Elisse's POV
"Good morning," a voice greeted me as I tried to open my eyes.
Why do I feel so groggy? What just happened? I held on in my head as I tried to sit up from the bed.
"Hey, easy," a comforting male voice told me as he helped me sit on the bed and I leaned my back to the headboard. My eyes were a little blurry and I tried to close them again. I needed a minute for my whole vision to come back to normal and when I opened them again, I saw the most angelic face I have ever seen.
"How are you feeling?" he asked as I stared at his face.
Is this who I am with last night? The guy from the elevator, I am lusting for? The one who made my heart beat so fast? I knew right away I was not wearing my dress, but instead, I was wearing an overly-sized shirt that probably belonged to him. My panties and bra were still on so we probably didn't get to it. Either I passed out or... I winced as I slowly remembered everything.
After an embarrassing elevator ride with the most gorgeous man alive, I finally came to meet Olive and Chelsea at NoMad Restaurant, which is only a few blocks away from where my apartment was.
"Hey, girl! How are you?" Olive greeted me as I came to their table. I gave each of them a peck on the cheek, then I sat in the chair in front of them.
"Our friend is coming shortly. You got to meet this guy, Elisse. He's perfect for you," said Chelsea.
Olive rolled her eyes and said, "Sorry, Elisse. Chelsea insisted on inviting him. It's her idea to text you about him. C'mon, hon, let Elisse choose who she wants to be with, okay. Enough of this matchmaking thing."
"It's better to have options. Besides, Jax is a nice guy. The perfect gentleman. He's a civil engineer and he's an eligible bachelor. By the way, you look so nice today, Elisse."
"Thanks, Chelsea," I replied. I liked Chelsea but Olive was right. I could still choose who I wanted to be with and I was not interested in a relationship. I always had the "no-strings-attached rule" and made sure no one will ever get hurt. I also made sure that all the guys I slept with are totally commitment-free. Meaning, not married, no fianceé, and no girlfriend. I could never let any woman go through the same thing I did.
NoMad was one of the finest fine dining restaurants and bars in Manhattan. The moment you walk in, you can feel the ambiance. There is a feeling of serenity and elegance. If couples wanted to have a nice quiet evening, there is a dining room a few stairs away. In cold months, it would be great to lounge around the fireplace and the rooftop is used mostly for special events. I have been to so many bars before but this one is my favorite.
I ordered red wine as soon as the waiter arrived at our table. Olive ordered some horse d'ouveres while we're waiting for their friend. I was never anxious in meetups and I am pretty confident that this guy would either be in my bed tonight or maybe not, depending on how the night goes. Last time, Alexander, who looked like Channing Tatum, ended up in my bed but I stopped seeing him since he wanted us to go beyond what I can offer. Love is not my thing.
"Finally, the prince has arrived," Chelsea announced and I looked up from the table. I gasped as I recognized the guy standing in front of me. It was the guy from the elevator!
I was speechless for the first time as he stared at me and scooted over.
"Hi. Have we met?" he asked as I met his gaze.
Why do I feel so shy suddenly? That never happened before but I guess I was totally smitten by this guy whose perfume intoxicates me as it reached my nostrils.
I could kiss him right now.
I bit my lip as he stared down at my lips. I saw him swallowed as he tried to look away.
"So, have you met each other?" Chelsea queried.
"Not really," and he glanced at Chelsea then locked eyes on me again. " I'm Jax." Then he laid out his hand for me to take.
I smiled. His hand is warm and large compared to my thin, longhand. I suddenly felt a little fire shot through my veins in that simple gesture we made that I have to pull my hand immediately.
"Elisse," I stated simply. I tried to regain my composure as thoughts of him shirtless suddenly pass my mind. I looked away as red flashed through my cheeks.
Get a hold of yourself, Elisse!
I cannot believe how much of an impact that Jax had on me that every part of my system is shaken up. His dark eyes still haven't left me. His eyes were so bewitching like he had given me a drug that I cannot wake up to.
What is he thinking? I feel like he was so mesmerized by my mere presence and I will faint any minute. The sexual tension between us is building up and if we were not with our friends, we could have probably been humping around somewhere.
Oh, God! I'm so horny right now.
