Girl, where are you? Alex said that you’re out of town? What’s up with that? You’ve gotta come to his Halloween party! Gonna be so good! Miss you, girly!
Alex’s Halloween parties were some of the best she’d ever been to. The guests went all out with their costumes, and Alex didn’t disappoint with the decorations. Every year, he hired professionals to transform his home into a haunted house equipped with actors and actresses in the industry.
By the poolside, the hottest DJ would keep the guests dancing until the morning hours. Alex probably had a plethora of illicit substances to keep his guests happy.
It was always over the top and extravagant, and once upon a time, she used to love being a part of it. To her surprise, she didn’t feel regretful at the prospect of missing it this year. If anything, she was ambivalent—even as her hands shook slightly at what she used to do at those parties. Her eyelid twitched despite not caring she might miss the biggest party of the year. Or it could be a possible networking opportunity to advance her career by rubbing elbows with important individuals in the industry.
Truthfully, she should probably feel more panicked about the future of her career than she did at the moment, but her only worries included being right here in Willowbrook with her family.
She was absolutely hiding out from the inevitable fallout, but at least the people who knew and loved her surrounded her—since long before she had becomeGia the supermodelorGia the movie star.
Though her back hurt from sleeping on an old mattress, she hadn’t woken up with nightmares of hands tightly gripping her throat as often since she came home. A reprieve of sorts, which had proven to be a balm for her soul. No doubt it was a temporary relief before reality caught up with her, but for now, she was thankful.
Gia
Yes, I’m still out of town for a bit. Don’t think I’ll be going to his party this year! Miss you, too.
Her message only had one pink heart emoji instead of the twenty Gemma had sent her, but it was short and to the point.
“Gia! Unlock the front door!” Her mother’s shout echoed in the empty restaurant from the back, forcing her back to the present.
“On it!” Gia swiftly shuffled forward. She flipped the sign toOpenand unlocked the front door. Sunlight flooded in when she opened the shades. Light reflected off Thao’s picture frame in the corner, and she whispered a quiet “good morning” to her brother.
It would never feel real that Thao was gone forever, but being back in Willowbrook made it feel like he was still around her. Like his presence was larger here.
The morning crowd was small and quiet as they trickled in for a late breakfast or a cup of freshly brewed Vietnamese coffee. Between the restaurant and the local coffee shop, Sip Happens, the town had a great selection of delicious gourmet coffee. There were no coffee chains in sight. The closest one was in the town over, Bramblewood, which was more “hip” than Willowbrook.
At around lunchtime, the crowd picked until nearly every table was full. Between Minh and herself, they could get every table in and out in under an hour, which kept a good flow in the dining room. At one point, Minh called her over to introduce her to Diem, who moved to town a couple of weeks ago and had inherited Willowbrook Inn.
“Gia, it’s so nice to finally meet you! I’ve heard so much about you.” Diem’s eyes twinkled with a knowing glint.
“Oh, um, don’t believe everything you’ve heard.” Gia’s forced laugh was awkward, which only made Diem’s smile widen.
Though their introduction was brief, she felt a near-instant connection to Diem and agreed to meet her for coffee this week. Throughout the afternoon, she ran into people who recognized her and gushed over her return to town. It was an odd feeling to be welcomed back without the shock and awe most people felt at seeing a celebrity.
Do the townspeople not know about my movies? Or do they just not care?
She thought the lack of recognition would annoy her, but she found it freeing. To everyone, she was simply the daughter who had been away too long, and people were overjoyed she was back in town.
With a pep in her step, she answered the chime of the bell and rushed to the kitchen to retrieve the next order. As she was walking past a table, an icy hand gripped her arm tightly. His cloying cologne, which reminded her of rich mahogany, rooted her to the spot. Gia froze as memories resurfaced unbidden.
Large hands tight around her throat. Couldn’t breathe. His eyes, dark and enraged. So angry. So evil.
“You’re going to regret this, you dumb bitch.”
“Sorry, ma’am. Could you please get the check?” An older gentleman held her arm in his grasp but frowned at her unusual reaction. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to grab you. Are you okay?”
Heart thrashing, she slowly turned toward the perpetrator. The memories faded as her brain caught up with his words.
No, she was definitely not okay, but she nodded jerkily.
“Let me get the check for you,” she squeaked out before fleeing the dining room.
With trembling limbs, Gia rushed to the register and retrieved his check. She had to force herself to practice her calming exercises before her legs felt sturdy enough to carry her across the room. When she approached the table, she felt his curious eyes burning through her skull, as if trying to read her reaction. She didn’t wait for his payment before excusing herself.
Trying to maintain a facade that she was unaffected, Gia walked briskly to the restroom. Locking the door behind her, she collapsed against it. With her hand over her heart, she felt the way it continued to race in her chest like she had run a marathon.
Is it hot in here?
