Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Serena walked out of the proposal with her bag, and taking her car, she drives herself to their shared apartment, muffling her cries and wiping her eyes over, and over again while trying desperately to see where she is going at the dead of the night.

The question nagged at her over and over again… why would he choose to do that to her? What was the point of it? What had she done so wrong to deserve such a betrayal? What—!

She suddenly slams down on her car brakes, her head hitting the steering wheel as the car comes to an abrupt stop, her lights shining brightly on another car that had equally swerved into the road to prevent an accident, while the third car, the cause of all the chaos, speeds by, yelling curses as he drives away.

She raises her head cautiously, tears streaked across her cheeks while her hands trembled as she shakes uncontrollably. She suddenly feels the door handle being jerked open and strong hands pull her out of the car. She raises her head to look at the stranger but all she can see is his jawline as she rests bridal style in the crook of his hands, as he carries her over to his own car in front.

She tries feebly to leave him, for fear of being kidnapped but her vision is just a little bit foggy from the hit on her head to the steering wheel before. “P-Please don’t kidnap me.” She manages to whimper as he lays her down gently on the plush leather chair.

He rises up and goes to the back of the car and returns shortly with a small red pack, looking suspiciously like a first aid box.

With not much words exchanged between them, he wipes the angry red bruise on her forehead with some ointment, then slowly puts a band aid over it, tapping it gently when he’s done.

By now, Serena is already awake and alert, but she keeps her eyes closed out of embarrassment. Her tears have dried off and it’s just two white streaks on her face. Her heart beating rapidly as his warm fingers tapped her face over and over again while he worked, and now that he’s done, she’s just too mortified to open her eyes.

She feels the air shift as he rose up to his feet and no more sounds after that.

‘Did he leave?’ She wondered, opening her right eye a small crack.

Mistake.

He’s standing right in front of her, hands crossed and his eyes focused on her, that subtle eye movement does not miss his gaze.

“I’ve dressed the bruise so it won’t get any worse… do you plan on sleeping here?” He asks her coldly, the feeling completely different from how warm his body had felt only earlier.

Embarrassed, she opens her eyes, shifting slowly as though she just woke up from a nap. “I’m sorry I bothered you.”

He raised one eyebrow, “If I didn’t follow you from the party, I wonder what would have become of you. No matter what…” He pauses, shifting uncomfortably. “Whatever, get up. Do you think you can drive right now? And where are you going exactly by this time of the night?”

Serena tuts, shifting her body from leg to leg as she glances at her car, “I was going to my apartment, I had some things to move out from there.”

He looks at her for a moment, “Get in, I’ll drop you off.”

She raises her eyes to look at him quizzically, her heart leaping but trying to not show it on her face, “I don’t think you should bother. It’s just my face that I hit, I’m pretty sure I can—“

“Get in!” He orders her again, walking around to the other side of the car.

She gets in, sparing one last glance at her car. 

“I’ll have someone bring it over as soon as I drop you off.”

Without any other words, she slides into the chair beside him, sneaking glances at the man by her side. Even in the dark, she’s able to tell that he has distinct features. His jet black hair is packed to one side, giving her access to all of his face. His sharp jawline, perfectly curved nose and thin lips…

“I’d think you’d be in tears instead of checking another man out so soon.” He chides her, barely glancing at her.

She actually chuckles, looking outside the window as the scenery rolls by. “I don’t even know you… Thank you for coming after me.”

“I wasn’t coming after you though. I was going home.” 

“But, earlier, you said…”

“Forget what I said.”

After that, they descend into comfortable silence, but this time, while she stares out the window, letting the cool night air play with her hair, he looks at her, over and over again.

Just how much he’d love to pat her head, just how much he’d love to tell her that the jerk did not deserve her tears…

“We’re here.” He brings the car to a stop in front of a high rise apartment.

She nods, getting off. “Once again, thank you for bringing me home. I am Serena Stone…”

“I know, and you’re welcomed.” He cuts her off again, wounding up his window and driving off, watching her in the rear view mirror as she enters the apartment safely.