15

Chapter 15

"I got my first big order a day after meeting you. A little tiring because of the short notice but it's worth it. So thank you for being my luck." It's a good thing Damien is here to accompany me. He's probably the only normal person who is on my level.

"No need to thank me. You got the order because you bake well." I returned the praise to him.  I didn't want him to think that he did not achieve this milestone based on his own merit.

"Yeah. But also because you've got the right connections.

I just smiled politely as a response. It's more of a coincidence really because it was really Richard's connection. Speaking of which, I see them sitting at a nearby table busily engaging in a conversation that is probably about business while Andrea is beside him with her hands wrapped around his arm.

Good for him and I'm glad that someone actually managed to humanize him. I tried to determine what type of relationship they have but it seems like Richard adores that girl very much. I haven't seen him smile unknowingly to anyone and it's nice to see him be happy instead of being a grumpy bozo.

Oh shit! He caught me staring at them. I immediately diverted my gaze and went back to talking with Damien. When I thought that it was safe to have a glance, I twisted my head for a second and my eyes met with Richard. His expression was serious like he was scolding me for looking at something intimate so I did my best to avoid looking at their direction for the entire duration of the event. It was an entertaining party that I didn't even notice that four hours have passed until the host was bidding goodbye to everyone who attended the celebration.

Damien bid his farewell and gratitude to Andrea before leaving the venue. I had to approach Richard who appears to be drunk even though he's trying his best not to look like one.

"Carl!" he calls my name with unnecessary exhilaration. "I was waiting for you!" his voice slurry.

"I'm afraid we have to go." I said. How many drinks did this man have?

"If you say so." he stood up but he flung his arm around my shoulder to have some balance. I have no choice but to wrap my arm around his back to his waist to offer additional support as we walk our way to the car.

"Where's the key?" I demanded. This would be the perfect time for me to finally drive the car because there is no way I would let a drunk driver take us home.

"In my pocket." he mumbled. I searched into his jacket pocket but no keys were found.

"Where?" I interrogated.

"Pants." he answered. I let out a groan and reached inside his pants pocket. I smiled awkwardly to the valet nearby as he observe me digging inside Richard's pocket. This is the first time that I'm not glad that men's pocket are deeper than women's because I can't seem to find the object I'm looking for.

"Am I in the right pocket this time?" I asked becoming increasingly annoyed from the situation.

He let out an uh-huh as a response. I dug deeper and I immediately froze when I grazed something that I shouldn't have touched. Richard went closer to me and whispered in my ear. "Not out here darling." he said. I instantly had a goosebumps when his warm breath came in contact with my neck but I pushed through with the task until I located the darn key in the deepest abyss of his bottomless pocket.

I threw the car key to the valet which he caught and he disappeared from our sight to pick up the car. Richard let his arm slide down from my shoulder until he reached my hips and leaned his body closer to me for additional support.

"Quit it Richard." I snapped.

"What? You started it." I can smell the alcohol from his breath.

"It was an accident!" I hissed back.

Good thing the car arrived instantly and the valet got helped me to get Richard inside the automobile. I expressed my appreciation before securing the seatbelt of my passenger. It was only a couple of minutes of driving when he boldly placed his hand on my knee.

"I swear to god, if your hand is still on my knee for the next second I'm going to make you walk on your way home." I calmly threatened. It must have been effective because he retracted his hand in a flash. After a while, it got suspiciously quiet after a few minutes so I sneaked a glance on the passenger seat and saw Richard peacefully sleeping.

I can't help but smile. Finally! Some peaceful time for me. I turned the radio on for some music but I let the volume be low enough not to wake my passenger but loud enough for me to be entertained. Before I even knew it, we were back in their extensive manor.

I turned the engine off and and contemplated whether to disrupt Richard from his slumber. Since it would better if he would rather sleep in a comfortable bed, I decided to wake the beast. I got out and circled around the car before opening the door to the passenger side. Richard has his eyes closed and even though he's intoxicated with alcohol, he's still very pleasant to look at. It's feels like it would be sin to wake him up.

I tapped his shoulder and called his name but his eyes remain closed. I tried shaking his shoulders in a mild manner but I increased the intensity until it woke him. His glassy blue eyes met mine and it temporarily knocked me out of my senses. It's like seeing him in his vulnerable state for the longest time.

"I-" My thoughts was lost but it's a good thing he might not remember this moment in the morning. "Are you sober enough?" I managed to asked. "Can you walk by yourself?"

He nodded. He no longer needs my assistance but his movements are still uncoordinated but he can manage. I stayed behind closely just in case he would stumble until we went inside the house and reached the front of his room.

"Good night Richard." I said and walked away towards my room.

I did my nightly routine and laid on my bed. I closed my eyes expecting to drift off to sleep but I couldn't. No matter how much I tossed and turn, I couldn't find the need for some rest. After several attempts, I gave and stared at the ceiling hoping that it will bore me to sleep. I heard a loud booming thunder before the pitter-patter of rain started to tap on my window. I heaved a sigh of relief because we didn't have to deal with the rain at the party.

Without any warning, my door flew open and I saw a towering shadow against the light, the scene looking like it was taken straight from the horror movies. The sight of Richard was revealed just as the lightning decided to warn us with another roaring thunder.

I sat up and turned on my bedside lamp. "What are you doing here?"

He invited himself and lifted my comforter before getting on my bed casually. "I can't sleep." he said.

"This is ridiculous! I can't sleep too but I don't go around creeping up in someone else's bed." It looks like my protest are going to be ignored again because he already made himself comfortable and closed his eyes.

I slapped his chest. "Please get up and sleep in your own room!" I insisted but he grabbed my hand to to stop me from hitting him.

"Please." he begged. "It's lonely up there." his eyes looking so defenseless and innocent. "You know how much I hated the storm."

I stopped moving and stared at him. He looks so very sincere that I already knew that I would hate myself from indulging his ridiculous wish. I groaned and sank into my bed knowing that I can't do anything again. "Fine." I surrendered. "Just this one time."

He grinned contentedly. I tried taking my hand back but he just held it tighter with no intention on letting it go. I have no choice but to sleep on my left side facing him. I see his face once in a while as the thunder and lightning provides a temporary illumination in the room.

I didn't know if it's because he's drunk or he actually didn't outgrew his fear of thunderstorms that he's acting like this. What is it? Because it is not normal for two grown men to be doing this. I observed him and I finally get to see his face this close. I felt a warmth spreading in my body like a sudden stream of satisfaction and it's making me drowsy.

"I love your scent." Richard whispered in his drunken stupor.

"Thanks. You smell nice too." I replied admittedly. Good thing he thought about taking a shower because I can smell the fragrance of soap instead of the strong liquor. I yawned and I finally closed my eyes confident that I would finally get some shut eye.

Our hands holding. The storm. His begging. He would probably forget about it by morning. I just had to wake up before he does in order to omit any traces that would make him recollect what happened just now. But first, I need allow my consciousness to float away in the darkness...