Chapter 3

Lana~

“Ms. Monroe, we are here, please wake up.” I heard a familiar voice say from far away.

“Of course she’d fall asleep fifteen minutes to the hotel.” The voice sounded tired, exasperated yet fond and at that moment, did it hit me. My eyes shot up open, only to see Aaron’s face inches away from mine, peering down at me. My head on his shoulder. It was an awkward position and

Wait, is that drool?

His gaze followed my eyes to his shirt where I had drooled. I drooled. Please can the floor open in half and let me in with dignity. I lifted my head to move away only to bump my head against his jaw.

Fuck my life.

“Fuck, I’m so sorry, I’m so freaking sorry.” I rushed out. How does one fuck up repeatedly like this? He hissed in pain, holding his jaw while I fretted over him. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to hit you. It’s just your face was too close to mine and I saw that you had drool on your shoulder. I didn’t mean go drool, I promise I don’t drool but today I don’t know what happened. I’m not usually like this and I slept well last night so I didn’t-“ In my haze of rambling. I didn’t notice the man standing outside the car, looking into the car questioningly. I didn’t notice Aaron calling my name and sighing frustratedly.

“Lana!” He whispered-yelled, hands grabbing my shoulders. I swallowed the squeak threatening to erupt from me. I cannot be embarrassed this many times.

“It’s fine. I’m fine.” He tells me, titling his head sideways to show me his jaw. “Look, no injury and I won’t need surgery from your headbutt.” He says, a smirk ghosting his lips. I bit back the snarky remark about to leave my lips.

Get it in your fucking pants Lana.

In that moment did I notice his and wrapped around my arms tightly, his gaze lingering on mine for a second longer. The lock on the door had us jolting off like we were both electrocuted.

I cleared my throat, looking around to see we had arrived at the hotel but still in the car. Aaron had gotten out of the car, now speaking to one of the men who had interrupted us. I scurried out of the car, face burning with shame and perhaps something else.

“Good afternoon ma’am. We trust you had a safe flight. I’ve been assigned by the company to see you have a wonderful stay and I was just telling Mr Carlsen here that.” The man says, smiling genuinely at me.

“Good afternoon.” I replied, smiling politely at the whose smile widened the more, revealing a dimple I hadn’t seen there earlier.

“Alright, we should head in now, I’m quite tired and would like to rest.” Aaron voiced out, voice coming out gruffly and hoarse. I raised my eyebrows as I looked at him. What’s his deal now?

Although his comment seemed to jolt the man up as he stood straighter. “Of course, please follow me. I’d have your bags delivered to your room.” He says, leading us into the hotel.

It isn’t my first time in an over priced and expensive hotel like this and certainly won’t be my last.

I stood by the corner watching the man speak to the receptionist and got our keys. My feet was killing me as it is after being stuck in a sneakers for so long. I just wanted to pull the sneakers off and wiggle my toes in freedom. So yes, I couldn’t wait to get to my room.

“What are you thinking about so hard? You would develop wrinkles before you get to thirty.” Aaron says. I look beside me to see him standing there and already looking at me. His lips palmed into a thin line.

“Can you not.” I spat out, wondering why he couldn’t just keep to himself instead of bugging me.

“Can I not what?” He asks, stepping even closer to me, I opened my mouth to speak but paused, his cologne engulfing my nostrils and yeah, goodbye brain.

My senses decide it was the best time to not be active.

“Thank you.” I blurted without thinking.

Aaron stares at me, muddled.

“Pardon?”

What the hell, Lana? What the actual fuck is going one with you? I berated myself hard.

I opened my mouth to speak but suddenly it felt like my voice was constricted. I couldn’t get anything out with him being this close to me. I watch as his tilted his head sideways, lips parted slightly. Again I’m reminded of how fucking beautiful he is. His brown eyes only mesmerize me further, chiseled jaw giving him a more defined look. Freckles spread out against his nose and cheeks lightly, his plump pink lips that I had seen him apply his lips balm earlier only seemed to shine the more.

“Mr Carlsen, I got your keys and now we can-“ The man’s voice had me flinching hard. I looked away from Aaron whose eyes were still stuck on me. I could feel it.

“Of course, lead the way.” Aaron uttered few seconds later.

