Hot Pursuit

Chapter 10

[Georgina's POV]

My eyes were burning, my throat felt too dry, and I hissed as a jolt of pain hit a spot in my head. I tossed around, groaning softly as I pulled the sheets over me, realizing that I was lying on a bed--a familiar bed and a familiar place, somehow. I easily recognized the scent of my room. That was unexpected and relieving at the same time. I silently thanked myself for getting home in one piece last night even when the rest of the memory of how I ended up here in my place after being at Kieran's wasn't that clear yet. I slowly squinted my eyes open.

What the hell happened last night after that whole interview?

The very last thing I could rack my brain up with was when Kieran agreed to be my "free pass" to parties in exchange for me not writing anything about what I know about him in the gossip pages. I blinked my eyes, frowning at the sight of my thick comforter covering my face. My thoughts went back to last night. I still could not recall how I got home though... But I had a foggy memory of Kieran helping me up from the seat as he told me that he would be escorting me back to my place. So...

He did get me back safe here... in my apartment. But how did I end up in my bed?

That part was a little bit striking and confusing and quite alarming... To me. Seriously. At that moment, I was definitely fully awake. I just hope I did not make an absolute mess of myself in front of that guy. I squirmed in my bed, trying not to think about the worst possible scenario. I really had no clue about how I got into my place. No.

I should not panic. Georgina, you have to calm down first.

Talking myself out of worrying too much, I slowly moved and tried to sit up, removing the sheets around me as I looked around. Yep. I was definitely in my room. Everything was still in place. I looked down and sighed in relief seeing that I was still wearing the same clothes I did last night. I did not understand why I had to check that part though, it was not like I was expecting to see anything odd about it. But if I was wearing something different, I would have totally panicked. Because seriously... that would totally scare the hell out of anyone who totally had no recollection whatsoever of how she ended up home last night after being with a guy, right?

I was trying to be rational. Though I knew I was totally overthinking things, I should be much more cautious next time. I still could not understand why I can't remember anything. I don't really think I drank too much that I would even blackout, I even drank coffee... Or maybe...

My eyes widened as something came into mind. I did not want to believe that could actually be possible. No. NO. I must really be insane to think that far. I mean, Kieran wouldn't possibly do that, would he? Would he? I noticed my thick gray coat lying by the edge of my mattress making me pause for a second. I squinted and reached for it, digging into the pockets, I found my house key and my phone... The recorder was gone.

Something flashed in my head and I was just like... DAMN.

I moved out of the bed as fast as I could, the alarming idea pumping the adrenaline fast into my head. I scanned the whole room, nothing seemed out of place, but I could still tell that something was DEFINITELY MISSING. I moved around, not blinking an eye as I checked every corner, went down to my knees to look for it under my bed. When I did not see it, I literally ran out of the room in total panic, completely losing my patience as I searched in the living room. I still did not want to think that Kieran would do that to me. I even looked around in my small kitchen and the tiny hallway by my front door. 

IT WAS NOT THERE.

HE TOTALLY DUPED ME.

The black satchel that I had brought with me last night where I actually kept my DSLR camera, along with the pieces of evidence that I had gathered from chasing celebrities around the whole week, a few of my printed drafts, and my car keys. IT WAS NOT HERE. And there was only one reason why it was not here with me after blacking out in Kieran's place last night. HE TOTALLY KEPT IT. And I figured he would use that as leverage to have the upper hand. THAT CHEATER!

I can't believe this! I was holding back a scream as I ran a hand over my face with absolute shock and disbelief after being deceived by him. He REALLY PLANNED EVERYTHING. It must have been the COFFEE. That damn f---

Wow. "Haha..."

The only thing that I could do was to laugh bitterly at the entire situation that I found myself in. I sat in utter defeat on the couch in my living room. I wrapped my head around this realization. I felt betrayed. And as thoughts and emotions drove me while I sulk alone, my call ringtone jolted me in surprise as I heard its noise coming from my opened bedroom. Going over there to check who was calling I picked up the phone from where I abandoned it in the middle of the mattress and noticed the unknown caller ID. I hesitated to answer but I was not really the type to screen calls because I knew that it could still be an anonymous caller that could give me a lead about another celebrity.

I swiped to answer and as soon as I put the phone against my ear, I was greeted by his cold low voice.

"Hey, darling," even from the sound of it, I could already imagine him smiling as he said it. My grip on my phone tightened as I bit the inside of my lip, "Did you sleep well?"

"You bastard," I bit back at him, unable to restrain my pent-up anger after knowing that he just tricked me, "Where's my bag, you son of a B?"

"Wow," he even had the audacity to chuckle at my words as he replied nonchalantly, "Intense obscenities first thing in the morning? That's pretty hardcore. You're cute, darling."

"Give it back to me, you jerk!"

"I left a note," he replied with another chuckle, "It's inside the small drawer of your bedside table. Do what it says and we'll come to an even better agreement. Don't forget to have fun today too, and see you later, darling."

The click sounded. He actually ended the call on me, without even explaining things more and giving me a reasonable excuse why he had to keep the bag. I was absolutely furious. But since I did not want to waste any more time trying to circle around what was important to me, I checked the drawer where he said he left "a note". It was there though. And it was folded neatly in the middle. It was a handwritten letter and it said:

"Save my number from when I called you and prepare to receive a delivery under your name in your place tomorrow. It's a surprise, but don't worry, it's a GOOD surprise. I'll call you again soon. So don't be too excited. We'll take things slow, my darling. xoxo - K. L."

I took a deep breath and tried to control my emotions. What an asshole? I can't believe this. I quickly crumpled the paper and threw it away in disgust as I plopped down on my bed. If I didn't hate him before, I totally despise him so much now. I felt like a total i***t trying to outsmart him. But I had to keep things at bay, I can still have my revenge.

SOON. That damn Kieran Locke will definitely get a taste of his medicine... SOON.