I even had messaged Thomas Winters to attempt to have him drive me into the city to visit Candice, but even my driver is too busy for me!
Instead, I sulk in my room, bored as fuck. A whole mansion at my disposal, and I find myself bored.
I think about messaging Jaxson, but feel a tinge of guilt. Chase turns me down, so I ask out his roommate? Seems messed up.
My whole life is messed up.
Chase or Jaxson?
Why can’t I decide to save my life? Both are extremely handsome and charming in their own ways. Chase has a way with words, where Jaxson is very sweet with his.
If I’m being completely honest, part of me likes the attention and power I seem to have over both.
I feel my mind racing a mile a minute, and decide the rest of my body should join. I put on my runners and decide to go for a jog around the property.
I wave goodbye to Marta before leaving the guesthouse. I don’t even bother locking the house now. A few days ago, I would have been scared shitless even being in the guesthouse after the note I found in my room, but Arthur Cain—despite being many things—is certainly good for his word.
When I walk outside, a tall man dressed in a dark suit speaks into a microphone. Arthur Cain has doubled his security staff on the premises after what happened. Part of me would be flattered, if I didn’t know his true intentions as to why. He just received a reward for helping a poor ghetto girl from the city. How would it look if said ghetto girl hightailed it out because of threats she received while on the Cains’ property?
He had to protect his investment.
I stretch a bit, when another larger security guard runs awkwardly up to me. “Not again,” he says under his breath.
“I like to run,” I say with a smile. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
The security guy looks at me coldly. “Twice in a day. Stop thinking.”
I laugh. “They can assign me someone who is up for a run if they want.” Before he answers I break out into a light jog. The security guy keeps pace with me for several minutes.
“Just don’t go so fast,” he says between breaths. I pick up my speed on purpose. “Ugh, not again.” The large security guy gives up and hunches over, speaking into his microphone to the rest of the staff.
Why they assigned him to me specifically, I have no clue, but I do like messing with him now. Bart, I believe his name is. This is my third run with him assigned to me, and each time, he gives up earlier and earlier.
I think next time I put my runners on, he won’t even bother trying.
I run past the gym and onto a path leading into a wooded area around the mansion. My last few runs, I took turns choosing new paths to try. I’m surprised by how many paths they have surrounding the area. I spot another security guard stationed on the pathway.
He smiles at me when he notices no one else around me. “Where’s Bart?” he asks.
“He may need CPR,” I say, laughing. The security guard shakes his head and says something into the microphone. I continue my run.
I make it to a small clearing in the woods, where I haven’t been before. I wonder to myself just how big their property is.
Large spiral gates surround the small area. I slow down to a walk when I notice a large headstone almost hidden beside a willow tree. A small opening in the fence leads into the small burial ground. The large headstone looks to be made of a light-colored marble, with cherub angels on either side reaching into the sky. The large lettering on the headstone is unmistakably Jenna Cain.
Lance’s mother, I realize.
Suddenly, I hear a voice and almost jump. Lance comes out from underneath the willow tree holding a long-stemmed pink rose.
“I’ve tried everything,” Lance says to the headstone. “Nothing will work.” He places the rose in front of the headstone. “I failed.” He pauses and wipes at the side of his eye. “You would be ashamed of the man I’m becoming.”
“So, don’t become that man,” I hear myself say bitterly. I’m surprised I even said a word given, where we are. I should know better than to pick a fight with Lance Cain, especially when he’s visiting his deceased mother. Maybe I’m becoming something I would have been ashamed with as well.
Lance turns his head slowly and lowers it. He laughs to himself and shakes his head. “You’ve got timing,” he says. “Did you follow me?”
“Just out for a run.”
He looks around. “Where’s your security?”
“About a mile or so back,” I say with a laugh.
Lance shakes his head. “How much of what I said did you hear?”
“How much are you trying to hide?”
He bites his lower lip and comes closer to me. “You’re not going to hit me again, are you?”
I stare at him coldly. “Depends how close you get.”
He comes up closer to me, until our hands are almost touching. I put my hands on my sides to keep them away from him. “Why haven’t you left Ryland?”
I roll my eyes. “Why do you want me to leave so bad?”
Lance looks around again. When he seems to think we are alone he whispers, “To save you.”
“Save me from the rich lifestyle? You don’t want me to be like you? Jealous?”
“I’m trying to help you. You’re in danger.”
I sigh. “You’re something, Lance. First, you publish my diary for the whole student body at Ryland Academy. Then, you try your little scare tactics with the notes and the car that was following me.”
Lances shakes his head more aggressively as I continue to speak. He puts his hands on the side of my face and brings me closer to him. “Stop—just stop talking. We don’t have much time.” He loosens his grip and lowers his hands to my