I placed a strand of hair behind my ear as I blew out a shaky breath. His eyes lingering on me made me feel so nervous and I clasped my hands together on my lap, hoping I could somehow relax.
"Okay, Jax. You better let our girl here eat first before you start devouring her," Olive joked, as Jax pulled away from his gaze from me. He cleared his throat and tried to focus on the menu.
We started ordering when the waiter came back.
"So," he cleared his throat before turning towards me. "Elisse, what do you do?" he asked.
"I am a clinical psychologist."
"I see. Have you tried modeling before?"
My heart suddenly stopped beating for once. Why does it feel like that question hit me for some reason? I shouldn't feel uneasy and yet there is a part of me that is suspicious. Does he know me?
I tried to shove that part of me a long time ago and never once did someone asked me that kind of question for years... since Eleanor. My past suddenly flashed through my mind and I cannot help but feel queasy. This should not be happening. What if he knew me? What if he is somehow connected with Miguel or any of the models in the agency? But it can't be. Chelsea said he is an engineer. Could it be possible that maybe he dated a model and somehow remembered me?
I am starting to panic. I needed to smoke. Smoking sometimes calms my nerves and right now, I truly needed it so bad.
"Are you alright, Elisse?" Jax asked me.
"Y-Yeah. Would you mind if I go out for a sec? I just remembered I needed to text my friend."
"Sure," and he stood up to let me pass. I took my purse and immediately walked towards the main door of the restaurant. I bumped a guy on my way outside.
"Sorry," I apologized.
"No worries, Gorgeous," he said and winked at me.
I smiled. The guy was gorgeous, too. I am such a sucker for blue eyes and yet, why do I feel a strong attraction with Jax? He is not my type and yet his sex appeal just overwhelms me. Plus, he might know my secret... or maybe I'm just being paranoid.
I took out a lighter and my cigarette from my bag. I needed an escape and smoking is one of them. So, I tried to light my cigarette but the lighter didn't work. I sighed in frustration. Why now?
"Need a light?" asked a voice and I turned. There I saw Mr. Blue Eyes, smiling at me and offering the light. I put my cigarette on my mouth and puffs it as it lights up. I drew in and blew out a few.
"Thanks," I said.
"You're welcome."
"You alone, Gorgeous?"
"No. Got some friends inside."
"I see. Can I hang with you?"
"Not sure. I guess we could out here but, not sure with my other friends."
"Okay," and he leaned a bit towards me as he put one arm on one side. I got nervous. As much I liked this guy, I am in no way wanted to kiss him right now. Also, it's not my thing to kiss someone in the streets even if there is no one around.
"Want to go somewhere.. quiet?"
"Woah, buddy!" I tried to push him away as I felt very uncomfortable. There is something in his eyes that suddenly terrifies me and I just want to get out of there.
He looked at me with much lust in his eyes and my heart started pounding. I can feel his hands going up my dress and I gasped for air. I don't want to get raped. No! Not here!
"I know you like me, baby. My guy told me you're good in bed."
"S-Stop! I don't know you or your guy. So get away from me!"
"Well, I don't need to get to know you. I just need to f- you," he said and tried to kiss me but I moved my face away. I pushed him away with all my strength but he pinned me on the wall.
"Get off me!" I growled.
"Hey!" a voice said and the guy stopped. We turned towards the voice. It was Jax. Before Jax could even do something to him, Mr. Blue Eyes pulled my bag and ran off.
"My bag! My bag!" I screamed as I ran after the guy but he was too fast. With my heels, I would never be able to catch him. Jax tried too, but he can't run as fast as the guy was.
My very first Louis Vitton purse has been stolen along with my information! I put my hand on my head. What would I do now?
"Ohmigod! Ohmigod!" I cried and I am having a panic attack. I cannot breathe, my palms are sweaty, my heart is racing rapidly and my vision starts to go blurry.
I haven't had a panic attack since my parents died. Ms. Catherine, our headmistress in the orphanage had told me the story of how my parents died. They were found inside our house, laying down on the floor in their pool of blood. I was five years old at that time and in some way, I didn't remember everything.
The only thing I could remember is hiding inside the closet as the robbers tried to take everything in the house. I haven't seen their faces nor have seen what happened because my mom asked me to hide so the "bad guys" won't take me, too. I heard their voices though, they were rough and it scared me so much I almost peed in my pajamas when they walked inside my bedroom. They didn't look for me. Perhaps they thought I'm useless since I was just a kid and I cannot be a good witness.
