chapter 4
Hate
I gazed out at the endless stretch of highway, my eyes feeling heavy with fatigue. Damien's text had been cryptic, to say the least, simply sending me the location of our meeting spot without any explanation. And what a spot it was - a 6-hour drive into the middle of nowhere. I couldn't fathom what kind of "fun" Damien had planned that required such a trek.
As I drove, the hours ticking by at a glacial pace, I found myself growing more and more irritable. Why had I agreed to this? I should have just stayed home and enjoyed a quiet night in. But no, I had to go and indulge Damien's whims.
I pulled into a gas station to refuel and grab a snack. As I wandered through the supermarket, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Why hadn't I brought Malcolm, my driver, along for the ride? At least then I could have relaxed and enjoyed the scenery.
I settled for a bottle of water and continued on my way. The GPS informed me that I still had another 3 hours to go before I reached my destination. I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my tired eyes. This was going to be a long night. And to make matters worse, I had to work tomorrow. Or at least, I hoped I wouldn't have to. There was no way I could drive all the way back home and then drag myself to the office. I made a mental note to call in sick, or better yet, to see if I could work remotely. Anything to avoid that grueling drive again.
I smiled wryly to myself as I thought about my situation. Technically, I was still an employee at the company, but in reality, I was the future boss. My dad had left me a vast inheritance, including the company and four others, before he passed away. I was still under training, learning the ropes and getting familiar with the inner workings of the business. But even if I didn't show up to work for a week, or even a month, I knew I wouldn't be fired. I was the heir apparent, the one who would eventually take over the reins of the company. My absence might raise a few eyebrows, but ultimately, I was untouchable.
I pulled over to the side of the road, exhausted from the long drive. I had been behind the wheel for over 5 hours, and I still had a ways to go. I set my alarm for 30 minutes and leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes.
As I rested, my mind began to wander back to Liam. I missed him terribly, and the pain of his absence still felt like a fresh wound. I wondered if he ever thought of me, if he still loved me. The uncertainty was almost too much to bear.
My phone buzzed, breaking the spell. It was a message from Damien, with the address of a building and a room number. I raised an eyebrow, confused. What was going on? Was Damien hosting some kind of sleepover party? I couldn't imagine what kind of "fun" he had planned that required such secrecy and mystery.
Despite my reservations, I knew I could trust Damien. He had been my friend for years, and he had always looked out for me. He was a bit of an enigma, always keeping me guessing, but his heart was in the right place.
I started the car and continued driving, my curiosity piqued. What did Damien have planned, and why had he chosen such a remote location? I couldn't wait to find out.