Chapter 6

Chapter 6: The wrong timing Brielle's POV "What did you say?" I wince my nose in a child-like form, knowing that she's undoubtedly going to freak out. "Hera?" I called in a breathe taking tone. "Yes?" She replied with a short breath. "Don't shout, don't strike me, don't do anything crazy. So, I'm going to repeat what I said again." I watched as she did an infusion of breath in breath out, "Okay, Are you ready? " I inquiry. She grinned, doing what the Chinese do with their hand to comfort stability. "Okay, I'm good, " "Do you remember the tall, handsome guy from high school with dirty blond hair with glasses on? " I raised my misgiving eyebrow at her for confirmation. "Who?" she gave me the confused brow. "The boy that was always with us, saving my ass and your ass all the time, the one that was the prom king, and I was just the best in Economics class. The one with the crazy smile but with the nerdy graze.?" I sighed after the long intro. "You mean the one?" She doubted, then I nodded. "You mean my crush back then?" She polled, I nodded. "You mean your crush back then?" She quizzed. I nodded. "Do you mean Jonathan Christopher? " "That's the one!" I clamored. "So what's up with Jonathan? I've not seen him in years after our graduation. Is he dead? " she asked" in a soft tone. "No, no, no!" I answered with a dull tone. "Then, why suddenly brings Christophe up on my question about what is going on between you and Jace De Leon?" she lifted her brows. I sighed, "I'm going to tell you something crazy, you might think it's crazy, well it might be crazy at first, I don't know but maybe much crazier but don't freak out, don't lose it? " She rolled her eyes at me, "Say what you want to say right now. What is more, crazier than the two De Leon's being all over you?" I hiss. "That's what I'm talking about because Jonathan Christopher-" I took a deep puff, Hera glance that's she giving could kill me for being a cliffhanger right now. "Common Elle, say it once and for all. What about Jonathan Christopher? " "Well, JonathanisJace!" I speak in between gritty teeth. "Uh?" Now she looks lost at me. "What was that? Elle, all I heard was Jace. What the hell is wrong with you, Elle? you know I hate cliffhangers," "I'm sorry, let me clarify," she nodded, "Jonathan Christopher -" I stopped. "Yes? Go on," Hera commanded. I took a deep breath and continued. "Jonathan Christopher is Jace De Leon. " I finally let it out with a whiff of fresh air. "What?" She questioned with a face full of turmoil. She walked straight to where I was sitting, which was my desk. We were still in the empty lecture room. "Are you high? Crazy? Did Jace manipulate your tea? or is the Examination we just finished writing, that is getting into your head, or is it because you are scared of the result or is it because -" "Shut the hell up Hera, I'm fucking telling you the truth, he even recognizes you, that's why he called for me and did you know what the most foolish plus amazing thing is, Enrique didn't pop into my life like that, he was doing an investigation work for his brother. Jace told him to be closer to me after he saw my school file in their company scholarship board," "What the hilarious fucking hell? Are you kidding me? " her eyes were so open that the socket might disconnect right this moment. "Yeah, it's true, " She shrieks, making my books fall from my hand. I rolled my eyes because I know my best friend very well. I know Hera Crimson very fucking well. I knew she was going to shout. What's with her and screaming after a spirited discussion? "I can't believe it. This calls for clubbing tonight," she said out of excitement. "Club? Do you mean the C-L-U-B? " I look bewildered at her. She nodded, "Common Hera, you know I don't do Clubs or parties or drinking? you remembered last time I tried and got drunk, I was about it, I found myself in a male toilet, and you found yourself in the church that was closed by, but someone saved our ass without getting assaulted, so be glad about that," "Oh, yes, Brielle, how can someone forget about that shit? But don't worry, everything will be fine, C'mon we have to celebrate the final examination we just wrote, even though the result is not yet showing that we have fully graduated. Most of all, Jonathan Christopher as Jace De Leon?" she grins from ear to ear. "I'm thrilled right now because my friend from high school is my best-most favorite richest man Bachelor in the whole of Milan, and Italy as a whole. Who won't be happy to have a friend like this to flex?" "Club it is? " She grins once more, trying to convince me. "No," I fold my arm to my chest angrily. "C'mon Brie!" she nags. "No, " I reply boldly. "Yes?" She flickers like a child. I rolled my eyes and put up my hands in defeat. "Oh, alright. " "Thank you, Brie," She hugs me so tightly. I know this will not be a good night for me but let's give it a try. _ It's hushed. The light is dimed. I was feeling so comfortable and warm. I slowly open my eyes, and for a moment, I'm tranquil. I have no idea where I am. The headboard behind me is in the shape of a massive decor of a naked male and female. It's oddly familiar. The room is large and airy and plushly furnished in browns and gold and beige. My idiotic brain struggles through its recent visual memories. "Holy Molly! I'm in the De Leon hotel, in Jace's suite," I have been in a room similar to Hera's, and it looks bigger than my high school grades. "How did I get here? Oh my goodness. I've been kidnapped. I need to call 911!" Fractured memories of the previous night come slowly back to haunt me. "The drinking, oh no, the drinking," I yelled softly. "The Face, oh no, I saw Enrique, the vomiting, the vomiting. Javier and then Enrique and Jace, Oh no," I cringe inwardly. "I don't remember coming here. I'm wearing my T-shirt, bra, and panties. No socks. No jeans. Holy shit," I fathom. I glance at the bedside table. On it is a glass of grape juice and two tablets. Advil. The grape juice tastes divine. It's thirst-quenching