The Skin Thief

Chapter 43

My alarm screeches in my ear and I groan. I slam my fingers into the screen and slowly open my heavy eyes. My room is still dark. Before I fall back to sleep, I sit up and stretch.

My muscles ache from sitting at the desk for so long and from lack of sleep. In fact, my whole body feels horribly heavy. Still, I force myself to get out of the warm blankets of my bed and stand. I shiver and rush to the shower, hoping it will wake me up more.

I shower quickly then go back to my room and get dressed. My heart flutters with a mixture of nerves and excitement as I remember that I will be seeing Marcus again today.

Because of that, I pick out my outfit carefully. I need to look good, but not like I'm trying too hard. I chuckle to myself as I remember one of Mother's little sayings.

It takes a lot of effort to look effortless.

She isn't wrong. It takes me nearly an hour to get dressed and do my makeup and hair in a way that highlights my beauty without making it seem like that's what I'm trying to do.

I look at my reflection in the mirror. The make-up covers the dark bags under my eyes, thankfully. In fact, the simple black liner makes the blue of my eyes pop. I smile, the pink lip gloss making my lips look soft and plump.

"Perfect," I mutter to myself and adjust the black pencil skirt of the smart dress I wear. Finally, I put on the black heels, grab my coat and handbag, and then leave.

The underground doesn't help with the groggy feeling that consumes me. The unnatural light from fluorescent tubes makes my eyes burn and the screaming of metal on metal leaves my ears throbbing.

Knowing I have to do a full day of work at the office, then a shift at the restaurant really doesn't help either. I let out a long, tired sigh and suddenly, I feel even more tired than I did working at my desk during the early hours.

When the train comes to a stop, I rush out, desperate to get out of the station and into the fresh air. My head aches and my stomach churns from the overpowering smells of oil, soot and metal. The fresh air doesn't help though and by the time I'm sat at my desk, I am burying my head in my hands and regretting all the life choices that led to me ending up here.

My eyes sting with tears.

I want to go home.

I gulp and let out a shaky breath, biting at my lip. I force the tears not to fall. If I mess up the make-up I spent so long doing then I might just give up on this day completely.

Get a grip, Rowan.

I swallow the lump that's formed in my throat and straighten my body, pushing away all the thoughts and feelings of homesickness. Ignoring my emotions and closing them away has become strangely easy since arriving here. I can't decide if that's a good thing or not.

With a sigh, I stretch out my arms, then boot up the computer. I open up the report and start correcting all the errors I made. As I'm nearing completion, the office starts to fill for the 9 AM start.

My heart flutters with nerves as I race to get the report completely finished and sent off before nine.

"Wow, you're here early," Serena says, coming over to my desk.

"Not now, Serena," I snap.

She giggles to herself and walks away. My hands ball into tight fists and images of standing up, walking over to her, and slamming my fist into her face fill my mind.

I let out a shaking breath and force my body to relax.

"Come on, Rowan," I whisper to myself, then curse for saying my real name out loud – even if it was just a whisper.