Chapter 71: When He Couldn’t Sleep

Two days past by without me seeing Hayden. He hasn’t been back to the penthouse and Auntie didn’t seem to know where he went off to either. The penthouse was dead quiet and felt so empty without Hayden here. I spent my days visiting my grandmother in hospital as always and my late afternoons and evenings working on my artwork and other university projects.

My days were peaceful; however, I felt a nagging thought always present at the back of my mind. Whenever I was free such as when I was waiting for the elevator, when I was waiting for the water to boil and when I was spacing out all alone, my mind wound wander to Hayden.

If Hayden doesn’t return to this penthouse tonight, it would be his third night out in a row. Since I’ve moved in here with him, he has never been gone this long before. I looked at my phone for the hundredth time today.

Nothing. No calls and no messages from Hayden. I wondered where he was.

"Why don’t you give him a call?" Auntie asked.

Why would I do that? It’s all nice and peaceful now that he’s not here…

I sighed loudly. The truth was, I had never called him or texted him before…and what am I supposed to say?

Something like ’when will you be back?’. My body shivered from how weird that sounded. It was getting a little late into the evening and I knew that Auntie would be going home soon. Usually, she would be gone by now; however, she’s being nice enough to hang around to keep me company.

"No, that’s ok. I’ll go to bed soon so you can go home now, Auntie," I said before smiling reassuringly at her.

"Ok then. Good night, Miss Malissa. I will see you tomorrow," Auntie replied before she started gathering up her bag and things.

…

For once in a long while, I couldn’t sleep. I lay down in bed with the lights off with my eyes wide open. The penthouse was dead quiet and very peaceful, but I just couldn’t go to sleep. I didn’t remember how many times I used to wish and pray that the penthouse would be quiet so that I could concentrate on my work.

However, now that the peace and quiet that I had always longed for had arrived, I found myself feeling very restless and on edge.

Suddenly, I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door. At first, I was convinced that I just imagined it. That there really wasn’t anyone knocking on my door. I mean, I was the only one in this suite at the moment as Auntie and the other maids have retired for the day and Hayden wasn’t back. The bodyguards were guarding outside rather than living with us inside, so no one is knocking on my door…unless…

Hayden is back?

No, I don’t think so.

I was absolutely certain that Hayden wouldn’t knock on my door. So there. I’m just imagining it. I closed my eyes firmly; I have to go to sleep!

**Knock Knock Knock**

I heard three distinctive knocks on my door. I did not imagine it…someone is really knocking on my door, but it can’t be Hayden so…is it a ghost?

"Malissa! Open the door!"

That’s definitely Hayden’s voice.

Instinctively, I sat up in bed at once. Then I realized that I was about to run to the door and open it. Am I going crazy?! It’s Hayden on the other side of the door which is pretty much equivalent to having a monster on the other side.

Maybe I should just pretend that I’m already asleep and he will go away eventually. I lay back down on the bed and closed my eyes tightly. I’m sure he will give up and leave soon anyways.

"Malissa! Malissa! Open the door!"

Contrary to what I believed; Hayden started calling my name louder as he banged on the door harder. There’s no way anyone wouldn’t wake up like this. I sat up and got out of bed before the door to my room would be destroyed.

Taking in a deep breath, I opened the door.

I was right, Hayden, alive and in the flesh, was knocking on my door. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I preferred to see him or a ghost in front of my door. It didn’t really matter because I didn’t have a choice in the matter.

"…that took you forever…" Hayden complained as he stared at me, clearly displeased.

"Why are you here?" I asked curtly.

"…I can’t sleep…" Hayden said, emotionlessly.

"…and…that’s my problem because?" I asked, incredulously. Is he some little boy or something? Why is he knocking on my door when he can’t go to sleep? Wait, when did he get back again?

"Come with me for a night drive," Hayden said casually.

"What? Me?" I asked, once again struggling to follow his abnormal suggestion.

"Yes, you. Who else? We’re the only ones here. Let’s go," Hayden said casually.

"No…wait! Hayden!" I cried out in panic.

Effortlessly, Hayden lifted my body and draped me over his right shoulder like I was a small towel. I felt his hand on my ass and I started beating his back with my fists.

"The rule clearly states that you will do whatever it is that I tell you, whenever, wherever…something along those lines…" Hayden stated calmly.

"Put me down! I can walk," I cried out.

"I’m sure you can but I can easily carry you too…" he replied like it was supposed to be obvious.

Although this time he wasn’t dragging me by the hand after him, I was still being taken along with him against my will. It’s so late at night it must be a little past midnight already, I wonder where he wanted to go at this time of night.

The other thing that bothered me was the fact that I was still in my pajamas and there wasn’t much to cover my skin. Hayden carried me to the elevator and to the parking lot with ease, his hand enjoying the feel of my ass as he massaged my butt cheeks playfully all along the way.

"Hayden…I should change first!" I cried, hoping that he would pay me some mind.

"No need…" Hayden said, completely brushing me off.

--To be continued…