A Night To Remember

Chapter 32

Trisha's POV

Before the alarm could go off, I woke up. The room was still dark, the air thick with the warmth of sleep. I slipped out of bed, padded to the washroom, and returned moments later. Edam was still sound asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

I couldn't help but admire him. He looked so peaceful, so effortlessly handsome. His British features, sharp jawline, and tousled hair made him look like something out of a dream. He got his accent and striking looks from his father British by birth but raised in the States.

As if sensing my gaze, he stirred. His arm reached out, snaking around my waist, and he pulled me closer.

"Stop staring at me," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep, eyes still closed.

"I wasn't," I whispered, though my blush betrayed me.

He smirked without even opening his eyes, then, with one swift movement, flipped me beneath him. His lips found my neck, pressing lazy kisses that sent shivers down my spine.

"What are you doing?" I chuckled breathlessly.

"I want to make love to you," he whispered against my skin, his lips grazing my collarbone.

"But it's early," I protested shyly.

He finally opened his eyes, his gaze locking onto mine as he kissed me softly. "I know. And I also know that you're going to be busy all day, and I won't get to hold you like this."

We were hosting a party tonight Edam's graduation party. He was about to step into his family's business as Junior CEO, and tonight was a celebration of that achievement. I had spent half the night making sure everything was perfect, barely getting any sleep.

"But you'll get a chance at night," I teased, tracing his jaw with my fingers.

He smirked, "You'll be too tired, and I wouldn't want to exhaust you more."

I laughed, pulling his head down and kissing him deeply. "I'm all yours for now," I whispered.

He didn't need any more encouragement.

He slid my nightdress up to my belly and took off his underwear. I never wore panties at night because I preferred to sleep freely. Lifting my hips slightly, he gently and smoothly entered me.

After a slow morning filled with stolen moments and whispered promises, we finally made it to breakfast real breakfast this time. Lia, Edam's personal maid, had prepared pancakes and coffee. This was one of the many reasons I loved being here. His home was like something out of a movie luxurious, effortless, perfect. And he wanted me to move in.

A dream come true, right?

Except it wasn't.

Because I knew the dream wouldn't last.

Once I graduated, I had to go back to India. My father had signed a contract one that bound me to something I had no control over. I wanted to tell Edam, but I couldn't. Not yet. Not when everything was so perfect.

I had a plan. I would work, save money, and repay Nikhil what I owed him. Only then could I free myself from that contract.

But deep down, I knew it wouldn't be that simple.

"Is everything alright?" Edam's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I forced a smile, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Hmm."

He studied me for a second before pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "Alright. Go get dressed, or you'll be late for class."

I spent the entire class distracted, my mind racing through mental checklists for the party. Drinks? Check. Appetizers? Check. Decorations? Check. Edam had assured me everything was taken care of, but I couldn't stop myself from worrying.

Luckily, today's lecture was short. I quickly said goodbye to Trisha and Tina and headed home, buzzing with excitement.

After a long shower, I slipped into a maroon dress Edam had picked for me. It hugged my curves in all the right places, making me feel effortlessly elegant.

"Wow," Edam breathed when he saw me. "You look sexy."

I smirked. "Thank you. And don't worry, you'll get the chance to take this off later," I teased.

He chuckled, pulling me in for a quick kiss. But I knew if I stayed any longer, the party would start without us.

Downstairs, guests were already arriving. Edam had hired extra staff to ensure everything ran smoothly. The deck, where the party was set up, looked breathtaking with twinkling lights and elegant decor.

I paced near the entrance, waiting impatiently for my girls. I wanted to greet them personally it was my night, and I intended to make the most of it.

Soon, I spotted a familiar pair Laura and Amelia, Edam's cousins. Ever since we started dating, they had been nothing but welcoming. Tonight, they looked effortlessly glamorous, exuding the wealth and class they had been born into.

"Hey, girls! So glad you made it," I greeted, exchanging hugs.

They smiled, making their way inside like they owned the place.

As I turned, a taxi pulled up. Out stepped Tina, Veronica, Joe, and Noah.

"Smart," I teased, "No drinking and driving tonight?"

Tina laughed. "We thought we'd leave the royal chariot for you, Your Highness."

I rolled my eyes playfully and turned to admire their outfits. Everyone looked incredible, following Edam's signature VIP dress code.

Tina, in a full-length dusty pink gown, and Joe, in a tailored light-blue suit, looked like a picture-perfect couple. Their hands were entwined as they walked up the driveway.

I smirked. "Careful, Joe. Make sure she doesn't lose her shoes tonight."

He chuckled. "I'll keep an eye on her."

As I greeted the others, my eyes briefly flicked to Noah. His long-sleeved shirt was perfectly tucked, accentuating his toned frame. I quickly scolded myself. What's wrong with me? I have a boyfriend. A perfect one.

Shaking off the thought, I led them inside.

The party was already in full swing. Music played softly, the guests mingling effortlessly. Edam, always the perfect host, was moving through the crowd, laughing and engaging with everyone.

For a moment, I just watched him.

He was everything I ever wanted.

And yet, I was lying to him.

A dark cloud of guilt crept in. Should I tell him? Should I be honest before it's too late? What if he doesn't understand? What if he leaves me?

No.

Not tonight.

Tonight, I wanted to hold onto my fairytale a little longer.

