THE BRIDE WHO WALKED AWAY

Chapter 16: Drugged.

Chapter 16

Melinda's Pov

I felt Theodore tense up, as if burned by a hot steel, I moved away from him.

“Captain you didn't tell us you guys had a thing going on.” One of team members joked.

“This is the first time I'm seeing Captain close to a woman”

“No wonder she could nag you in the locker room.” Another one laughed.

Unable to bear the heat, I stood up. “I need to use the restroom.”

Theodore didn't spare me a glance, he only nodded. Took that as my cue and left.

Entering the female restroom I let out a sigh of relief.

Seriously Linda? You had to kiss your boss?

Ugh… how will I face him now? I facepalm myself.

What was I even thinking when I did that.

After some minutes I left the restroom, only to bump into someone.

“I'm sorry for tha…” the words died off my throat seeing who it was.

Clark.

I hissed and tried to walk away, he grabbed my arm pulling back to his front.

I stumbled on my heels and almost fell, he held me steady.

After regaining my balance I shook him off angrily.

“What is your problem?” I huffed angrily.

“My problem is that you're warming my rival's bed when he has no use for you, seriously Linda, you'd jump on anyone's bed to get your revenge?” He gritted.

God! I hate this guy.

“Get revenge? For what exactly?” I scoffed.

There's no way to defend myself giving that I've kissed him in front of so many people tonight.

I could only hope it won't make the news, else I might actually become the most hated person and lose my job.

“I told you countless times, Winifred won't interfere with our lives, just drop all these acts.” He started.

“Even if you've defiled your body, I'm still willing to take you back.” He said putting his hand on his hip.

Is he not tired? The same c**k and bull story.

I'm tired of this saga, but the two stupid ones would not let me rest.

“Anyone who heard you say that would think you're noble, let's settle this once and for all, allow me get pregnant by another man and then we can get married.” I smiled.

His eyes changed, they had fury in them but who cares?

You can't eat your cake and have it.

Before he could give a response I walked away. On getting to the table where they all say, Theodore was not on seat.

I looked around for a while searching for him before James told me he went out to receive a call.

A waiter came in, she walked straight to my table and then dropped a glass of cocktail in front of me.

I was grateful for it, whoever had ordered it on my behalf needs to be thanked.

I drank it all in one go, I was supposed to sip it, but the situation on ground doesn't entirely warrant that.

I scrolled on my phone mindlessly praying Theodore would just come and tell me we have to go.

A guy came to sit beside me, I looked up at him. I haven't seen him before.

“Hi.” He smiled at me.

Why is this one smiling at me?

“Hi.” I replied facing my phone back.

It was then I noticed it, my insides were feeling hot. I ignored it, maybe it's the heat.

There are a lot of people in here anyway.

“I saw you from outside and your beauty drew me in, can we talk outside?” He asked.

I needed an excuse to go outside anyway, not.for his stupid chats tho.

The moment we stepped outside, I thought the cool air would help.

It didn't. If anything, the feeling inside me became worse.

Heat rushed through my body again, so sudden that I sucked in a breath.

I pressed my palms against my cheeks. They were burning.

What the hell is going on with me?

“Are you alright?” the guy asked.

“I… I don't know.”My voice sounded distant, it didn't sound like me at all.

I tried to take another step away from him, but my legs felt strangely unsteady.

What was happening to me?

I had only had one drink. Just One.

My heart was pounding against my ribs. My breathing was becoming quicker, and there was a strange weakness spreading through my limbs.

Then another wave hit.l, my eyes fluttered shut, I grabbed his arm.

Only for balance. That was what I told myself.

“Easy.” His hand settled around my waist.

I immediately pushed at his chest. “Don't.”

He released me putting his hands up.

I stumbled backward like a drunkard who's trying hard to find his footing.

For a few seconds, I stood there trying to breathe.

Think, Melinda. Think.

Something was wrong, very wrong.

I could feel it.

My body felt unbearably restless, as though every nerve beneath my skin had suddenly become too awake. I couldn't get comfortable. I couldn't think straight. I couldn't even understand why I desperately wanted someone close enough to hold me while another part of my mind was screaming that I needed to get away.

I wrapped my arms around myself. “I need to go back inside.”

I turned. Three steps.

I managed three steps before the dizziness returned.

The ground seemed to shift beneath me.

I reached for something, anything—to keep myself upright.

His arm caught me again.

“No.” I tried pushing him away again.

But this time, my hands didn't have the strength.

“Let me…” My words faded.

I hated this. I hated that my body wasn't listening to me.

The stranger pulled me against him when my knees weakened.

I should have fought harder.

Instead, my fingers curled into his shirt, my mind screamed at me to let go.

My hands wouldn't.

“That's it,” he murmured.

I shook my head.

“No…” But I didn't release him.

A strange warmth flooded through me again, leaving me breathless.

I buried my face against his shoulder, not because I wanted him there, but because I couldn't seem to hold myself up anymore.

My eyes stung. “Something is wrong with me.”

“I know.” His voice sounded almost amused.

That snapped something inside me.

I lifted my head. The cocktail…

I had been drugged.

For a second, I saw it, the calculation in his eyes.

My stomach dropped. “You…”

I tried to push away from him but he tightened his hold on me.

Panic shot through me. “No. Let me go.”

My mind was clear enough to know I was in danger.

But my body betrayed me again.

My fingers clutched his shirt as another wave left me trembling.

“Please,” I whispered, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Someone… please…”

The stranger leaned closer.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Then…

“Take your hands off her.” The voice behind us was cold enough to cut through the haze.

My eyes flew open. The stranger froze.

And for the first time since I stepped outside, I felt a flicker of hope.

I managed to turn toward the owner of the voice.

It was Theodore.