A Floating Life in a Dream Within Dreams

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On the night the skies above New York lit up with fireworks spelling my name, Orion called me.

Willa, happy birthday. Its a shame I cant be there to celebrate with you again this year.

Just wait for me, my love. Three days from now, on our eighth anniversary, I promise Ill be home with you.

The moment he hung up, the woman beneath him coiled around him like a serpent.

Are you really going back?

What about me?

Seeing the tears welling up in Scarletts eyes, he kissed her, his voice thick with a tenderness hed forgotten was reserved for someone else.

If I dont go back soon, shell start to act up.

But what Orion didnt know was that I would never throw a tantrum again.

Because I had died two years ago.

The voice that answered his call was nothing more than a vocal replica AI I had created for him before I passed.

Orion shifted, pinning Scarlett beneath him.

Well have to be quick. My flight is at ten tonight.

Scarlett stiffened.

Youre leaving tonight? I thought you said three days.

Orions voice was casual, distracted.

Yeah, I decided to go back early. Give her a surprise.

He tilted her chin up and kissed her hard, one hand exploring her body with a rough urgency that seemed intent on breaking her.

I had never seen Orion like this. The man I remembered was so gentle.

I recalled my eighteenth birthday, eavesdropping on a conversation between him and his friends.

Orion, your little princess is finally eighteen. Big plans for tonight?

Look how thoughtful I am. Brought you the ultra-thins. A whole box of ten.

Orion snatched the box and threw it on the floor.

Willas still young. No.

Get lost with your stupid ideas.

After theyd all left, I watched Orion light a cigarette, his body tense with frustration. I opened the door, and he immediately stubbed it out.

I picked up the discarded box and sat across from him.

If you want to, I said, meeting his gaze, Im willing.

For you, Im willing to do anything.

I saw the desire flare in his eyes.

But in the end, he just pressed the still-glowing ember of the cigarette into the back of his own hand.

Im not, he said, his voice strained. I want to save the best of you for our wedding night.

So, Willa, lets get married soon, okay?

I floated beside the bed, a silent observer to their tangled, passionate embrace.

Its a good thing ghosts cant feel heartbreak.

Afterward, Scarlett rested her head in the crook of Orions arm.

Does your good little girl at home play like this with you?

Orion stroked her hair, a satisfied smile on his face.

Willa doesnt know anything about this stuff. Of course not.

When it comes to the bedroom, youre the one who really gets me going.

Scarlett tilted her head up, a playful smile on her face. Then why dont you divorce her and marry me?

The warmth instantly vanished from Orions expression.

When we left for L.A., I made the terms clear, didnt I? I give you a career, you provide me with this. No delusions of grandeur.

A flash of jealousy crossed Scarletts eyes, but she lowered her head.

Im sorry.

I overstepped.

The tense silence was broken by the ringing of a phone.

The drivers voice came through the speaker. Mr. Sterling, Im here. Should we head to the airport now?

Yes, Im on my way down.

Orion pushed Scarlett off him and got dressed with brisk efficiency.

Scarlett bit her lip. When will you be back?

He pulled on his jacket.

Im not coming back. Youve done well these past two years. The resources Ive provided you will continue, and Ill wire you another twenty million.

Take the money, stay here, and focus on your career. Dont come back to New York. If Willa ever finds out about us, you know what the consequences will be.

He reached out and patted her head. As he turned to leave, she grabbed his arm.

Cant you stay? Just for today?

Her voice was a desperate whisper.

The charity auction is tomorrow. You promised youd go with me.

Ive been looking forward to it for so long. Think of it as a proper goodbye.

Orion looked down into her pleading eyes.

I remembered the day he left, three years ago. I had begged him in the same way.

What project is so urgent?

Cant you wait until after my birthday tomorrow?

My eyes were red as I looked at him, feeling abandoned. In the twelve years wed been together, he had never missed my birthday.

But this time, he just pulled a necklace from his pocket.

I know tomorrow is your birthday, Willa, but this project is critical. It wont succeed without me there.

I had this made for you by a designer in France. Let me put it on you. Itll be like Im celebrating with you.

He fastened the clasp around my neck, barely glancing at it before pressing a quick kiss to my forehead.

You be good, okay? I have to go. Ill call you when I land.