Pushing the thoughts away, I walked up to Edam and extended my hand. "Dance with me?"

Without hesitation, he pulled me into his arms.

As we swayed together, I rested my head against his chest, matching his rhythm.

For now, in this moment, I allowed myself to believe that this we could last forever.

Joe's POV

Ding, ding. My phone beeped. I blinked at the bright screen, rubbing my tired eyes. Who would message me this late? It was almost midnight. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the name Tina.

"Are you awake?"

"Can we talk?"

A chill ran down my spine. Why would she message me at this hour? My mind raced through possibilities. Had something happened to her? Was she in trouble? My fingers trembled slightly as I quickly dialed her number.

She picked up after the first ring. "Hello," she said softly.

"Tina, are you okay? Is everything alright?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.

"I couldn't sleep," she murmured. "There's a lot going on in my mind, and I really needed to talk to you. I hope you're not angry. I'm sorry for disturbing you this late."

I exhaled deeply, relieved that she was safe. "No, I'm not angry. Just... worried. Seeing your message this late scared me."

There was a pause. "What is it you want to talk about?"

She said something, but it came out as a slurred mumble. Was she drunk? But we hadn't had that much to drink at the party. Maybe it was just catching up with her now.

"Tina," I murmured gently. "Why don't you rest for now? We can talk tomorrow."

"Okay," she babbled, then hung up.

I stared at my phone, half-expecting it to ring again. But it didn't. What was she trying to say? I lay back on my pillow, thoughts swirling in my head. Was it something serious? Something she couldn't say over the phone?

The next day, Tina walked into class late. Her usual lively demeanor was absent. She dropped into the seat beside me and greeted me with a weak "Hi."

I studied her closely. She looked exhausted her eyes puffy, her movements sluggish. She barely got any sleep.

Mr. Roderick started class as usual, but Tina struggled to stay awake. She rested her head on her hand, her eyes drooping every few minutes.

"What's wrong?" I whispered.

She clutched her head. "Bad headache," she muttered.

I reached into my bag, pulled out an aspirin, and handed it to her along with a water bottle. She gave me a grateful look before swallowing the pill. I took her hand and gently massaged her palm, hoping to ease some of the tension.

Hours dragged on, and when class finally ended, we packed our stuff and stepped outside.

Trisha was absent, and Veronica excused herself after catching up with Tina, heading off to her job. That left just the two of us.

"You're coming with me," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Tina sighed but didn't protest. She slid into the passenger seat of my car, resting her head back against the seat and closing her eyes.

I started the engine and glanced at her. "What's wrong with you? Are you sick?"

She let out a slow breath, pressing her fingers against her temple. "I don't know. I couldn't sleep well last night, and I threw up in the morning. My head is pounding so hard, and my body feels weak. I've never felt this way before."

My grip tightened on the steering wheel. Was she okay? Had she eaten something bad? Then, a wild thought crossed my mind.

"What, are you pregnant?" I blurted out.

Her eyes flew open, and she shot me a glare. "No! I just finished my period last week."

I let out a relieved chuckle, but my concern lingered. "Did you mix different kinds of alcohol last night?"

She frowned, thinking back. "I guess..."

I shook my head with a smirk. "Mixing drinks does that to you, especially when you skip dinner. Which, might I remind you, you did last night."

She groaned. "Okay, okay. Lesson learned."

I chuckled at her defeated expression. "Alright, let's grab some food. You need something in your stomach before you collapse on me."

We drove to a nearby fast-food place and ordered burgers and fries. Instead of eating inside, I parked the car in an empty lot, and we ate while listening to our favorite playlist. The warm food seemed to bring some color back to Tina's face.

As she finished her fries, a memory from last night popped into my head.

"Hey, Tina," I said, turning the music down. "What was it you wanted to talk about last night?"

She paused, setting her burger on her lap. A nervous flicker crossed her face.

"Actually..." she hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Seeing Trisha last night how she was so comfortable with Edam's cousins and friends it freaked me out. She and Edam acted like real couples hosting the party. It made me nervous about meeting your family on Thanksgiving."

I tilted my head, surprised. "You're nervous? Why?"

She fiddled with the burger wrapper, avoiding my gaze. "I don't know... I just feel like I won't fit in. Your family will probably expect me to be a certain way, and I"

I took her hand in mine. "You are going to be okay. My family already knows about you. They're excited to have you over for dinner."

She let out a small, hesitant smile. "Yeah, but..." Her smile faded. "I'm sorry, Joe. I won't be able to introduce you to my family. My dad... he's very traditional. He doesn't believe in love affairs."

I squeezed her hand. "It's alright. I understand. Every family has their own beliefs. When the time is right, we'll figure it out."

Her eyes softened. "But... you can meet Shawn. He already knows about us and is eager to meet you."

I smiled. "Then I look forward to meeting him."

We finished eating, and I drove her back to her apartment. As she got out, she leaned in and kissed me softly.

"Thanks, see you... and love you," she murmured before shutting the door.

I watched as she walked away, waving until she disappeared into the building.

As I drove off, my mind lingered on our conversation. Thanksgiving was coming up fast. Would everything really be okay?

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"Some nights are meant to be etched into the soul where laughter lingers, love feels infinite, and reality fades into a dream you never want to wake from."