Chapter Sixty Eight

I stayed indoors for the rest of the day and at night…

We made a gigantic mess. I can't explain exactly what happened, but when my consciousness returned I was in a bathtub of chilly water and my head throbbed. It was already morning and I had caught a cold. Ria was still asleep when I woke up. I took my bath and prepared for the day's work. I had many plans. I needed to see Damien. Of course, he mustbhave guessed that I was at my house, but… It's just not fair enough.

I opened the refrigerator in the kitchen to get a drink and realized our brandy remained. I drank three last night, she forced me. Apparently, she cheated. I was about to hiss when I felt a soft tickled on my waist, then a familiar warm embrace. Ria.

"You're finally awake." I mumbled.

"That's because I spent the entire night watching you." She said, 

"Watching me? And you left me in that cold? How heartless!" I sneezed in her face.

She laughed. "That was the only remedy I knew. I mean… The only one I could give you, darling." She laughed lewdly.

I hissed. 

"You were…" She began.

"Don't mention." I shunned her. "I had three bottles of drugged brandy. I need to go flush my system."

"I only added a little, Paige." She chuckled.

I frowned. "Well, then, don't rub it all on my face."

I strolled to the living room ne slumped onto the couch. She sat right by my side.

"You were drugged, Paige. I was completely sane last night. While you were all flirty. "She paused. "And I think you were both drugged. Well, you know, we can't be so sure…"

"Well, I've gotten what I needed to know. Thanks, Ria." I kissed her goodbye and left to my room.

Jude Kam drugged me? Believable! He's just too desperate. And I…hate him!

*

I had my plans all set in my head and I picked up my phone to execute them.

"Hello Paige." He said on the other end. 

"Hi, Tristan." I said. "I saw your mail. What happened last night was a big mistake. I'm sorry."

He was quiet on the other end.

"I was drunk. We were drunk. I can't be the girl that you want. I don't have a boyfriend, but I like someone else, and you just don't have a chance. I hope you understand."

Silence.

"I should never have drunk with you last night. I just had a lot on my mind. I planned to tell you that I've thought about your request and wasn't interested. I'm sorry."

Silence.

"And I think I was drugged yesterday.bOur brandy was drugged. Did you notice anything?"

"I also thought so." He finally spoke.

"Yeah. Thank you. Sorry, but I'm not a slut. Yesternight, I must have been so…" I swallowed. "You are a cute guy and trust me if not for my heart ibwould have gone after you." I chuckled intently. "I don't know why, but I need you to understand. If you really loved me, you'd be concerned about my happiness. I need a favor from you, Tristan."

"I'm all ears, Paige."

"Can you please tell my uncle you aren't interested anymore? That we had a fight or something. You know how parents are when it comes to relationships. Can you…"?

"I'm still interested. I'll wait, Paige. Till you love me back."

"I know." I sighed. "Can you just do this at least? Because I begged you to do it."

"Can we have lunch, today?"

"Are you giving me a condition?"

"Exactly."

"I'll be there. Send the address."

"Okay."

"Bye "I hung up.

*

"Who do you think would have wanted you to be knocked out that night, Paige?" Ria stopped me as I headed out of the house.

"I don't know…"

She took a full glare at me.

"Are you going out now?"

"Obviously."

"Can I ask for a few minutes?"

"You are already asking, Ria."

I walked back in, having no choice.

"Can we go out together today? I'd like to shop for my convocation."

Ria is graduating in less than two months. I'll be alone again.

How sad?

I felt bad that I wouldn't be available. I had plans.

"Oh my God, Ria. Can we go some other day? You know, there's a rehearsal at the church this evening and now, I have to be somewhere."

"Oh my gosh, I miss Kim." She said playfully. I threw her a pillow.

"Don't compare Paige with Kim. I'm…"

"I know, pretty." She winked. "Trust me, I was joking. I'll fix another date. I can't shop without you."

"And I would not miss that shopping for anything. You'll buy my dresses too?"

"Sure, I've got enough savings." She smiled. "I'm still shocked, Paige. I was thinking last night, thinking hard. Henry, does he have any connection with this dead guy? That day when I invited him, you were…

Sorry, but all the description you gave about Damien is the same with…

And He is a guitarist.

I'm curious…"

She stopped.

"Why are you quiet?!" She shrieked out of frustration.

"I thought you were still talking."

She arched her brow. "Well, I'm done. Explain Paige."

I never anticipated this question. And I felt so sorry that I was going to lie to her.

"Ria, I can't explain anything here. Henry, I've liked him for the onset. About the dead guy…" I trailed off. "I guess I have moved on. Even if I don't feel like. I think…my heart has."