Playing With Fire

Chapter 10

I rasped, throwing my hands over my face as I felt the throbbing pain inside my head. It left as if someone is drilling in there.

I had no idea why I was suddenly suffering a headache. I wasn't the one who gets sick easily but when I do, I tend to be the grumpiest person on the planet. I hate everyone and anything that come anywhere near me.

I preferred to be left alone during my sick days.

Mewling like a cat, I forced my heavy eyelids open and squinted when the sun rays glared directly onto my face. I couldn't handle the brightness, so I shut my eyes close again and quickly sprang to my feet, rushing to pull the curtains shut while scolding myself for leaving it wide open last night.

Last night...

I froze on the spot that I was standing. What happened last night? I tried to recall anything that happened but unfortunately, I can't remember anything except that I had gone out with Mindy last night to the club.

So what happened at the club?

I scratched my head in confusion as I looked around my room, "How did I get here?"I asked myself, my voice still husky from the sleep.

I looked down at myself and realized that I was still wearing the black dress from last night. Was I too tired to even change my clothes last night? That's weird. I always changed my clothes before bed.

I was definitely missing something that happened last night.

Stretching a little, I went to flop on the bed again, still confused. Sighing, I reached towards the small table next to my bed to get my phone. I should check on Mindy, and I will do that after scrolling through my phone for a few seconds.

My eyes landed on the note that was resting under my phone. I knitted my brows at that as I don't remember leaving any notes there so I plucked the small paper from there to read the elegant cursive handwriting.

There are some Tylenol in the kitchen and some food waiting for you.

-Dimitri

And like a tide, everything that had occurred came back rushing to me. My eyes widened, and I gasped before getting up from my bed and dashing to the mirror in my room to inspect my face and my neck.

Sure enough, there is a huge black-and-blue mark on my face. I touched it softly and winced when it felt sensitive. How did I miss this pain when I threw my hands over my eyes earlier? Maybe the headache overshadowed the stinging discomfort on my cheek.

I exhaled sharply. It looked like it will take more than a week to heal.

I still couldn't grasp the fact that I nearly got r***d last night. That too, in a place full of people. I palpitated when the scene replayed in my head again. That's something I wouldn't forget till the end of my life.

Thank god that a certain green-eyed man saved me from that.

I eyed down at the note again. I wanted to smile at it but my muscles protested so I ended up with a distorted expression. I let my eyes ran over the note again, memorizing every single thing that had written there.

Dimitri.

There were days I laid on the bed when sleep wouldn't find me and I had pondered what his name could be during that time but I certainly never thought of this name. The name suited him very well. It almost sounded mysterious just like him.

I tried to remember everything that happened last night but found myself remembering only bits of it. But one memory stood out prominently than others which is, his green eyes looking down at me with concern in them.

I don't know if someone can look that concerned after only meeting someone twice.

Apparently, he took me home or that's what it looks like from this note. I wondered if he found Mindy or not. I can recall telling him that I needed to find my friend last night.

Deciding to go check on Mindy, I walked out of the room, running my fingers through my messy hair to detangle it. I quietly pushed the door of Mindy's room and found her sleeping soundly on her bed. Relieved to see her safe in her bed, I quietly shut the door.

I don't know if Mindy got home by herself or Dimitri found her but I was grateful that she is safe.

I went to the kitchen and there was some Tylenol resting on the counter. I sighed and grabbed it, my eyes flickering around the kitchen. He wrote in the note that he had bought food and just like he had mentioned, food was sitting on the dining table, ready to be eaten.

My stomach rumbled at the sight of it, and I didn't waste any time, running towards the dining table and taking a seat by it before starting to eat the food, after saying my prayers. I didn't even care that I haven't brushed yet as I felt famished.

I shoved the food down into my throat, not even bothering to reheat it. I was that ravenous. I kept half of it for Mindy, knowing that she isn't the best person when she just woke up and hungry.

Sighing in contentment, I rubbed my stomach, feeling full. My thoughts once again going back to Dimitri. It seems like he owned that club. I would never have guessed that.

Dimitri had been kind enough to send me home and to buy me breakfast. I should repay this gesture soon. Maybe one day, I would make him breakfast and leave it at that club.

The hair on my raised at that thought. I didn't want to go back to the club, but I don't know where to find him other than that place. Maybe that was a bad idea. He is not that important to me, so I could order some food and ask the delivery guy to leave it there.

Saves me from all the hassle and it wouldn't look like I am dying to get his attention.

With my thoughts all jumbled up, I stood up and went to my dishes. My eyes fell on another sticky note on the wall there. I quickly washed my plate and dried my hands before snatching the note from there, knowing it was from Dimitri.

Did he look around the house after he put me in the bed?

Meet me at the nearest Starbucks, sharp at 11 am for a cup of coffee.

-Dimitri

I read it over again, trying to process the simple words that he had written there. I walked out from the kitchen to check on the time and found out that I had only thirty minutes left to get ready and go there.

I rushed into my room without thinking twice and entered the bathroom. I was in the middle of stripping down my clothes when I realized what I was doing. Why am I getting ready to meet him? I could easily ignore the note and stay at home.

But I owed him.

I owed him for saving me last night. I owed him for taking me home and leaving me breakfast and painkillers in here. It was a thoughtful thing to do so I have to meet him. That's the right thing to do.

I showered as quickly as I can and got dressed. Since I came to Italy, Mindy never let me wear the clothes that I brought all the way from Canada. She said it was a disgrace to fashion. So she helped me to restock my wardrobe once I got paid for the first time here.

I pulled a pair of skinny jeans and paired them with a pretty blouse that I had bought recently.

I left my hair down to hide the ugly bruise on my face. The last thing that I want is to have authorities pulled in front of me and questioning me about if I am suffering from domestic violence.

I grabbed my bag and walked out of my room. Mindy was still sleeping, so I texted her to inform her that I was going out and there was food on the table for her.

I took a cab to the nearest Starbucks. The cab driver kept glancing at me via the rearview mirror but I pretended to not notice that. I paid for the ride and got down from the car with my heart on my throat, suddenly anxious to meet him again.

Which was so unlike me. Why was I anxious to meet him? He was just a stranger. I have met him twice so why I was feeling something in my tummy?

I walked into the shop, my eyes darting around to spot him but I couldn't. I sighed and glanced down at my wristwatch, noticing that I still had about five minutes left.

Going to the counter, I ordered a drink not wanting to look like a socially awkward person.

The cashier's eyes widened it fell on my face and looked away, feeling a little insecure now. Does my cheek look that bad?

I quietly paid for my drink without looking at her again as I didn't want to witness her horrified eyes again. When my drink was ready, I grabbed it and went to sit in the far corner of the room where no one would look at my face.

Sighing, I took a sip of my drink, still somewhat nervous to meet those green eyes again. Why does he want to meet me?

"I almost thought you wouldn't come,"

I yelped and looked up at those green eyes in surprise. There he stood with a charming smile on his face, clad in his ripped black jeans and a black shirt. His hair was brushed back, making him look like a vogue model.

"Hi," I said, looking up at him, not knowing what to say.