When I woke, it was in the middle of the night, and my head was pounding heavily. I never drank this much before; it was always wine at business parties, and, within limits, nothing more or less. Impressing Isabella is hard, and there are so many side effects; at present, my pounding head. Such an event would only happen if I thought of grabbing every opportunity to impress her. I shouldn't be the hero every damn time. I groaned when the pounding got severe. God, I need to do something about it.
I opened my eyes, which were still heavy, and I was in shock when I saw the surroundings. This isn't mine or Davis's room, and I abruptly sat on the bed. The room is cold and unfamiliar but less threatening. Should I sigh in relief? Where am I? My mind started calculating the possible consequences that might have taken place in my drunk state, but Davis and Dante were there. At least, Davis would come to my aid at any time. Somehow, I know I was not in any danger, but the unfamiliar surroundings are not letting me relax.
I got up from the bed and started inspecting the room. It was huge, too big, I almost concluded, as a house if the king-size bed were not in the middle of the room. Too many doors, windows with grey curtains, whitewashed walls, a TV, a couch, chairs, and mini libraries at three corners. Too many books; maybe I ended up with a person who is a scholar or at least holds two to three PhDs. Out of curiosity, I approached the set of large books that were dumped in racks. My eyes scanned the book's name, the author, and pretty much everything related to running a company. I huffed when once again, I was surrounded by how to run a company, how to crack a deal, how to deal with investors, how to earn profit, how to cover the loss, how to maintain the price of the company in the stock market, and so on. This person is a genius or is already one. I loathe the word "company" and everything related to it, but my future is sealed as a CEO. I know I should embrace it wholeheartedly someday, but not any time soon.
I had urged to check every detail of this room, but my pounding head, which increased a little after I went through the stack of books, is holding me back. I scanned the room thoroughly, and my eyes fell on the nearby water bottle and a tablet. Thank God, I found treasure in a room full of business. I concluded I was safe, as no one would be this thoughtful.
One door was slightly ajar, so I made my way to the door without giving a second thought. As I opened the door, I saw a person sleeping on the chair; my legs moved on their own accord, and not any person; Dante slept peacefully. He told me that he has a problem with sleeping, but here, he was sleeping peacefully, or maybe exhaustion took a toll. My eyes fell on the surroundings, and I approached the railing for a better view. With no doubt, it was a big mansion, surrounded by trees, and it had acres of land altogether. It's too cold, peaceful, and not so welcoming, but still, there is some familiar touch. There was resistance, something holding me back, but at the same time, there was some pull. It's frightening; I never felt this way before.
I have a habit of judging a new face without knowing them thoroughly. When I meet any new face, my instincts kick in, and I outright judge them. I feel it in my gut, and I have always been proven right.
I love my family without a second thought, not just because they are my family, but because their love for me is pure and genuine. My dad is too overbearing, but in a good way. My mom loves me the most. She will skin anyone alive if someone harms me, and she can do anything to keep me safe and sound. I have been really blessed with good parents, especially with a mother like her. My sisters, both the first and second ones, spoil me to the core, and the third one is a different story. We usually quarrel a lot; we have our differences, but I know she loves me, and I love her too.
I felt a familiar feeling when I met Davis for the first time. I didn't feel like becoming friends with Tristan outright, but he was persistent. I proved right when he acts like a jerk most of the time. The guy at the party who was speaking with Dante, he too felt familiar, but I didn't like him. I never met the guy; I am too judgmental, and I don't know why I feel that way. I hate the guy. I hate everything about him. As they were conversing, Dante's attention was on the guy. It all feels familiar, something cooking between them, and it's genuine. It's none of my business; it's not like I am jealous, but I didn't like any of it a bit, and I don't have any reason behind it. I just don't like it; that should be that simple, but it's not as simple as I am not finding any reason.
And there was Dante, a whole different story.
A kid with so much maturity, not only physically but on every level. It's hard to treat him as a kid when he looks so mature, stands out of the crowd, and grabs everyone's attention. Where Dante is present, there will always be a crowd, ogling, eyeing, and doing everything to grab his attention, but he never cares about any of it. It's strange when teenagers crave these types of attention. My initial reaction when I saw him was 'wow' because he grabbed the attention of the whole party, and he was too handsome at only 13. When we introduced to each other, I felt like he was lost, carrying too much on his shoulders and wanting to be left alone. I wanted to help him, to reduce his burden at the same time, I felt like I needed to run for my life. I dislike him for no reason and hate him, and I think I have many reasons for it, but I don't know what those are.
I turned toward Dante, who was sleeping peacefully. I sometimes didn't like his peacefulness, and me being the reason behind his peacefulness. I don't like him suffering, seeing his eyes that didn't have any life and were always empty. He was going through too much apart from sleepless nights, and I just don't like it, but also, I don't want that to stop. Too cruel of me, and I was never this cruel to anyone.
Since Dante's entry, I have started dealing with a split personality. I feel so much, and I always do the opposite. I didn't have any intention of getting close to him, but when he knocked on my door, I couldn't stop myself from opening the door wide open. I was pampered and spoiled in my family, but I don't know how to apply the same formula to anyone; besides, I didn't want to apply it. So, friendship was not on the menu list, but when Dante extended his hand, I couldn't stop myself, and my protective nature kicked in. I always remind myself that he is just a kid to soothe my dwindling ways. And there is Davis, who hates Dante for no reason, and Davis is usually a soft and kind guy with a welcoming nature.
Dante's chest was rising and falling, slowly. His T-shirt button was undone, and his chest was visible a little, which didn't make sense when my eyes were glued to the spot for a while. And again, I wasn't this. I always fear staring at the chest part of any girl; here, my eyes were not moving from the spot. He is having a good night sleep without consuming any alcohol. His cologne has not mixed with anything, perfect and familiar. I have drunk too much for the night; nothing would explain my behavior other than that. Yup, definitely. I want to pour water on the sleeping figure; I do not like the way his body is relaxing without care for the world, but at the same time, I like watching him the whole night. Oh god, I am definitely drugged by someone at the party.
I just want to go and sleep like him without care in the world, but could I leave him like this? I huffed when my soft nature kicked in; these days, it flourishes at every given point. I dragged Dante to the bed, who the whole way didn't stir or even open or blink his eyes. God, I can kill the guy and run. I made sure he was covered and occupied the space beside him when I should have called my driver and gone home. It's past midnight, I reasoned to myself, and drifted.
I woke up because of birds chirping and a humming sound, which was intense as it was early morning. I groaned at that and blinked my eyes rapidly. This was the first time I woke up to a humming sound. I would always wake up before or late in the morning.
I wanted to brush my hair, wipe my face, and loosen my pants, which felt heavy due to a morning call that I was pending to attend. I tried to bring my right hand toward my face, but something held me tighter, so I brought my left hand to wipe the snot that was on the side of my lip and cringed my face at that. I hummed and lay on the bed for a few more seconds. I was reluctant to lose the connection with my bed, as I felt so relaxed and lazy.
Once again, I tried to bring my right hand to comb my hair, which was falling on my face, and my hand was stuck; someone was holding it tightly. I abruptly sat on my bed; shakily, I opened the bedsheet, and Rowan was sleeping by holding my hand. My mind blocked, and I panicked before I knew, and by screaming, I was on the floor. I held back another scream when my ass kissed the ground as a groan from Rowan was louder.
"For the love of God, stop making a big deal every fucking time you touch me. Touching is not a bloody crime in this country." Rowan shouted those words, and my brain short-circuited, and my eyes were wide at his scream, his profanity, and by seeing his anger.