Try Me (Drunk In Love #1)

Chapter Seventeen

Abel arrives some time later, looking very tired. He slumps down with a sigh. He grabs the water bottle from the table and drink the full content.

He senses my eyes on him and turns to face me. "I should get going. I have an early shift tomorrow." I say, looking everywhere but him.

Honestly, I don't want to leave him but after what has happened, I think we need some distance.

He frowns. "Are you okay?" His tone concerned. I nod a yes and bend to pick up my sling purse.

"Let me drive you."

"No, I drove here, remember?" I put my phone in the purse and turn to leave. "Kia, look at me." He demands.

He puts his finger under my chin and make me look up. His expression turn from uncertainty to upset. He leans in close to kiss me but I turn my face to side.

"I need to go." I say in a quiet voice, but his hold on me doesn't lose. "Kia I-I am sorry. For everything she said, I'm sorry." He press his forehead to mine. I nod then pull away from him.

"Goodbye Abel." I say as I take backward steps. He frowns and before he can stop me, I move to the exit.

Even though I told Abel that I will drive back, I call Tabitha. I have three cups of beer and although I don't feel sick or drunk, I just can't take the risk.

She arrives minutes later, parking her car in front of me. I walk to the passenger side of the car and quickly get in.

"Looks like you forgot to mention you were going to a party." She says disapprovingly. When I look over, her expression quickly change from disapproval to concern.

"What happened? Did Abel did something?" She looks ready to murder someone and that thought makes me laugh. She looks at me like I have lost my mind.

"Abel didn't do anything. It's a story for tomorrow. Just take me home."

************************************

I take a hot bath and get dressed in my night dress, consisting of long tee shirt and cotton string shorts. I settle myself in front of the TV which have Netflix open and browse through the mail.

A mail from LA.I.P makes my heart beat faster. It's an independent publishing company that have published all the hits in every single genre.

I rip open the envelope, eager to read its content.

'To Miss. Kiara Carter,

We are pleased to say that you have been selected for the LA Independent Publishing's intership program. Your essays and short stories have moved us and we cannot wait to see how creative you can be in a environment like ours. Your internship program starts from Monday 1st of September. The head of the program and your boss, Mr. Joshua Han, will guide you through the schedule. You are expected at the office at 7:00 am sharp and dressed casually. The rest will be explained when you arrive. Good luck and let the creativity flow!

                            With warm regards,
                                The LA.I.P staff'

I jump off the sofa with excitement. This is my dream job. All those years of double shifts just so I can study Literature and work as a editor are finally paying off.

In the euphoria of having the first step of my dream coming true, I call up Abel. He picks up on the third ring.

"Hello." I softly say.

"Hi." His voice is unsure and I realise it was a bad idea.

"Sorry, I just wanted to hear your voice. I guess I was missing you."

"Do you think or are you really missing me?" His tone is playful.

"I am. Missing you." I admit.

"Hmm. I saw your car outside, you didn't drive back did you?" He sounds hurt. "I called Tabitha. I had three beers so I didn't take the risk."

"Okay." He simply says. I can't make out what he is feeling.

"Okay.."

"I should go. I, um, I have work to do."

He does not want to talk to me and I don't even know why. It hurts me, a lot more than I would like to admit.

"Okay. Goodnight." I say.

" 'Night" He hangs up.

Why do I feel so hurt by his coldness? It's not like we are a couple who share what we are feeling with each other. We just satisfy our need and that is the only thing I should expect from him. Tears fall down my cheeks, leaving me perplexed with my feelings.

Fifteen minutes later my doorbell rings. I make my way to the foyer and look at the screen. Abel shows up, his head bowed down and one hand on the door. Confused, I unlock the door.

"Hi." He sounds unsure.

"Hey. What are you doing here?" He have changed his clothes and now he is wearing gym shorts and XO hooded jacket.

"I wanted to see you. A little birdie told me you are missing me." He smiles his heart stopping smile.

I smile back and let him inside.