Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(17)

“She seems to be on the right path,” I still insist. But Roy is my best friend after all, and he looks quite worried. I ponder further. While I’m no expert on teen girls, why not at least give it a try? I come up with a compromise. “Look, here is what I can do for you. As her godfather, it’d be a pleasure to spend more time with Petra, but I won’t repeat to you anything she tells me unless I deem it necessary for her protection. And I promise to keep that Emma away.”

“Deal, my friend, deal. Thank you so much.”

We clink our glasses in a toast.





Chapter 5





Manhattan, May 18, 2019

Petra Van Gatt





The clock’s showing twelve thirty a.m. The room is dark and the entire house quiet. I’ve already taken two pills to sleep, yet my eyes are wide open. I’m tired of trying to fall asleep. Unfortunately, my thoughts are strong enough to keep me awake. Was it the right decision to skip that dinner? The fear of missing out (that FOMO everyone at school used to talk about) is consuming me for the very first time. I’ve never questioned my declines to parties, events, or dinners. And with my agoraphobia, I’ve always felt it was the right thing to do.

Except this time.

I heard Dad’s tone at the end of the call, weird, cold, and maybe even saddened. Is Dad disappointed with me? Did they talk about me over dinner?

I check my phone. No messages.

Since I can’t sleep, I decide to call Emma. “Hi. Emma?” Loud house music in the background makes it difficult to hear anything. “Emma?” I ask louder.

“What’s up, babygirl?” Emma’s tone is more playful than usual. “Where are you?”

“I’m home. Trying to sleep, but—”

“Hey, folks! Let’s pick up Petra! She’s awake,” she screams over the top of the music. “Babe, we are going to an amazing after-party. You need to join us. It’s in a secret basement!”

“I’m not sure about that… I just wanted to talk…”

“We’ll talk there! Let’s go, girl! You need some fresh air!”

I roll my eyes. “Okay, fine. I’ll grab a car and meet you there.”

“No, we’ll come get you, since we’re going to a secret address. Put some sexy clothes on for once. I’ll be there in ten minutes.” And just like that, Emma hangs up.

Holy shit! I can’t believe I’m gonna do this. I’m horrified, but at the same time so excited to run away for a special night out. The adrenaline is surreal.

I rush to my dressing room, scan my clothes, and try to find some sort of inspiration for tonight. A white fitted T-shirt with V-neck seems like a good option, maybe paired with a black jacket to give a more mature look. And with those black heels I’ve got somewhere, it’ll be perfect. I wear my favorite dark skinny jeans and put on some eyeliner and mascara, some blush, and a darker-than-usual lipstick. The ensemble is missing some jewelry, but I don’t have any. Oh! I recall Emma once offered me a black velvet choker. It should be somewhere. Dad has forbidden me to wear it as it looks way too promiscuous for his taste. Ah, I found it! I smile as I put it on my neck, then give a glance in the mirror. Very nice, Ms. Van Gatt. You look twenty-one for sure.

My phone beeps. It’s a text from Emma. She’s waiting downstairs.

Alright, you can do it. I sigh, but I’m decisive. Time to take some risks. Dad might not even come home tonight. Everything will be just fine.

I leave the house, locking the door behind me just like it was. My head’s going wild. I take the elevator, and while I’m going down, I pray I don’t see Dad at the entrance. My heart starts thundering nervously as I watch the digits decreasing. Oh God…

The elevator reaches the ground floor and the doors open.

Please, please, please…

Fortunately, there’s no one in the hallway. Phew! I run as fast as I can outside, look quickly up and down the street, but don’t see any car.

“Babygirl, here!”

I follow the tipsy voice sitting behind a male figure on a black Harley-Davidson. “What? Don’t tell me this is how we are going to the party?”

“Oh, such a baby. It’s alright, the party is not far. Don’t be scared, my friends know how to drive them. Hey, Mike! You take Petra on yours, alright? Be careful, motherfucker. She is my bestie, and I love her.”

I’m more than frightened to sit behind a total stranger on a motorcycle to go to a secret party in a basement, but I trust Emma and need some serious distraction. I sit behind Mike, he gives me a helmet, the motor roars, and we drive away from Park Avenue.

It’s my first time on a motorcycle, my first time running away from home, and my first time dressing so daringly. Feeling the fresh wind on my body and face is such an incredible sensation. Even the sound of the engine feels like freedom!

After a short twenty-minute ride, we stop in front of a traditional Chinese noodle shop. We take our helmets off. Mike is tall and fit with short blond hair and blue eyes, as well as a serious stare and figure.

“A noodle shop?” I ask, intrigued.

“Just follow us,” replies Mike in his accent, maybe Eastern European.

We go inside, greet the old Chinese lady eating a pack of noodles at the counter, and head to a back door leading to what looks to be a warehouse.