HIS ROOMMATE

I'VE GOT YOU

CHAPTER 13

WRITER'S POV

As the party game started – some loud, chaotic mix of charades and trivia – Kai's discomfort grew. She shifted in her seat, trying to tune out the shouting and focus on her phone.

Edward leaned in, arm brushing hers again. "Stay a little longer? It's just getting fun."

Kai forced a smile. "I... yeah. Okay."

Truth was, she'd had enough. The drink was making her feel off-balance, and the game was chaos. But Edward looked like he'd be bugging her to stay if she said no.

"Okay," she said again, trying to sound like she meant it.

He smiled, turning back to the game. Kai pretended to laugh along, scanning the room for an exit. Soon, she'd find a way to bail.

KAI'S POV

The party wasn't what I expected, it was rough and filled with people drinking and smoking. I wasn't comfortable but Edward kept pleading we stayed a little longer.

After a while I started feeling this weird heat all over my body. I tried pushing the feeling away but I couldn't.... I was sweating and I felt a little dizzy. I know I shouldn't have drank any drink, I have a low tolerance to alcohol. But why do I feel I was injected by some drug!!!

"Kai are you okay?" Edward asked, but I gave him a tight smile.

"Y... Yeah" Panic clawed at me as I tried to keep my smile plastered on. What’s happening to me? The room spun slightly as I shifted in my seat. Edward’s face blurred for a sec.

"Y... Yeah," I repeated, voice shakier now. I gripped the edge of the couch, trying to ground myself.

Edward leaned closer, concern etched on his face. "Whoa, you don’t look okay. Do you want to get air?"

I nodded, barely. He helped me up – his arm around my waist felt like a cage. I stumbled, heat rushing to my cheeks. Drugged? No way. Paranoia kicked in.

"Let’s get you outside," he said, guiding me through the crowd.

Instead of the cool air to hit me as expected. I was in a room. Edward’s face swam in front of me.

"w... Why did you bring me here?" I managed to ask but he just gave me a smirk. What's going on?... I moved back from him but my back was already against the wall.

Fear spiked through me as I pressed harder into the wall, like I could melt into it. Edward's smirk widened, and he took a step closer.

"Why did you bring me here?" I repeated, trying to make my voice firm but it came out shaky.

He leaned in, voice low. "You’re a lot more fun when you drink, Kai."

I pushed against him, panic rising. "Get off me!" I tried to shout but it was barely a whisper. My body felt heavy, like it wasn’t mine anymore.

Edward laughed softly, trapping me with his arms on either side. "I think you’re gonna like this," he whispered.

No. NO. I struggled, but my limbs were lead. Darkness crept in. But I fought it... With all the strength left in me I kick him and rushed to the bathroom and lock myself in.... This can't be happening. That barstard he drugged me.... Adrian was right after all.

I slid down the bathroom door, breaths coming in ragged gasps. The lock clicked into place, a flaky barrier between me and... him.

Adrian’s words echoed: "Trust your gut, Kai."

Too late now.

Panic attack hit – chest tight, vision blurry. I fumbled for my phone, hands shaking like crazy. Who to call? Adrian. I dialed, praying he'd answer.

"Kai? What's wrong?" His voice was a lifeline.

I tried to speak but sobs choked me. " he... lp me please..."

Silence. Then, deadly calm: "Address. Now."

I managed to send it with a shakey hand. I can still hear Edward banging on the door, asking me to open up.

"I'm on my way okay, hold up" I heard Adrian's voice on the other side of the phone but I hard no strength to respond. It was like my body was on fire.

The banging on the door grew louder, Edward's voice twisted into fake concern. "Kai, baby, what's wrong? Open the door!"

I cuddled into a ball, phone clpressed to my ear like a talisman. Adrian's voice cut through the chaos – low, murderous. "I'm two minutes out. Keep the lock on."

Two minutes felt like eternity. The drugged haze clawed at my brain, making everything spin.

Edward's shouting turned to laughter. "You’re gonna regret this, Kai..."

The line crackled. "Adrian?" I whispered.

"I'm here. Almost there."

Suddenly, crashing sounds – calm down, everything went silent. Edward wasn't banging the door anymore.... I kept my eyes open for a long time waiting for Adrian to come.

I heard a knock on the door after a while, it wasn't a bang but a soft nock.

" it's me Adrian... Kai please open up" that was Adrian but I couldn't get up to open the door. I was too weak to. After a while I heard a loud bang on the door and it flew open.

Adrian rushed in looking worried. The moment his arms went round me I passed out.

Adrian's worried face blurred as he scooped me up. "Kai? Kai, stay with me."

His voice was the last thing I heard before everything went black.

Darkness. Then a soft beep... beep...

I woke up to the smell of antiseptic and Adrian's hand gripping mine like he wouldn't let go if the world ended.

"Kai." His voice cracked. He looked exhausted, eyes red, jaw tight. "You're okay. You're safe now. You're in the hospital."

The room spun when I tried to sit up. My mouth was dry, head pounding.

Adrian pressed a cup of water to my lips. "Small sips. You were drugged. Doctors said you'll be okay, but we caught it in time."

Edward. The word hit like ice. "Is he—"

"In police custody," Adrian cut in, voice flat and deadly. "He won't hurt you again. I promise."

I started shaking. Not from the drugs, from everything hitting me at once. Adrian pulled me into a hug, careful, like I might break. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner."

Tears I couldn't hold back spilled. He just held me, whispering "I've got you" until I stopped.

Later, a nurse came in with forms and questions. Adrian didn't leave my side.

I buried my face in his shirt, guilt choking every word. "Adrian... I.. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, this is all my fault" I cried.

He stared at me for a moment, like he was trying to memorize every tear. Then his arms came around me, steady and warm. "It's okay Kai... Stop thinking too much."

His hand smoothed over my hair. "You didn't do this. He did. You trusted someone who lied to you. That's not your fault. That's on him."

I shook my head against his chest. "But you warned me. About him. About parties—"

"And you were trying to have a normal night out," he cut in softly. "You deserve that. You deserve to feel safe. The only person who messed up here is Edward."

The hospital room was quiet except for the beeping machines. For the first time since the door locked behind me, my shoulders dropped a little.

"I'm here now," he whispered. "And I'm not going anywhere, okay? You don't have to carry this alone."

I nodded, still crying, but his words were starting to sink in. Not my fault. Not my fault.

A nurse knocked gently and stepped in with a blanket. "You have someone who cares about you," she said to me, then looked at Adrian. "And you did the right thing bringing her in fast."

Adrian just squeezed my hand tighter.

The nurse pulled up a chair, keeping her voice low so it wouldn’t echo in the quiet room. She set the blanket around my shoulders first, then opened her folder.

"Kai, I’m Maya," she said, eyes kind but steady. "I’m just here to check in and make sure you’re physically okay. You don’t have to tell me anything you’re not ready for."

Adrian didn’t let go of my hand. He just nodded at her like, *she’s safe with you*.

Maya looked at the chart, then back at me. "The tests came back. You had something in your drink that shouldn’t have been there. We gave you fluids and medicine to help it pass. You’re going to feel groggy and sore for a bit, but your body’s recovering."

I swallowed. My throat felt raw. "What happens now?" I whispered.

"That’s up to you," Maya said gently

TBC