"Claire, take me home, please." I was about to get off the stool when Brian and Alex's hands at the same time tried to take mine and support my weight.
Both of them looked at each other's, Brian was more confused.
"Let me take you home!"
"Let me take you home!"
Both of them said at the same time.
I burst out laughing.
"Ohhh, my prince and princess charming." I got off the stool with Alex and Brian both shocked at what I said.
"Claire is taking me home, come on, Claire." I started walking away, staggering but I didn't care.
Claire caught up to me and held me at my waist. Brian was left standing, probably still confused at what just happened while Alex tried to catch up to us.
"Please, Claire, let me talk to her, I will take her home safely, I promise." I giggled at what Alex said and turned my face to Claire, shaking my head.
"Uhm, no. Sorry, I'll take her home."
Alex grabbed my arm and forced me to stop and face her.
"Please, Cara." Alex's eyes are begging and I almost give in.
"Where's your boyfriend? Why don't you go and find him, he's probably looking for you." I took my arm away and Claire and I walked out and left her.
_________________________________
I woke up feeling horrible. My head was pounding so hard, so hard that every move I make, worsen the headache.
God, this must be a hangover.
I tried to recall what happened last night but it was all a blur. I don't even remember how I got home and... change my clothes.
I looked down and saw that I was wearing a white oversize shirt and just wearing my underwear.
I closed my eyes tightly, this headache is really killing me.
"Good morning!" I was startled to hear that someone else was in my room.
I immediately open my eyes and see Alex smiling, wearing the same thing I was wearing but in black color, she was standing at my door with two coffee mugs in her hand.
"Actually, it's already afternoon so, good afternoon." She walked towards my bed, sat on the side, and placed the mugs on my nightstand.
"How are you feeling?" Concern was written in her eyes while she stroke my hair till she reaches my cheeks.
My mind was definitely not in my head right now, I cannot wrap up my brain around what was happening right now.
How is Alex here in my apartment? Why is she wearing only that? Did she sleep here? Did she change my clothes?
These questions probably are written on my face, Alex laughed and tried to help me sit up.
"You were super drunk last night, and when I say super, I mean, I couldn't get your head out of your toilet bowl because you were vomiting your soul."
Once I sat up, she handed me water and 2 tablets of medicines, probably aspirin. She gestured for me to take them which I obliged. She took the water from me and handed me the coffee.
Damn, that smell's nice.
I sipped a couple of times from the coffee.
Little by little, the events of last night came rushing through me.
The party, the alcohol, the dancing, Alex taking me to a room, us kissing then some actor who was... kissing her!
It was all still blurry, I don't remember all the conversations but I remember the pain I felt last night, that I had to drink the whole bar to feel numb.
When I turned my face to Alex, she knows that I remember, my face probably tell.
"Look, I can explain, Cara... I didn't know, Ok? And we're not together, you have to..."
"Where's Claire?" I ignored what she was saying.
"Oh, she has to leave last night, her brother called, he got into an accident and had no choice but to go."
"What? Troy? How is he?" The sudden movement I made just made my head spin and throb.
"Just, stay still. The aspirin probably didn't kick yet." Alex helped me to lean my back against my headboard and made me sip my coffee.
"He's fine, he had a minor injury. She called this morning but you were still sleeping."
I sipped my coffee absorbing what she just said.
"Wait, Why are you here? I mean how? Did you sleep here?" I remember it was Claire who brought me back to my apartment.
Alex let out a soft laugh.
"I followed you guys last night. I... I really wanted to talk to you, Claire lets me in because I was making a scene outside your building and probably... threatened her that I will buzz every apartment in this building till someone reports me."
"You did what?" My voice rose a little but it was a mistake because my head throbs that I had to massage my temple.
"Desperate times, Cara."
I let out a deep sigh, I just hope she didn't wake anybody in my building last night.
"Cara..." Alex scooted over to my side.
I drank the last of my coffee and handed her my mug which she put down on my nightstand. I was about to lie down but she stopped me.
"Please, can you at least hear me out?" Her voice cracked and suddenly my heart goes to her.
"I was just surprised as you were, we're not together anymore, I mean, we were never together, we were just..."
Fuckbuddy. I thought.
"Anyways, he just acts like we're together whenever we see each other or if we get invited to the same party or gathering. Him showing up at Brian's party, I was not aware of it, I swear! And when he kissed me... I, I froze. I did not expect it, and you were there, and knowing that you were seeing it, I froze. I know I should've stopped it right away but as I said, I froze."
I was contemplating what should I say. I believe her, I could see in her eyes and feel from her voice the sincerity of each word that came from her mouth but still, it pains me.
"Please, Cara. You have to believe me." She took my hands in hers and to my surprise, she brought them to her lips and kissed them multiple times.
"Please. Please." She whispers in between.
My heart melts from her actions.
My Boss begging me to believe her, explaining herself.
"Alex..."
Alex stopped and searched for my eyes. When I met hers, all I want to do is pull her in and kiss her but I stopped myself. I am still hurting, I believe her but the image of that guy hugging and kissing her can't seem to get out of my head.
"Cara..."
I could feel that she wanted to do the same, her eyes lingering on my lips long enough for me to notice it, subconsciously licking her lower lip just by looking at mine seems to be mouth-watering for her, and her leaning in towards me, is surely her tell that she was thinking of kissing me.
I pulled myself backward. Confusion is written on Alex's face.
"I just... I can't..." I looked down avoiding her eyes.
I heard her sigh. Afraid to see her sad face, I kept my head down.
"Can you uhm... Can you go? I just... I want to be alone, please."
"Wh-What?" I could hear the pain in her voice but I braced myself and fight all the will not to give in. I think I need time or space from her. And if she's here with me, I cannot think straight. All I can think of is kissing her, running my hands through the softness of her body is what I wanna do. If I let her stay here, I'll just succumb to her.
"Please... Just go."