Chapter 4

I woke up with a throbbing headache, squinting my eyes from the sunlight which struck my face from the white drapes covering the window. Opening my eyes properly, the walls were polished white, and the blue chandelier above illuminated the room.

I yawned and turned, drifting in the scent of lilac which filled the air.

Wait! White walls? I jerked up, my heart slamming against my chest. My walls were pink, not white!

My eyes bulged as I glanced down at my naked body then to my clothes which were in different corners on the floor.

The memories from last night flashed back—the stranger whose name I didn’t get. The lady spilling wine on me and…me kissing him. My cheeks heated. Sex with Ramon never felt that good.

I folded my hand around my breast, my gaze flickering around the room. There was no sign of the man. Instead, I found a bundle of cash placed neatly by the bed side table.

Did he leave me here? And kept cash? He thought I was a slut? My limbs shook. If the ground could open up and swallow someone, then this was the right time.

I stood, wrapped the duvet over my chest and sauntered out of the room and to the living room of the suite. Still no sign.

The elevator dinged and a shoe clicked over the marble floor behind the door, then a knock sounded. My stomach pinged, the hairs behind my back rising. Was he back?

Peeping through the door hole, I saw a young girl dressed in a white uniform. I sighed, my body relaxed.

“Can I help you?” I opened the door and stuck my head out. She stared hard at me, lips pursing into a flat line.

“Mr. Ross said your dress was ruined.” She stretched a black branded bag towards me.

“Mr. Ross?”

She rolled her eyes. “The hotel owner. Colton Ross.” My breath hitched. I slept with the hotel owner?

Lord Jesus. I forced a smile and took the bag, slamming the door shut. Returning to the room, I threw it to the bed, alongside the duvet then dashed into the bathroom.

After I was done showering, I sprayed the fruity fragrance I saw in the bathroom rack then dressed into the white flared silky dress in the bag, before folding the outfit I wore yesterday into it.

With my phone in my bag and the bundle still on the table, I scuttled out of the penthouse to the elevator and outside through the clubhouse. The freezing morning air pricked my skin, sending a tremor through my body.

I stopped a taxi, hopped in and it drove me back home through the icy raindrops that drizzled down the streets. When we reached, I got out and paid him.

Ignoring the trucks and SUV packed by the curb, I wrapped my hand over my shoulder and dashed through the cracked sidewalk, pushing the entrance door open.

I paused. A sense of awareness whooshed over me. Why was the door unlocked? I was sure I locked it.

Muffled sounds buzzed from inside, followed by a woody fragrance. I darted my gaze to the trucks behind me then pulled out a pen from my bag, holding out the pointy edge as I tiptoed in.

Mom sat on the couch, brown boxes scattered around the living room.

“Mom? When’d you come home?” I dropped the pen down, frowning. Strands of her dark hair slapped her oval face as she tilted her head back. Two men shuffled past us, each carrying a box. My gaze trailed from them and stopped at mom again, my brows squished together. “Who are those? And the boxes?”

She stood and rushed to me, pulling me out of the way and into a hug. “Poppy.” She pulled away, squinting her doe-eyes and curling her lips as she gazed at me. Oh no, she only did that when she had made a decision I’d hate.

“Mom,” I called my frown deepening.

“We’re moving.” She pressed my shoulder and forced a smile. “Eugene suggested we move in with him since you know…” she raised the hand with the ring, rotating it in the air.

“We?” I slanted my posture, folding my arms around my chest.

“You and I. Poppy and Vanessa.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes so I exhaled instead. “Mom there’s no we. I’m not moving into your husband's house with you, I’m old enough to make decisions on my own.” I brought my hand down and walked into the living room properly, bouncing down on the couch. “I’m staying back. I have a job, I can manage. I’m not forgetting dad just because you decided to wed overnight.”

She stayed silent. Then walked over to me and sank beside me. “Poppy, we're not forgetting your dad. Eugene is the one who asked that you come with me, you need a father figure.”

I finally rolled my eyes. First I woke up ghosted in a strangers bed then now I’m being forced to move out.

A tight fist twisted around my chest. “This is the only thing that reminds me of dad. I’m staying.” “I already sold this house.”

I jerked up. “You sold this house mom?” What has that man done with my mother? She pressed her lips and nodded. My gaze moved to the men passing again. They were more in number now. My face tightened. “You can’t make such a decision alone mom. I’m your daughter!”

I yanked myself up from the couch, dashing towards my room with my bag clutched in my hand.

“Poppy, just give this a chance. He has a son just four years older than you are. I’m sure you’d get along. The Ross family are good people.”

I froze, my heart slamming against my ribs. “Ross? The mafia family?” I turned to face her. She nodded, her eyes dull. I swallowed hard. “H—his son, what’s his name?”

“Colton Ross.” Mom’s eyes sparkled again, a killer smile warming over her face. “Colt.”

Terror traveled from my neck down to my legs and I stumbled back a step, leaning on the wall. I just had a rebound with my mafia stepbrother.