Chapter 2 Two

EVE'S POV

The golden fingers of morning light slipped through the slats of the window blinds, brushing softly against my bare skin.

I stirred, tangled in warm sheets, my limbs heavy from sleep... and something else.

Last night played like a fractured dream in my mind-disjointed but unforgettable. I wasn't sure what to make of it. My body ached in ways it hadn't before, and yet, somehow, I didn't feel broken. It had been painful-yes-but also strangely intimate.

It was my first time. I had expected to see blood. Every girl I knew swore there would be blood. But there was nothing. Just the silence of morning and the lingering scent of sex.

Perhaps they were just Over exaggerating this first time sex thing.

I sat up slowly, my muscles stretching as I yawned. My gaze swept the room, searching with half-lidded eyes. The sheets beside me were empty– Kelvin wasn't in bed.

The sound of running water from the bathroom caught my attention, easing my worry as I thought that he must be the one in there.

But as the minutes ticked by and the sound didn't stop, a strange feeling crept up my spine.

Twenty minutes.

Why would he still be in there? Is he occupied with something else?

Wrapping the duvet tightly around myself, I padded quietly across the cool tile floor. I knocked on the bathroom door.

No response.

"Kelvin?" I called, my voice uncertain.

Still nothing.

Cautiously, I pushed the door open. The bathroom was empty-steam hung in the air like a ghost, the shower still gushing water into the drain.

My heart skipped.

He wasn't here.

I turned off the shower, my hand trembling. Had he forgotten to turn it off? Or... did he leave it running on purpose?

Where could he have gone so early in the morning?

Maybe he stepped out to grab breakfast or take a call.

Trying to shake off the anxiety curling in my stomach, I decided to freshen up. He'd probably be back before I was done.

But I was wrong.

I showered, dried my hair, slipped into a sundress, and even reapplied my lip balm-all the while expecting the door to open.

But it never did.

My unease deepened.

Grabbing my phone, I dialed his number.

"The number you're trying to call is not reachable..."

I tried again. And again. Same message. Panic crawled up my throat.

I threw on my sandals and headed downstairs to the front desk. The hotel lobby was quiet, save for the hum of the air conditioning and the clack of my steps.

"Good morning," I said, trying to steady my voice.

"Good morning, ma'am. How may I help you?" the receptionist replied with a warm smile.

"I... I came in yesterday with my boyfriend. Kelvin. Have you seen him this morning?"

The receptionist tilted her head, lips curling thoughtfully.

"Oh yes. He left around 6:30 a.m. Said he was heading out and that you knew about it. But from the looks of things..." she gave me a quick once-over, her smile fading.

I blinked.

"Did he say where he was going?"

"No, he didn't mention that."

I nodded stiffly.

"Thank you."

I turned away, dread anchoring itself inside me.

I called his number again. Still nothing. Each failed attempt tightened the knot in my stomach.

What happened to him? Why didn't he inform me of his plans?

Why would he abandon and leave me all alone?

Walking back to my room, various questions ran wild through my mind.

Could it be that he had been with me all this while just to have sex with me, and now he finally did, he has no need for me?.

No.. it can't be. I was just overthinking things. He certainly would be back for me.

As I reached the room and pushed the door open, my eyes fell on the now painfully obvious truth-his backpack, his shoes, his watch-everything was gone.

He hadn't just stepped out.

He had left.

I grabbed my phone with shaking hands and dialed Mary.

"Hello, sweetheart," she chirped. "Now, spill the gist! No secrets"

"Mary, that has to wait. Kelvin is gone. He's nowhere to be seen," I said, my voice barely a whisper.