composure after the turnaround in the conversation.

“At that time when you had offered me money, it made me uncomfortable to accept it because of our history,” Raven says softly. “But things have changed between us. We have both acknowledged it. Presently, I would much rather have you as my business partner if I hadn’t already made a commitment to Alexa.”

“Okay.” I give her a nod, suddenly not feeling so irritated anymore. “I get it.” I give her my own quick admission in return.

Raven seems like she is having the same thought as I am. “Where were these problem solving skills of ours when we were younger?”

“I guess that’s why we had to grow up and meet again.”

“I guess so.” She smiles sweetly and kneels next to the mannequin to pin the dress she is working on. “I should get back to this.”

I give her another nod, and lean over to kiss her on the cheek. “Good night,” I whisper against her skin.

“Good night,” she breathes out, but I don’t move back.

I hover over her skin for the longest time. Her warm, inviting skin. Smell of Vanilla. Some lavender mixed in with it. There is no way I can pull myself away.

It’s the closest I have been to her in weeks. My breathing is accelerating and hers is too. It takes every ounce of my self control to move out of her bubble after almost an eternity has passed.

But I shouldn’t have done it.

I shouldn’t have invaded her space so intimately without notice. Right as I pull away, I see the repercussion of my actions.

Raven caught herself so quickly that I had almost missed it. But I am not allowed to point it out right now; not until she is ready to talk about it.

Raven is still holding the sharp fucking pin, but now it’s lodged inside her fucking forearm. She pierced her skin and dug the pin all the way inside.

CHAPTER 8

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Raven

The staircases leading to the split-level are made in imperial style. No, not like the grand double staircases at fancy hotels. It’s just two flights of walled-off stairs, going in each direction.

Both staircases lead to a foyer type area. This is where Milo set up his home office. Four desks, office chairs, computers, phones, etc., are all set up here.

If you take a left at the bottom of the stairs, you will find a door that leads to the large, open main area. This is where we used to throw parties back in the day.

If you take a right at the bottom of the stairs, you’ll find a door that leads to a small apartment. This area was previously rented out, and currently Milo’s business partners are staying in that apartment.

I am standing by these very staircases, trying to decide if I should make my descent downstairs. It feels like I am interrupting Milo and his business partners at their work.

After weeks of eating every meal together, I have formed a habit where I forget to eat unless Milo and I are together. Which is why it’s weird that Milo chose not to come by today.

I have been working in the study as usual. At five p.m. I realized that Milo forgot about lunch. Chalking it off as an oversight, I grabbed a couple of power bars and went back to work.

When it hit ten p.m, I realized that Milo never came by for dinner either. Before heading back to my room, I decided to check on him in the split-level.

Unsure of the proper etiquette for home-office protocol, I hesitate at the top of the stairs. My decision to take the stairs is made up by the time I hear Alexa’s voice.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I am surprised to find a lively room at ten p.m. No one notices my arrival as all four desks are facing away from the staircase. My focus zeroes in on only one of the four desks.