It jiggles again.
Please don't be him. I'm not ready.
I lean forward and listen.
Then, footsteps, and they are walking away.
I let out a shaky breath, my chest heaving. Just a guest with the wrong room maybe. Either way, it's not him.
More time passes, and eventually the lock clicks heavily first, then the handle moves.
This time, it is him.
Maxim storms into the suite. He's radiating violence so greatly that I can feel it before he's even spoken.
The tension, the tightness, and the clear giveaway, his hands curled into fists at his sides.
Some sort of business or political deal downstairs went wrong. It must have.
He loosens his tie and paces the room for a few moments, breathing heavily.
His gaze finally snaps to me.
"Why the fuck are you not dressed?"
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
"I asked you a question." His voice is low, dangerous.
"You." My voice cracks and I swallow hard and clear my throat. "You came back early. I didn't know."
"You didn't know?" He laughs in that condescending way he does. "You didn't know that when I tell you to be ready, you are supposed to be ready?"
"I'm sorry. I'll?—"
"You will what?" He steps closer, towering over me. "You'll embarrass me? Is that what you'll do? You'll walk into that dining hall looking like this, and everyone will see what a disobedient little whore I've been keeping?"
"No. No, I promise. I'll be ready. I won't embarrass you."
He raises his hand.
I shrink into myself, bowing my head, verbally agreeing to everything to de-escalate him.
"I will be good. I promise. I'm sorry. I'll get dressed right now. Please. I'm sorry."
His hand hovers in the air and I can feel the threat, the violence coiled in his muscles, ready to snap.
I close my eyes, bracing for the impact because I know it's coming.
A massive, loud bang hits the heavy oak door and the wood shakes in its frame.
Maxim stops dead and turns toward the door, his face twisting in fury.
Another bang, harder this time, and the door rattles.
"Go away!" Maxim yells, his voice sharp and venomous. "I am busy!"
The banging doesn't stop.