His to take

12. Being Carmen

Charlotte

Well, this was definitely a first, I think to myself as I drag Nathan’s semi-limp body all the way to the hotel. The moment the receptionist at the front desk saw me, his eyes widened and he gave me a key before I even open my mouth. No doubt it was because of the man I was holding not myself. Either way, I took it and asked to be shown to an elevator. “Do you need help with Mr. Harold?” He asked and my mind screamed yes

“I will manage,” I say and groan as I adjust him and start to walk to the elevator. He seemed heavier than before and he was mumbling under his breath. I spent more energy than I thought I possessed to get him to the elevator so I had none left to strain to hear what he was saying and honestly I could not give two shits right now. I was usually the one being carried not doing the carrying so I felt ready to pass out in the elevator. We were alone in the elevator and I contemplated letting him go before I heard the unmistakable groan that came out of his mouth. It was followed by a string of apologies “I am sorry I did not mean to… I will handle everything…” and something told me they were not addressed to me.

Before I could make sense of what he was saying, the elevator door opened and I looked up to realize we had reached the floor stated on the card. The twenty-fourth. But the door does not open. I count down from thirty thinking I was just being impatient but after I got to ten and it still did not open, I started to panic. I was going for the emergency button when Nathan opened his eyes “Let’s go to bed” He says giving me a look that causes my toes to curl. I shake myself mentally

“The elevator is stuck” I tell him but he started to shake his head before stopping suddenly. I was sure it had something to do with the headache he must be starting to experience.

“Not stuck” He sighed and put his head back on my shoulder before pointing to the blinking red light on the corner of the elevator “Card” He stated and I put the metal on the card to the light. It turned green immediately and the door opened.

I stepped out unto a foyer and froze in my tracks when I felt the cool unmistakable touch of metal on my forehead. “Who are you?” A masculine voice with a soft European accent I could not place asked and my mouth watered for a moment before I remembered he had a gun to my head

“My name is Charlotte Kingsley. I used to be an employee and…” I tried to turn then let out an involuntary gasp when the gun pressed more forcefully to my head.

How long do you think it will take before they find the body? My subconscious asked causing my heart to race.

“Nathan?” He said just noticing the bundle that was currently threatening to crush me.

“Yea, I think he’s passed out or something” I say and quickly add “I did not drug him I swear” when he inhaled sharply.

I let out a sigh when he dropped his hands and turned to look at the man that was threatening my life.

Holy mother of sexy men!!! I understand now, I was dead. I had been caught by Ren during the wedding and I have been dead ever since because I was seeing angels. First was Nathaniel. And now, this yummy blonde, clearly, semi-Italian specimen that was looking at me weirdly.

Why is he looking at me like that?

“…can give him to me” I heard and realized I had spaced out and my knees were buckling

“Oh yea, sure” I say and gladly let him take the weight that was my ex-boss off my shoulders. But the moment he did, I had another problem as my bladder decided to act up.

“I… um… I” I stammered and the guy just stared at me without speaking “Bathroom” I say quickly so as not to make more of a fool of myself.

But wait, did people still have people needs after they died? I didn’t think so. Which meant I was not dead. Thank God else Elizabeth would freak.

“Are you listening?” A voice cuts through my reverie and I snap back to reality “Follow me” He says and I do.

Even with my head slightly mushy, I still marveled at the house. It had blue and white walls with matching furniture- and I am talking those types furniture they show in home magazines that cost more than I make in a year. Or would have made if I was not fired. The tiles were mirrored-ish and sparkly and the living room we passed was huge. There was a short walkway where the path diverged. On the right was a hallway with, as far as I could tell, two doors and straight ahead was just a dark blue door. I think Nathan’s favorite color is blue. It was mine too.

“Through there. The first door” The man said and I nodded my thanks and headed to the right. I opened the door slowly and let myself in. The room was sparsely furnished with a simple double bed, a desk and a full length mirror. The in-built wardrobe was open and empty. Clearly, the room did not have an occupant. I was willing to bet the furniture came with the house. I opened another door and entered into the bathroom that was almost half the size of the room. Who needs this much space in a bathroom? I think to myself and locate the toilet.

I sigh in relief as I exit the room. There were times I realize how lucky I was that I was healthy. I mean, some people could not use the bathroom properly and have to….I stop my thoughts with a shake of my head as I realize I was actually more than a little tipsy. My telltale was when I became overly grateful for things. Like, how did Elizabeth manage not to kill me during my high school rebellion years? She was so brave and I was so lucky. “Oh, it’s you” I heard as I stepped into the walkway. The door to Nathan’s room was open and he was smiling and pointing at me. He had such a beautiful smile.

