Outside, the icy air infiltrated my nostrils, making it hurt to breathe. The streets were still filled with people enjoying the nightlife of Austeen. I rubbed my hands together to keep the cold out, still searching for the men with my blurry vision.
Just then, I felt something warm wrap around my shoulders, pulling me into the same warmth I'd felt inside the bar. I turned and looked up at those hazel eyes once again. Apparently, it was the only thing I could make out from his face.
"Where do you live so I can take you home?" came the voice, sounding calm with a tinge of irritation.
Home?!
"I don't want to go home. Just leave me alone, would you?!" I said, trying to pull away, but he grabbed my shoulders and spun me around to face him, making me stare into his eyes.
"Look," he began, fully irritated now. "I don't have time for this. Tell me where you live so my driver can drop you off."
I went mute, staring at him.
Why was he mad at me? I never asked for his help. Why was he acting this way? I should be mad at him for interfering in my business.
"And if I don't tell you where I live, what will you do, huh?" I asked, falling against his chest and feeling him wrap his arms around me to keep me steady.
I could feel his eyes roam over my face, then lower to my lips.
I gulped again. Even with the fogginess, I could make out his luscious lips. I should blame the drink. Yeah, it's the drink, because I suddenly leaned in, brought my face dangerously close to his, and whispered:
"Make love to me tonight."
Leah! I yelled internally at my boldness.
I felt his hands stiffen on my sides.
"Where do you live?" he said, slowly taking a step back as if I'd suddenly turned to hot coal. One of the bodyguards opened his car door for me to enter.
I felt my face stretch into a beautiful smile. I looked from him to his guard, then to the open door.
I smiled sheepishly again, turned to the car, and jumped in, laughing at the top of my lungs. I wasn't in control of my body or mind at this point. It was as if another force had taken over…someone who needed a break. That orphan who wanted liberation from the hardship she'd faced right from childhood.
I watched him through the open window as he picked up a call. After a brief talk, he signaled to his bodyguard, who opened the car for him. He entered the passenger seat. Soon, the driver started the car and sped off.
I placed my head against the headrest, my eyes closed and a smile permanently pasted on my face, reeling in the rich leather scent and the fresh, woody smell coming from him.
I could feel his gaze shift to me from time to time, but I didn't care. I felt so free.
They could be kidnapping me right now, or heading to butcher me, and I wouldn't care.
We drove on for a while as I drifted in and out of consciousness. Eventually, we came to a stop. He stepped out first, and I think he signaled someone to come get me because the same bodyguard came and gently pulled me away, carrying me bridal style into the house. He took me to a room and laid me on the softest bed. It felt heavenly!
I sighed and pressed myself against the pillow, ready to drift off into nothingness when, all of a sudden, I was jolted awake by a sudden realization.
I had a task to achieve.
Grandma!
I immediately flew out of the bed, tripping and falling face-flat on the rug as dizziness swept over me. I held onto the bed and lifted myself off the floor, then staggered to the door.
I didn't know where I was. I accepted that this was the worst plan I could ever have come up with in all my existence. Like, what was wrong with me?! I needed the boldness to do what I'd wanted to do. How could I achieve that if I couldn't tell my left from my right?
I facepalmed myself and trudged forward, looking for my way out. I opened door after door in search of an exit, but apparently, the house was way too huge and had no obvious exit.
This went on for a while until I got really tired. I turned to the next door, hoping for an exit, but no. It was another room. The biggest I'd seen yet.
I slowly walked into the dimly lit room, my head reeling with different images and thoughts I couldn't piece together. I started feeling dizzy again. I had to stretch out my hands and hold onto the sturdy bed frame for support. I then slowly slumped onto the bed, falling back against it.
My eyes stung with brimming tears. I felt a gut-wrenching pain grip the center of my belly, slowly crawling up to my throat and escaping in whimpers through my lips. I picked up the duvet and flung it over me, then bawled my eyes out.
I don't know how much time passed. I must've drifted off because sudden movements jolted me back into consciousness.
For a moment, I forgot where I was. The duvet was twisted around me so badly, I didn't know how to get it off. I began struggling with it, dragging and pulling it from different angles to free myself, but the devil wouldn't budge.
"Get off!" I yelled angrily, opting to use my teeth and feet. Fortunately, I was able to get the evil sheet off me, throwing it as far away as possible before springing up, breathing heavily.
Just when I thought the craziness was over, I looked up and saw someone standing a few feet away from the bed.