Autumn Leaves

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

I woke up with a groan and a pounding headache. I knew I was going to get a hangover.

"Hurts like hell, right?" Paul told me with an Advil and a glass of water in his hands beside my bed. "Drink this."

I nodded and drank the tablet. I looked at my clock and it was almost afternoon.

"How many did you drink?" He asked as he walked to the kitchen and settled the glass down on the counter.

I stood up carefully. I noticed I was still dressed in last night's outfit so I changed into an over-sized shirt and pajamas. I followed him to the kitchen and sat by the table. "I don't know. Ten?" I guessed. "I can't remember," I sighed and buried my face in my hands.

"Why?" He asked in a surprised tone. "You never drink. What happened to you?" He worried.

I looked back at him and noticed that he was dressed impressively. I took that as an opportunity to change the topic. "What's the occasion?" I referred to his outfit.

He squinted at me but responded anyway, "I'm going to fetch Megan at the airport. So what's the deal with you?"

I shook my head. "Nothing," I lied. "I just wanted to have fun. Work has been really stressful lately so. . . "

He stared at me for a while as he drunk the orange juice that he grabbed from my refrigerator. "I don't believe you. Something's really up otherwise you shouldn't have made out with a stranger last night."

My eyes widened - did I? "What?" I gasped, trying to remember what happened last night. I do remember some bits of it - me sitting down on the stool and a guy talked to me - what was his name? A number of male names instantly rambled in my mind.

"Kurt told me he saw you making out with someone last night," he finally hinted surprisingly calm. I thought he was going to be over-protective of me.

I only remembered ignoring Kurt.

"Wait, what?" I repeated.

He pointed a finger at me and eyed me below my chin. "Don't tell me someone accidentally elbowed you on the neck and a bruise magically appeared." He rolled his eyes. "That's obviously a hickey you got there."

And that was it.

Zeke.

Zeke was his name.

I put my hand over the spot and sighed. I was so messed up.

"What's your problem, Paige? I can listen." He offered and took the seat across me.

I hesitated but I shook my head again. "I can't tell you now," I told him and he still gave me the same worried look. "Maybe you could just tell me how I got home instead."

He shifted in his seat and leaned back on the chair, anticipating my reaction. "Trevor drove you home."

I snapped my head at him too quick that it hurt my head. "He did? Why?"

He bit the inside of his cheeks. "I asked him if he was with you," he shrugged. "Apparently Kurt wasn't sure who Trevor was when I asked him if it was him you were kissing. So I called Trevor to be sure."

I groaned in frustration. "So why was he there?" I asked, impatiently.

He seemed taken aback with my sudden expression. "He said it wasn't him that you're with. Maybe he was worried about you and so he told me that he'll pick you up," he elaborated. "That's what I know."

I sighed and put my chin over my palm. So he cares now? Why does he still care about me when I'm just one of his employees? Doesn't he have other important things to worry about? Why wouldn't he worry about their wedding budget instead of me?