Deception

Chapter Twenty Three

I woke up to the pounding in my skull and a sour taste on my tongue. My limbs felt like concrete, and I was almost afraid to open my eyes.

The sheets tangled around me were warm, but my body was coated in a cold sweat remnants of tequila, poor decisions, and something more dangerous lingering beneath the surface.

I forced myself up, head throbbing with every movement. "Jesus," I muttered, stumbling out of bed. My dress from last night was on the floor, heels kicked off next to the bed.

Every piece of my outfit that sat in-front of me screamed instant regret. I pulled on the oversized shirt I found hanging on the chair and shuffled out of my room to find the girls.

As I walked out into the main area I saw Julie laid up on the couch, still in her dress but wrapped in a blanket, hair a mess, heels still on. Sophie was in the kitchen, chugging coconut water like her life depended on it.

"Look who decided to rise from the dead," Sophie teased, handing me a bottle.

Julie groaned dramatically sitting up and chiming in . "Last night was insane. My head is splitting in two."

"It was wild," Sophie agreed, leaning against the counter. "I remember dancing... and shots... and then... nothing."

"Yeah, same," Julie said. "How the hell did we even get back?"

I hesitated, sipping my water. "The driver helped us upstairs. I called him once I realized you were both gone."

"Godsend," Sophie murmured.

I decided not to tell them about the club getting shut down and Constance storming in like a world wind. Or to mention the way she dragged me out with one hand clenched around my wrist and the other around my pride. That was a memory I wasn't ready to share if not now then never.

"Anyways," I said, trying to change the subject, "you two need showers, electrolytes, and then... spa day. It's our last day here before we go back. So lunch and massages as promised, my treat."

Julie perked up. "Now that sounds like recovery."

We all shuffled off in our own directions. I started the water in my bathroom, hot enough to steam away the sins. I stepped into the shower, letting it scald my skin, trying to scrub away the lingering scent and thought of her that seemed to run rampant through my mind.

As I was getting ready I heard my bedroom door click shut. Thinking it was maybe Julie or Sophie I called out.

"Be out in a second."

But instead of hearing one of the girls her voice hit me like a whip. "Don't rush on my account."

I froze mid-step.

Constance.

I looked up sharply, heart slamming against my ribs.

I turned around and opened the door to the room nerves running through my body not knowing what to expect. Was she mad, angry, fuming maybe who knows.

She stood against the door, arms crossed, her dark eyes tracing every inch of me. My breath caught. She was dressed for the morning, sleek and composed, and completely out of place in this chaos of hangovers and half-dressed messes we were surrounded by.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, voice sharper than intended. "Actually how did you even get in?"

She raised a brow. "Scarlett, let's not be naive my name's on the booking. Of course I was able to get in." She said in a cocky tone.

My posture faltered. "Well... me and the girls are about to head out we're going to the spa, so you wasted your time coming up here." I said in a defensive tone too scared of what she might counter with.