Chapter 7
Mandy:
There I stood, alone in a hotel room feeling like I had just killed the little bit of joy I came to know. Guilt envelops me, I need to find him… Where did he go? Does he even want to talk to me? Why do I care? I don't need him! I never needed anybody! I sat on the bed and stared at my phone contemplating if I should call him or not. My leg twitches while I bite my lower lip in response to my overwhelming anxiety creeping in like a dark black cloud. I have to say sorry... I have to say sorry… I have to say...He's right… All he ever did is be nice to me; from beating up Jeffrey back in the club to tending to my cut hand and even offering me the promotion I wanted as a condition for me to come tonight only so I could bet the necklace he wanted in the auction. He even fed me and took me a bit of sightseeing. Even now, as he left, he still is arranging me my way home all at no cost. I overreacted, and like I always did... I pushed him away every time I felt comfortable with him.
I dash out the room, head-spinning but focused on finding him. I care not that I'm barefoot and went down straight to the lobby. I ran and searched all around to see if I could spot him. I stood in the middle scanning each and every guy's face to see if any of them is his. I ran to the front desk where the guy behind the desk only stared in confusion and concern for me.
"Has a tall muscular man with a small beauty mark on his lower lip here… and he has long brown hair, dark green eyes, wearing a royal blue t-shirt and black sweatpants passed by just now?" I spoke in a rush and out of breath.
He stares at me not saying anything.
I slam my hands frustrated on the desk. "Nicholia Dragomir! Have you seen him?!" I shout, causing heads to turn.
"Ma'am I'm gonna have to ask you to calm down-" I walked away from him and exited the hotel. I don't understand my actions right now. How can he, a complete stranger he's just someone I hardly know yet I am willing to make a fool out of myself in the hopes he sees or hears me?
"Nick!" I shout around as I walk down the beach. Good Idea, he must have gone back to the place he had shown me. I must hurry if I want to catch him.
I get to the wall but to my surprise, he isn't there. I guess I kind of expected this. I know little about him to even start guessing where he might be… The diner is at least a few miles away and it's already two or three in the morning, it must be closed by now. I sat hopelessly on the sand and watched the waves. I was replaying how we had fallen here and my heart was racing as I stared at him. I never needed anybody, not even Adelaide, I love her don't get me wrong. But if she too were to walk out of my life, I'd be fine after the pain goes away. The thought only made me feel guiltier.
In a grim state, I decided it was time to head back to the hotel. Damn, I can't believe I left without my phone or shoes. Ew, my feet must be very dirty as a matter of fact. I reached the hotel and the sense of guilt hit me once more followed by embarrassment for I made a complete fool of myself moments ago. I enter the lobby and quickly I am mobbed, I quickly get in a fighting stance for I am surrounded by men I have never seen.
"Mandy is here…" One of the guys spoke into his earpiece.
"What's going-"
They part and let me through to see Nick with a worried expression talking to the guy I had acted crazy too. They both look over to me and Nick rushes to me. He takes a hold of me on either side and cheeks me from head to toe.
"Are you alright? Where in God's name did you go?" Nick asks hysterically.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you-I shouldn't have yelled at you," I say avoiding eye contact, even my ears felt hot.
"You're worse than a child." He exclaims then sighs. "Come let's go to the room, too many prying eyes," he said, taking my hand.
"Where did you go?" He asked once we were alone in the room.
"I thought you had gone to… to the wall by the beach," I say.
"That's about ten miles from here! Mandy, do you realize how dangerous that was? Something could have happened."
"But it didn't… I just wanted to say I am sorry." I mummer. "I don't want you to think I don't appreciate your kindness. I do." I look up at him. "I only know work, I feel that if I skip a day I lose a bit of who I am… And what I work for. I felt that everyone would treat me less, I am-"
Nick hugs me and plops his chin right on my head. "Ssssh." I barry my face on his lower chest and close my eyes as we stood there in a tight embrace.
"You're extraordinary in the most amazing way and I simply feel fortunate to have met you." Nick pulls away. "There's no need for you to be perfect Mandy, stop trying to fit two jigsaw puzzles that obviously have different edges."
"Thanks." I sat on the bed. "Where did you go?"
"I went to the room next door… When I told you there are no more rooms available at short notice I truly meant it… I have six other rooms on this floor."
Oh… That makes sense… why didn't I think of that? He turns off the light and lays on the floor where he had laid the blankets.
"Good night." He says followed by a yawn.
"You can come and sleep in the bed… as long as you stay on your side," I say softly.
"Are you sure? I don't mind sleep-"
"I don't like thunder… It's supposed to rain all night."
"Brave enough to go battle royal but scared of thunder? Who would have guessed?"
He laid beside me but faced the ceiling. I tug the cover over me then flopped to my side. In a way, this is the first time I sleep with a man… Although when I awoke yesterday morning he had been laying next to me. Everything is too quiet to even try to sleep. Then a sudden flash of light came from the window faintly lighting the room followed by a horrid thunderous clash. I flinched and closed my eyes. It's going to start raining now: of all the time it could have started. The faint sound of the raindrops falling on the window grew quicker and so did the flash of lightning.
I had gone into a fetus position in hopes of soothing myself enough to drift to sleep. Another loud thunder rattled the room causing me to yelp and hug myself tighter. Then my body was tugged and forced to face Nick who held me in his arms.
"I'll keep you safe, try to relax now," he spoke in a whisper. I hesitated at first but once another thunder came I practically thrusted myself onto him and buried my face into the nape of his neck. He began to caress my hair, his skin is so soft and warm; since he's a lot taller and bolder than I am his body was towering mine but we're were seamlessly comfortable.