Knocking on the door, I waited.
The hallway of the hotel was cold and empty. There weren’t many people around. This hotel’s being so old and deep in the city could be the reason behind it.
This was the hotel Warner was staying at for the time being. He once gave me his address to meet him there, but I couldn’t find time to do so. Well, I had been ignoring him a lot in the last few days, even months. And here I was thinking not to hurt him anymore.
It was my luck to have such a great friend like him. Even after everything, he was here for me.
When nobody answered, I knocked again. And this time, I heard his voice.
“Who is it?” He opened the door, his swollen eyes met mine.
Surprise flashed in them.
“Em? Y-you came?” An uneven smile stretched across his face. “I thought you don’t care for me enough to keep my last request before I go back.”
I frowned. His words totally went ignored by me as I took in his appearance.
Disheveled hair, half tucked button down white shirt, some of the buttons left undone. The redness of his eyes, dark bags under them, and the slur of his voice had me concerned.
“Are you drunk?”
His shake of head was immediate. “Not at all. Was just having one or two glasses.” Rubbing his face as if to make him look better, he held the door wide. “Come in.”
Wrapping my arms around myself, I walked inside. The crease between my forehead formed again.
He had booked a small room with an adjoined bathroom and balcony with it. It’d be cozy if it wasn’t so messed up. Things were everywhere. Some of his clothes were scattered on the floor and on the bed. The cushions of the couch lay on the floor, and the coffee table was upside down. Even the sheet of the bed was half hanging down and half covering the bed.
It seemed like a storm had passed through this room.
I glanced at Warner. He awkwardly looked around the room before starting to pick up the cushions and his clothes.
Did he do this?
“Sorry, I-I was a little upset.” He swayed slightly on his feet. “I thought you weren’t going to come to meet me. I thought I wasn’t going to see you for one last time. But…” A goofy smile tugged at his lips. “You came. I was wrong, you do care for me. I was missing you a lot, you know?”
I smiled sadly. “Even after everything you’re saying you were missing me. Even after everything you had to go through because of me. The things Ace did to you…” Sighing, I shook my head. “I’m sorry again, Warner. I swear I had no idea about it. I wouldn’t have let him do that to you if I knew. I’m really sorry. But I promise I’ll make everything right.”
His brown orbs met mine. “I know you wouldn’t let him do anything if you knew his intentions, Em. It’s not your fault. It’s him who ruined everything.” His tone turned bitter at the mention of Ace.
I let it pass. I was mad at him tonight, too.
“You’re just too innocent that he caught you in his trap.”
I wanted to disagree with this statement of his, but he cut me off.
“Anyway, let’s not talk about him anymore. Let’s talk about something else. Like old times,” he said, pointing towards the couch for me to sit. Swaying on his feet, he walked towards the landline phone of the room. “Tea?”
“I’m fine. You don’t need to call the room service for that.” Running my hands up and down my arms, I sat on the couch. The temperature of the room was cold for my state.
“You’re soaked.”
“Yeah, got caught up in the rain on my way. You noticed it now?” I asked, glancing at him. His gaze roamed over my body clung to my thin red sundress.
I tugged the end of my dress over my knees as a feeling of discomfort rose in me.
“Yeah…” He cleared his throat, shaking his head. “I was too surprised seeing you here to notice anything else. Anyway, let’s have some drinks.”
Putting the coffee table back in its place, he brought a bottle of whiskey and two glasses for us before plopping beside me.
“I’m not in a mood to drink right now, Warner. And you shouldn’t drink either. You’re already slurring.”
My switched off phone was on my mind constantly.
A certain someone must be going crazy out there. Well, he deserves it.
“Oh, come on, Em! One glass won’t do anything. And I’m fine, don’t worry about me.” He poured the liquid in both glasses.
When he pushed one towards me, I shook my head, hesitating. I didn’t come here to drink with him. Though I already said sorry several times, I wasn’t sure if he really forgave me.
“Just one drink, Em. For me? Can’t you do that for old times’ sake?”
His expectant eyes had me sigh. Nodding, I took the glass. The bright smile that etched on his face was instant.
Before I could take a sip, he gulped the whole substance in one go and slammed the glass on the table. I frowned when he refilled the glass.
“Aren’t you drinking too much tonight? You don’t drink that much usually.”
