Chapter 14: Keys to an Escape
"F*cking hell!" Rose cursed as she fumbled around, searching for her keys with the dim light of her phone’s torch.
"Why now, of all times?" she muttered, frustration building. She moved closer to the gate, hoping the keys had fallen nearby. Her apartment key was attached to them, and now she was beginning to unravel the carefully laid plan with her carelessness. What if they noticed Naomi’s absence? Her heart raced at the thought.
Rose cursed again under her breath, mentally kicking herself for being so careless. She had always been the reckless one, but tonight wasn’t the time for her usual antics. The whole plan could fall apart because of one stupid mistake. As she searched, her mind raced with worry. What if someone back at the mansion had already realized Naomi was missing? She couldn’t let that happen—not after everything they’d risked.
Back in college, Rose and Naomi had been known as the "Demon and Angel" best friends—complete opposites in every way. Naomi, calm and well-behaved, was the perfect contrast to Rose’s wild and loud nature. While Naomi preferred solitude and comfort in oversized clothes, Rose was the life of the party, always opting for the skimpiest outfits that hugged her frame.
But that was the best thing about their friendship—at least they could learn from each other’s differences. Naomi had a calming influence on Rose, teaching her to be more considerate, while Rose showed Naomi how to step out of her comfort zone, even if just a little. They balanced each other out, and Rose couldn’t imagine her life without Naomi by her side.
But now, as she stumbled around in the dark, trying to keep herself calm, she felt the weight of their risky plan on her shoulders. She had to find those keys and get out of here fast. If they noticed Naomi’s absence, everything would be over.
As Rose walked toward the gate, her anxiety grew. The shadows around her seemed to stretch and loom, heightening her paranoia. She needed to find those keys before things spiraled out of control. Every second felt like an eternity as she scanned the ground with her phone light, praying they hadn’t slipped into some unreachable crack.
When she couldn’t find the keys, Rose’s heart sank. She had no other choice but to leave now and figure out what to do later. Maybe she could call her older brother to pick them up. He could be here in a few minutes, and they’d be out of this mess. She spun on her heel, ready to make the call, but froze when a tall figure appeared directly in front of her.
"Ha!" she gasped, stumbling back in surprise. Her heart raced as her eyes traveled up the figure before her. The man was tall—very tall—strikingly beautiful, with a presence that commanded attention. His intense gaze was locked onto hers, and it sent a chill down her spine.