CHAPTER 2
1082 Words
There was terrible pounding in my head. Blinking a few times, I gradually absorbed the white walls and the still room I was resting in. Not even my bedroom. By the bed stood a cabinet and a little table. Everything appeared to be cold and basic. I had no recognition at all.
Wait: Last night, what transpired?
My heart raced as strong flashes of what happened hit me. The party involved the beverage, and the street was connected to that man—his behaviour greatly influenced everything.
“Did I die?” I murmured, quickly checking my body to ensure everything was still intact.
No blood. No wounds. No fractured bones. “Okay. Still alive.”
I looked around again, bewildered.
The door creaked open.
A tall guy strolled in wearing casual pants and a black top. He looked familiar—far too familiar. My breath hitched.
That visage. It was the same man from yesterday evening. It was him. His face appeared excessively flawless, resembling that of a character from a drama. For some reason it caused my stomach to turn over.
Standing close to the bed, he remarked, "You're finally awake."
"W-whose are you? What occurred to me?
His facial expression changed. “Wow. Unbelievably, you overlooked the one who saved you.
"S saviour?" My eyebrows twisted. Wait... last night... You were there.
Alright. You were inebriated beyond memory. And you most likely would be lying in some hospital bed if I had not intervened or worse.
"That's false!" I wasn't intending to die. It happened by mistake!
He shrugs. "Wonderful, you say. Point of view: I preserved you. You somewhat owe me right now.
Walking over, he set something on the table. The object he placed on the table was my school dress.
My gaze became wider. Right next to it, my underpants.
It dawned on me at this point. I wasn't dressed in my clothes. I had on a big white blouse. Sure, not mine. Panic driving me, I raised the covers.
My voice started to quiver. "W-who changed my clothes?"
He arched his eyebrows and grinned like he already knew what I was thinking before I could finish the statement.
"Relax." I looked nowhere, he said with a twisted smile.
Liar is. That smile conveyed all the difference.
I grabbed my clothing and sprang from bed. "Thanks for the help, but I'm going right now."
Blocking me, he stood before the restroom door.
I paused. Eyes dark and impenetrable, he was squarely staring at me.
"I need not thank you for this."
"What do you then wish for?" My back slid up against the wall.
His eyes fixed on nothing. "You*, I want."
Terrified, I fixed myself on him. He was not pulling a joke. His voice had such gravity that my skin crawled.
Heart pounding, I shoved past him and shut the bathroom door behind me.
He laughed. Not loud, yet sufficient to set off my nerves.
"Why me?" As I got dressed again, I murmured to myself. "Why did he have to be the one finding me??"
I moved quickly rather than waiting around. I snuck out of the condo apartment as soon as I opened the door and saw the corridor clear, not stopping until I reached the main road.
condominium. The man resided in an absolutely terrifying Whangarei condo. Fashionable. This was a pervert's paradise.
————
Three weeks passed rapidly. Things just continued to slide downward.
Into the phone, I said, " Ali, I'm so caught." I have fifteen grand saved just now. I still need twenty more to clear Dad's debt.
"That's tough, Aria. I can only lend you ten grand. You know I need the remaining bits for Mum's surgery.
"I am grateful; I know too. I indeed am. But I would not want to take that from you.
"I would rather help you than see Logan married."
When she mentioned his name, her voice alone sent shivers.
"I have no choice. Dad will be in serious trouble if I do not marry him.
"What if you told your parents Zofia might wed him instead?"
"I never let my younger sister go through it. Before I let that happen, I would wed him personally.
You are in great depth, frienny.
Yes, I truly am.
"Thus, what now?"
"I... " I'm not sure. One week remains.
————
Just when I thought things couldn't get much worse, the branch manager summoned me into his office.
I felt my heart drop.
"What?" asked. I fixed Mr Moore as he had evolved another head. You are allowing me to go?
"Aria, I apologise. Higher-level management sent the notice. You have got too many tardies, they remarked.
"I have only missed three times!” I maintained arguments. I always stay late to offset it.
"I know, but company rules state three strikes."
"Kindly, Mr Moore." I have to have this job. I am acting as best as I can. That is not worth anything, really?
He ignored it. just looked at her pitifully and turned away.
Trying to stifle my emotions, I slumped into the chair. Still, they arrived nonetheless.
Why did they come? Now why?
How could I have earned that kind of luck?
I started with nothing. There was no job available for me. not sufficient funds. Not at all clear how out.
Walking out of the workplace, I resembled a zombie. My colleagues had avoided looking at me. I did not hold them responsible. Nobody wanted to chat to the recently let-go gal.
Back at my small flat, I let the ideas flood over me while fixated on the ceiling.
Does this define my life right now? Jobless, broke, ready to wed a man I hardly like?
Buzzed on my phone was something.
**Unknown Number: You dropped your wristband. - Elias**
Elijah?
That person?
I gave the name some thought. My gut turned around. How did he come onto my number?
I yelled into a pillow after throwing the phone on the couch.
A little while after still another message.
Want to strike a bargain? Elias
I did not respond. I still found myself staring at the screen nevertheless.
More buzz.
**Elias: I mentioned I had wants. Talk with me. I can fix your minor financial issue.
I meant to toss my phone out the window.
Heart pounding, I instead fixed my gaze on the screen, knowing this was not the last I would hear from him.
- Writer
