Her Escape

Chapter 19

Last Night 

"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good." – John Steinbeck

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I stirred, a bright light blinding me despite my eyes being closed.

Did I forget to close the curtains again?

Cracking one eye open, I instantly regretted it. An unbearable pounding rushed to my head and a wave of nausea churned in my stomach. Groaning, I pulled the covers over my head and buried myself in the soft silky sheets. My mouth was beyond dry, and every muscle in my body was sore.

Slowly, bits and pieces of last night started to come back to me.

Bar.

Dancing.

Scarlett and Darius

Chase and... well – someone.

Cute guy who's name I couldn't remember, followed by lots of alcohol.

Explains why I feel like I just got hit by a bus this morning, I thought as I rubbed my eyes. Then, from the corner of my eye, I realized the covers I was hiding under were navy blue and not beige like the ones I'm used to waking up to every morning. And they smelled like cologne.

Please tell me I didn't...

Peeking out from under the covers, I slowly scanned my surroundings. Large bay windows covered the entire wall to my right and the tall Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree in the corner helped give the room a pop of color. The walls were painted a combination of black and beige, and all the way on the opposite side of the room, there was a large desk with a rather impressive computer system set up.

It was modern, sophisticated, and neat. Then I realized, this was Chase's room.

Despite living here for the past two months, I'd never been inside his room before. Sure, I've walked by plenty of times and caught a glimpse of the inside from the doorway, but that was it.

How the hell I ended up here last night, I had no fucking idea but I can't imagine it being a good explanation. However, judging by my wrinkled clothes from last night, I could cross off a drunken one night stand off my list of regrets from last night. So I guess there was some comfort in that.

Scrambling to get out of bed, I underestimated my ability to stand up when my vision blurred and tiny black and white dots took over. Falling back on the bed, I squeezed my eyes shut and counted to five.

Once my vision became clear again, I took a deep breath before pushing myself off the bed – this time slowly. Stealing one last glance at the room from the doorway, I pulled the door open and quietly made my way back to my own room.

I needed a shower.

And coffee.

Lots of fucking coffee.

........

Turning off the lukewarm water, I pulled the curtain aside and reached for the white towel hanging on the towel bar. Although the pounding in my head had subsided to one that was barely noticeable, I couldn't wait to crawl back under the covers – this time in my own bed.

Catherine wouldn't be dropping Olivia off until later tonight and I didn't need to cover the front desk downstairs today, giving me the perfect opportunity to sleep away last night's horrors.

It wasn't until someone loudly cleared their throat that I was pulled out of my thoughts. My head snapped up in the direction of the noise and my eyes landed on Chase leaning against the door frame with a white mug in his hands. He was freshly showered, wearing a fair of gray shorts and black long sleeved shirt – the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.