2

Chapter 2

Aster: third person's point of view.

—

"I don't know that girl."

To say that he was surprised was an understatement.

"Come again?" 

Are you kidding me?

The woman widened her eyes at the sudden realization. "Wait, I thought you know her? Why did you let her stay in the car?"

He shook his head and looked back at the road. "I just moved in three days ago, I don't know anyone except you. I thought you're her aquaintance or something." He scratched his ear and glanced back at the stranger.

The woman groaned and massaged her temples. "What do we do? We can't just leave her here."

Aster closed his eyes and leaned back on his seat". I'll drive you home."

"Well, obviously. But what about her?" She gestured towards the sleeping girl who reeks of alcohol, still snoring loudly and keeping them from having a decent conversation. Lois' face turned dim after hearing another snore.

"I'll figure it out, don't worry."

"But—"

"Come on, Lois."

The woman scratched her head, giving up. "All right, do whatever you want. You're so stubborn!"

"I know, deal with it."

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

The two went silent as Aster started the car's engine. He drove on the dark road, taking his mind off of the sleeping stranger with them. He exhaled as they saw Lois' house not very far ahead.

"This is my stop. Thanks, Aster."

"Yeah."

Lois closed the car's door and peeked through the window to look at the stranger again. "Take care of her and call someone from her contacts," she looked away and sighed, her hot breath creating a small fog because of the cold air. "Stay warm, open the heater." She stared at him again before turning her body to the opposite direction. "We'll talk tomorrow."

"Yeah."

He only nodded and closed the windows after seeing Lois enter the house. he started the engine again and drove out of the villa, squinting his eyes in hopes of seeing the road covered by the slightly thick fog.

Too cold.

He glanced back at the snoring stranger from the mirror and sighed. From the looks of it, he'll sleep on the couch tonight.

I thought I'll be able to sleep early today. Just my luck.

Sighing again, he stopped the car on the side of the road. He then removed his leather jacket and placed it on top of the woman's legs before looking at her face. Her skin is fair, but slightly ruined by the mascara that flowed together with her tears, he figured. 

I wonder, who made you cry?

He shook his head at the thought and continued driving. Minutes later, he arrived at his apartment building.

He just moved in about three days ago. His unit has enough space, good ventilation, and a really nice view of the city lights at night, and, well, hundreds of people at day.

He unfastened his seatbelt and unlocked the door. He gently took the girl in his arms, supporting her back and legs as he walked up to the stairs, making sure to keep the hand railings from hitting the stranger's head.

She's a lightweight, tsk.

As he reached the door, he slid the keys on the doorknob and went inside. He placed the stranger carefully on the couch as he went to the bathroom to get a basin of warm water and a clean towel. He placed the basin on the coffee table and wet the towel. After squeezing enough water out, he held the stranger's chin and started wiping her face. He sighed after seeing her bloodshot eyes, red and puffy.

He removed his jacket from her legs and carefully took off the stranger's coat. He placed it on a rack and carried her to his bedroom.

As he opened the door, he felt an object fall from the stranger's pocket. He quickly tucked her to bed and grabbed the phone on the floor. 

He opened it after feeling it vibrate on his palm. A message popped up on the screen.

Andrea banana

Where are you, Megan? I told you to just stay on the freaking bench! Ethan will kill me!

He clicked his tongue in frustration after realizing that the phone has a password, hence he won't be able to type a reply. A few seconds later, the phone vibrated numerous times. He was about to answer the caller but since luck avoids his existence, the phone died.

Well, shiitake mushrooms.

He scratched his nape. 

He looked at the sleeping girl that's now sprawled all over his bed.

He clicked his tongue and went close to the edge of the bed, removed the girl's shoes, then covered her whole body with a blanket. He glanced at the girl's peaceful face and sighed.

Megan, huh?

He looked away and took a blanket out of his cabinet. He was about to go out when he heard shuffling sounds and a loud groan. He widened his eyes after seeing the girl unbuttoning her blouse.

What kind of improper act is she trying to do—

"Too hot... Am I in hell?"

Is she still drunk?

She pouted and squinted her eyes to get a better look at the figure in front of her. "Wait, are you a grim reaper? Did you take my soul already?"

Yep, still is.

"Nah."

"Eh? Where's Andrea?"

"Who the heck is Andrea?"

"My brother's girlfriend."

"Okay."

"Did you kidnap me?"

"No, why would I?"

"Okay. Whatever floats your boat."

He grabbed a remote from the bedside table and lowered the air conditioner's temperature. He went closer to the drunk girl and covered her with the blanket again. He closed his eyes in annoyance as he walked away, grabbing the blanket he accidentally dropped on the floor.

"You look hot, grim reaper." 

"I'm not—" A soft snore cut him off.

He stopped walking and sighed for the nth time. Should I have just left her behind?

He groaned and closed the door, walking lazily towards the small couch.

On second thought, nah. I'm too awesome to do that.