and refreshing nothing beats freshly squeezed grape juice for reviving a dry mouth. There's a knock on the door. My heart leaps into my mouth, and I can't seem to find my voice. Someone opens the door anyway and strolls in. "Good morning, Brielle. How are you feeling?" his dark morning voice erupts. "Better than I deserve," I mumble. "How did I get here?" My voice is slight but contrite. He comes and sits down on the edge of the bed. He's close enough for me to touch, for me to smell his cologne. fucking prick. My high school friend and crush. I don't feel safer with him anymore since he's grown hot and possessive and controllingly, and now I hate him for his mood swings. "It's a heady cocktail, so much better than a margarita, and now I can speak from experience. For your information, Hera invited me over, so I can come in with Enrique!" "After you passed out, I didn't want to risk the leather upholstery in my car taking you to your apartment, So I brought you here," he says phlegmatically. "You know my apartment? " I question him in shock. "Yes! And I know you are quiet but don't have manners," Here he goes again, first, reasonable, and the next, the devil in Italian shoes. "Did you put me to bed?" I ask in a scratchy voice. "No, Enrique did before he left! I can't carry someone with heavy bones. I'm too good for that."His face is impassive. I rolled my eyes at him. "Did I throw up?" My voice is quieter. "No." He says without malice. "Did you undress me?" I whisper. "Yes." He quirks an eyebrow at me as I blush furiously. "We didn't?" I whisper, my mouth drying in horror as I can't complete the question. I stare at my hands. "Brie, you were comatose. Necrophilia is not my thing. I like my women sentient and receptive!" he says dryly. "I'm so sorry." I hate him, ugh. His mouth lifts slightly in a wry smile. "It was a very diverting evening, not one I'll forget in a while." Me neither! Oh, he's laughing at me, the bastard. I didn't ask him to come to join us to celebrate. Somehow I've been made to feel like the piece's villain is a likable Villain. "You didn't have to come down to our level to celebrate with us," I snap at him. He stares at me, surprised, and if I'm not mistaken, a little wounded. "Firstly, I don't have a class! Secondly, my company does not invest or manufacture any surveillance devices, and thirdly, if I hadn't come to join you guys celebrate, then you'd probably be waking up in the bikers bed. From what I can remember, you weren't overly enthused about him pressing his suit," he says acidly. He was pressing his suit! I glance up at Jace and glaring at me, his neon eyes blazing, aggrieved. I try to bite my nails, but I fail to repress my laughter. "Which medieval chronicle did you escape from?" I giggle. "You sound like a courtly knight." His mood visibly shifts. His eyes soften, and his expression warms, and I see a trace of a smile on his beautifully chiseled lips. "Brie, I don't think so, but dark knight maybe." His smile is sarcastic, and he shakes his head. "You need to eat. That's why you were so ill. Honestly, Brie, it's drinking rule number one?" He runs this hand through his hair, and I know it's because he's exasperated. "Are you going to continue to scold me?" I frown. For goodness sake, I don't work for him. He's not my boss, and neither am I his secretary. So bitch! Reduce your volume while talking to me. "Is that what I'm doing?" he bows his head. "I think so." I lace my shy fingers together. "You're lucky I'm just scolding you." He warns, sounding like a serial killer. "What do you mean?" I swallow. I am hoping not to be killed by his gaze. "Well, if you were mine, you wouldn't be able to sit down for a week after the stunt you pulled yesterday." "You didn't eat, you got drunk, you put yourself at risk," He closes his eyes, dread etched on his lovely face, and slightly shudders. When he opens his eyes, he glares at me. "I hate to think what could have happened to you if Hera hadn't invited us over." I scowl back at him. What is his problem? What's it to him? If I was his... well, I'm not. Though maybe, part of me would like to be closer to him again. The thought pierces through the irritation I feel at his highhanded words. I flush at the waywardness at the idea of being his, and he wants to turn me into one of his bed partners. I instead become a walking corpse. I can't be one of his mistresses, never. "I would have been fine. I was with Hera, remember? She won't let anything happen to me!" Where the heck was that nitwit when he took me? I told her that something like this might happen. "And the biker, I think he likes you. Who is he to you?" he snaps at me. "Javier, he is my perfect friend." I'll need to face him at some point, and I know that he likes me, but I like him as a friend. "Javier just got out of line." I shrug. "Well, the next time he gets out of line, maybe someone should teach him some manners and place him back into the right line," "You are quite the disciplinarian," I hiss at him. "Oh, Brie, you have no idea." His eyes narrow, and then he grins wickedly. It's disarming. One minute I'm confused and angry. The next, I'm gazing at his gorgeous smile. Wow... I am thrilled, and it's because his smile is so rare. I entirely forget what he's talking about. "I'm going to take a shower. Unless you'd like to shower first?" He cocks his head to one side, still grinning. My heartbeat has kicked up, and my medulla oblongata has neglected to fire any synapses to make me breathe. His grin widens, and he reaches over and runs his thumb down my cheek and across my lower lip. "Breath, Brielle!" he whispers and rises. What the fuck? How the hell did he know that I was fighting with myself to be able to breathe? "Breakfast will be here in fifteen minutes. You must be famished." He heads into the bathroom and closes the door. I let out the whiff that I've been holding. Why is he so damned attractive? Right now, I want to go and join him in the shower. I have never felt this way for a long time.