Letting out a humorless chuckle, he gulped the second fill. “Situations change a man, Emerald. And this thing,” he pointed at the bottle, “can be quite a good friend when you’re all alone. It makes you forget everything.”
Guilt washed over me as I looked down. “Well, it can’t. Because even when you’re drunk now, it’s not helping with your problems at all. You still remember everything.”
He shrugged carelessly, filling his glass again. “Let’s not talk about the problems tonight. Let’s talk like the old days. I’ve missed our time back in New York.”
I smiled, twirling my bracelet. “I missed it too. Life was so simple back then.” And then Achilles Valencian appeared in my life. Like a storm, he turned my life upside down. And even it sounded insane, I still loved that storm.
He nodded. “I wish I could get those days back. Where there were only you and me. No one else.”
When I opened my mouth, a sudden dry laugh left him.
“I know, I know. I’m crossing my limits again. Sorry, I tend to forget the lines every time.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I took a sip. The sweet and bitter taste of it burned down my throat.
“By the way, did you tell your cousin to leave Arthur’s case alone? Because I don’t want him to get hurt.” I changed the subject. I didn’t want to argue with him on the night he was leaving.
He just nodded. Suddenly going all quiet, he just sipped on his drink and watched me.
Shifting in my place, I put the glass on the table. “I tried to call Sierra again, but her phone was unreachable. I really don’t know what to do—”
“Can you just stop it, Em? I thought we were having some ‘us’ time, like back in New York. And here you are, starting with your problems again. I’m tired of listening to all your problems now!” With his lips pressed tight, his voice turned demanding.
I just stared at him.
He had never behaved with me in that manner. Not even when he was in his shittiest mood.
Maybe it was the alcohol?
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, sorry. I was just a little worried for her.”
His mood changed again as he smiled. Adoration filled his eyes as they roamed me again. “I know. My Em is always concerned for everyone.” Sliding closer, he grasped my hand. “Did I ever tell you this color suits you? It brings out your perfect skin tone so gracefully.”
When his thumb brushed over my knuckle, I tried to pull my hand back, but his grip was firm. His eyes didn’t leave my face as he tucked a strand of my wet hair behind my ear.
“You’re more and more beautiful every day. California’s weather is suiting you well, I can see.” His tone dropped to a husky voice.
With unease, I pulled my hand from his grasp and put some distance between us. Slight suffocation hit me suddenly being in this room with him, and I didn’t miss the way his features hardened at my reaction. His fists clenched.
“Uh, thank you.” I averted my eyes. “C-can I get a towel? I need to dry my hair, I guess. It’s still dripping.”
Remaining silent for a moment, he slowly nodded and got to his feet. Stumbling on his way, he went into the washroom and returned with a white towel.
“Thanks.”
Taking it from him, I started to towel dry my hair. He just watched me silently, with an unreadable expression. A chill ran down my spine at the way his dark brown gaze slid down my body. The eerie silence made my stomach twist with nervousness.
I planted a tight smile on my face as I put the towel on the table and stood. “I think I should go now. It’s getting late.”
I thought coming here I’d have a good talk with him before he left. But now, I didn’t want to stay any longer. His behavior was different tonight. I had seen drunk Warner before, but his presence never made me feel that uncomfortable before.
His face dropped as he took an urgent step towards me. A frown formed between his brows. “You want to leave? So soon? We didn’t even talk much yet.”
“I know. And I’m sorry, but I have somewhere to be,” I excused. “So, uh, I’ll see you soon?” Maybe when you’re sober.
He shook his head, lips curling in displeasure. “It’s Achilles, isn’t it? You don’t want him to wait for you much longer. But you can definitely leave me here when all I wanted was to spend some quality time with you before I leave.”
I sighed. “It’s not Ace. I’m going to Beth’s place. I came to meet you, right? You also must have some packing to do. So… I’ll just leave now. You get sober and pack your bags. Otherwise, you’ll be late.”
His gaze hardened. “So, everyone in your life is important to you other than me. You have time for everyone except me?”
“Warner, please. It’s not like that, and you know that. You wanted to meet me, so I’m here. But I think I should go now. And I can’t stay in these wet clothes all night,” I explained. “As you’re leaving tonight, I think you should start packing now. I’ll see you soon.”
