Evelyn's POV
I made my way straight to the bar because it was the only place that could help blow away the cobwebs that were clogged in my heart at the moment. My thoughts were still very heavy with memories of my past life and the things I'd been through. Walking into the slightly warm space with ambient lighting, I went straight to grab an order and drink my sorrows away.
I still remembered all of it, every single moment of it, and the dim lights coupled with the hum of the quiet chatting around me seemed to amplify my loneliness. I needed a drink as soon as possible. Sitting at the bar, I gestured towards the bartender.
“Whiskey, please.” I requested, flashing a tight-lipped smile that didn't reach my eyes.
He disappeared behind the counter and soon popped out again before pouring me a copious amount. I nodded and began to sip on my drink. I thought about the choices I had made, the people I had hurt, and the life I had just left behind. It was all for the best, I wasn't going to let anyone treat me like that anymore.
My thoughts were snapped back to the moment when the whiskey careened its way down my throat with a burning sensation, but it was a good burn. It made me feel alive, it made the world look a bit more cheerful, even though I was at a stage that threatened to break me apart. It wasn't long before I downed the full shot and then deftly slid the glass towards the bartender for another shot. He nodded with a tight-lipped smile, as if mocking me, and poured me another reasonable amount.
One drink turned into two, then three, and soon I lost count. Before I knew it, I was drunk. I knew it, and I knew it was a bad idea, considering that I knew nobody around. Perhaps I would stagger my way back home, I thought, but I needed to be careful. Careful of freaks and creeps who would be lying around, waiting to launch their attack on a helpless prey. At that point, I was regretting drinking that much. I thought about what to do, but the best option was faking that I was fine and then getting into a taxi.
Thereafter, I quickly paid my bill and tried to stand, but the room spurned around me. I lost my footing instantly, feeling so weightless. But just as I was about to fall, a strong hand gripped my waist instantly. I tried to snap my head around, wondering if it was the Bartender, but I couldn't get a clear view. But all I discerned at that moment was a familiar, masculine cologne. Even though I had no idea who those strong hands belonged to, something intuitive told me, despite my messed-up state, that I was in safe hands.
I allowed whoever it was to help me stand. The first person I saw was the bartender behind the counter, then slowly I turned towards him. I was shocked when I saw Caleb's uncle again! The gratitude I was about to give out suddenly seemed to stick back in my throat.
“You again,” I slurred, blinking rapidly to help focus on the view ahead. There were many people, but they were swaying before my eyes at that moment. The nausea came immediately but quickly vanished, and then I looked up at him to see his dark brown eyes narrowing down at me.
He tilted his head to the side and kept looking at me with those narrowed eyes, and with an intensity that gave me the phantom feeling that I could feel the eyes on my skin. His brows furrowed, and he took my hands before helping me to the seat again. “You're a drunk mess.” He said, smiling before dragging a seat closer towards me.
“I should be going… home.” I slurred out again as the real effects of the whiskey began to kick in really fast. All I needed right now was a long night's peaceful sleep, which was just the perfect way to forget all your problems so you could face them the next day.
“You won't be able to go home like this.” He replied, getting closer towards me and taking my hand, as if to mark his territory.
I glanced behind us and saw a group of men staring in our direction. But once again, I attested to the drunkenness. His voice continued to drone.
“Do you want to talk about what happened back there? Because I believe you owe me an explanation for what you did.”
I shook my head, brushing my raven-black hair from my face and shaking my head slightly so that the dizziness wouldn't intensify. “I don't want to talk about it.”
“And you think drinking will help you. It's only going to make things worse, you know, right? And…"
I pushed out my hand in frustration as his voice got more and more annoying. “Fine, I'll talk.” I said, gripping his hand harder.
“So tell me, why would you call off the wedding if you have feelings for Caleb?”
“A-and who says I have feelings for that monster?” I countered, angry. “I’m not depressed because of the wedding cancellation. I don't think I fucked up. I did…..something for myself."
