MILES
"Why are you so tensed." Mark patted my shoulders. "I'm the one who's marrying. Not you."
I rolled my eyes. He had put on a grey suit, a little lighter than the one he had worn to the photo shoot yesterday. Though he had asked me to prim up more formally, I had stuck with the casual jeans and a comfy tee-shirt, putting on a blazer on top of it. It made me look decent and that was enough for me.
I looked around, hoping to see someone who would magically appear and save me from this lame function. At least with her, it wouldn't have felt lame.
Laura was with Mark's cousin Tracy, laughing at something they discussed. Her parents wore a proud smile on them as they talked non-stop with everyone. Mark stood next to me, accompanying me as guests came over to greet him.
At the drinks table, few girls were giving me the eye. If I didn't have other things in mind, I would have probably enjoyed myself very much. Near the entrance, I saw Amber shaking her head at the microphone that she had stuck in her ear. She seemed helpless and looked like she would cry any minute now.
"Are you expecting someone?" Mark asked. I had almost forgotten that he was standing next to me. "Like my florist?"
I looked at him and he looked amused for some reason. "Well, she's gone to her parents for Christmas." I shrugged. "She told me it's like a ritual."
I would have followed that ritual too if Mom was here, alive with me. Ever since Mom was taken away, all the festivities lost their value. Kevin usually was caught up with his work while Dad and I couldn't sit in the same room for more than half hour.
"Yeah," Mark laughed. "Laura had a fit against it when she broke the news to her."
I snorted. "I can understand. She had called me about it." I looked at Laura. She looked so happy and content with her peach dress. Her hair was left open only pinned at the side and she looked very beautiful. "But she's coping up really well."
"Unlike you." Mark patted my shoulder again.
"What?" I asked, laughing nervously, shaking my head to the side. "Why would I be worried about it?"
"After you-know-who, I've never seen you smile the way you smile now." Mark said and I had to roll my eyes at his cheesy choice of words. "Maybe it's a good thing, you know?"
"Marriage is making you weak." I teased him. "Besides, it was your idea to let us go shopping together."
"Yeah, but we never told to do it together." Mark shrugged. "That was all you guys."
She had told that we could be doing shopping alone, but then again, I was the one to ask her to accompany me. "Anyway, she's nice."
"That she is." Mark smiled. "Laura tells me that she has gone through a lot, Miles. So, just be careful before you break her heart."
"Who says I'm going to break her heart?" I asked, angry at him for bringing it up.
"Well, I'm just saying." Mark said, putting his hands up as a mock surrender. Someone on the other side called his name and soon, he was gone, leaving me angry and mad.
"Break her heart, my ass!" I cursed under my breath as I walked towards the drinks section to make sure that I drowned myself in the drinks. "He doesn't care if she breaks mine!"
Just as I was about to order, I remembered how I used to drink only a few weeks ago to forget things. And I didn't want to repeat history, trying to drown my sorrows in that awful liquid. I closed my eyes and leaned on the table when the leader of the girl gang who was eyeing me came towards me.
"Hey handsome." One of them called and I winced. "Want a drink?"
I couldn't understand how the same sentences had once made me immune to look past their fake smiles and eager attention. I clipped my anger and put on a smile. "Thank you, ladies, but I'm fine."
The other girl ran her hands up my shoulder and stopped short at my neck. "Want to get out of here?"
The rehearsal dinner was over a few hours back and it was only music and random talks now. It had already struck twelve and there was no harm in calling it a night. Just when I was about to say yes - for old time's sake - I heard a familiar voice towards the right.
"Get me a hard, strong cocktail and just keep it coming." All I could see was the blond hair, messier than I had ever seen before.
"Easy lady." The attender said, winking disgustingly. "You look stunning, by the way."
"Excuse me, ladies." I said, an involuntary grin forming on my face. I didn't even look back when the girl made a face at me. I walked towards the blond hair, putting my hands on her shoulders.
It was Megan, the only face I had been searching for since the beginning of the dinner. What was she doing here when Amber was losing her shit? With my hand on her shoulder, she turned around taking me in for a surprise. She always had a knack to get herself noticed with her weird dressing skills. But this time it was shocking.
Puffy red eyes, pink cheeks, dark circles around the eyes, unkempt hair and a tired, dull face-things that were supposed to be the opposite at her friend's rehearsal dinner party.
"You came?" I asked her, taking a step towards her. I was sure she had been crying. Did something happen on her way back here? How did her parents let her drive in this state, like this? "Megan?"
"What?" She snapped, her eyes burning on me. "What is with everyone? Don't you want me here? Let me know!"
I swear, she could have killed me right then and there. I had always seen her so collected and calm, but tonight, she had gone wild and that alone made me curious about her. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and I couldn't help but put a protective arm around her.
But as soon as I made contact, she pushed me, trying to walk away. With that sudden movement, her balance wore off and if I hadn't caught her, she would have fallen on the floor.
"Slow, darling." I held her by her waist to get her standing again. "You are drunk."
