"Zach..." she whispered with a gasp and jerked up, then felt cold air on her skin and realized she was naked, and quickly covered herself with the bedsheet. So it was not a dream. The painful and passionate night was all real. But why would Maggie do that to her? She remembered drinking the wine before passing out, which would have also happened to Zach. So that was why she kept reminding her to make sure he drank the wine. Her heart broke into pieces and she looked toward Zach while controlling the urge to burst into tears. " Zach. . ., I didn't__, " she slowly whispered but was cut off by him.
" I didn't expect you to resort to this kind of trick, Mira. . . what were you thinking, do you think I will fall for you after doing this, " he muttered coldly with clenched fists and got down from the bed.
Mira's tears started flowing as each of his words pierced through her heart, and she instantly stopped him as he stood up." Zach, please, it's not my fault. . . I didn't know how__".
" I'm disappointed in you Mira, I trusted you so much and only saw you as a friend... What made you think I will ever fall for you!!!?" he turned back and kicked the bedside table. Even though he flirted with girls, he had never touched any of them as he knew it was a sacred thing and should be done between two consenting people. . .
Mira flinched from his outburst and quickly ran to his side then held his arm tightly. " Please, believe me, Zach, I would never do that... It's all__".
" Hehe, are you trying to seduce me again.". He chuckled coldly and aggressively shoved her away.
Mira landed on the floor and she felt her sore body aching painfully. More tears streamed down her face and she slowly stood up again with a hand on her waist, which she felt might break at any moment as the pain intensified.
Zach frowned as he watched her coming toward him again. He started at her naked body which was only covered by the bed sheet with bare shoulders that were covered by his bites. His expression darkened further and quickly shoved her away then strode inside the bathroom. Why does she have to drug him,? It would have been better if she had confessed her feelings but now. . .
Mira whimpered on the floor as she watched him got inside the bathroom. Her lifelong dream was completely shattered. Her four years of love have come to an end. She remembered the look of contempt he gave her and sobbed louder. Why had Maggie did this to her, she wondered painfully then grabbed her clothes that were laying on the bedside and carefully put them on as her whole body was burning in pain.
She dragged herself out of his apartment and looked up at the building then slowly wiped her tears." I love you Zach." she whispered the words, that had been kept inside her heart for so long and limped out of the building.
********
__ The Present __
Mira wiped her tears as that incident flashed through her eyes. She remembered going back to the basement to confront Maggie, who had scoffed and told her that she was just watching her make a fool of herself as Zach would never like her.
" Why did you drug us, Maggie, what have I ever done to you to deserve this kind of treatment!!!.".
" Hmph, I was just helping you realize your mistake. . . how can a lowly orphan like you think of loving Zach? Even though he loves you back which he would never do, do you think his parents are going to accept you!!!.".
" Do you think what you did was right? How can you be so cruel Maggie!!!?".
" Haha, cruel?, ...get out of his life Mira, he must think you're a slut now, crawling into rich men's bed to gain their attention.".
" Maggie__"
" Go Mira, leave. . . get out of his life, you're not worthy of him!!!.".
She heaved a deep sigh, shaking off those painful memories from her head. If what happened that night was Maggie's fault, what about later? would he say he wasn't aware. " absurd." She chuckled sadly and splayed a hand on her burning chest.
"Mira, I'm sorry. . ." she heard Mark's voice, who was suddenly in front of her and walked past him nonchalantly with a dark expression. Mark sighed then quickly followed behind her, Feeling thankful that she did not punch him in the face.
Mira stared at the furnishings and felt a sense of déjà vu. The basement was still as she had left it three years ago, and almost teared up as she started at the place where she had spent the happiest days in her life. They passed through the hallway and some people stopped and gasped as they watched her.
She knew they recognized her but decided to act oblivious as she was not one of them again and would never be. She heard them whispering ' it's the queen ' and chuckled with a sigh ' Hmph queen.' and then strode out of the basement with Mark following behind her.
Mark drove out to the city while glancing at her with regret. " I'm sorry.". He whispered again and sighed.
" Drop me at the bus stop, " Mira muttered after some minutes without glancing at him, while staring outside, through the window at the night.
She knew it was not right to rage her anger on him as he was only following orders, but also felt cheated as she didn't expect him to suddenly kidnap her.
Mark dropped her at the bus stop after saying, "Mira please come back. . .we all miss you". before driving off.
Mira shook her head with a chuckle, how could she go back when she was desperately trying to get away from Zach. The basement had always been her home but now, it was very far out of her reach.
She sighed and the street lights reflected her tears as she hailed a taxi, then headed back to her home, feeling famished from all the outbursts.
*********
__ At The Hospital __
The next morning, Jack sat on the couch, watching the girl who was still sleeping on the bed, many thoughts running through his mind as he didn't know what step to take next.
He sighed and resumed working on his laptop while waiting for his assistant to come.
A few minutes later, his assistant walked inside the ward while wondering why his boss had canceled their arrangements then saw him looking dejected. He cleared his throat, drawing his attention before greeting, " Good Morning..."