But that day, I waited from morning until after midnight.

No call ever came.

At two in the morning, with a storm raging outside, I huddled under the covers and dialed his number. It rang and rang before being sent to voicemail.

All I got was a single, cold text message.

Willa, Im busy. Ill get back to you later.

At the time, I truly believed he was busy. Too busy to even wish me a happy birthday.

Now I knew he had simply been too busy with Scarlett.

Orion looked at Scarlett, hesitating.

Finally, he called his assistant.

Postpone the flight to tomorrow night. I have something to take care of here.

And tomorrow, check in on Willa. Find out what shes into lately. I want to pick up some gifts for her at the auction.

He still had me on his mind.

A shame I was already dead.

At the charity auction, Scarlett, as the events ambassador, was a vision. She commanded all the attention, all the cameras.

Everything was proceeding smoothly until the final item came up for bid.

A rival starlet, who had a well-known feud with Scarlett, spoke up.

All proceeds from tonights auction are for a good cause.

As the ambassador, Miss Vance, we havent seen you bid on a single item. Dont tell me youre not feeling charitable tonight.

Every eye in the room turned to Scarlett.

She smiled, unflustered. Of course not. I was simply waiting for the final piece.

The finale is always the most valuable, after all. I wanted to make a more significant contribution.

Right on cue, the final auction began.

Scarlett immediately raised her paddle, offering a price three times the items worth.

Ten million.

The room fell silent.

Only the rival actress slowly raised her paddle.

Twelve million.

Every time Scarlett placed a bid, her rival followed. The price of the necklace climbed until it reached fifty million.

Scarletts face darkened. She knew her rival wouldnt back down easily. But she had already made her grand declaration. Not bidding now would make her a laughingstock.

As she hesitated, the auctioneer began his final call.

Fifty million going once, going twice

Name a price. Any price. Its mine.

Orion slowly raised his hand.

A collective gasp went through the room, mine included, even though I was just a ghost.

He met the rival actresss gaze, his own languid and dismissive.

Care to match it?

Everyone in New Yorks high society knew who Orion Sterling was.

He bought the necklace without any further challenge.

In front of everyone, he fastened it around Scarletts neck.

This piece suits you, Miss Vance. A gift from me.

And the entire sum will be donated in her name.

He had changed so much.

I remember when he was just starting out, we couldnt even afford a decent apartment. We huddled together for warmth in a damp, dark basement.

Back then, he had slipped a soda can tab onto my finger and promised me the world.

Willa, I swear, I will claw my way to the top of this city. Ill make it, and Ill give you the life you deserve.

Now, he had done it.

He could spend millions without batting an eye.

All to defend Scarletts honor.

Predictably, Scarlett became the center of attention. People swarmed her, eager to offer a toast. She didnt want to drink but couldnt afford to offend anyone.

Just as she was caught in a bind, Orion pulled her from the crowd and into his arms.

Shes allergic to alcohol. She cant drink.

Ill take this one for her.

A sharp pang went through me.

There was a time when he would shield me just like that.

It wasnt that I couldnt drink. Years ago, when his company was on the brink of collapse, I had secretly gone out to network, attending endless dinners and meetings to save him the trouble.

I drank myself into the hospital with bleeding ulcers three times. The last time, a perforation nearly killed me.

I woke up in a hospital bed to find Orion, who was supposed to be on a business trip, sitting beside me.

What are you doing back

Willa, who told you to go out drinking?

Look at you! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? If something had happened to you, what would I have done?

It was the first time in all our years together that he had ever yelled at me.

My eyes filled with tears.

I just I didnt want to see you struggling so much

Did I mess up? Im sorry, I was only trying to help. Im so useless, I just made things worse

Orion raised his hand and slapped himself, hard.

Im sorry, I shouldnt have yelled. I was just so scared. Scared of losing you.

Im the useless one. I couldnt protect you. I swear, I will never let you touch another drop of alcohol again

But he never knew. In the countless sleepless nights after he left, I had lost count of how many times I had drunk myself into a stupor.

After downing the glass, Orion patted Scarletts shoulder.

Im leaving. From now on, if you need anything, dont call me. Contact my assistant, Peterson. Hell handle it.

I cant risk Willa getting jealous.

With that, he turned and left.

But as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he heard her voice behind him.