Aziel: Ex Mafia's Son-in-law

Chapter 2: The Fleeting Night

[Warning: The following scene is not suitable for minors. Read at your discretion]

On my way out, I spotted Laia crouching alone on the corner of the street. I had assumed she had already departed, as their group wasn't at their table when I returned from the restroom.

Seeing her alone, I suddenly felt the urge to rectify things, even if it meant reconciling with her after playing around and breaking things off the next day.

"What was I even thinking?" I muttered.

I was about to call for a cab when I suddenly saw her stumble to the ground as she tried to stand up and walk. Normally, I would have laughed my heart out already seeing her wasted like that, but I strangely felt annoyed instead.

"Damn! Why did you even drink if you can't even handle it?" I grumbled as I approached her.

I scooped her into my arms and examined her disheveled appearance up close. Her skin appeared remarkably soft, and her scent, a delicate blend of perfume and alcohol, intoxicated me. I nearly lost my composure, tempted to kiss her neck right then and there in public.

"Laia... where are your friends? Why did they leave you here alone? Unlock your phone and call someone who can come pick you up. I'll wait until they arrive. It's not safe for you to wander alone," I urged, scanning the area to search for any familiar faces.

"Hah... Not one of them is my friend, Elrod," she whispered before losing consciousness.

She still addressed me by my last name, despite us having been classmates since the first grade. While it wasn't surprising, an uncomfortable feeling gnawed at me. She looked so alluring that I couldn't tear my eyes away from her.

"Damn it, Laia Dominic! Wake up! You should have unlocked your phone and dialed someone first! I'm going to leave you here if you don't wake up!" I shouted, aggressively shaking her to awaken her.

She wouldn't budge, and no one around seemed to know her. I removed her glasses and stowed them in the case protruding from her bag—there was a risk they might break otherwise.

"Fine! I'll leave you here. I want to rest now," I declared while hoisting her into my arms and positioning her by the pub's entrance.

Everyone was looking at us and began whispering to one another. I retorted, "I don't know this woman!"

"Tsk! Jerk! I heard him call her Lai or something similar, and now he's denying it. Such a dog! Hope he stays single for life," one woman muttered, casting me a scornful look.

"Shh... He might hear you. Don't be nosy. Let's go," the other one said.

"F***! You're driving me crazy, Laia," I grumbled in embarrassment.

I cradled Laia in my arms once more and hailed a cab. She continued to slumber, with no alternative but to take her along. With midnight already here and I had to rise at five in the morning, I had no choice but to book a hotel room near the airport.

"Damn it, Laia! Don't blame me when you wake up."

We reached the hotel, and I attempted to reserve a separate room for us.

"Apologies, sir, but we can only accept cash currently," the receptionist informed me.

"Do you have a twin room available?" I inquired.

"Just a moment, let me check our records," she replied.

"Alright!" I nodded.

"Sir, all of the twin rooms are presently taken. Please accept my heartfelt apologies," she notified me after a few minutes of reviewing their records.