Gathering my purse, when I turned to go, his voice stopped me.
“Wait! Won’t you give me a goodbye hug before you go? Did I lose that right too?”
I turned to him. Though my brain was telling me to say no and get out of here, my heart called out for my friend. I could at least give him a bear hug before I leave, right? Nothing was wrong with that.
Flashing him a smile, I nodded and wrapped my arms around him. The strong smell of alcohol filled my nostrils instead of his familiar scent. He didn’t waste another second to pull me closer in his arms. Closer than I was comfortable with.
“I’ll miss you so much, Em.” His hot breath fanned my neck.
Ignoring the unease, I patted on his back. “I’ll miss you too. But it’s all right, we can talk everyday on the phone. And we can meet whenever we can. We’re not worlds away, right?”
As I tried to pull away, he tugged me to his chest again, placing his head in the crook of my neck. “Don’t leave me, Em. I want you here with me.”
I pushed his shoulders, but his hold on me only tightened, fingers dug into my skin.
Panic set in as I wiggled in his grip. “Warner, let me go.”
“I can’t, I can’t tonight,” his husky yet demanding voice close to my ear made me feel disgusted. A chill ran down my spine when his hands started to roam over my hips, to my sides.
“Warner! Let me go! What’s wrong with you?” I pushed at his chest, making him stumble back. “What the hell were you doing?” I snapped. But his dark gaze lingered on my lips.
Shaking my head, as I turned to leave, I was harshly pulled into him again.
A shriek left my mouth with the force I collided against him. When he leaned in, I was quick to move my head away.
“What the fuck, Warner? Let go of me!” I tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge.
“Just one kiss, Em. Just one. I’ve been dying to taste those lips since I came here. But you didn’t even let me hug you properly.” His voice came out urgent, as he tried to reach my lips. His vice grip didn’t budge with my continuous fight.
“No! What are you doing! Let me go!”
Tears started to blur my vision as his lips landed on my jaw and cheek. I pushed away his head with my hands.
Letting out a curse, he took my hands and put them behind my back. “Just one fucking kiss! I was with you for two fucking years and you’re treating me like that! You cheated on me with that bastard, broke up with me, but I still tolerated your shit and helped you with Arthur’s matter! But you can’t even give me a kiss?” he hissed. Gripping my hair in his fist, he tried to turn my head to him. “Just give me one fucking taste and I’ll let you go!”
“No! Warner, please!” I whimpered at the sharp pain burned through my scalp. Tears rolled down my cheeks, my heart pounded down my chest with the panic that ran through my veins. “You’re drunk! It’s not you! Come back to your senses! What the hell are you doing? Let go of me!”
He twisted my arm behind my back, making me hiss. Cupping my jaw, he forced me to face him. “You’ll kiss me tonight. I swear, you’ll repent the moment you decided to leave me. No one can make you feel like I can. I’ll make you forget him.”
I screamed when his fingers tugged at my hair harshly.
“You’re mine, Emerald!” He slammed his lips on mine. Disgusted, I moved my head away again before he could thrust his tongue in my mouth.
In the hustle, furious pounding on the door reached my ears. Hope filled me. Just as I opened my mouth to scream for help, I heard his voice.
“Emerald! Open the door!”
Ace?
With my eyes blurred with tears, I let out a sob. “Ace! Ace, help me!”
“Shut the fuck up!”
I hissed as Warner pulled at my hair again. His eyes were dark, wild as he pulled me close to him, desperately trying to get my lips.
“I won’t let you go with him tonight. You’re mine, Em!”
Leaning away, I kept my face away from him throughout the fight as much as possible.
“Emerald! What the fuck—”
Ace’s voice was cut off. Panic washed over me once more, not being able to hear him anymore. Then I heard the door being pounded harshly.
“Ace!” I pushed at Warner again. “Let me go, Warner!”
“You’re not leaving!”
When his lips fell at the side of my lips, using all the power I had, I hit my knee against his groin and pushed at his chest. Letting out a hiss, he flinched away as I fell on the floor. And at the same time, the door slammed down on the ground.
With rigid shoulders, clenched fists and tense jaw, he stood at the doorway. And then his dark and alert stormy gray orbs fell on me. “Rosebud…”
