Denise, just stood there, her arms stretched out, with a smile on her face. Harold was taken by surprise and could not move for minutes. When he finally came back to his senses, he stretched out his hands, and held Denise's hand. Denise then dragged him to where a number of people were already dancing. Denise got closer to him and held him close, inhaling his scent. She sighed deeply and started to dance slowly with Harold.
Harold had his hands on her, holding her close to him. His heart was beating very loudly and he did not know if Denise could hear it. Her head was lying on his chest and she was smiling brightly. No one around them mattered to them. It was just them, dancing, holding each other. Nothing else mattered. Harold knew this was not right. Denise is his boss, he can't have a relationship with her. It was totally wrong for him. But maybe tonight, he should just let everything go and have a good time.
Denise suddenly started laughing, and Harold looked down at her. "What's wrong, Denise? Are you okay?"
"Nothing. I am just happy to be in your arms like this," Denise replied. She was drunk from drinking three glasses of wine. Harold knew this, so he just smiled. He knew Denise will never say something like this if she were sober.
"I see. I thought it was the music that was causing this. Anyway, I think it's late. Why don't we go home? You have work tomorrow and I would not want you to have a hangover.
Denise wrapped her arms around Harold's neck and stared deeply into his eyes. "Do you know you are very handsome? Why did I not see you all this time?" she asked, sounding a bit sad about it.
"Denise, don't say that. You are not yourself. I am sure by tomorrow, you will forget half of the things that happened here. Let me take you home." Denise just jumped back and almost fell down on her butt. Harold saw this and quickly held her, preventing her from falling. He gently pulled her towards him and held her by the waist.
"My hero." Denise mocked and leaned closer to Harold, who remained still. All this while, some people around them had taken notice of them and were looking at them, but both Harold and Denise paid no heed to them. They just continued to lean in till Denise fell forward. Harold held her tight, and sighed in relief. He looked around and saw the eyes that were staring at him.
He apologised silently to all the people around, and picked Denise up in bridal style. He apologized to everyone again, and left with a sleeping Denise in his arms. He took her outside and gently placed her at the back seat of the car. When he was sure she was comfortable enough, he closed the door and got into the car. Then he drove them back to the mansion.
When they got back home, it was already midnight. They had not been gone for a long time, yet, it seemed like they had been away for hours, especially considering the state Denise was in now. Harold carried her upstairs when they got home, to her bedroom. He gently placed her on her king size bed, so that he does not wake her up. He proceeded to take off her shoes and covered her with her blanket.
He turned to leave, when he felt a hand on his. "Please don't go." Denise said, sleep evident in her voice.
"I am sorry I woke you, Denise. I just wanted to leave you alone to rest. We both have a busy day, tomorrow," Harold whispered, not wanting to bother her much more.
"You did not wake me. Just stay with me, please. Sleep here tonight."
Harold opened his eyes wide in shock. "I can't... please."
"Please."
Harold breathed in hard. Denise was going to regret this in the morning and Harold was not ready for the awkwardness that was going to follow after that. But here lies the problem where by drunk Denise was clinging to him like her life depended on it. He really wanted to leave the room and go sleep in his room. But something kept stopping him. He nodded and slept beside Denise, who wrapped her hands around him and smiled to herself. She closed her eyes, and fell asleep immediately.
Harold's mind and heart kept racing at the contact. He did not want to believe Denise had feelings for him. He did not want to build his hopes up. He did not want to believe in love again, after love dealt with him in the most severe way. He carefully wrapped his arms around Denise and closed his eyes too. Soon, the tiredness he was feeling, lured him into the dreamland of sleep.
Denise woke up to an empty bed and a bad headache. Last night, she had a dream, where Harold was sleeping so soundly beside her. He looked so peaceful and handsome in his sleep and Denise was so tempted to kiss his lips. The dream felt so real to the extent that she could actually smell him in her bed. That was when she woke up and opened her eyes. She looked around and called Harold's name but did not get a reply. She was so confused. How could the dream feel so real?
Her head began to ache and she began to regret taking alcohol at the party. She should have known better and stayed away from the alcohol all together. She tiredly got down from the bed and headed towards the bathroom. She opened the drawers and brought out a bottle of painkillers, that was at the back of the drawers. She took some without water and went downstairs, massaging her temples.
Her mother was already in the kitchen making breakfast, when she entered the kitchen.
"Hello dear. Did you sleep well?" Her mother asked her.
"Ay, mother. Can you please bring your voice down?" she winced, as she sat on the stool by the counter, behind her mother.
Her mother smiled and shook her head. "I am not surprised you are having a hangover. You could hardly stand on your own last night. Thank God, Harold carried you into your room. I am sure by now you would have been lost somewhere in the city."
Denise eyes widened. "Harold was in my room?"