Chapter 26 CHAPTER 26
ALINA'S POV
Heading home last night after Oxygen was nothing in the least bit unexpected. Everything was the usual. I got to enjoy a free night ride as consultant, arrived home in one piece, took off my scandalous outfit, jumped into the shower and pretty much went to bed after that.
Smooth right?
But what I didn't expect, was waking up. Waking up to everywhere all bright and sunny. And then the pounding. The extremely loud and solid pounding right at the back of my head, my eyes and even behind my throat.
"The hell?" I clutched my head as I groggily stirred awake. Dizziness striking almost immediately i tried to open my eyes. In fact, the dizziness was on a whole different level from the pounding. Your eyes are shut but you feel dizzy. You've ever felt that before? That's what I felt.
Every part of me felt like it was being pulled apart and yet joined back at the same time. Everything slamming right into me, ringing in my ears. My jaw too stiff to even get a word out.
Honestly, I would've gone back to sleep if I could. I really would've, but the sun?
The sun I was feeling on my skin? My face. How was that even possible? That couldn't be right given the time was just past 7am in the morning, my regular wake up time to head for work. I shouldn't feel the sun burn so hard unless-
Unless...
Unless it really wasn't 7am and I...I overslept?!
That snapped my eyes right open then! Grogginess gone in an instant. A quick scan of the environment, my room, and then the clock on the wall. The very same clock I always look at every morning whenever I woke up, only now instead of 7am it said-
"9:40?!" I bellowed, stunned. "Time's past 9am in the morning, 9:40?! Oh God, Alina!"
I shook off the sheets immediately, rising to my feet, but stumbling down right after. The dizziness returning, the pounding. "Oh shit," I groaned, feeling bile rise to my throat. My stomach instantly churning. "I'm going to be sick."
I pushed myself back up still, struggling. "Is this the effect of the drinks?" I staggered, aiming for the bathroom. Barely able to stand. "This is really what those drinks can do? If so why did they choose right now and not yesterday?"
I pushed myself, steps faltering all the way. Struggling. "This is the wrong time, the wrongest time for a hangover."
I reached the toilet then, my stomach instantly emptying itself. The disgusting sound filling the air. Sticking to my own hair even.
Absolutely disgusting!
"Ughh!" I spat, splashing water on my face. Several times, anything to clear my head a little. It worked though. I could see straight without that insane dizziness now, although I seemed unstable. Partially still high on the effect of the drinks.
"Why did I even drink so much? Why?"
Now look where it's gotten me. Look where am at, instead sitting pretty in my cool air conditioned office and plotting the final crafting of the seraph wing!
"I need to get to the office," I muttered, holding my head. "I need to get up, this isn't my first time drunk. It isn't your first drunken morning Alina, get your shit together. Get up and go to work!"
Get up!
It took a minute. A whole ass long minute, but I did get up. I got up, practically tore my tank top off and stepped under the shower. The water helping to wash away some effect of the drinks.
Remind me not to have more 2 glasses from Oxygen, alright?
Anyways that was how I began my morning. Too rammed over to do anything properly, not even to get dressed up. Plus, I was late!
Completely and absolutely late!
I was never late. Never.
If Cleo would hear I was heading off to work at past 10am in the morning, she would for sure lose money over my head. Money she bet against people back at Boldlines.
I was that punctual. I was never late.
More reasons I pushed myself even harder on the road. Running some paths, just so I could blow off some steam and sweat the damned drinks out.
By the time I arrived at office, at Oxygen, I knew I could use a few hot coffee. A really big bowl of hot coffee, making that bastard's weird offer slightly reasonable in my eyes.
He offered me coffee. Or tea? Was it?
I don't even know, I drank the whole thing up. Just knew I felt the hot liquid sizzling in my throat, and then warming my belly. Much like those drinks, but this was soothing instead. Mind clearing and most definitely ear clearing, I heard it all. Everything that dirty mouth of his had to say.
What was his problem anyway?
He says all that to me, twist my words, the meanings, making others around to look at me weird. Most definitely assuming things that were not, things was wouldn't be good for either me or him. Most especially me!
He does all that and then adds this to it? Holding me? Staring at me? Right in front of everyone??
What, he thought this was Disneyland or something?! We're acting out a role, a play, a game?!
He calls my truce a game and goes on to prove it right to my face?!
What exactly does this man think he is?!
Irritation clug to me like second skin. Growing increasingly worse as I took in the cunningly innocent smile in those green eyes of his. "Fucking bastard, get off me!" I pushed him away. Stepping out completely from his contact.
"What do you think you're doing?" I questioned, "What exactly do you think you're doing here?"
"What?" He chuckled, light. Innocent. "I just saved you,"
"Saved me?"
"Yes.
"I saved you from hitting the floor just now, are you okay?" He stepped closer, I stepped backwards in sync. My gaze more than skeptical. Doing my best to give into this ridiculous temptation and focus on my work.
It was things like this that made Ms Vega, Mark and undoubtedly several others to think we had something going on somehow.
Things like this where he provokes me, I react and him try to play smart. Making me even madder. Things like this are what spins ideas in people's head! Ideas that didn't even exist in the slightest!
He didn't value himself, his work or reputation, I did mine. I valued myself, my work and my reputation in the creative industry, and I would not let him ruin it!
I turned off just then, leaving behind anything he had to say. His voice followed me, but I was faster. A few quick steps and I was out of the wing. Heading to the nearest functioning bathroom immediately.
Needed the water more than anything.
There I washed my face again, the third time just that morning. I tried rearranging my hair, lock them down in a seemingly presentable way but there was no hope there at all.
I bathed under the shower, couldn't dry my hair before leaving, press then down a bit with some serious heat, and now I had a mess. My curly standard mess.
Typical Alina.
I hated it. But as much as I did, work had to be done. I made sure to focus on my work for the rest of the morning. Facing the job that pays me, while secretly looking out for that insane man.
Didn't see him though. Gratefully.
"We've done really well today, guys!" I clapped, causing the workers to gather around. Everyone sweaty, including me.
"We've done really well with the restructuring, What's left is installation and we should begin that officially next week. For now... let's all take a break, shall we?"
"Thank you Miss!" More than a few called out, delighted.
I smiled, turning to head to my office. First time since I arrived and boy, I could not wait to feel that freaky air condition on my skin! My very sweaty skin.
The thought of it only hastened my steps, eagerness flooding my veins.
But the moment I stepped in, I froze.
My eyes blinking, once, twice and then thrice as I took in the state of my office.
Right on top of the desk were...flowers.
Actual flowers.
A big lunch pack, hot and deliciously scenting all over the place and a bag of women clothing laying on the side. A note attached.
My mind slowed, suspicious. Confused. But I inched towards the note.
Read one line and I was already rolling my eyes.
"It seems I startled you today. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, Al. Please forgive me by accepting this peace offering. PS. You can't reject it if we're doing the truce."
The truce? What the hell does he understand by truce??
And AL?
He was calling me AL? Like before?
"Oh this stupid bastard!"