The CEO'S Plaything

ng it up with a snap that echoed around the empty room. She coul

a taunting reminder of her boyfriend, Andrew, en

inked. This wasn't a home anymore-it was a trap. The only way to free herself was

with Andrew's apologies. Each text dripped wi

breath, "Blame it on the devil, huh? Typical. Take some responsibility, you son of a..." H

g her feet, sensing the tension in the air. She cradled him against her chest, b

htening until Fluffy whimpered softly, jolting her back to reality. Sky took a deep br

o anywhere but here. Her flight left tomorrow morning, and she couldn't wait. With

the ceiling, with Fluffy curled up beside her. Sleep had been elusive, repla

minders of her missed shifts. She ignored them all. Her lif

bellion. Sky sat up, a sly smirk playing on her lips. "What am

aster at the thought, a pulse of defiance drowning out the pain. "Screw y

thing bold, something unforgettable. After a moment, she found it-a s

ith each tug and adjustment. She finished the look with a

r baggage behind, one drink and

*

ing splash of vodka. Tonight, she wasn't just drinking; she was dr

om, the low buzz of conversation and the occasional b

r booth, sharing a moment that was painfully familiar. They whispered

ky picked up her drink, downed it, and slid off her barstool, heading

e, planting her hand firmly on the surface and

, her voice low and dripping wi

the boyfriend, her stare hard, "you'll probably end up screwing her sister on the same couch you promised her forever on. Because that'

m. He blinked, caught somewhere between anger and embarrassment,

ulators-betrayers. He's got you fooled, but give it time. He'll tea

ky turned on her heel, leaving them staring after her as she made her way back to her seat. She could almost

tly before tilting her head back, feeling the burn sear down her throat. One. Two. Three. Four. She barely tasted them, drinking to

lothes looked wrinkled and damp, as if he'd been pulled out of a dirty l

g a waft of breath that was so foul, she recoiled instantly. Her hand shot

d something crawl in your mouth and die? Seriously, i

ing together in confusion. "Just wanted to say h

n cover it. If your breath could talk, it'd be begging for a toothbrush, mouthwash,

lost. Honestly, I'd rather get hit by a bus

something under his breath before lurching toward the exit. Sky smirked, shaking her head, satisfaction flood

rained the glass in one smooth gulp. "Another round," she ordered, her voice steady, though a sl

*

eight in her chest. She swayed in time with the beat, her head bobbing, letting the rhythm carry her

n her phone buzzed, shrill a

long enough to see his name. Andrew. She snorted, rol

reaching through the phone and tugging her back to him. She c

phone and held it up, practically yelling to be heard ov

and angry. "What the fuck, Sky? Why did you sel

ubble up as she shook her head,

her own sister on the couch where we used to sit and make plans for our futur

to Brittany, or better yet, go back to whatever ho

one filled with false authority. "Where a

orless sound that was more pain than anything else.

phone, her fingers trembling. "You're a pathetic excuse for a human being, Andrew. A

t smaller, hotter, like the walls were closing in on her. She didn't want to hear his voice agai

name still lingering on the screen. With a surge of anger, she raised her hand and hurled the phone

pered to herself, swallowing the words along with the burning liquor, letting the w

nd made her way toward the bathroom. The dim hallway was narrow

luorescent light flickered overhead, casting shadows on walls smeared with god-knows-what. Brown stains

ing her nose and pressing her hand ov

old it in any longer. "Just in and out," she whispered to herself, f

elt a sharp yank from behind, her scalp screaming

floor with a sickening thud. Stars exploded behind her eyes, and the world