03: Wild Goose Chase

BLAIR

            My eyes slowly blinked open and I realized that I was in an unfamiliar room. I sat up immediately, running my fingers through my hair. My head was hurting really bad.

The door opened and my aunt walked in with a big smile on her face.

"You're awake" she said, placing a tray on the bedside table. The previous night's events came rushing back to me and my eyes widened.

The taxi driver...

The rain...

Altan....

Aunt....

I frowned.

The last thing I remembered was getting into the car.

I noticed that my upper arm was stinging so badly.

"Aunt?"

"Yes, darling? You can call me Maggie" she said.

"What happened after you picked me up?" I asked.

"You passed out"

"I-I did?"

"Yup. Here's your breakfast. If you need anything, you can come downstairs" she said and kissed my temples, making me feel like a little girl once again. I got out of bed and padded into the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face and cringed when I saw how tired I looked. The skin beneath my eyes had darkened and there was a weariness in my eyes. I heaved a long sigh and took off my long sleeved shirt. My jaw dropped when I saw the tattoo on my upper arm.

A rose.

A bright red rose.

Oh. My. God.

I started to panic because I didn't remember getting the tattoo. Besides, the tattoo had not been there when I'd left home the previous day. I stared at the rose, fascinated. It looked so real and alive. I could actually feel it on my skin. I closed my eyes and opened them but the rose was still there. I took deep breaths to calm myself down. Perhaps, Aunt Maggie would know what had really happened. I did my morning routine and went downstairs after having my breakfast.

My aunt was watching a TV show when I walked into the sitting room.

"Blair, come sit. I should get you something for your headache" she said and I frowned.

How did she know that?

"When you passed out, you hit your head on the floor. I was worried at first that you would have a concussion. But, it turns out you'll only have a nasty headache" she said and I nodded.

Something still felt off and it felt like she was lying but I wasn't really in the mood to argue with her. So, I sat my ass down and gratefully took the medicine she gave me. I thought about the rose that had been magically tattooed on my skin. Perhaps, it was indeed magic and if it was really magic, I needed to talk to my mum about it.

"Um, so- I was thinking about getting a job" I said and she smiled.

"I can help you with that"

"Really?"

"Of course"

"Oh, thanks. That would be great"

........

MIKAEL

          Groaning, I opened my eyes. I was definitely not in my room and fuck, my head was hurting really bad. The problem was that I had no idea where I was. I pushed my body to a sitting position. Only then did I feel the sting on my upper arm. The room was a little dark. So, I stumbled out of the bed and moved towards the window.

But before I could open the blinds, the door opened and someone walked in.

"You're finally awake" Lorenzo said and I frowned as everything came rushing back to me.

My flight....

The rain....

My car stopping in the middle of the road...

The girl in the rain....

Lorenzo....

"Good morning, Alpha"

"Don't call me that" I scoffed. I was still upset about what had happened yesterday but then, I was just too tired at the moment.

Besides, my head was still pounding. It was at this point that I realized something. I didn't remember walking out of Lorenzo's car. I didn't even remember lying down on the bed.

"Lorenzo?"

"Yeah?"

"What happened last night?" I asked.

"You passed out"

My eyes widened.

"W-what?!"

"You should rest more. I swear you're well on your way to looking like a zombie"

"Gee, thanks"

"I'm sure you're starving. Freshen up and come to the kitchen" he said and I stared at him, still in a daze. I didn't even notice him leaving.

Something else had taken over my mind.

The girl in the rain.

She had looked so much like the girl in my dream and when our eyes had met, I swear I had felt a spark. There was something so strange about the previous night.

I moved the curtains aside and opened the blinds only to notice the tattoo on my upper arm.

A red rose!

A fucking rose!

I stared at it, jaw slackened.

What the fuck?

I had two other tattoos on my body and I had gotten those during highschool. But at this point, I didn't remember getting a new tattoo. Besides, I would never get a tattoo of a rose because it's simply the symbol of love and romance. I'm not the type of person who's interested in love or a romantic relationship. So, why on earth would I get a  rose tattoo? I walked into the bathroom and stared at my reflection. My left eye seemed more bloodshot than usual and the scar that ran from the top of my left brow down to the top of my cheekbone stood out even more against my pale face.

The pain in my skull worsened and I groaned weakly, trying to shake off the pain. I felt like I was having the worst hangover possible. But that's not possible because I didn't get drunk last night, or did I?

I took my bath and put on Lorenzo's white shirt and sweatpants which was overly fitting because we have literally the same body build. I left the room, brushing my hair out of my eyes. Lorenzo was humming to a song by Arctic Monkeys in the kitchen.

"How is your hangover?" He asked and I blinked.

"What hangover? I didn't get drunk last night, did I?" I said, cautiously.

"As a matter of fact, you kept downing shot after shot of whisky"

"But you said-"

"You asked me to drive you to the bar even though you were soaking wet. You were totally wrecked. I had to carry your unconscious ass to the car"

"What?"

I sat down on one of the stools when I started to feel light headed. I know I can be reckless sometimes but that didn't sound like something I would do.

"I fired Martin" I said and Lorenzo stared at me, his mouth agape.

"Why would you do that?"

"It's your fault and his fault that I missed my flight. I'm really mad at you but we'll talk about that later" I said and Lorenzo's gaze softened.

"Do you want me to find someone new for the job?" He asked.

"I think you should do that. But, I don't want another Martin in my office"

"Sure thing, boss"

"I'll get you something for your hangover"

I let out a long exhale and rested my head on the cool kitchen counter. Lorenzo had sounded too eager about getting someone for the job and that was kind of weird.

Something felt different but I couldn't place my finger on it.

.......

On Monday morning, I went to my office and called for Lorenzo. He walked in with a cocky smirk on his face.

"Did you do what I asked you to do?" I asked and he sat down on the chair in front of me. "Of course, boss. We have a candidate for the position of a secretary. I think you'll like her. All you have to do is give her an interview"

"Her?" I asked.

"Of course"

"Okay"

"You're not going to argue?" He asked and I glared at him.

"Get out of my office"

"Someone is even grumpier today. Oh, and by the way, she'll be here in two hours" he said and ambled out of my office.

Two hours later, the door opened and Lorenzo poked his head in.

"She's here" he whispered.

"Bring her in" I said and continued to focus on what I was working on. He left and a few minutes later, the door opened and the smell of roses and cinnamon filled my nostrils. My head jerked up immediately at the sound of high heels hitting the floor. I nearly lost my composure when I finally saw her. She was as stunning as ever up close. Her red hair was in an intricate braid that hung over her shoulder. Her hazel eyes were bright and beautiful. She was dressed in a knee length blue dress that accentuated her curves. The sight of her rendered me completely dumb and all I could do was stare. There was a spark deep within me and that spark was slowly turning into a current.

'Mate' Storm, my wolf growled in my head. Disoriented, I kept my gaze on her.

She stared at me with what could be best described as shock. I knew because her emotions mirrored mine.

It was her.

The girl in the rain.