Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose.-Chapter 58: The spa isn’t mine.

Leilani.

I woke up to find Jarek gone, and myself? I was lying on the couch, a blanket draped over my body, and a letter stating that he left around 6:00am this morning because he had to go home to clean up and return to the company later today.

I let out a sigh and went up to my bathroom for a shower, but today when I checked in the vanity mirror for my reflection, I appeared better.

I was healthier.

The scars on my body were mostly faded, and there was a small bounce to my steps.

Showering, I contemplated doing hard drugs. Maybe that way, whenever they were drilling holes into Chalice’s body, I wouldn’t feel it. I would be numb.

"But drugs take away more than what it gives you." Maya’s voice echoed in my mind. And frankly, I missed her.

I missed talking to her. Training with her. I wished she would come to NYC soon.

Getting ready was quick. I dressed in a crisp white shirt tucked into a grey pant that hugged my hips a little too tightly. I then completed the look with one of my favorite black Louboutins and a black Hermes bag. My hair was styled into a ponytail, and girl, I felt like a badass.

Not a badass in the sense that I appeared sultry. No. Badass as in I wanted to conquer the world— my family’s and the Stormborn brothers’ world if I was being sincere.

I arrived at work about a quarter past eight and by the time I got in, I found out from Yvette that my prototype had been accepted by every major shareholder in the company. They liked it, and they wanted us to set its launching into motion as soon as possible.

That news filled me with all the joy anyone could ever imagine and the fact that I was thiss close to bringing everyone from my pathetic past to their knees had me riding on a high that was too addictive to pass on.

By Friday afternoon, we got an email from the Landry’s: "They were pulling out some of their shares from De’storm to partner with us."

Even the Schumacher’s too. And the Crowe’s.

I fist bumped the air and beamed a smile at Jarek who was equally excited; "This is what I’m talking about!" I squealed.

"Oh Leilani, you’re a fucking genius! A badass princess. You’re every fucking thing you think you are. And more!" He replied, planting a long and hard kiss on my forehead.

I laughed awkwardly and shimmied out of his hold, squealing as I sashayed back to my office.

—

By Saturday morning, I was a mess. I was totally drained and tired from working like a machine the entire week. Eyebags circled around my eyes like sacs and my dark circles were so obvious one would think I had them spray painted.

I walked into a popular spa that morning for my appointment dressed in my favorite lululemon set. My hair cascaded down my back and waist like a wrung out mop stick and my fucking limbs protested with each step I took.

However, I had just confirmed my appointment with the receptionist and sat at the waiting area when a familiar vanilla scent filled my nostrils. I frowned, closed my eyes as if pretending to be asleep and left my sunglasses on as I let my head drop carelessly to the side.

Chalice strolled in like she owned the place, dressed in a two piece that was more suitable for a gym than a spa— not like she ever goes to the gym.

Her eyes latched onto me as soon as she stepped in and I knew this because I immediately felt a burning sensation on my skin.

"Isn’t that...?"

"Leilani?" A deep masculine voice finished for her, and my heart raced when I recognized it to be Gavin’s. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

He snorted derisively, not even bothering to hide his disgust for me, and scoffed; "Let’s leave her be. She looks like she’s asleep."

"But why would she be asleep by this time of the day?" Chalice argued, "...let me say hello to her."

"Chalice... leave her alone. She’s a viper."

"But I want to talk to the viper."

"Why?"

"She’s my sister. And I still think she’s the reason I was never given that job at Frostclaw."

At the mention of that, my heart raced like a faulty sports car, going at over a thousand miles per second. I braced myself for a smack, a hit... you know, anything that would scream: ’typical Chalice behavior!’ but I got none of those.

Instead, she patted my shoulder gently, her voice small as she whispered; "Sister! Leilani!"

I froze for a second, my brows furrowing in confusion as I wondered what she was up to. But when I remembered that we were in a public space, and that Gavin was only some feet away, I realized what this was. She was putting on a show.

And I’ll give her a fucking show.

I yawned, shrugging off her arm still resting on my shoulder and picked up my phone as if peeking for the time— I wasn’t. I was making a recording of our conversation.

I drawled sleepily; "Chalice? What are you doing here?"

Her eyes flashed with something unrecognizable before she flashed me a smile and tipped her hair back. "I came for a massage. My entire body’s been stiff for a while now and I don’t know if I’m coming down with a fever or if it’s just the pregnancy."

The pregnancy again. She was flaunting it in my face. Waiting to see if I’ll be affected by it... waiting to see if I’ll react.

Well, hell no.

I grinned. "Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. I never knew it works that way. You could also exercise if you feel like it. I’m sure that should help as well."

"How would you know? Have you been pregnant before?"

I bit down on my tongue to fight the stupid retort about to spring free and dropped my head. "No. I haven’t. So you don’t need to take my advice."

Someone yelled out my name just then to inform me that it was time for my trip to the sauna, but as soon as I got up, Chalice clamped her hand around my arm. She smiled so bright, I was sure the people around us would go blind and said; "We’re family. Can we go to the sauna together."

Oh, hell no!

I shook my head in disagreement, turning to flash the lady a smile of my own, then turned to Chalice; "No. You can go for the massage first."

"But I want the sauna. Maybe that’s what my baby needs. I feel so uncomfortable."

"Chalice, n—" I began to say but before I could finish, Gavin cut in, his voice as sharp as a blade.

He spat; "Don’t be ridiculous, Leilani! This isn’t your spa. And Chalice should be able to do whatever the fuck she wants. She’s pregnant."

"I do not dispute that... I just do not want her coming with me!"

"But I want to!" She cut in, now full blown crying.

Gavin scoffed, his rage was palpable. I took one look at Chalice and snorted. "Fine."

And with that, I walked away from them whilst my phone still recorded the entire exchange.

I couldn’t shake off the fear that something was about to happen. That I was walking into her trap by allowing her to come with me. But what could I do?

This truly wasn’t my spa!