Her eyes closed for a while and all her anger dissipated. When she looked back, she was smiling. "Strong biceps." She said giggling, as she poked me with her index finger.
I looked at her amused that she had turned from anger to flirting very soon. "Come on, babe. You need to get to bed before you puke."
"No!" She said. "I have drinks to finish."
I almost saw myself in her when she mentioned drinks. Using them as a remedy to forget stuffs. Was she doing the same? What did she want to forget? Her last boyfriend?
"Just listen to me, will you?" I pulled her hand towards me, guiding her to walk with me. I couldn't let her go down the same path that I went through.
"No! I won't listen to you!" She snapped. "What are you going to do about that?"
I wanted to video this and show it to her when she was sober. She looked so cute as she pouted, faking anger at me. I leaned closer to her.
"Well, you are drawing attention here." I said. Alarmed, she looked around. Surely, those girls whom I had left behind were looking at us, with wide eyes. "And you wouldn't want Laura to find you like this, do you?"
For a second, there was fear in her blue eyes, and I did a mental high-five for my tactics. Talking with my three-year-old niece had come in handy now.
"Fine." She said. "I'll go with you."
"Good." I said, as I pulled her with me, making my way before anyone recognized her. Considering her makeup, I was sure no one could notice her.
All she wanted was some rest and then she would be better at the wedding. And since my room was the nearest one from the hall and I took her there. I convinced myself that it was not because I wanted her in my bed but only to make her comfortable, hopefully with no one puking on the way.
"You are Smith, right?" She asked as we made our way towards his car. "Because I'm not going out with any stranger."
"I'm not a stranger." I said, making her stand as I leaned towards the car to open the back door. She was not in a position to go shotgun.
"Ow!" I heard her cry, only to see her crumpled on the floor.
"Two minutes I go to unlock the car and I find you like this?" I sighed. "How many drinks did you have?"
Exhaling, I reached towards her, putting my hands on her back as I carried her bridal style. I placed her at the back. When I was done, she had already passed out.
She smelt of rum, whiskey and tequila. Her dress was pungent, and I could only hope that her hangover tomorrow wouldn't kill her in the wake. I drove her to my room that was rented for the night, to let her get some sleep.
When we reached the hotel, I ignored the curious eyes of the strangers as I carried her in bridal style. None of them dared to question me and I was more than grateful for that.
I placed her on my master bed, not knowing what to do. I definitely couldn't let her sleep like this, and I definitely couldn't call Laura to tell her about her friend. She was already in lot of stress to deal with this. I had some spare clothes in the cupboard, but I wasn't brave enough to undress her and get her clean.
Then, my idea bulb glowed brightly. Amber. Her friend. I called her immediately asking for help.
"Hi Amber." She picked the call in the first ring. It was probably because she was wearing that microphone for all evening.
When I told her the situation I was in, she cursed out loud before promising that she would be here very soon. She said it would take a few minutes to get to me, but she said she would. Under those promises, I also had the luxury to hear her threats if I was to do anything to her beloved friend.
"I have some spare cloths, but it would be a better idea if you helped me with that." I told her and she understood.
With the next half hour sitting next to her, listening to her breathing, I wondered what the hell had happened to her. As I watched her, Amber had come in busting in like a mother hen.
She motioned me to get out, while she would do the work. Though Amber looked more than tired for the night, she was more than willing to stay with her friend. The next few hours zoomed past us.
"Thank you so much, Miles." Amber said and practically hugged me when she came out of the room. "I was worried sick of her."
"What happened to her?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.
"Well, that's another story to tell." She said looking at her friend. "Should I take her to my room?"
"That's fine." I said, barely acknowledging her. "Let her rest here tonight. She looks comfy already."
"Okay." Amber said. I turned to look at Megan as Amber walked out the room. "And Miles, just don't ask her questions when she gets up."
I nodded my head at her, though I wouldn't have asked her even if she hadn't told me that. As the doors shut, I went and sat next to Megan.
I kissed her forehead and covered her with the sheets. "I'm right here, Megan. Don't you worry."
---
I ran faster on my early morning jog, just thinking about the only girl who had passed out drunk in my bed. She had put her hands around pressing herself against me all night as she slept.
It was a feeling that I had not felt even when I was with Shelly.
What was she doing to me? Mark's words came running back to me and I shook my head. It was not me; it would be her to break my heart if I let her.
I had kept a small note on the side table, letting her know that I was going for a run. I had kept her Advil and orange juice to get her some strength.
I was heaving as I reached the hotel room. I knocked my own door twice before I used my key to enter.
There was no sign of her in the room and I started to panic. I ran a frustrated hand on my hair as I walked to the small kitchen to see if there was anyone there, but to my disbelief, there was no one.
I heaved a sigh when I saw that the Advil and the juice glass empty. At least she had had some medicine. Before I could pick my phone to call her, there was noise from the bathroom, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Is that you, Meg?" I asked knocking at the bathroom door.
"I'm here. I'll be back in ten." Her voice was as good as I remembered.