I made it my job to ignore Aaron and the things I was currently feeling even as we stepped into the elevator. It didn’t require much though, it seemed like Aaron was doing the same thing, leaving the man in our midst feeling uncomfortable. The air around was stuffy and all round uncomfortable. I just wanted to get out, I didn’t want to breathe the same air as Aaron at for now, at least until I have a bath and bury this thing inside me. Whatever is wrong with me should be gone by then, right? It should have stopped by then and I can go back to hating Aaron. I have to hate him.

We stepped out of the elevator or I ran out of the elevator. I know, I know. This isn’t how it goes but forgive me I just want to be in my room and literally pull out that memory from my head.

“Here we are, these are your rooms.” The man says, handing us the keys. I stood in front of the door to my room. Aaron is my neighbor, literally my next door neighbor which is good, right? It’s good.

“Also, the party is by nine pm today. I’ll be here to get you by eight thirty if that’s fine by you.” The man tells us.

The party? The party? Only God knows what’s wrong with me today. Has to be because mother called and Aaron was in my home. That’s the only reasonable reason. I don’t slack with my job so tell me why I forgot we had a party to join.

“Of course, thank you again.” I replied as Aaron unlocked his door, going in without a word. My eyes linger on the now shut door for a second, I couldn’t help but wonder what happened.

I sighed, I’d rather not know. I have my feelings to sort out.

“Rest well, Miss.” The man says, bowing slightly. I smiled, nodding at him before opening the door to my room and walked in.

I shut the door behind me, sighing loudly. I kicked off the sneakers, breathing in relief as I wiggled my toes. I dropped my bag on the couch and fell on the bed, allowing myself a minute to rest before heading to the bathroom but then again, it seemed like my phone had other plans. I groaned on hearing the phone ringing, almost cursing out loud.

I got up from the bed, took my phone from the bag. A tired smile made it’s way to my lips upon seeing the caller ID.

“Are you safe? I calculated the journey and thought I could call now since you’d have arrived there. Are you fine?” Ellie rushed out. I couldn’t help but smile on hearing the worry embedded in her voice. The words my mom had used to describe her and Sasha came bolting through my head, I didn’t even defend them.

“Thank you Ellie and yes I arrived safely. How are you too? Were you worried about me?” I asked

“I’m fine and no, I wasn’t worried, Sasha was, though and wouldn’t stop bugging me about you.” Ellie says. I chuckled upon hearing Sasha refute it loudly

“No one believes you, Ellie. You’re the mother hen in this relationship and it’s time you stop denying it.” Sasha yelled. I laid back down on the bed, putting the phone on speaker.

“Sasha is right, you know. It’s about time you start admitting you’re always worried about us.” I teased.

“Fine, laugh at me all you want, we’d see whose gonna be worried when you don’t come back early from the club, Sasha and you, Lana. We’d see who would be worried when you get so caught up with work and forget to eat.” She says and Sasha laughed the more.

“Thank you for worrying about me, Ellie. I’m a good kid, don’t worry but Sasha on the other hand..”

“Hey! I try my best to be good, too. It’s not easy.” Sasha yelled again, first one out of whatever mood she is in and the second yell, definitely from Ellie pinching her.

“How’s Mr Carlsen? I’m worried about him too, you know?“ Ellie says. I furrowed my eyebrows, why the hell is she worried about him.

“What? Why?”

“He’s there with you and we all know how much you dislike him.” Memories of what happened earlier came flashing through my mind. Yeah, I can’t let myself down. I have to dislike him as much as I can and get a grip on whatever is going on.

“He’s my boss, Ellie. There’s a limit to it,” I replied and Sasha snorted.

“Whatever you say, bub. It’s time we leave you to rest. Talk later.” Ellie says and hung up.

Images of what happened downstairs came flashing through my mind again. I shut my eyes close in a bid to ignore it but I only paved the way to see it clearly. I know what is happened to me and I can’t let it happen. I cannot and refuse to allow this thing grown in me.

I got up from the bed, deciding to look around the room even though it wasn’t all that different from other five stars hotel. At least the view is magnificent. I leaned against the door to the balcony, watching the air breeze through the city.

I stood there for minutes until I began to feel icky from the plane and car ride, finally decided to have a bath, at least there’s a party tonight and I’d eventually have to bath. I stepped into the bathroom, stripped off my clothes and stepped inside the tub, allowing the flowery scent of the soap fill my nostrils. The Luke-warm water soothe my aching body. I settled deep into the tub, allowing my head rest on the headboard and shut my eyes close, mentally thinking of the dress I would wear for the party.