Chapter 7

Helena's POV

It was after three o'clock in the morning, I could feel my feet hurting from the high heels, and the atmosphere made me uncomfortable because of some of the dirty looks I was getting. The party was great, I couldn't deny that, but it wasn't my world. 

All that luxury was surreal! Really, who buys a triplex to live alone? I would never understand, but who am I to argue, right? 

Sophie was chatting with a guy and it was noticeable that they were flirting with each other, so I signaled to her that I would take a walk with the obvious intention of leaving the two of them alone. I walked around the stunning apartment, contemplating all the refinement of the place, from the furniture that was certainly worth millions, to an extensive glass wall. 

I stopped there admiring the enchanting landscape of the city at dawn, marveling at the lights forming small bright spots seen from up here.

"Did you see it? I think Carter and Cassie had a fight" I heard the instant two girls approached me.

"They were arguing, she spent the whole party away from him. She went off with Suzi and left him here. It must have been serious" the two left and I wondered why everyone was so concerned about other people's relationships. 

I continued my walk, going down to the second floor and immediately felt better to see that there was hardly anyone there. I walked to the area getting a breath of fresh air and smiled at the act. I had intended to go to the balcony, but stopped when I saw something strange. I closed my eyes and could see that John was also there.

But he didn't look well.

He was sitting - or rather, slumped - against the wall, his arms resting on his knees and his head lowered between his legs. 

A bottle of some drink was located beside him, completely empty. So what I had heard minutes ago was true. Cassie was no longer at the party. John didn't notice my presence and I remained where I was, unsure of what to do. He lifted his head and ran his hands over his face, looking astonished, and then lowered it again. I bit my lip, still in doubt, but decided to go to him just to see if he needed help. As I saw it, yes, he did. I walked over to him and crouched down beside him, lightly touching his forearm.

"John?" he raised his head and looked at me bewildered. His expression carried a bad mood and I almost regretted approaching him "Uh... you... " I totally lost track of my speech due to his stern face, cursing myself for even bothering. An arrogant smile broke out on his lips.

"We're not at home, you don't need to be helpful here" she spoke in a half-dragged and somewhat insolent voice. I noticed that she also sounded huskier. I quickly removed my hand from his forearm. 

He followed this movement with his gaze, returning my serious stare. 

I stood up again completely surprised and even annoyed by his ignorant attitude.

That's what you get for trying to be nice.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you," I said hurriedly, turning and walking at a quick pace to get out of there.

"HEY!" his slurred voice made itself audible "Wait!" he ordered. I stopped and turned slightly to look at him "Sorry" he was staring at me with his eyes slightly squinting in an attempt to see me better and his expression conveyed guilt.

I just nodded and motioned to walk again, when I was stopped once more as he struggled to get up, leaning his hand on the wall. John staggered, almost crashing to the floor. 

I ran toward him and helped him to balance, almost not falling too, since he was bigger than I was.

I took one of his arms, slipping it around my shoulders, and wrapped one of mine around his waist, guiding him - with great difficulty, I might add - in unsteady steps to one of the benches scattered around the place. He sat down and leaned on the back of the bench, throwing his head back as he ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it. I blinked a few times in order to stop admiring him and thought it best to leave him alone.

"I didn't mean to be rude" John spoke suddenly. I turned my attention back to him, who remained with his eyes closed and his head tilted back. 

I stared at him expressionlessly, not sure how to deal with a half-drunk John Carter who had probably had a fight with his girlfriend.

I suddenly felt guilty, assuming that they were still arguing about the episode involving Bryan and me.

"Ah... No problem" I continued standing there like a plant in an internal dilemma between leaving or staying where I was "Do you want me to call your friend?" I asked, thinking that his friend would be the one to be with him there, since his girlfriend had left. 

"If he's not worse off than me. You can call" he gave a drunken smile and I ran my hands through my hair wondering what to do.

I mumbled an "okay" and went out to look for Paolo, already tired of having to walk around that gigantic apartment. 

I looked around for him everywhere, also wondering where Sophie was. About half an hour later, I found him, however, he was with a girl following him and they were going down a corridor, probably towards a room.

I huffed, realizing that I would have to be alone, since I couldn't even find my friend. Well, I owed John one anyway. 

I grabbed a cold water from the bar and came back, bumping into him the same way I had left him. I sat down next to him and offered him the water. I propped my elbow on my leg and put my head under my hand, staring at the view from the second floor penthouse.