DRUNK.

Light stung my eyes, making me flip them shut immediately I opened them.

I turned, groaning.

“Beth, please close the windows!”

I did not get a response, not from Beth, not from the windows closing.

My head spun, aching, telling me I made a mistake of thinking I couldn’t get drunk because I was heartbroken.

“Beth is not here yet?” I muttered, struggling to get out of bed with my eyes closed.

“Who is Beth?” A voice said from the far corner of the room.

My eyes immediately clicked open, the faint scent of pistachio and mint hanging in the air. I turned swiftly to know who had that voice, because it wasn’t Edward’s, or the doctor, and definitely not anyone I know.

And there he was, fresh out of shower in a bathe robe. His face was unfamiliar but he was hella handsome.

My eyes lowered in curiosity and fear. “Who are you?” I grabbed the sheets, pulling it up to my chest.

“I should be the one asking that.” His came softly and unbothered.

Did I have a one night stand?

No I couldn’t .

But I was drunk!

Yesterday’s memory came flooding in, and the last thing I remember was coming into my room.

Yes, my room!

“What do you mean? This is my room. How long have you been here. What did you do to me?” I stopped, scrambling on the bed to find my phone to call security.

“Is this really your room?” His eyebrows were raised, giving me a stare that called me a drunk that doesn’t even know her room.

I paused. My brain finally registering the details. It was as if the room was customized for only him. The curtain color were navy blue instead of royal blue like in all the VIP rooms. The furniture were a bit different too. A soothing dull ambience that matched him.

My eyes finally settled on him.

“What happened?” My voice came a tone lower.

“You were drunk and mistook my room as yours.”

I pressed my eyes shut in embarrassment. How could I make fun of myself in a hospital.

“Why didn’t you tell me it wasn’t ?” I countered.

“Did you not just hear me, or are you still drunk? Unfortunately you don’t listen when you’re drunk.”

He ran his hand through his damp hair, walking towards me.

“Security. Why didn’t you call the hospital security?”

He paused. His gaze slightly softened.

“It was too much of a hassle, and I’m avoiding attention as it is. And I knew you’d be sober by morning, before the doctor finds out you’re missing.”

I still couldn’t get it. Is he a pervert? Did he touch me or something like that? Why did he just leave a total stranger in his room?

“I slept on the couch.” He added, as if reading my mind.

“But…”

“I think you’re sober enough to find your room. The doctors will be going on Ward rounds soon.”

“I’m so sorry for causing you trouble.” I bowed slightly.

“The hangover medicine on the table is for you.”

“Thank you.”

He really is an odd one.

I saw that his room was the last on the right wing side, and my room is before his own.

The VIP rooms were all on the last floor, and thanks to my Father I got a valid membership even after he lost everything. He was always pretty serious about healthcare.

Beth was waiting when I came in. She was pacing around, fiddling on her phone. I guess she had been calling seeing how my phone rang.

“Where did you go? I was worried.” She held me , assessing my body. “Are you okay?”

“I’m okay Beth. I mistakenly slept in the next room.”

“What? How did it happen?”

“I was a bit drunk, and I found out this morning that he is my friend. Dan.” I had to clear out the part of who has the room, and that was the only thing I could quickly come up with.

“Oh…Alice. I shouldn’t have left yesterday.” She hugged me. “Go on and wash up, so you can eat.”

I told Beth everything that happened. And from my personal account I paid her.

“I will find an apartment to stay for the time being, till I figure out what to do.”

“You Shouldn’t have paid me. You should hold any bit of money you have for now until you have a solution.” She brought out her phone to wire the money but I held her back.

“Thank you Beth, for everything. I’m starting afresh now, and not paying you would haunt me.”

“But this is even more than my pay. I just want to take care of you.”

“You do more than your pay Beth. And I’m sorry you had to loose your job like this. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sorry you’re going through all this. Remember to call me if you’re going through a hard time, and call me when you get your apartment too.”

“I will.” I smiled softly.

After I was discharged, I went to our house or rather Edward’s house to get my things. And thank goodness it was Sunday, so I didn’t have to wait till he came back in the evening. The plan was simple.

Go in, pack and leave.

I walked up to the front door, putting in the passcode, but it beeped wrong. That was so quick if him. Then I pressed the doorbell.

“Where you trying to break into our house?” Claire appeared in the doorway.

I sighed.

The divorce has not even been finalized yet and she already moved in with him.

“I came to take my things.” I said walking in.

Edward was sitting comfortably on the couch like I wasn’t there. They were watching his favorite TV show and the table was littered with pizza, cola cans and chocolates.

Claire stood in my way as I made my way to the stairs.

“Stay down here. I already packed your stuffs.”

“What?”

“I had to put my own stuffs in the room, so…”

“You could have put it in the guest room till I came.”

“Sorry,” she pouted, “I was impatient.”

I watched her run up and down the stairs, bringing down my bags.

“I still have to make sure everything is here. This is ridiculous.”

“Everything is there Alice. I made sure of it.” Edward finally spoke, eyes still on the TV.