Chapter 6

Kate's POV

“Boo!”

“Argh!”

Raucous laughter.

Well, what wouldn't one pass through just because she has a best friend? Here I am, going through an existential crisis, and all my best friend and her friends could think of was waiting outside the elevator to scare me.

“Seriously?” I asked with narrowed eyes. I wasn't amused.

Vera rolled her eyes. “You've only leveled up for about a few hours and you're already narrowing your eyes at me? And here I was, dreaming of pranking the stuck up, douchebag supervisor one day and daring him to petition me if he has the guts.”

I took a deep breath and swallowed my exasperation. This wasn't their fault. They don't know after all. They think that I'm in a happy marriage.

Vera frowned, studying my face. “Are you alright? Is he asking you to go off work for your honeymoon?”

“Yeah, because Kate is such a workaholic,” Mae sneered.

Well, maybe I didn't mask my exasperation so well. I forced a smile. My best friend had always been there for me. I shouldn't be lashing out at her just because an asshole got on my nerves.

“I'm alright. It's just…I gotta take care of some things and I'm feeling the stress already,”

“Aww! She's already a high society lady and can't stand our presence –”

“Shut up!” Vera snapped at Jane.

Jane was my rival and we never saw eye to eye concerning a lot of matter. She rolled her eyes at Vera, but wisely kept her mouth shut when my best friend glared at her.

Vera took my hands gently. “Sure. I'm not married yet, but I know it can be such a stress. If he didn't give you the day off, I am. So go and have some rest, alright?”

As she spoke, she punched the button for the elevator.

Grateful for having such an understanding friend, I got into the elevator and smiled at her.

“Thanks, Love.”

Few minutes later, I found out Vera was absolutely right. I needed a good rest a hell lot than I thought. I was almost nodding off in the taxi.

The instant I got into the house, I sought out the bed and collapsed, completely exhausted.

I realized that the past week had been incredibly stressful. Besides having to come up with a new design for a campaign the company was about to run and dealing with the grouchy supervisor in charge of the project, I also had to prepare for my wedding with Max, all while dealing with my step sister and her evil mother.

It was little wonder Vera had practically abandoned her apartment to me, sleeping over at her boyfriend's for the whole week just so I can have some peace at the end of each day.

Sighing, I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

*****

An indeterminate time later, I was woken by banging on the front door. Deciding to ignore whoever it was, I lay back down.

But it soon became clear whoever it was wouldn't be leaving any time soon. Grumpily, I sat up from bed and walked to the front door.

My eyes still felt heavy. I haven't had enough sleep yet.

When I opened the door and saw the slime standing at the other side, his face nearly obstructed by a bouquet of roses, rage bubbled up in me.

Had I disturbed my sleep just because of this pig?

Angry, I slammed the door in his face. Or I tried to anyway, but his foot wedged between the door stopped me from doing so.

I opened the door a little, prepared to smash it against his feet. But I felt that was a little extreme.

Sighing, I opened the door again and scowled at him.

“You don't know the meaning of no?” I snarled at him. “Get out before I call the cops on you!”

Max grinned. “You wouldn't. You love me too much,”

Oh, really?

I looked down at his foot. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to crush it after all.

“Look, Kate. You know I love you –”

“You don't!” I interrupted him.

“I do!” Max shot back with an intensity that took me back. Taking the opportunity, he stepped beyond the doorway, officially entering the apartment.

He stepped close to me, leaning down as if to kiss me. I took several steps backwards.

And that was when I noticed his eyes. The obsession and ferocity in them told me Mad wasn't here for polite talk. He seemed a little bit…. unhinged.

I gulped, avoiding his stare. The bouquet he had brought lay on the floor now as he glared at me. He took a step forward, crushing stalks and petals under his feet.

My eyes darted around the apartment as I looked for something that could serve as a weapon.

Max was close now, just three feet away from me.

“Stay back!” I tried to keep my voice steady, but it shook despite my efforts.

“No,” Max responded. “I love you, Kate, can't you see that? And you love me too. Why stay mad?”

The words sounded reasonable, but the tone wasn't. It was as though he was speaking to an unreasonable five year old. As though trying to cajole me into forgetting he ever cheated on me with my step sister.

I lounged, aiming to grab the flower vase on the center table. But Max was faster. He snatched it before I could, throwing it with such force that it smashed against the opposite wall.

Unbalanced, I fell on the couch.

He grinned lewdly at my sprawled form, his gaze coming to rest on my stomach region where my blouse has shifted to reveal naked skin.

“I see it now. You want the same thing I gave Arya, huh? Don't worry. I will love you till morning if that's what you –”

His speech was cut abruptly as he crumpled to his knees, his eyes wide. I scrambled out of the couch to stop him from crashing on me.

When I looked up, there was Dante, his face as dark as hell.

“You're not even prepared yet,” he said, looking at my worn blouse and baggy shorts with clear disdain. “You want to keep our guests waiting?”