Chapter 7

We started walking toward the parking lot, and she didn't pull her hand away... she just let me hold it until we reached my car. I don't know if it was the effect of the alcohol, but I couldn't bring myself to let go of her hand until I opened the door.

She quickly sat down in the passenger seat while I walked around to get into the driver's side. Part of me wanted to punch myself. Why the hell was I even nervous? You're just taking her home, Leon. What else are you thinking?

And I was honestly caught off guard when, as soon as I sat down, Alina was looking right at me. She was staring intently, and for a moment, it felt like I couldn't even move my hands. I know it's been years since I've been this close to her, but she still has that same effect on me. It felt like my whole system couldn't handle the way she was looking at me right now.

"A Jaguar, huh?" I heard her say, her gaze no longer on me. She looked closely around the interior of my car, then suddenly smirked.

"It's cool. I like it," she added, turning back to face me. My heart started beating faster all over again. I loosened my necktie a bit because it felt like I couldn't breathe. Fuck, fuck, fuck...

"Ah, thanks... I guess? Uh, buckle up your seatbelt," I told her, avoiding her gaze. As expected, she didn't listen. She just closed her eyes and completely ignored me.

Alina, you're making this way too hard for me. I massaged my temple in frustration and stared at her for a moment. Then I leaned over to reach for the seatbelt myself, since it was obvious she had no intention of doing it. After I did that, I settled back into my seat. I noticed a few drops of rain hitting the window, and soon enough, it started pouring harder. Of course, it had to rain now. I glanced at Alina and gently draped my coat over her so she could rest while I drove.

She looked peaceful now, even if for a moment. Hair slightly messy, lashes resting against flushed cheeks. And fuck, even like this, she still had the power to mess with my head. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, trying to push back the thoughts creeping in. Leon, don't read too much into this. You're just giving her a ride home. That's it... but deep down, I knew it wasn't just that. Because no matter how much I tried to convince myself, part of me couldn't help but wish the night wouldn't end.

I started the engine and drove away from the bar. I even slowed down a bit, not really because I was worried about waking her up if I sped up, but because... because I just wanted to be with her a little longer.

I'd already passed a few buildings, and every now and then, I'd steal a glance at her to see if she was waking up, but so far, she hadn't. Her eyes were still closed, and my coat was still draped over her.

I let out a slow breath, forcing my gaze back to the road. It shouldn't matter this much. But it did. Because for the first time in years, she wasn't a memory or someone I had to watch from a distance. She was right here, close enough to reach out and touch.

A few moments later, I felt her shift slightly beside me. It was still about a 20-minute drive to their house.

"Don't take me home." Don't take her home? What?

"Just rest. We're almost there," I told her firmly. From the corner of my eye, I saw her run her fingers through her hair and shake her head over and over again.

"I said I don't want to go home. Don't you get it?" she snapped at me, irritation in her voice.

How much had she even drunk tonight? She was being so stubborn. She didn't want to go home, but then where did she want to go?

I slowly pulled the car over to the side of the road. This time, I turned to face her, and right away, I saw her brows knit together, that look on her face like she was about to start crying again.

"I don't want to go back to that house... I can't breathe there. Every move I make, Dad has something to say about it. I don't want to go home... please, don't take me back."

She still seemed drunk... but I knew Alina. She hated letting anyone see her like this, hated showing this vulnerable side of herself. She never wanted anyone to see her cry, yet here she was, breaking down again in front of me. Maybe it was the weight of everything she's just discovered... maybe it was all the pressure from her father finally pushing her to the edge.

I looked at her closely, and without even thinking, my hands moved to gently hold her. I could feel her trembling, a clear sign she couldn't handle going back to that house tonight.

Her tears started falling even harder, and my eyes widened when, out of nowhere, she leaned in and hugged me. Fucking hell. I forced myself not to react too much to how sudden it was... she was just drunk, that's all this was. This hug didn't mean anything... she just desperately needed someone to be here right now.

After a moment, I slowly ran my hand through her hair, trying to soothe her, hoping it might help her calm down even just a little. She kept crying, and I kept trying to calm her down. Outside, the rain kept pouring too, almost as if it was matching the heaviness of everything she was feeling.

"Okay, I won't take you home. Calm down now, Alina... I'm not going to leave you."