Saved by a Salvatore

Chapter 3

“What’s your name?” he looks intently into my eyes.

What? What is my name? What the hell? I can’t remember my own name!

“Your name.” he says loosely. I didn’t realize I was staring, most likely in horror, in to his eyes.

“I can’t remember.” I feel so stupid. Why can’t I remember my own name? What did Jay give me? If he poisoned me, I’ll kick his ass all the way back to Florida.

“Hey.” he says holding my chin to stop my trembling. “Don’t worry about that now. Let’s get some food and tea in you and we’ll work from there. Sound good?” he says smiling again.

“That’s the best thing you’ve said since I woke up.” I giggle for the first time in what feels like centuries.

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After eating just about everything that was brought up, I finally found the bathroom. It’s so spacious and beautiful. The bathtub is a dream. I have to sit and let the water jets pulse around me as I reflect on the path my life has taken. To my knowledge, we are in The Peninsula. I have only been here once, with Nik. I find myself actually missing him. Nik’s one of my most valued customers. Hell, he is my most valued customer. When Nik was around, I never left Pink Panther without a roll of hundreds. I had more than enough for rent, utilities and wardrobe. I loved it. He was genuine and never asked anything more than what I gave. How can you resist a guy who will shell out money only for you to dance for him? However, when he showed up with keys to a BMW and a condo, I had to nip it in the bud, fast. I couldn’t have him thinking that he was responsible for me. I just couldn’t have that kind of commitment. Yet, I still can’t believe he took it upon himself to ask my boss about my workdays.

Pulling me out of my reverie, Stefan knocks on the door, “I‘m only checking that you‘re okay in there.”

“I’m fine, just enjoying the bathtub. It’s huge in here.” Why do I feel I have to embellish? I’m seriously not getting that cute act. Surely, he’s not made of sugar and spice. I snort out a laugh. He’s a guy, of course, he’s not all sugar. He just can’t be.

Stepping out of the tub, I grab a luxurious towel that I remember from my last visit. I quickly dry myself, and being I didn’t bother washing my hair as it already smells divine.

I notice bags, expensive bags of clothes and shoes. He really went all out, didn’t he?

Looking through the items in front of me, I decide on a teal pencil dress with a pink belt, and find a pair of cream Manolo Blahniks. Fine, I’ll stop questioning all this until we talk. Why are we talking?

When, I step out of the en suite bathroom, Stefan moves quickly to dispense of his paper coffee mug.

He looks over at me, assessing me? “How are you feeling? Anything coming back to you?” He asks.

“I feel much better, thank you. I appreciate the food, but the clothes and the shoes? It’s too much. I can’t accept all this, Stefan.” There, I do have boundaries.

“I didn’t say that you had to accept them. I just thought you might like a decent change of clothing. If you like, you can think of it as a loan.” he says smiling brightly. Seriously, that’s the highest I’ve seen him smile since I woke up only a few hours ago. We didn’t talk much through our, well my breakfast. Stefan, didn’t eat much, but only picked at a muffin.

“You won’t give up and let me leave, will you?” I ask wanting to see where his head’s at.

“I didn’t plan to. We need to talk about this sooner rather than later.” He’s a bit annoyed, I think.

“Fine, let’s talk now. What do I have to loose, right?” Yes, let’s see what he’s planning.

“Good” he says clapping his hands once and showing me to sit next to him on the sofa.