They shot my parents after they literally ransacked the whole place. All the important items were taken. I was not hurt but it gave me the jitters. I remember the police officer was almost teary-eyed as they retrieved me from the house. They have to blindfold my eyes so I won't be able to see anything and I gasped for air as they brought me to the hospital. They knew I had a panic attack and I stayed for days in the hospital until a nice lady took me away. That is Ms. Catherine. Ever since then, my life has never been the same.
Before I got adopted, I always had nightmares. I couldn't remember what they were but I always woke up sweaty and my heart was always racing. Then sometimes I peed in my bed until I was seven. I remembered having sessions with a psychologist until I was ten. Maybe that's why the girls in the orphanage were that mean to me because they saw my weakness. What they didn't see coming is that I was able to overcome those weaknesses and I fought back when they least expected it.
I have always been an overcomer and yet, now, I don't understand why fear overtook me again as I gasped for air.
"Elisse! Are you okay?" I heard Jax asked me.
"I-" I still gasped for air, holding my chest. I felt my body quiver and my stomach churned. I threw up. I looked at him and then everything went black...
"Where am I?" I asked, trying to focus on him. After I passed out, I cannot remember anything after that.
"In my apartment. I hope you don't mind me changing you," he said. He was sitting beside me on the bed. His eyes were full of concern. "How are you feeling?"
"I still feel a bit groggy but thank you for helping me."
He smiled. "By the way, I called the superintendent and I told him that you lost your keys. They're going to drop it in my apartment today."
"How-How did you know my full name?"
"The doorman told me when I brought you in last night. Apparently, he knew you very well."
Oh yes, he does!
Why would he not? Alfred, the doorman, had seen me with different men for years and would sometimes comment about it. We have become good friends as he is gay and sometimes envies me because I always end up taking home the most gorgeous men. But, somehow, he said he is happily married. His husband, Steven, has been the most caring person he had ever met. So much better than his father ever was to him.
I wondered if Jax just moved in. I have never met or seen him before as I have almost known most of the people in the building from the youngest to the oldest. Some of them, most especially the kids, have come to love me. One parent actually told me that I have a knack for kids and I would probably be a great parent someday. I hope so, too...
Suddenly, we heard a doorbell. Jax got up and went to the front door. After a few minutes, he came back, keys dangling in his hands.
"Super said you can have these. I told him what happened last night and he wished for you to feel better," he said as he walked towards the bed and gave me the keys.
"Can you help me get to my apartment? I felt like I made a huge disturbance already to you. You might have something else to do."
"No, Elisse. You're not disturbing me at all. I already called out that I won't be able to come to work today. I have cleared the whole day to take care of you."
"You don't need to do that."
"But I wanted to," he said, his eyes were sincere.
I smiled and I started getting up from the bed. He took me by the arm and held my waist as we walked towards the front door. He held my hand as we went towards the elevator. It was probably nine in the morning as the halls were very quiet. Most kids have gone to school and most adults have gone to work.
We took the elevator and just like last night, I could feel the sexual tension between us. He pressed my hand as he held it and lingered his eyes on my face down to my legs. They were unspoken words and yet our bodies knew what we wanted. He cleared his throat and tried to look away. After last night, because of his kindness, I desperately wanted to kiss him.
I bit my lip as we approached my apartment. My heart is beating faster again like it was racing against time. He is the only guy who made me feel that way and I couldn't understand why but as of now, it's irrelevant. I just want to feel his lips on mine.
As we got in front of my apartment, I turned to him as his eyes automatically dropped to my lips. I placed my hand on his neck as he angled himself and slowly took my lips. It was a very subtle yet very sensational kiss, one that you want to linger on forever. His hands held onto my waist as he let my hands go and pull me closer to him. I held onto his neck, as he pressed me against the door. He deepened the kiss and I heard myself moan.
"Jax?" a female voice woke us up from the passion we were into and he pulled himself away from me. We turned to look whose voice it was.
"Jane," I said and I tried hard not to show my surprise as she stood there with her eyes so wide and her mouth gaped. It was definitely a shocking surprise!