Moonstruck at Midnight

Chapter 4 - Magic Trick

"BODYGUARDS," I WHISPERED. Thomas tilted his head, and his brows bunched up.

Aaron approached me. "Miss Murphy, it's past one a.m.," he said, his tone commanding. "We've stretched time as long as we could. We need to comply with the curfew."

"Time to go, Miss Murphy," Caleb tossed in, his accent thick. A small, and probably fake, smile drew on his face. But his full attention remained on Thomas.

Glancing back at Thomas, I gently unlocked myself from his embrace. He excused himself for a second, promising to be right back, and rushed through the crowd. I saw him paying the server while Caleb helped me into my coat.

Thomas returned a few minutes later and offered his hand to guide me out of the bar, but I stopped as I remembered I had an open tab at my table. "It's been taken care of," Thomas said with a shrug, his lips curving slightly into a smile. "Come on. You're running late."

I objected, but Thomas glanced over his shoulder at me and insisted with a carefree laugh, "I've got it, Billie. Don't worry about it." He led the way to the exit, and I could feel Caleb's glare burning a hole in my back as he followed us out.

Our driver was waiting out front, and Aaron walked past us to open the black Mercedes door for me.

"Who are you?" Thomas asked playfully.

I was so mortified about the whole bodyguard situation. Still, I looked up at him and told him it was nice meeting him, unable to hide the embarrassment in my eyes.

"What do you mean, it was nice meeting me? I would love to see you again when you move back to New York." He pulled his phone out of his pocket. "Here ... could you type your number down for me, please?" He placed his phone in my hands.

I typed my number in and casually asked him if he was planning to stay a while longer at the bar. I saw him paying his tab, but you never know. I was curious.

"I'm calling it a night too." He stuffed his hands inside his pockets. "We have an early flight back home tomorrow. In a few hours, that is. I'm heading back to meet my parents."

"Do you need a ride?" I gave him his phone back.

"No, that's okay," he said. "Thank you. I'll hail a cab out here." He gently kissed my cheek, taking his time doing it. "I'll see you soon." He smiled and released my hand once I got in the car.

Caleb lingered in the distance with deep frown lines between his eyes. He approached us once Aaron had closed the door behind me. My feet were throbbing inside my shoes. I slipped them off.

Fortunately, the ride back home was swift. We were only six blocks away from the Residence, and there wasn't going to be any small talk, or so it seemed. So I texted Sophie and Cecile to let them know I had left the bar. They made me promise to fill them in on all the details regarding my mystery man.

We approached the front gate, and a cab parked behind us. Caleb got out of the car reactively, wanting to see who it was. Aaron followed him, suggesting I stay inside the vehicle.

To everyone's surprise, it was Thomas.

He exchanged a few words with Aaron, Caleb, and a couple of security officers posted at the entrance. He showed them his ID, and an officer took it from him and made a quick call.

A minute later, the officer nodded and handed Thomas back his ID.

Thomas approached my window, which I slid down as quickly as I could.

"Hi?" I chuckled. Looking at him after having just said goodbye minutes before, not knowing if I'd even see him again, was surreal. "I guess I'm gonna accept that ride offer." He joked.