Chapter 7

I might have been struck by lightning on a clear day.

I stood there dumbfounded, momentarily forgetting the constant pain coursing through my body.

Or perhaps, the miracle cure Garrison had given me was already taking effect.

Garrison seemed to have made some kind of decision as he turned and walked in front of me. He slowly bent down, his gaze fixed intently on mine.

I could clearly feel his breath and warmth.

Instinctive panic made me lean back involuntarily, but I lost my balance and fell directly onto the soft, large bed.

My mind went completely blank for a moment.

Like a puppet at someone else's mercy, I was stiff and docile.

The next second, Garrison reached out, past my head, and grabbed a phone from the blanket on the other side. Its pink case was particularly eye-catching.

It was ringing furiously.

I seemed oblivious to it all.

Without asking for my permission, Garrison mischievously smiled and put it on speaker.

Alec's voice came through the speaker.