in a towel, I padded over the floors and out to the kitchen, greeting my three roommates cheerfully, “Hello there, my roomies.”
Scarlett crossed her arms and huffed. “Well, what’s this news you’ve been dying to share with each of us?”
Amused by my sister’s lack of patience, my beaming grin grew wider. “Well, little Miss Grumbles, today, just as I predicted, was the best day ever! Spencer Hughes, my boss informed me that I’m now a fully registered architect!”
“Oh my god, Teddy, that’s fantastic news!” Poppy squealed, embracing me gently. “What you have worked so hard for all these years has finally paid off.”
“Well done, sissy!” Scarlett simpered proudly, throwing her arms around my neck. Unlike Poppy, she nearly choked me in excitement.
I squeezed her back. “Thanks, Scars.”
Poppy’s sunny gaze darted. “So ladies, where are we taking this celebration?”
“What about the Rockpool Bar and Restaurant at Southbank?” Dominique suggested, smiling coyly. “It’s also one of Ari’s favourite places to dine…”
I deliberately ignored her jibe.
“The food is to die for, Teddy,” a grinning Poppy agreed. “But you decide, it’s about you tonight after all.”
I replied with an exuberant laugh, “Okay, Rockpool it is. Girls, time to get all dolled-up!”
Entering the restaurant in high spirits, a towering young waiter with slicked-back butter blond hair and a disarming smile greeted us. Recognition glimmered in brilliantly emerald green eyes, his fixated stare making my heart skip anxiously. To my relief, he remained professional and instead queried, “A table for four?”
We all nodded in unison. He led us to a table with views of the open kitchen where delicious smells wafted making our mouths water and our lips curve upwards in delight as the loud voice of the head chef barked orders across the chaotic space to his staff.
In Dominique’s case, the food wasn’t the only reason. Brazenly flirting, her hungry gaze remained firmly planted on the waiter’s rounded behind and broad back until we reached the table.
“You’re shameless,” Scarlett murmured sliding onto a seat with Dom flopping beside her.
Her slim shoulders shrugged in her usual carefree manner. “Quite possibly.”
“My name is Leon, and I shall be your waiter for the evening.” He gave a friendly smile, his deeply dimpled cheeks flashing at us. “Might I suggest a drink to start?”
“Thank you, Leon,” I murmured taking a menu from his outstretched hand. “We’ll have a carafe of Domaine de l’Arlot Clos des Forêts Saint Georges 1er Cru to start please,” I rattled off in fluent French, surprising even myself. Taking French lessons had indeed paid off. I might learn Italian next.
“Excellent choice, ma’am.”
“Don’t panic girls; I’m paying,” I mused to three very shocked grown women. “Close your mouths, you all look like codfish.”
Poppy giggled as our dashing waiter walked away. “Ma’am?”
Wrinkling my nose at the old-fashioned notion, I leaned my back against the soft leather, checking out my surrounds for any unwelcome visitors. Since my encounter in the carpark, it had left me paranoid, and rightfully so.
Leon returned a few minutes later pouring the wine from a crystal decanter into four glasses, his blended scent of citrus and musk distracting me from my thoughts momentarily.
Sipping my wine, I coquettishly smiled, thanking him. He winked and walked away.
Grasping my glass, I caught my sister’s curious gaze eyeing me suspiciously. “What?”
“Whatcha looking at, sis?”
The corners of my mouth twitched. “Only the view.” I wasn’t lying, well, not exactly.
Scarlett’s eyes rolled, something she did habitually. “Leave work at the office for a change; you’re out celebrating!”
I shrugged and lifted the glass back to my lips, taking another generous sip. “Oh, you know me, I can’t help myself.” Which in truth, I couldn’t. My gaze slid across the restaurant floor, earning yet another eye roll.
The five-star restaurant owned by world-renowned chef Neil Perry was bustling. Not that it surprised me; it was quite the place to eat. In addition to the menu, the interior was just as appealing. Dark timbers, stone, and steel dominated the space. Adding softness and colour were the deep russet leather chairs, bright red bench seats and delicately draping curtains in doorways. The dimly lit downlights tucked under a slatted timber ceiling, provided the textbook ambience for a flawless evening.
In my case, it had presented the ideal distraction, one that I undoubtedly needed.
“I’m positively stuffed,” Scarlett moaned, pushing her empty plate away. “I’ll have to work out twice as hard tomorrow.”
My brows shot up. With bright electric blue eyes and fair skin, Scarlett had always turned heads, earning herself quite the stream of lustful admirers over the years. “Do you even know what exercise is, ‘Miss I can eat whatever I want and not put on any weight.’ Most people are envious of your petite and slender figure,” I breathlessly mocked. I loved teasing my sister, and without fail, I’d always get a bite.
She flicked her long glossy copper tresses over one petite shoulder. “I know I’m gorgeous.”
Lifting the wine glass to my lips, I snorted. “Love yourself much, Scars?”
“Hm, I do. A lot.”
Chapter Two
ON RETURN TO the house, everyone had immediately retreated to their beds, passing out the moment their heads hit the pillow. And unbeknownst to any of them, I had taken advantage of their drunken state and quietly slipped out again only to reappear hours later, my body weary, but satisfactorily worn out.
Flopping heavily onto the soft mattress, I yawned and cuddled into one of the many, probably too many, soft pillows on my bed. My eyelids drooped heavily, and eventually, I gave in to the tiredness, only to have my sleep haunted by terrifying dreams.
A shadowy figure lurked in the dark, his rough whisper repeatedly calling out my name. My legs shifted restlessly beneath the blankets as I attempted to run away from him. It was pointless, lead-filled feet held me down. He closed in, roughly grabbing me from behind. I had to face him — fear engulfing me as I slowly twisted. Gleaming dark eyes menacingly stared back at me. His lips were moving as he whispered my name.
“Teddy…”
I let out an anguished scream and jolted upwards. My dream felt real. It was as if he was physically here, in my bedroom.
Sighing despairingly, my dampened hands pressed against an even sweatier face. Chilling nightmares that had once disappeared thanks to a decently lived life had now returned.
