Reject My Alpha President (Iris and Arthur) novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Iris

The following day is the day of the exhibition, and I still don’t have anything suitable to wear. But after yesterday’s incident, I don’t exactly feel inclined to go out shopping. Plus, it’s pouring rain even harder than yesterday.

The most obvious solution, of course, is to raid my old closet for a dress.

But that’s easier said than done. I find myself standing outside the bedroom door, trying to build up the courage to open it and go inside. Even from here, I can practically smell Arthur’s cologne lingering in the air, and I can see the exact layout of the room if I shut my eyes.

This is the third time I’ve stood outside this door today. The first time was this morning, before breakfast, and I hesitated for a split second before I quickly turned on my heel and went downstairs. I told myself I would just have coffee and breakfast, and then I would go into the room.

However, the second time, I lasted until my fingertips touched the doorknob. Then, I shook my head and hurried away, claiming I had to check on Miles.

And now here I am, standing outside this damn door for a third time. The event is in just a few hours, and I don’t have any more time to waste.

Taking a deep breath, I turn the handle and open the door.

Just as I suspected, everything is exactly the same as I left it. The four–poster bed is still sitting in the center of the room, the same cream–colored duvet is spread across the mattress, the same vintage lamp is sitting on the bedside table.

There are differences, though. Minor ones. This seems to be the one room that Arthur tried to erase me from; the books I once kept on the nightstand are gone, and the bottles and tubes of lotions and perfumes that I didn’t have time to pack before I left are no longer there–likely thrown out.

Taking a step into the room, that one squeaky floorboard creaking beneath my feet as always, I’m hit by the scent of Arthur’s cologne. It’s woodsy and fragrant, like ash trees and campfire smoke, and it makes something warm and pleasant pool up inside of me.