He raised an eyebrow. “What then are you doing here if you think you made the best decision for yourself?” He asked.
I nodded. “What about you? Why are you here?”
He shrugged, downing a shot before moving the glass to the bartender for a refill. The way his veiny hands moved the glass over was almost… sexy. I wondered how it would feel being wrapped around my boobs. I pushed off the thought, just before his voice broke the silence once more.
“I came to unwind. It's been a long day, actually.” His reply was so simple and somewhat caustic. It irritated me because he had no idea what I went through.
Nobody understood what it felt like until they probably went through the same rough patch, and nobody would understand because I doubted they ever would. I got up from my seat and staggered a few steps forward.
“I'm done here.” I slurred, stopping for a moment to steady myself, but it wasn't working.
“Hey!” His deep baritone called out just before his strong hands grabbed my arm. I turned around to see him come close up, holding both arms and looking down at me. “You're not going to make it back safely like this. Let me help you.” He said.
I shook my head. “Leave me alone! I'm fine.”
“You don't look fine. There's nothing about you that seems fine right now. And I care about your safety, so if you try to leave I'm calling the cops…"
I froze in my tracks when I heard that. Why did he have to be so difficult and cynical? Before I could speak, he interrupted. “It's not like I'm going to abduct you or anything. I'll take you to a hotel, and you'll spend the night there. You can leave tomorrow when you're feeling better.”
I didn't protest. I was too drunk to argue. Subsequently, he quickly paid and walked me out, holding my hand the whole time. Getting into the car almost immediately, we left for the hotel and arrived after a few minutes' drive. He gently walked me inside and guided me to a room where he set me on the bed.
“It's hot,” I mumbled, still feeling so groggy. He sighed and gently took off my jacket, but his hands brushed against my face, sending the sparks erupting. Even in my drunken state, I could feel it.
“You're so hot…" I whispered, chuckling before running a hand down his chest. He didn't say anything but stayed beside me instead. The look in his eyes was intense, and I couldn't resist. I leaned in and kissed him suddenly. Startling him and also myself, but I realized something, he was pulling back, and he stared at me with those intense eyes.
Even in my state I knew It was wrong, but if he'd let me do it, then he wanted it too. He interrupted me when he leaned in and kissed me back. I quickly wrapped my hands around his neck and frantically kissed him. He grabbed my waist and pinned me to the bed. His soft, firm lips moved against mine with a passion that I couldn't fathom.
I moaned against his lips when he nibbled on my bottom lip. He trailed kisses down my neck and his grip tightened around my waist. My head went blank as I got lost in the heat and pleasure. I had never felt this way before, not even with Caleb.
I wanted to believe that the alcohol was at play here, but the way he sucked on my skin was distracting. We continued to make out, but just as it had started, he stopped, holding me back while he groaned in frustration. Thereafter, he stood up and left like nothing ever happened.
I woke up the next day with a throbbing headache that had my head feeling like it was going to split in half. I was shocked and confused as I wondered what had happened last night.
I tried to remember it as I frantically grabbed my jacket to put it on. That was the moment someone knocked on the door. I stiffened, listening to know who it was. I opened the door to see a woman in work garb standing out there.
“Room service.” She announced, before flashing me a smile that seemed benign. “Good morning, miss, this is for your hangover. Mr. Leonard Henderson requested you take it,” she said with a smile.
That was Caleb's uncle! The moment she said his name was the moment the thoughts came rushing back. I remembered every single moment, the sparks of attraction that had me kissing him like my life depended on it, but I was unable to tell if we'd gone beyond that.
“Also, I'll be here to clean up your room in ten minutes. Is there anything you want me to bring along while coming?” She asked.
I shook my head while taking the tray, unsure. “N-no…”
She smiled at me again before leaving, while I wal
ked back into the room and sat on the bed, trying to piece together what happened.