"Sure, take you time." I said, going towards the kitchen to make something to eat. I was sure that she would have been starving now. I didn't know if she had eaten anything last night. I set out to make a few sandwiches, thankful for the small kitchen that came with the suite here.
As I turned around to fetch a plate, I saw her glaring at me, but she looked... hot. Her body was covered with the woolen towel and her hair was twisted up as if she had a shower instead of a bath with water dripping down her hair. Steam raised from her skin as I stood there gawking at her.
"Wow! I... um... didn't expect you to be out this soon." I cleared my throat and hoped that I sounded casual rather than turned on.
"How the hell did I end up here?" She hissed. It was probably her hangover from yesterday. I couldn't believe that she was standing in front of me almost naked, fighting about how she had come in my suite.
I tried to concentrate on the bread that I wanted to prepare now. At least it didn't take much of my clouded memory right now.
"That question is mutual." I said, not wanting to look at her, only covered in her towel.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked, walking towards me that I had to hold my breath. She cocked one eyebrow at me as a challenge. God, she was killing me.
"I found you drunk at the back of the hall." I shrugged. "How the hell did you end up there?"
Thank God, my brain was asking all the right questions. If not, I was sure she would have slapped me and spit twice before going away.
"Why did you take me here?" She asked, ignoring my questions at her.
I rolled my eyes, not letting them take her anatomy instead of her words. "What was I supposed to do?" I asked, putting my hands in the air. "You were there completely drunk. I guessed that you wouldn't want Laura to find you in the state I found you in. So, I brought you here."
She considered it for some time as she pouted and looked away thinking. She looked adorable and all I wanted was to take her face in my hands and kiss her pout away.
"One last question." She said, pointing her index finger to the sky.
"Shoot." I said, crossing my hands across my chest as I looked at her amused. For a girl who was going through a hangover, she sure was talkative. If she was suffering from a headache, she didn't show it.
She hesitated and I loved to see her squirm under my stare. "Did you change me up?"
"Depends on what you think." I winked, letting the information sink. I liked the fact that she was nervous around me.
It was a first for me. The women I dated before were all brave, knowing exactly what to say and how to behave with me. And nervousness wasn't one of them.
Her eyes widened with shock and for a brief moment, I thought she was going to cry. But she only picked up the pillow on the cushion and threw it at me in anger. For someone who was dressed in only a towel wrapped around, she sure was feisty. If this were any other situation, I would have totally taken advantage of it.
"I like the drunk you better." I grinned like a little boy, catching the pillow that flew my way.
"You are now pissing me off." She said. "I have a head-ache."
But I was liking it. "That's obvious, isn't it?" I snorted. "You were drunk yesterday."
"Whatever." She said as she went inside the room across the hall and shut the door loudly.
"You know, you asked me to kiss you goodnight." I called out loud, with a smirk.
"I did not! And I don't believe you." She said, her surprise etched in her face, as she came out of the room with a cream-colored shirt and a dark skirt that landed only till her thigh.
"Sure, go ahead. Don't believe me." I said, not considering that fighting with her would be this fun. I walked towards her and leaned closer to her ear. She smelled of jasmines and lilies. "Your secrets are safe with me."
She shivered as I my breath tickled her neck. She wriggled and stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair with a comb. She picked up her bag and tried to walk out of the room.
"Hey, you didn't eat!" I shouted. "I've made toast."
"I'm not hungry." She shouted back.
"That was not a question." I shook my head. "Where are you going?"
"I've got work, you know." She glared at me. "Unlike some people, I work at weddings."
I snorted. "Of course. But it's not without eating, darling."
"Don't call me darling and I'm not eating!" She said sternly.
"Come on, Meg." I sighed, walking to her. "You were completely drunk, you will be tired before you make it down the elevator."
"You are not Amber." She said. I had to try hard not to laugh at that. "And you cannot make me eat!"
"You said you had a headache. Thinking that you took your Advil," I looked at the Advil bottle she had left on the kitchen counter. "Empty stomach isn't going to help you much, you know."
She rolled her eyes and went past me. She took a bite of the toast and turned to face me. "Happy?
"One more bite and you may go." I said smiling. She was at least eating something.
"God! You sound just like Hannah." She said taking another bite.
"Hannah?"
"Smith's wife." She said and I relaxed. I had thought him to be someone who had put her to this state - the drunken, sad girl that she was last night. "They are like my parents." Her eyes softened for the first time.
"So, that was who Smith was." I muttered.
"So, how will I reach my car?" She asked, almost demanded. No one had ever demanded me for anything. It was usually me in that spot and this seemed like a good change.
"Your car is parked towards the left side of the parkway. If you head towards the right when you meet the main road, you'll find the wedding area." I instructed, leaning on the kitchen counter.
"Thanks." She said, not looking me in the eye, probably embarrassed about last night. "For everything." She gestured around the room.
I only smiled back. "Anything for my darling."
"Argh!" She whined, before she shut the door after her leaving me with a fit of laughter.