Love & Ruins (#2)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Maggie

The sunlight struck my eyes as if it wanted to blind me as soon as I opened them.

Squinting, I covered myself with the blanket that was draped over me, wondering why the hell the room is so bright considering I always make it a habit to close the curtains where not even a slither of light could peek through the gaps before I go to sleep.

Opting to stand up and close them, I halted in my tracks once I realized that the mattress I was lying on... isn't my mattress.

Instead of a queen-sized bed with white blankets and a white comforter, I was instead greeted with a dark blue blanket and a dark blue comforter, which is ridiculously more plushy than mine - indicating that this could be a new purchase. Not only that, but the bed is also significantly bigger than mine at my father's house.

I try to process the predicament that I'm in, how foreign the environment feels, but... safe, nonetheless. It doesn't feel threatening, as if I'm in a territory I know I'm in detriment. The atmosphere feels cozy, relaxing even, and not to mention, the scent here is divine.

I inhaled the scent of the room and I almost wanted to melt. It was a rich aroma of Sandalwood infused with Peppermint, and it smelled clean but still pungent as if the smell wanted to stick itself onto you. It lingered everywhere, from the sheets to the air, and although it was strong, it wasn't overwhelming.

I wanted to indulge in it some more. But once I've gotten over my stupor, however, it dawned on me that this wasn't the scent of my room, and when my head began to feel a lot less hazy, I also realized that I should be staying in a hotel room right now, and I'm pretty sure this isn't the hotel I've been staying in for the past few days.

I tried to sit up, but found myself immediately flinching when a dull ache panged at the back of my head, making me rub it in pain, wondering what the hell could have caused-

Flashes from the night prior came rushing back into my memory like a tidal wave, and the only coherent event I could remember before passing out was that of strong arms engulfing me into a careful embrace as if it wanted to shield me from any forthcoming danger that lay ahead.

I swallowed, speculations already forming inside my head but not wanting to endorse them in fear I'll have no choice but to accept my fate, I just forced myself to stand up and greet the reality of the situation and how bad it could be.

Seeing my shoes already placed neatly by the foot of the bed, I was hit by a sense of familiarity seeing this type of consideration, and how I've only ever witnessed it from one other person if not my mother.

Heat shot through my body at the thought, putting them on as I inspected the room with sharp curiosity. There wasn't much furniture, the space was minimalistic and well-maintained, only further proving my theory that everything in here could be purchased recently.

There was a black mahogany desk at the right side of the room, as well as a laptop that was closed and a black lampshade. There was a portrait of a gloomy landscape that complimented the interior of the room hanging above the bed, as well as a tall, white closet that was about three meters in width, a fuzzy gray carpet that covered a huge portion of the floor that appeared to be of hardwood, and blinds that were still pulled right up to the top of the window, allowing the sunlight to loom through in white and orange streaks.

I opened the door slowly, stepping into what I presume was the living room, considering the spaces were adjoining and there wasn't necessarily a hallway to go through, like most apartments in NYC.