"I'm glad you're safe, Dumbo."
My eyes opened quickly and I was met with complete darkness. For a few moments I couldn't remember where I was and began to look around the room to try and see any source of light. My eyes traveled to the window where a full moon was in complete view. I sat up in the bed of the stranger, pushing aside the blankets that were placed over me, and tentatively stepped onto the carpeted floor. I felt considerably less drunk and the rational part of my brain started to take over.
I need to get out of here. This was the most idiotic thing I could have done. I don't know anything about that guy, and yet I'm sleeping in his bed!
I barely remember falling back asleep, I must have been really wasted. I audibly groaned as I made my way over to the bathroom door and opened it, surprised when it turned out to be the bedroom door instead. I was about to quickly close it when the soft sound of a piano caught my attention, coming from down the stairs. Slowly, I made my way to the staircase, gently placing my foot on the first step, cringing when it creaked. The music didn't stop, so I continued my journey down even slower than before. It probably took me a couple minutes to descend the stairs silently, and I proceeded to follow the sound of the piano. Sedrick's home was extremely nice with smooth wood floors, walls with elegant paintings, and moderately high ceilings.
Damn. This place must cost a fortune. I thought to myself. What does he do to be able to live in a place like this?
The music continued as I walked farther down the hall, stopping when I noticed a door that was slightly open. Curiosity out weighed rational thinking and I stepped inside the unfamiliar room. It looked like an average study, some book shelves, trinkets, and a table in the back of the room. I walked toward the desk and saw a few photos on it. The first photo was in black and white and portrayed the back of a woman with long hair in front of the ocean as she looked out on it. The one beside it was obviously Sedrick, smiling brightly at the camera. I don't know why, but seeing him smile like that made me smile as I looked at it. I noticed how this one was also in black and white, as was the next one. I felt my veins run cold as I picked up the next photo and stared it. It was another woman, most likely the same as the first, and she was looking at the camera giving it a sly smile as she waved.
No...
I looked at each detail of her face, the slope of her nose, curve of her lips, those eyes I've seen a million times.
It was me.
But that's impossible. I've never met Sedrick before, let alone taken photos with him. I rationalized with myself. Me and that woman must just look a lot alike, yeah, that's it.
I was so lost in thought I completely didn't notice the piano stop making noise, until a hand was placed on my shoulder. I quickly spun around coming face to face with Sedrick. His eyes looked over my face with a questioning look as his eyes traveled down to the photo in my hands.
He looks pissed...
He snatched the photo out of my hands as his face changed between anger and sadness. He placed it back on his desk and began to walk toward the door, refusing to look at me.
"Out." Sedrick said, so quietly I wasn't sure what he'd said.
"What?" I asked, immediately wishing I hadn't.
"GET OUT OF HERE!" He screamed at me, pointing at the door behind him.
I quickly nodded and rushed out of the room, running toward the stairs as I felt tears sting the backs of my eyes. Midway up the stairs I realized I didn't know if he meant out of the room or out of his house, but I didn't care. I don't know why I was reacting so strongly to him getting angry at me, he had every right to, but it upset me more that he was angry at me than getting yelled at. I ran into his room and grabbed the few belongings I had, making my way back down. Like a punch to the stomach I realized I had no where to go. My phone was dead, I had no car, and I had no idea where I was. I was also freaked out by the photo Sedrick had in his office.
Who was that woman, and why does she look so much like me?
I was running down the stairs when I saw Sedrick standing at the bottom of them, hands in his pockets. I was determined to ask who that woman was, I had to know. I slowly walked down the rest of the way to where I was standing on the last step in front of him, but still a good few inches shorter than him. He lifted his head and looked right into my eyes, all anger gone, replaced with utter sadness and brokenness. Just like last night, his hand made its' way up to the side of my face to cup it softly. My heart began pounding loudly, out of fear and anticipation, yet I didn't stop him. He continued to look at me as if studying every detail, like I was going to disappear.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Sedrick let out a soft sigh before whispering,
"Hazel..."
Then, before I could protest, he crashed his lips into mine. His other hand came up to hold the other side of my face as he kissed me harder, unwilling to let me go. I didn't know what to do, so I just stood there for a few moments before I found myself kissing him back. He groaned as I did so and proceeded to wrap his arms around my waist and lift me up, beginning to walk up the stairs. My mind wasn't even on anymore, my body was responding on its' own as if repeating a pattern. My legs wrapped around his waist as he carried me up into his bedroom, our kiss never breaking. He placed me on his bed and laid down on top of me, kissing me deeper and sliding his tongue against my lips as if asking permission. I responded with a groan and he slipped his tongue in my mouth, beginning to fight mine for dominance. My arms tightened around him as we kissed, no thoughts entering my mind, there was only him. His kisses slowly calmed and he pulled his lips back from mine and placed his forehead against mine, eyes closed and breathing heavily. I watched him as I tried to calm my own heart and saw a smile begin to form on his lips.
"I'm sorry" he whispered, "you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that again." He smiled more and nuzzled his face down in my neck, his breath sending shivers down my spine.
We stayed like that for a while, neither of us speaking, the only sound was our breathing. I'm not sure why I didn't say anything or protest, other than it felt right. Felt like this was how it was supposed to be. He didn't bring up the photo the rest of the night, and I didn't ask. I don't think I was ready to know the truth.
