Toxic Chemistry

Chapter 2

I've come to the conclusion that the whole male population in New York are pricks.

When I got home from my run i decided to spend the day exploring before I start my maid of honor's duty and so far three guys have tried to grope my ass.

My phone started vibrating signaling an incoming call. I searched through my purse for it but by the time I got it the call had ended.

I took my phone out just as I crashed into a wall and fell on my ass.

Not this again. Today just isn't my day.

I groaned when my ass made contact with the hard asphalt, it was still sore from this morning's escapade.

I blew out an angry breath and looked up to see who I ran into this time.

"You!" I gasped in disbelieve as I saw the familiar face of the guy who ran into me this morning.

I scramble up from the floor ready to give him a good talking to. I Planted my legs firmly on the ground placing my hands on my hips and glared at him.

"Of all the rotten luck, you have to run into me again?"

He removed his sunglasses and I almost gasped. I don't know what I was expecting but his eyes were very light,very clear and very green.

My favorite color.

He squinted at me his brows creased in confusion "Do I know you?" he asked.

I scoffed "oh so you don't remember me now, do I need to introduce you to my fist?" I lifted my hand in warning.

He rolled his eyes "look I'm sorry if we've had s*x but I really don't have time for this"

My mouth gaped open in shock. That seemed to be happening a lot around him.

Of all the stupidest shits to say.

"Excuse you?!" 

"Yes excuse me" he turned to move around me but I blocked him, he tried to move the other way and I blocked him again.

He stared at me in exasperation "let me pass"

I shook my head at him "Not until you apologize"

He narrowed his eyes at me his brows furrowed "wait. You're the girl who ran into me this morning"

GIRL!!. Wait. Did he just say i ran into him?.  

"First of all I'm not a girl, I'm a woman" I took a menacing step closer "second of all you ran into me".

He stared at me for a while then let his eyes slowly roam my body. When his eyes met mine again they were hooded. "You're right" 

He took a step closer to me and I resisted the urge to step back. Don't be a wimp Neil. Don't be a wimp. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

I raise my eyebrows at him because despite my bravado I had lost all powers of speech.

He took another step closer "you're very much a woman" his voice had gone husky and there was a slight accent I couldn't place present.

He cupped my chin bringing my face close to his and sniffed my hair.

Holy s**t.

Just that simple touch and my heart was ready to pop. With a shuddering breath I admitted defeat and took a step back.

I lifted my head to meet his still hooded gaze to catch him staring at my lips.

My phone started ringing again and the moment was shattered.

I suddenly realized with horror that we were standing in the middle of the side walk and people were staring at us.

I looked around for my phone and saw it on the floor beside my feet. It must have slipped from my hand when I fell.

I bent down to pick it.

"Hello" my voice sounded hoarse.

"Neil?. Neil!. Thank God,I've been trying your number since forever, are you okay?" Ava sounded frantic.

She's been trying to call me?.

I glanced up to see the guy was gone. I don't even know his name for Christ sake. I looked around but I didn't see him anywhere. He was gone. Just like that.

"Neil?, are you there?" Ava's voice floated out of the phone's speaker.

I cleared my throat "I'm here"

"Are you okay?" She asked again.

"Of course I'm okay, why wouldn't I be?"

"You've been gone for 4 hours Neil"

Really?. i checked my watch in surprise "I'm sorry. I lost track of time"

"That's so typical of you. Lost in your little bubble" she scolded but I could hear the smile in her voice and my lips quirked up in response.

"I'll be home in one hour tops" I promise her.

"Don't get lost" she replied dryly.

"Never"

*****

RING! RING!! RING!!!

I groan as my alarm started shrilling. Two more minutes. Please.

Ava, Zoe and I stayed up late last night to talk. We talked about everything and nothing while sipping on deliciously cool martinis. By the time I made it to bed it was 2 am.

"Fine!" I whisper yelled when I could no longer stand the incessant shrilling.

I sat up and slapped my hand on the alarm clock beside me on the bedside table. 

I stood up and slowly made my way to the bathroom where I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower.

This time I wore black yoga pants and a pink sports bra underneath a white slightly baggy tank top.

I decided to let my hair down. I put on a coat of lip gloss and the pearl earrings nana gave me for my 18th birthday.

 Not that I was planning to impress anybody. I just want to be prepared.

Prepared for what?. 

Shut up brain.

"Looking good Stewart" I told my reflection with a smirk.

I walked out of the house silently and stretched at the front door. Everywhere was so still, so peaceful.

I took a deep breath of fresh air and walked out of the gate.

"Miss Stewart over here!"

"Miss Stewart are you going for a run?!"

I was gobsmacked.

There were at least a dozen reporters outside with three large vans. 

Cameras started flashing almost blinding me.

"Miss Stewart, when did you meet Mr McCampbell?"

"Miss Stewart, are you in a relationship with Mr McCampbell?"

"Miss Stewart, why are you living in the Taylors' residence?"

Questions were thrown at me from different directions. The cameras were still flashing and someone was making a video.

I furrowed my brows in confusion.

What the hell?.

Just then the gates swung open and a limo stretched out. The car paused, then the engine was switched off.

The driver got out and opened the back door revealing Christian Taylor. He slowly came out of the car and took in the scene in puzzlement.

Then he met my gaze "Go inside"

I didn't need to be told twice. I walked on jelly legs but didn't make it past the gate. I leaned against the wall and took deep breaths.

Don't panic. Don't panic.

"You do know this is harassment and breaching of privacy right?. If you guys don't get out of here in 5 minutes I'll sue your company, make you all go bankrupt" Christian was saying his voice deceptively soft but with dangerous undertones.

"Justin, make sure they leave on time" he continued.

He walked through the gates then, his expression hard. He saw me leaning against the wall and swept me into his arms without a word.

He was lucky I was so weak or he would be at the receiving end of insults. The chauvinistic bastard.

He's just trying to help.

Shut up I sneered at my conscience.

He walked to the living room and gently dropped me on the sofa "would you like a drink?"

"Water please" my voice was hoarse so I cleared my throat.

He disappeared into the kitchen and walked out with a glass in his hand a few minutes later.

He handed me the glass and I gave him a grateful smile. 

I took a sip and my eyes watered from the harsh burning sensation the drink brought to my throat.

"This is not water" I raised my brows at Christian.

He simply shrugged "I thought you'd need whiskey more than water"

I gave him a small nod and took another sip. But more cautious this time.

"Should I get Ava?" He asked.

I almost said no. I mean we had a really late night and I didn't want to disturb her sleep but I needed my best-friend so I nodded again.

He walked out without a word and I tried to use the opportunity to gather my thoughts.

What just happened?. Why are reporters suddenly interested in me?. And most importantly who was this Mr McCampbell?.

The door swung open and I looked up in time to see Ava rush to my side in a white fluffy terry robe, her blonde locks in a disarray. 

"My poor baby" she said as she hugged me "are you okay?"

I nodded yes.

The door swung open again and we both looked up to see Justin come in.

"Sir" he said handing Christian a newspaper "read the entertainment section sir"

Christian flicked the pages and quickly scanned the contents. His expression turned grim and he beckoned Ava to come.

She collected the newspaper from him and also read the contents. She gasped and her gaze flew to mine looking stunned.

What??.