“Nathan, Nathan, don’t” The man said trying to stop Nathan from getting up from the bed

“Let go Liam, you’re such a spoil sport. You are fired” He says pushing the guy off and standing up to walk to me

“Yea, as fired as the last million times I was fired?” Liam asked following him

“You are lucky you are my friend else?” Nathan made a display of snipping scissors before he walked out his room to me “Hey, Liam, this is Carmen. Isn’t she beautiful?” He asked and any joy I might have derived from being called beautiful by a walking Adonis was nullified by the fact that he got my name wrong

“Carmen, say hi. He is Liam, my bodyguard” He introduced and I looked up at him. He looked nothing like the guy who brought Nathan a new shirt at the restaurant. He probably had more than one then.

“Is your name really Liam or is he getting it wrong like mine”

“Liam Timothy” The man introduced with a nod in my direction

“Charlotte Kingsley” I replied and was turned sharply with hands on my shoulder

“Why you talking to him and not me Carmen?” Nathan asked and I growled at him “You look angry”

“I wonder why. I am sorry but I really have to go” I say to Liam who nodded briskly and came to collect Nathan

“No” Nathan said holding unto my arm “I want to go with her”

“How much did you drink?” Liam asked trying to pull him off of me

“A lot” Nathan declared sounding proud of himself

“Sure…” Liam looked like he rolled his eyes but his face was so stoic I could not be sure. “Come on Nate, let the woman go” He started to pull Nathan off again but then a shrill, annoying ring, that sounded like someone set to work with a hammer on my brain, sounded. Liam reached into the pocket of his sweat pant and pulled out a cell phone “What?” He answered clearly annoyed at the caller “Right now?” He asked his voice dropping a few notches as his eyes strayed first to Nathan then me “He is incapacitated right now. I will meet you downstairs” He hung up then turned to me looking apologetic “I need you to stay for a moment. I will be right back” He did not wait for me to reply as he made a bee line for the elevator which was still in our floor and left before I could pry my mouth open

“Walter, get me a glass of water” Nathan shouted and I frowned at him. Was he calling me male names now?

“Me?” I asked and he shook his head

“Butler…Walter…Why is he not answering me?” He whined

“Is he here 24 hours?”

“Don’t think so” He shook his head then stopped and held his head in his hands

“He has probably left then. Where is the kitchen?” I ask and he groaned then led the way. We went back through the living room to a kitchen area that seemed to have originally been a part of the living room but was sectioned off.

It was a functional kitchen. It had all the necessary equipment for a kitchen but they all looked unused and the bare light blue paint mixed with white tiles design of the kitchen looked impersonal. I spotted a tall modern fridge on the corner and filled a glass with cold water for Nathan.

“You are so nice Carmen” He says and I hissed at the name. Who was Carmen anyway?

Spotting a first-aid box, I remembered we both needed Aspirin to prevent a bad hangover. I got what I needed then gave Nathan his. “What’s this?” He asked

“Painkiller, swallow it” I tell him and he raised a brow

“Carmen is bossy” He grumbled but swallowed them. I got myself some water and swallowed mine too. A movement in my peripheral caught my attention and I turned to see Nathan halfway to the floor

“What are you doing?” I ask sharply and he stopped his descent

“Sleep” He said it in a sober voice as if that was the most reasonable thing in the world

“Sleep in the bedroom” I tell him

“Where?” He asked and I sighed wearily, I was too tired for this s**t.

“This way” I say and walk past him to lead him to his room. He once again held unto my arm all the way. The moment I stepped into his bedroom, I knew it was his. He did not usually wear a cologne but I could smell his scent all over the room. Like rain and wood. Maybe earth. Honestly I don’t know but he smelled good. The room itself was humongous. It was more of a suite with an adjoined living area but from what I could see, it was serving a different function. There were wires, screens, motherboard and hardware all over the living area and several tools were also left on every surface. He was definitely a Tinkerbell-or whatever the male version of her was.

The room itself had blue walls all over with white curtains and a white wood king sized bed. I could not make out what exactly the floors were made of, but there was a carpet near the bed in a shade of blue that looked like black at first glance before looking like a mixture of shades.

I dropped Nathan on the bed but could not stand up because he was holding my hands “Stay” He tells me and I sit because I was really tired “Thank you” He says sincerely

“For what” I ask taken aback

“For helping me forget” He says simply then raise my hand to his lips and kissed the back of my hand before he turned on his side in my direction and sleeps off still holding my hands

Well, I had to wait for Liam to come back anyway. What better way to wait then staring at a gorgeous man?