Chapter 33 A NIGHT OF VULNERABILITY
Rafael got back into the party with his men following after him close by. He looked over at the table he had left Vanessa at once he arrived at the banquet hall and his mind was set at rest the moment he laid his eyes on her.
It was time to go back home, but Vanessa was already so out of it that she could barely stand appropriately on her own feet.
Marco constantly tried to be of help to her, apologizing to her multiple times as he had to hold her from falling from the constant staggering state she was in.
Apparently, Vanessa had had a lot to drink and she wouldn't stop until her stomach was full and couldn't take it anymore.
Rafael, still very uncomfortable with Marco touching her as he walked toward them settled for a frown, his steps towards them faster than the beats of his heart.
If he could fly, he would, he just wanted to be in Marco's position as soon as he could and he was growing impatient the longer it took him to get to the table.
Only he gets to touch Vanessa, but since Marco's assistance was to prevent her from falling or getting hurt, maybe he might just allow it.
“Vanessa,” Rafael called at her the moment he arrived at the table.
Vanessa turned around at him as she had heard a familiar voice that sounded so pristine and lovely to her every time he spelt out her name.
She groggily dropped the flute in her hand to the table, beholding his face. Her face glistened with joy and like a lovely child caught in a surprise, her hands shot at her lips, covering them to hide her excitement.
“It's Rafael,” She cried. “Santiano Rafael Devereaux is standing right in front of me.” She continued with a clap.
As he watched and listened to her alcoholic talking, a tug shot at Rafael's heart, almost making him fall out of character with a blush.
He found her extremely cute in that moment as she allowed him to see all of her vulnerability, not holding back one bit of it, making him fall in love with her over and over again.
“Let's go home.” He whispered to her, taking her hand in his to guide her out of the party, but Vanessa wouldn't budge from where she was standing causing Rafael to get worried in a minute.
Vanessa let out a faint burp, still staggering but she managed to say,
“Oh, that's bad… I cannot go home with you.”
“Why not?” Rafael asked, not wanting to let go of her hand as she tried to pull away.
Vanessa pouted at him before looking down to her feet.
“My feet hurt in these heels, I can barely walk in them.” She cried.
A sigh of relief washed over Rafael at her words, but it never made it out. Immediately, Rafael got on a knee before Vanessa and he began to unfasten the hook of her heels.
Sasha, one of the females in his train of men, tried to step in and take off Vanessa's heels instead, but Rafael wouldn't let her, insisting he wanted to do it.
When he was done unfastening the hooks, Vanessa stepped out of the shoes, her face full of smiles in appreciation for his help despite her drunken state.
But that was not all, Rafael removed his coat, wrapping it around Vanessa before lifting her off the ground in his arms.
“Can we go now?” He asked her softly with her still in his arms, curled up like a child.
Vanessa nodded curtly, her butterflies tingling happily within her— perhaps, it was the alcohol. After all, champagnes are a type of sparkling wine that typically has an ABV(Alcohol by Volume) of around 12%.
The walk out of the party was graced by the endless coos and moos of the guests especially from the women.
Who could have thought the almighty Santiano Rafael Devereaux would hold a woman in his arms? Hold her so dearly like she was the fire in his cold, dead heart? His weakness in a world of power?
The ride back to the Devereaux family estate was very strenuous on Vanessa as she had suddenly began to feel sick.
“Do you want some water?” Rafael had asked her tenderly, wiping away the sweat pooling up on her forehead as she struggled to not stay awake.
She held his hand firmly, not willing to let go. Vanessa was just in between a state of consciousness and being unconscious, but regardless of this state she was in, she kept holding onto Rafael and he took care of the little things that could cause her distress.
“Stop the car!” She suddenly said, her face squinted badly like she was in pain.
“Sir?” The driver called at Rafael, not quite sure what to do about Vanessa's command.
Was he to listen to her and stop the car or wait for his master's approval? He couldn't be so sure until Rafael gave his final words.
“Stop the car.” Rafael said and the driver pulled over as soon as he could.
Vanessa quickly reached for the door, opening it at once before rushing towards the side curb. Rafael followed after her hastily, his agitation growing concerning her health as various possibilities and assumptions began to spiral through his head, giving room for devilish thoughts.
‘What could have been in her drink?’
'That-that couldn't have happened. No!’
'I'm just overthinking it.’
'Vanessa is just drunk— way too drink to handle it.’
He continued, comforting himself in his thoughts.
Finally, he got to Vanessa who was bent over by the curb, retching. Rafael also squatted by her side, carefully holding up her hair while he patted her back as he kept repeating the words,
‘“I'm sorry.”
Vanessa wouldn't even look at him as she was still not completely sober. Rafael's men arrived with water and he helped her with it.
When things had settled for a bit, Rafael lifted Vanessa in his arms again and they all headed for the car where she fell asleep in his arms almost immediately.
The closure created a warmth within him, but he could barely express this as she was greatly concerned and disturbed about Vanessa's health.
He deeply wished she was back to being the ever active woman he had gotten used to.
As the ride back to the Devereaux estate continued, Vanessa leaned into Rafael's arms the more, soaking herself in his warmth which he never resisted.
How could he possibly push away the woman he was in love with?
He sorted the fallen strands of her hair with a clip painfully tugging at his heart as her head rested above it, her legs curled up and her entire body at peace within his hold.
She slept peacefully like she had craved that type of rest all her life.
“Drive slowly.” Rafael simply said to the driver.
He planted a soft, warm kiss on Vanessa's forehead shortly after and she leaned even deeper into his arms.