The sound of the buzzing light woke me up from my deep slumber.
It felt like a long nap but my body felt so cold.
My body trembled, "I f..feel cold," I muttered without knowing somebody had been watching me.
My hand searched for the blanket with all my might.
Then a warm fabric suddenly covered my whole body.
I looked at the blanket and examined it with my palm. I rubbed it. It was soft and a little wooly. It was gray and it smelled good,
"Fleece Blanket", I thought. But, I don't have a fleece blanket, "Well, not in this apartment", I corrected myself.
A few seconds later, I heard voices, chattering and laughing getting louder.
I panicked so I covered myself, including my head with the blanket, "I don't know where I am now but one thing is for sure. This is not mine."
Footsteps and voices joined forces. They were loud and so carefree. I tried to listen to what they were saying, but my reception wasn't that good.
When recollection happened in my brain, the scenario flashed back as if it hit me hard.
The last thing I remember was waking up from a dream, or better call it a nightmare.
Then, I heard someone knocking on the door. I heard Mr. But's voice but when I opened the door,
Torres and two other handsome men behind him appear.
I stopped myself from squeaking for the nth time, "Oh no! Torres. I'm dead, really dead."
I was brought out of my reverie when the door in this room creaked and the conversation got vivid.
Two. No. At least three men went in and according to their conversation, someone was here all along, wait, was that Torres? Oh, God! no!
The man with a harsh voice began to speak, "So, boss? What are we going to do with her?"
Torres remained silent. I couldn't even see his reaction, "Stupid fleece!" I thought.
"Do you want me to bring her back to her apartment? Or do you want me to investigate her?" the man with a harsh voice proposes.
"No need," finally he responded, "I already know her," and I heard a soft chuckle coming out of his lips as if he was smiling.
Blood rushed to my face and my brain, "What does he mean by that? Did he know about me after all? What would I tell Beast?"
I just wanted to get out of here. But how? I can't just jump out of the window, can I?
I heard Torres's shoes touch the wooden floor. He was probably standing up right now. How I wish I could see their faces even the slightest so I have something to report to Beast.
Why, of all times, do I get sick now?
"First, I want you to buy some decent clothes for this lady over here. So that we..." he stopped and cleared his throat, "you boys won't get distracted looking at her once we talk to her."
Am I the only one who caught it? My heart fluttered a bit.
The silence broke between them when another man suddenly laughed childishly, "We? So, you admit, huh? Maybe she's your type, boss."
Then, the serious man behind him slapped him on the back of his head.
Bam!
The man with silly jokes retaliated, "Man, what did you do that for, asshole?"
"Boss isn't a shallow peasant like you, moron! Boss will never be distracted from our-," before he could even finish his sentence,
"Enough!" Torres, for the very first time, raised his voice. The tension within them thickened.
He released a sigh of disappointment, "Watch out! Think before you say anything! This isn't our turf! We need to be vigilant at all times."
"Yes, boss," the three of them affirm in unison.
They finally left the room.
I could finally breathe and relax a bit.
Or so I thought.
I felt Torres's masculine presence beside me once again.
I sniffed quietly, his scent is so addictive.
I shrugged, "Audrey, get back to your senses, will you?"
He cleared his throat and removed the blanket. As he removed the blanket, my body quickly reacted. I suddenly jumped out of bed and stood leaning on the wall on the side of his bed. Being dumbfounded as I was, my eyes opened wide and my hands froze on my side as if my palms were glued to the wall.
"You have a habit of hiding and pretending. Pretentious, aren't we?" he crossed his legs and his arms while sitting on the chair beside the bed.
Now, we were face to face, once again.
"Bb.." I tried to speak but I babbled like a baby in front of this guy.
"What did you say?" he teased, a smile on his face.
"Because you startled me. I can't talk to you right now." I defended myself.
"Oh, lady! You will." He smirked from his position.
"Lady? He's been calling me lady since earlier. Doesn't he remember my name?" a feeling of disappointment enveloped me. No one has ever forgotten my name!
He stared directly in my direction without blinking as if he was checking out my whole being, "And you do have a habit of showing your bosom to me!" he frankly pinpointed.
For once in my life, I felt ashamed. I felt ashamed flaunting my body in front of him. So I immediately pulled the fleece blanket and put it over me.
I glared at him and he just stared back at me wearing his smile, and I thought, "Oh damn! What a beautiful smile,” my cheeks felt hot, so I patted them with my hands.
All of a sudden, my body felt like floating. I looked down and the bed was under me.
I felt one strong grip on my arm and another tight grip around my waist.
Torres's scent became stronger, and I could feel the warmth of his chest on my fragile body. "It feels so good," I shyly told him. His grip tightened even more.
Now I realized that he pulled me up from the other side of the bed. "Brute strength," I thought and smiled secretly. I buried my head in his chest.
"I feel cold..." I said in a weak voice, "and tired".
"I know! You almost passed out again so I pulled you to bed before hitting your head," he explained calmly.
I let him lay me down to bed. I questioned myself in silence, "Why Audrey? Is this part of your plan to get closer to him?"
He gently positioned my head on the pillow and covered me with his fleece blanket as my body started to shiver.
I closed my eyes for a second but when I opened my eyes he was already on top of me.
His masculine body was on top of me but I felt no pressure.
My head was in between his toned forearms. Slowly, he moved his head towards me.
But I said nothing. I did nothing.
I just stared at his beautiful eyes, his beautiful brown eyes. I realize, the closer I look, the more gorgeous this man was.
How could I seduce and deceive someone majestic? My confidence and reputation are now in trouble.
My mind was full of questions,
"Is he going to kiss me?"
I started panting, this tension makes my heart ponder.
"Will I let him?" My mind said no, but my heart and body got excited with his every breath.
"Beast is going to kill me, but I don't care. I know I want him! So I'll just let him kiss me!"
Our lips were now an inch apart. This menthol aroma of his mouth, this I will never forget.
I wet my lips with my mouth.
And his eyes were locked on me.
He moved even closer, and there, I closed my eyes and lifted my head a little.