Alone with a stranger
1474 Words
Hidden view villa
The housekeeper met Lorence Artan at the door. “Sir, Dr. Mark is already waiting.”
Lorence nodded once, carrying Ariel upstairs as if she weighed nothing.
Doctor Mark examined her. “she passed out from shock and she is drunk,” he said. “Its nothing serious. She’ll regain consciousness soon, I'll just give her some shots...”
Then his grin turned teasing. “Since when do you bring women into your villa? She must be special, come on, who is she?”
Lorence’s face didn’t change.
“Someone not important.”
Mark laughed awkwardly but knew better than to push. Lorence’s voice dropped sharp. “You can leave now.”
The door clicked shut behind him.
Lorence didn’t bother going to the dressing room because Ariel was unconscious.
He unbuttoned his shirt frowning at the dampness of Ariel’s tears and sweat on the bright fabric.
He tossed the shirt aside, running a hand over the muscles of his neck as his phone rang.
He turned toward the window talking the call, in a low but hoarse voice.
From the bed, there was a groan.
"It’s me he's in love with me, it's me, I object..."
Ariel’s lashes fluttered open.
A glittering chandelier above was the first thing she saw. Then she looked sideways and saw broad shoulders, with a well sculpture back.
And she knew that wasn't Mason.
Where the hell is she?
Lorence's call ended that moment and he turned.
The minute her eyes met his, her breath increased. His eyes were dark, cold and unreadable and at the same time mesmerising, she was almost lost in them.
Ariel couldn't find her voice.
Lorence took one measured step toward the bed.
Ariel’s fingers curled into the sheets.
“Who…” Her voice broke. “Who are you?”
His lips parted.. Did she really not know who he is or she’s too drunk to care?
His gaze didn’t leave her face.
Ariel was slightly uncomfortable with the way he was staring at her.
“How did I get here?” she asked her voice a bit clearer than before
“I almost hit you with my car and you fainted.” He replied.
Everything came rushing back to her. “Mason..” she whispered slowly.
Her chest tightened. The tears welling up again. She pushed herself up, clutching the blanket, and for a moment she just sat there, staring at nothing.
Lorence was puzzled by her sudden chance in demeanor.
Then a thought crashed into Ariel’s head, it was wild, reckless and stupid and it came out of her mouth before she could stop it.
“Have… s*x with me?”
Lorence's eyes narrowed. He didn't see that coming, but Ariel wanted to do anything to forget Mason and getting laid could help.
Lorence looked at Ariel who was staring innocently at him. A lot of women throw themselves at him, making advances, but not in this manner or way this petite lady in front of him did, Never this blunt or broken.
She was his type, she fit his aesthetics and in normal circumstances maybe he'd be interested but now he didn’t want to take advantage of her.
With a frown on his face, he took a step back to his dressing room to put on another shirt.
But Ariel walked boldly to his front.
“Move aside." He muttered.
His blunt refusal didn't discourage Ariel, but instead it made her more eager.
She took a step forward, hooking her arm around his neck, her smile captivating. "We can just do it here.”
Her voice cracked as she spoke again “Please. I just… want to forget, I promise there'll be no strings attached.”
His eyes darkened, dangerous now. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“Am I… supposed to?” she mumbled, swaying against him.
He stayed silent but his stare burned.
Ariel's palm was still pressed against his chest, trembling but stubborn. “We’re both adults. It doesn’t have to mean anything. Just…”
He caught her wrist suddenly, his grip like iron. Pain shot through her and she cried out, tears flashing in her hazy eyes.
Ariel hissed. “You don’t know how to treat a woman right at all.”
“You don’t get it, do you?” Lorence voice was ice. “Since you don’t know me, I'll tell you for free. I’m not a man you provoke.”
His words sent shivers down Ariel’s spine.
He let go of her and stepped back. That should’ve been the end of it. But Ariel, drunk and hurting, yelled.
“Or maybe you’re just incapable.”
What men hate most is being called incapable.
Ariel’s few words ignited the fire in him.
His lips curled up into a dangerous smile, “Fine, don't cry later.”
He pinned her to the wall, his breath above hers, Ariel swallowed a lump in her throat.
But before anything else could happen, Ariel bolted and rushed into the bathroom to throw up until she had nothing left.
Only after the bathroom fell silent, did Lorence walk in with a warm towel.
“Clean yourself up.”
“Help me up a bit…” Ariel stood, feeling light on her feet.
Just as he was about to speak, her body tipped over.
Lorence caught her and Ariel's back pressed against him.
He could feel her on him. His eyes moved to her exposed fair skin glowing softly under the light, she looked exceptionally tempting. His Adam's apple moved.
He held Ariel by the waist and carried her, setting her on the bed. She rolled over, clutching the blanket like a child, and fell asleep almost instantly.
The fire in his chest died, replaced by a cold laugh. He stood there, staring at her, she was bold and cute. His phone vibrated in his pocket.
He took it out and checked the caller's display before calmly sliding the green button.
“Bro, are you there yet?” the voice on the other end asked.
“Soon,” Lorence muttered, his eyes lingering on Ariel one last time. Then he turned and stepped out of the bedroom.
*****
Ariel woke up, her head throbbing, she massaged her temple. For a second, she didn’t know where she was. Then last night came crashing back.
She shot upright, panic etched on her face. Her hands flew to her clothes. Everything was still in place. She breathed out a sigh of relief.
Ariel left the room and did a tour round the villa. It was quiet and empty like nobody lived in it. She didn’t find a trace of Lorence.
A young lady dressed in a staff uniform appeared from the kitchen, carrying a tray. “Good morning miss. Mr Lorence instructed me to give you these.”
In the tray were pills, water and food. Ariel mumbled a thank you, her cheeks hot with embarrassment.
She forced herself to eat and after taking the pills, she felt a bit better.
She pulled out her phone from her bag when the screen lit up, there were dozens of missed calls and messages.
Every single one from her Ex-fiance, Mason Halton.
And then a new message slid in from Mason.
“Ariel, where the hell are you?”
With a mocking laugh, Ariel slipped her phone into her pocket, tidied herself up and left the villa.
She took a taxi straight to Land-Star corporation hoping she won't be fired today.
As she highlighted from the cab, her heart started racing.
It was Monday and late coming wasn't supposed to be an excuse but here she was looking untardy.
As she entered the office, her boss sighted her immediately.
And then she approached him. “Sir please, I'm…” before she could finish her statement, he interrupted her, eyeing her up to down.
She was still on the dress from the previous day and it was all wrinkled out now.
“You look like a shadow of yourself.”
Ariel used her hand to brush her hair instinctively.
“You're in luck today, " the client postponed. You can have the day off and fix yourself up before tomorrow.”
Ariel’s eyes widened.
Her boss wasn't the friendliest but still he wasn't harsh, he was just in the middle.
Seeing that he just gave her a day off. It was like he saw through her, after all that happened the previous day. Gratitute hit her so hard, her eyes suddenly welled up again.
She held it in and quickly exited the building before he changed his mind,
By the time she arrived at her apartment, it was already close to noon.
As she pushed the door open, her gaze fell on a man sitted on the sofa.
Ariel froze.
- Writer
