Adeline's Pov~
I didn't know how I arrived home. I didn't remember when I had my dinner with Arsenio. The entire evening was a blur.
"Adeline!" someone waved their hand in front of my face. I snapped out of my daze and focused on the person in front of me.
"Are you listening?" Arsenio asked me with a frown, as if, trying to read my mind. I didn't even remember what I was thinking about.
Maybe, I was thinking about a particular blue-eyed man.
"Sorry," I probably looked dumb in front of him.
"I asked you, is there is an extra bed or a blanket with you?" he repeated as if talking to a toddler.
"Yeah… Yeah, yeah I do." I nodded my head and walked to my closet to retrieve an extra bed. That I have with me whenever I have a sleepover with Lisa, my college mate, now she lives in New York.
Good old days!
"Are you okay? You look very much dosed off the entire evening." He pointed out.
"I'm fine. Just some work stuff, nothing much." I assured him with a smile.
***********
I was preparing for bed when he walked off the bathroom only in his boxers. My jaw was dropped to the floor. He was pure lean muscles. His every movement caused his muscle to ripple and flex in a delicious way. He was total eye candy. I gulped at the sight of him.
Sexy- stranger, indeed!
"Wh…Why are you half-naked? It is cold out." Suddenly my throat felt dry as the Sahara. His gaze shifted to me with the cocky smirk of his.
That cocky bastard!
He knew that I would be affected by his lack of clothing. He did it on purpose to spite me.
"Oh! I feel so hot." He gave me a lopsided grin with a wink that made my heart go on havoc. He slowly made his way to me with his lazy strides, as if he had all the time on this earth. He dragged his eyes lazily up and down my form. I was in my pajama shorts and a band t-shirt.
I took a step back with his every stride. The back of my feet hit the end of my bed made me tumble and sit on the bed. He crouched down to my height and moved his face closer to mine. I could feel the familiar feeling of butterflies exploding in my stomach.
"Wh… what are you doing?" I stumbled with my words. At this rate, I was going to have a heart attack. I half lay on my bed and crawled slowly towards the headrest. He was literally on top of me. The sexual tension was so thick that you could cut it with a knife.
I could smell my soap smell mixed with his natural, masculine scent. There was slight stubble indicating the growth of his facial hair. It makes him more masculine and rough.
His face was so close to mine, I closed my eyes with anticipation. I could feel his hot breath on my left cheek. His hard chest brushed against my soft feminine one. I felt his cheek brush against mine, making my feminine parts throb with need.
"Taking a pillow from your bed." He whispered in my ears. I opened my eyes to see him take my pillow with a smirk. My face flushed with embarrassment.
"Are you expecting something?" he faked innocence. I flushed further and pushed him away from me, making him chuckle.
"N… Nothing!" my voice came out hoarse.
"But your cheeks tell me otherwise, Naughty little rabbit." He chuckled heartily at my discomfort and pinched both my cheeks. I swatted his hands and get into my comforter, switching my bedside lamp. I could hear his masculine laugh echoing throughout my small studio apartment.
That night, Arsenio slept on the floor beside my bed. My couch was too small for him.
I should get him some clothes and some necessities.
*************
I was waiting in my car in a nearby street which is closer to a notorious strip club. Jedrick went in here five minutes ago; maybe I should go in there too. I wore my glasses and a cap to hide my face.
Arsenio was waiting in the passenger's seat. I promised myself to buy him some clothes.
"You look like a young man trying to rob the treasury" Arsenio looked at me with amusement.
"Why? Thank you." I responded with a playful bow.
"Wait here, okay. I'll be back as soon as possible." He nodded in response.
I pulled down the hood of my sweater to hide my face and made my way into the club. The bouncer raised his eyebrows at my attire. I just shrugged and told him that it was very cold outside.
I know it was lame, but it worked anyway. I scrutinized the place for any sign of Jedrick but he was nowhere near my sight. Some half-naked girls were dancing on the raised platform wiggling their back for some shady people in the front row. People were drunk and the lighting here was giving me a headache.
Was I the only one who doesn't like DJ lighting?
I made my way to the upstairs, where, probably the VIP section must be. And I was right about it, he was talking to a man and they were surrounded by guards. I took an empty seat at the back of their seating and made myself look small.
"I'll supply them by next week." A bald guy with tattoos all over his body told Jedrick. I didn't know what they were talking about. But they all looked so evil.
In response, Jedrick gave him a single nod. I could see that everyone around him, was coerced by him.
Through my peripheral, I could see another man making an entry. He looked so relaxed and friendly. He was wearing a shirt and jeans, unlike their gang members. He took a seat closer to Jedrick as if, he knew him for a long time.
"Helius," Jedrick nodded at the new guy.
"I heard that you are looking for a personal secretary," Helius asked him like he had no care in this world.
"I am."
"What about your previous one?"
"Dead,"
"Wonderful!" Helius smirked.
They were talking about death as if, discussing the weather. Jedirick was not having any reaction on his face as if, it was a common thing in his life.
Who the hell was he really?
Wait, till I expose you, Jedrick.
You crazy bastard,
After some time that bald guy and his gang left, when they passed by my seat I looked down my seat as if searching for something.
"Who are you?" the bald guy asked me with his menacing voice. His voice gained attention from everyone in the VIP section.
And there was no one in this VIP section except, Jedrick and his gangsters.
Fuck my luck.
My heart pounded in my chest at his question. I stopped breathing and wracked my brain for any answer.
There was a half-empty vodka bottle in front of me. I took that bottle and took a huge gulp, and turned to the bald guy. My face was covered by my hood and my cap, besides I was wearing my huge glasses.
"Heyyyyyy…matyyyy mate!" I slurred. I cringed at my response. I made them believe that I was taking another gulp. But in reality, as soon as the vodka touched my tongue, I tilted the bottle down. I stood to my height and swayed slightly to my left where the stairs started to make them believe that I was some drunkard.
"Leave him, Skull. Probably some drunk idiot." A scrawny man from his right told him. I patted him on his chest and turned to leave.
"Stop!"
The voice was masculine and full of authority. It was Jedrick. I almost listened to him, but fortunately, my anxiety took control.
I didn't stop, I started descending the stairs as if, I was too drunk to listen.
"My boss told you to stop!" probably the bald one. He yelled.
I didn't stop, instead, I sprinted down the stairs with my heart in my sleeves.
"Shit! Catch him!" the bald one yelled at his minions. I didn't hear Jedrick's voice nor did I turn to see his reaction. I disappeared among the crowd. I could see the bulky guys searching for me among the crowd, one guy with long hair spotted me.
Curse him!
I exited the club through its back door, running for my life. I could hear the pitter-patter of their footsteps trailing behind me. My legs were killing me and I was breathless.
I was running through an empty alley. Suddenly someone grabbed me by my arm and pulled me inside a building. They closed my mouth with their rough palm.
Shushing me, I was breathing hard. I heard footsteps. Someone cursed and after a while, it was dead silence except for my harsh breathing.
The person released me.