A Thief's Kiss

19| Sober

Chapter 19: Sober (Aria's POV)

I sat there on a chair in the backyard with Alex kneeling in front of me and Riya standing beside me, holding a glass of water at my lips. "Drink up." 

"It's cold water, my throat is going numb," I complained. 

"I don't care. Cold water sobers you always. Drink up. She needs to eat something." 

"Dinner won't be ready until after the engagement," Alex replied. 

"Then find her some leaves to munch on, won't you?" she spat sarcastically. She just has this thing where she sort of hates royal snobs. And the few times Alex has been to their bakery, from what she told me, he was a complete dick. 

Alex rolled her eyes and put his hands on my knees. "Are you any closer to being sober?" 

"She's not going to get sober. We're just getting her in control." 

"I can get sober," I argued. 

"If you want to, then drink," she replied, handing me more cold water. I chugged it down then handed it back to her while Alex let out a huff, resting his head in my lap. She held onto the nearly empty glass. "She's getting there. Hold this. I'll find something for her to eat," she huffed before walking away. 

Alexander stood up beside me, handing me the glass again. "Drink up." 

I took a few gulps and held the glass in my hand, looking at him. "I'm causing a lot of trouble for you, aren't I?" I asked hesitantly. 

"Quite a bit, yes," he nodded. 

"Good," I scoffed. "You deserve some of it." I paused to think. "And I'm your fiance now." 

"Still a few minutes to go." 

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes. "Either way, you should be able to take care of me now." I sipped more water. "I could take care of you." 

"Okay, Aria, whatever you say," he chuckled. 

"I could," I said, definitely offended. "I remember what you're afraid of, what you hate, and I also remember where you hide Toblerone in the kitchen," I said smugly. Almost proudly. 

"You really remember all of that about me?" he asked, his voice getting a little softer. 

I nodded, finishing the glass and then handing it to him. "I remember everything about you." 

Riya came back with a chocolate bar in her hands. "Here, it's all I could find. I stole it from a waiter." 

I narrowed my eyes at her. "You flirted with him until he gave it to you," I stated, snatching it out of her hands and then handing it to Alex. He opened it for me and handed it back to me. I munched on it and ten minutes later, I was as close to sober as I would get. 

I don't know how my body is made, but whenever I get drunk, get me cold water and something to eat and I'll be nearly as good as sober for at least an hour. Then the alcohol reboots and kicks into my system all over again, making me drunker than before. At that point, I just need to be put to sleep. It's only the way to wear off the alcohol. But somehow, my hangovers continue to remain tolerable. 

Alex glanced at his watch while I stood up. "The engagement is in five minutes. You, come with me." He grabbed my hand. "You, go back to being a guest. Thank you for helping," he said before pulling me away with him quickly. We went inside together and then parted ways. 

When we walked inside, Mrs. Phoenix found us. "Where have you two been? Listen now, we're changing plans." 

I nearly passed out right there. I'm so tired, I just want a bed to crash in.