Echoes Of The Heart

Chapter Four

Hello everyone, hope y'all are sane! Welcome to another chapter of Stephlon's story. I know you're going to love it! And don't forget to vote and comment. I'm sure Vinney would appreciate your feedback. Ready to dive in? Here we go!

*Drum rolls!*

Stephlon stood frozen, her brain unable to process what she was seeing. She watched as the two men exchanged a stiff smile and a nod, but she couldn't make sense of anything. Her nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists,  silent tears and snot running down her face.

Thankfully, her tears and snot went  unnoticed by the two men, who continued their conversation as though nothing had happened. She quickly turned her head, wiping her face clean. When she turned back, she put on a calm expression, hoping no one would notice the turmoil she was feeling inside.

But inside, her pain was a raging storm, tearing at her insides like a hurricane. She masked it with a calm expression, but the storm of rage and sorrow raged within her, begging for release. But this wasn't the time or place for it, so she held it in, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth.

She thought she had healed. She thought she was fine. But it turned out that her pain had only been pushed down, waiting for the right moment to come bubbling up to the surface. That moment was now, but she had to keep it hidden, held back by the people around her. She clenched her teeth, trying to contain the storm of emotions building inside her.

She wanted to destroy the world and burn it off, she wanted to run off the edges of the earth and hide out her face and stop feeling the pain and terror her head was going through. How dare he show his face to her? How dare he smile? How dare he look at her? How dare his existence? She imagined herself grabbing him by the hair, pulling him to the floor. She'd smash his head against the wall, again and again, until he was nothing but a bloody pulp. She could almost taste the satisfaction, the release of all the anger and pain inside her. But she knew it was just a fantasy, a dark dream that would never come true. She had to contain herself, to keep the raging beast within her at bay.

She thought she was fine!

"Well, I'll leave you to it," Mr. Montgomery said, smiling at both of them. He placed a light hand on Stephlon's shoulder, giving it a quick pat before turning and walking away. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the hall, fading into the distance.

Stephlon was silent. She watched as Mr. Montgomery strode away, his footsteps echoing in the hallway, growing fainter and fainter until they faded into silence. She felt a rush of sadness, a swirl of grief and anger, a storm of pain and loss. She looked at the man who had been like a father to her, who had helped her through the darkest times of her life.

Mr. Reichenstein watched from the sidelines, studying Stephlon's every move. He saw the pain in her eyes, the raw sadness that she was trying to hide. But he could read her like an open book. The love he saw in her eyes wasn't the love of a lover, but the love of a daughter for her father.

As soon as Mr. Montgomery's figure disappeared around the corner, Stephlon slowly turned to face the man who had ruined her life. She looked at him, saying nothing, her eyes cold and unreadable. The silence between them was thick and heavy, like a stone in her chest.

"My name is Gunther Von Reichenstein," he said, his deep baritone voice resonating in the hall way. He held out his hand for a handshake, his imposing six-foot-five  frame towering over Stephlon's petite five-foot-seven frame.

He was dressed impeccably in a white dress shirt, the top three buttons undone to reveal a hint of his chest. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms. His black slacks fit him perfectly, a accentuating his long legs. He wore a gold Gucci watch on his wrist, it's intricate details catching the light. He was the picture of understated luxury and elegance.

"Stephlon Hamilton," she said, taking his hand in hers for a firm handshake. Her face was stony, a faint smile barely touching her lips. But inside, she was reeling. She had made her decision. She was quitting this job, getting away from this man and his madness.

"What a lovely name," he said, his smile stretching wider, still holding her hand in his firm grip. Stephlon looked at him in disbelief, unable to believe that he would say something so casual and pleasant after all that had happened. She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it tight. His grip was soft, but unyielding, and she couldn't free herself from his grasp.

"May I give you a brief overview of the resort and what you need to know?" Stephlon asked, a slight tremor in her voice. She spoke quickly, hoping to steer the conversation away from the subject of their past. She could feel her heart racing, her free palm growing sweaty. She was desperate to get out of this situation, but she knew she had to maintain her composure.

Gunther knew she was avoiding every possible contact with him, and he let go of her hand, though he didn't want to. His desire to hold on to her was strong, but he decided to give her space.  He stood beside Stephlon, watching her intently as she spoke. His eyes never left her, taking in every gesture and expression. When she stumbled over her words, he noticed the way her lips pouted in an adorable way. When she talked about Mr. Montgomery, he saw the way her eyes lit up. And when she got excited about the paintings, he noticed the way her hands fluttered in animation.

In the worker's room, everyone was buzzing with nervous energy. They talked in hushed voices about the new owner, wondering if they would still have jobs. The day shift workers were jumpy and unfocused, except for Chef Damino and Lady Louisa, who remained calm and professional. Lady Louisa was helping Chef Damino prepare for the evening meal, her movements precise and unhurried.

The day shift workers continued to work, despite the tension in the air. Chef Damino oversaw the meal preparations, making sure everything was perfect. Lady Louisa was a steady presence, calm and collected as she carried out her duties. But beneath the surface, they were both nervous about the changes that were coming.

Hey readers! Thanks for joining me for another chapter of Stephlon's story. I know you all loved it! Well I hope so! And don't forget to vote and comment. ❤️✌️