Call It Love

Chapter3

The morning light filters through the heavy curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. My eyes blink slowly and my head feels like it’s about to fall off. I shift slightly feeling the cool sheets against my skin and the weight of another body beside me. Panic washes over me and I sit up abruptly realizing the man beside me. The events of last night slowly replay in my mind and realization hits me like a cold wave.

Kisses…touches…sex?

“No, no” I whisper to myself, looking around the unfamiliar room. The decor is modern with sleek furniture and abstract art lining the walls. My heart races as my eyes land on my clothes strewn across the floor, my shoes tucked into a corner.

I take a look at the slender, tall body beside me with tousled dark hair. Memories of laughter, moans and groans fill my mind and I cringe. Did we really…?

This was not supposed to happen! I was supposed to have a few drinks with Zoe and go back…

Zoe?

My eyes glance at the clock on the bedside table as I feel my stomach churn. It’s 9am and I have to get the hell out of here!

I quickly pull on my clothes and grab my bag from the table. With one last glance at this stranger, I slip out of the room. Clutching onto my bag, I run down the hallway and finally out of the mansion.

I hail a cab immediately I reach the street and a wave of relief washes over me.

‘Let’s get the hell out of here, what do you say?’ His voice replays in my head.

‘You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you to say that’

What? I wonder what he thinks of me now. Is this what alcohol does to people? I am never drinking again!

I pull out my phone from my bag and my heart leaps when I see fifteen missed calls from Zoe. She must be very worried. My fingers dial her number, awaiting some scolding on the other end of the line.

“Amy! Where the hell have you been?” She squeals as soon as she answers the call

“It’s a long story. I’ll explain everything when I get to your place.” I sigh.

“I looked everywhere for you! Then the bartender said you left with Tristan! Tristan Cross!” Her voice makes me pull the phone away from my ear.

“You know his full name?”

“What the hell were you doing with him, Amy? Please don’t tell me you did something stupid”

Oh yeah I did something a little more than just stupid!

“Amy Flynn!” She laughs “Please don’t let it be something crazy”

The cab comes to a halt in front of Zoe’s apartment and I step out.

“Tell me everything. Every single detail and don’t leave anything out” Zoe literally pulls me inside as soon as she sets her eyes on me.

“I honestly don’t remember the details clearly. Everything is in fragments” I groan.

And those fragments make me cringe.

“What do you remember?” Her arms grab my shoulders, forcing me to face her.

“Well, I had a few more drinks, and he came up to me. We had a chat” I pause.

“And?” Zoe’s eyes are dancing with enthusiasm and I want to smack it off her face.

“I don’t know how it happened but I woke up in his bed. Naked” I reveal, my words tumbling out quickly.

Zoe’s mouth drops to the floor and her eyes widen in disbelief. I knew she wouldn’t be expecting this!

“Amy Flynn” She gasps “You slept with Tristan Cross?”

“Well, I don’t remember sleeping with him but…”

Her head rolls back in laughter and she almost falls.

“Please tell me this is a joke” She shakes her head in disbelief. “My best friend will not have s*x with a guy she’s been seeing for three months, talk less of a stranger”

Ryder and I only had s*x after a year because I wanted to be sure I could trust him. Zoe thought it was ridiculously unrealistic for me to be in love with “a hot guy like Ryder” and not sleep with him. It makes sense that the idea of me having a one night stand wouldn’t be believable. I knew she wouldn’t believe it. I still don’t believe it myself! I really hope we just made out and…

“You’re kidding, aren’t you?”

“I’m serious, Zoe. And you really aren’t making me feel any better.” I groan, allowing my body to sink into the sofa. I feel goose bumps form on my skin as my mind reminds me of my actions.

“Wow” She gasps for what seems like the fifth time this morning.

“I feel gross. I don’t even remember his face properly. Who knows what disease he carries? What if…”

“Calm down!” She chuckles “Tristan does not carry any disease and he isn’t an ugly guy. He’s just too lanky for my liking”

“How do you know so much about him anyway?” I narrow my eyes at her. Considering the fact that she is a blogger, it isn’t so surprising.

“Well, he owns shares in the club. I guess he isn’t gay then”

“Why would you think he’s gay?”

“Everyone assumes it. He’s never with any woman. He always walks with that billionaire friend of his who I assume owns majority of the shares.”

“Whatever” I groan. “I hope I never see him again.”

“Well, we live to see” She chuckles and I shoot her a glare. She always seems to downplay everything as if it’s no big deal!

“Come on, it’s not a big deal”

“Yes it is! I just had s*x with a stranger on my wedding night!” I groan

“You had s*x with a millionaire after a useless fool decided not to marry a hot girl like you. That’s a good come back, if you ask me” She seems more excited than she should be. As a matter of fact, she shouldn’t be excited at all!

“I have a feeling things are only going to get better, Amy” Zoe beams and I roll my eyes at her.

As if been struck with an idea, she jumps out of the sofa and heads towards the kitchen.

“And where is she going?”

“We should make a toast” She yells

“I’m only making a toast if it’s with soda” I point out and I hear her laughter radiate the whole house.

Later in the day, I decide to go back to the place that I call home. The mansion that holds so many memories of my family. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the street as I approach the front door.

As I round the corner, the sight that greets me steals my breath away. There, lined up like forgotten sentinels, are my suitcases and moms- scuffed and battered. A chill sweeps through me as I double my steps.

The furniture is still in place and the house looks almost the same as it was two days ago when I left it. My eyes land on an envelope pinned to the coffee table. With trembling fingers, I rip it open and read the words.

Dear Ms. Flynn,

We regret to inform you that due to your father’s outstanding business loan, we have taken possession of the property.

You have until the end of the month to vacate the premises.