"Ah!" I grunted, putting the glass back down on the table. It was a relief that Riley said yes when I asked him to drink with me. I can remember when he told me that he does not drink because he is allergic to alcohol, but look at him chugging down his third glass of it. It seems like it was a lie. I smirked to myself as he placed the cup back on the table and winced.
"But why did you suddenly want to drink? Is there something wrong?"
My head turned from right to left. I tried to keep my eyes open; I have lost count of how many glasses we have already had. "I can't really say that there was something, but you know, I actually had such a terrible childhood. And now that I think of it, it must have been a horrible memory that my younger self decided to forget all about it."
"You don't remember anything?" I nodded.
"Well, I remember some of them; it was brutal, bloodshed. It was something that a child should never see, you know? I watched my parents get killed, and I was the only one who survived. There was somebody that saved me, and I really wish that I could meet him again. I would like to give thanks to him. If it weren't for him, I would not be here right now. But that was a long time ago; I don't think that he remembers me."
"What if he does, though?"
I laughed, waving a hand in front of his face. "That's impossible! And I think that he might already be, you know, dead? If not, he probably now has a family. I do not wish to create trouble for him just because I wanted to express my gratitude towards him." I scrunched my nose as well as shaking my head. My hand reached out to pour myself another glass of alcohol, but Riley snatched it away from me. I shot him a glare.
"You've had enough, Katarina." I threw my head back with a loud groan. "If I had known that we were going to end up here, I would have asked you to change out of that beautiful dress." His tone was sarcastic as he rolled his eyes along with a sigh. He took off his coat and wrapped it around my shoulders. He helped me get up from my seat. I was staggering; I obviously could not keep myself up on my feet as my world was spinning. It was a relief that Riley was here with me; otherwise, I would be spending the night here on the streets.
I asked him to take a little walk before he drove me home, which he happily obliged. There was a bay on the path we were taking, and I sat on the side, inhaling the not-so-fresh air, but it'll do. Riley's coat was still around me, which was a good thing as the air got a little chilly. Although I worried about him with only a shirt, I shrugged off the thought and enjoyed the view in front of me.
"Is this how you really get drunk?" He took the spot beside me.
"I rarely ever get the time to get as drunk as this, you know? All I do is work, work, work! The hospital was practically my home." I laughed and looked at him. "That is why I did not let the opportunity to get wasted tonight pass; it was thanks to you, Riley."
I saw him smirking, his long fingers running through his dark hair. "Well, if you would date me, we could go out and get drunk like this sometimes." That statement gave me a belly laugh; I had forgotten that I was currently with my crush. He must have seen the insides of my mouth when I did. I shut my mouth tight in embarrassment.
"You know something, Martins?" He glanced at me with an irresistible smile on his face. "I've always had a crush on you, even before that time when you had to give me a ride home with your brothers. The reason why I am not dating anyone is you. I just can't seem to forget you."
My eyes popped open as my body sprung up from the bed. I was at home, but I do not remember how I got back here. Riley must have given me a ride. Given how limited my memory of last night was, it was likely that I blacked out and Riley had to carry me all the way here. I hugged myself, hoping that he did not have any trouble while he had me in his arms or on his back. My head throbbed. This is one of the reasons I do not like drinking, but last night seemed to be just the perfect time to get drunk once in a while.
I proceeded to my kitchen to get myself some hot water. I might as well make myself some hangover soup to get rid of this headache. Hunter has probably covered for me at work, knowing that I have not received any calls from them. I will give my thanks to him tomorrow.
"Oh, good morning!" I spit out the water when the entrance to my home opened and Riley made an appearance. "How long have you been awake? I went out to buy some ingredients; I wanted to make you a hangover soup. You were heavily drunk last night; your head must be killing you." It's as if he could read my mind. I sat as my hands came up to gently massage my head. Riley put on the apron and started working on the soup.
"But what are you doing here? Don't tell me I asked you to stay; I wasn't so drunk that I'd ask anyone to spend the night with me."
I heard him clear his throat and then look into my eyes. "But that was the case for me." I gasped and swallowed more water than I should have; I coughed. "You are so clumsy whenever you are with me, Kat; I wonder why," he teased when he handed me a tissue to wipe my mouth with. "It was true, though. You did ask me to stay; you told me you were scared to be left alone in this big house. Originally, I planned to just wait for you to fall asleep, but when I laid on the couch—game over." He chuckled at the last sentence.
I must have had another nightmare, and that is why I did that. I wish that he did not hear me talking in my sleep if that were really the case. I was once told that I was crying and shrieking in my sleep; it was the old lady who comes here every once in a while to organize my stuff. I had heard people say how rich and lucky I was to have this old big house all to myself; little did they know, this was where the tragedy had happened. This place had caused those nightmares to appear in my dreams, which is why I had been crying and screaming in my sleep.
"Also, I had told Hunter why you could not go to work today, and he said he'd cover for you. I had no idea you were that close; I am jealous." I grabbed his shoulders, and his eyes grew big and wide.
"Did you say we were together since last night?"
He looked away. "Yes, I did. What about it? Is it wrong to say the truth?" My hands slapped my face, and I groaned in frustration. "Why? Shouldn't I have told him the truth?"
"Yes!" I yelled. "Because that guy would surely tease me non-stop tomorrow! He was also the one who told me to get a boyfriend and get married soon. If he hears that I was with a man for a night... I can already hear what he will say!" I heard laughter from the man who was making a meal for the two of us. "What are you laughing about? Nothing is funny."
"I just feel good."
My eyebrows creased. "About what? A rumor is about to spread, and it is going to be about the two of us, Riley. Are you not worried?" His head rocked from side to side.
"That is why I feel good," he answered with a smile. "I'd rather get involved in a rumor with you than hear you spent a night with another man."
"What?"
He messed up my hair as he giggled. "I have no problem if they think that I am your boyfriend; it is what I wanted, anyway." He winked.
This is driving me crazy—Riley is.