Loud voices started beating the music; in chorus, a name was being repeated, and the name grabbed my attention. I was perplexed as the opposite person continued his one-sided delivery. Eddie babbled as if nothing affected him, and this time, the commotion got my full attention. For no reason, I hurried my steps downstairs. Eddie was confused but still followed me.Half of the guys who were at the party were crowded, cheering at something. Rowan was barely able to stand on his feet, and Davis's hands were on the collar of the football team captain, angrily shouting something. The princess stood in her friend's circle, trying her best to cool everything down."Wow, looks like Fatty is wasted." I rolled my eyes at the nickname and tried my best to understand the situation, where I was definitely going to pull in. Not that I would get physical or something, but at least there would be some part I need to play, as I have tagged along with them.Rowan would fall any moment, barely holding himself, giggling, swaying forth and back. Football teammates are surrounding Davis and trying their best to defuse the tension. I also wanted the same because Davis is the only one who can save Rowan from further humiliation, as I am not going to step in. I couldn't bear the mere touch of Rowan. What would happen to me if I held him completely? I shivered a little at the thought, and my eyes were glued to every move of Rowan."I don't have time for this bullshit. Eddi further whispered in my ears. I am going to fulfill your condition, and you'd better keep your word. I will get going; see you soon." Eddie was gone, which I didn't mind, as my eyes were glued to Rowan's every move. I panicked when things turned a little worse when the princess joined to calm the situation. "No, no, no, please don't fall," I started to murmur the words in desperation.Before I could grasp what was happening, my legs moved faster than their usual rhythm, and my hands were on Rowan's stomach, holding him from kissing the ground. Oh no, my eyes widened at my action, and my whole body shivered as something erupted. I clenched my hand into a fist as the wave of shock hit like a jolt of a thousand volts at once. My breath ragged in pain; I wanted to throw him at that second, free from the worst nightmare that was happening when I was wide awake. As the second passed, I started to sweat. Rowan's movement was not helping as he held me even tighter from falling. I concentrated on my breathing, trying my best to overcome whatever was happening to me.We stayed that way for a few minutes, completely forgetting the world around us.I closed my eyes as I regained my energy, and something else started spreading. As warmth gained control over my body, my breath returned to normal. I wiped the tears that were at the corner of my eyes, and unknowingly, my grip on his waist was stronger, and I held him even more tightly, as if it were meant to be.There was Pindrop silence; everything surrounding me was washed out except Rowan and me, who held me like his dear life. Nothing made sense for a minute; I thought I had gone deaf.My heartbeat was haywire. It doesn't make sense, since I always thought it could only happen when you lash out all your energy on gym equipment. The appearance of my possessive side—I never thought the word 'possessive' was in my dictionary. Someone pushed me a little from the back, which dragged me into reality. Everything started bouncing back: music, chattering, and loud voices. It was like I was in a trance, and I started turning everywhere just to make sure.We didn't gain any attention, given the circumstances we are in, and I don't know how that is even possible. I was perplexed by everything for the first time, not knowing how to react to the whole scenario. Things turned too normal; everything in me is calm, and I felt like everything is right in its place. Still, I don't have any explanation for the situation with Rowan, who was slightly snoring in my arms. What the hell is going on with me?The position we were in was awkward, too much for my liking. I patted Rowan's back, which didn't have any effect, so I used my full force to detach him from me. That gained Rowan's attention, who opened his eyes a little, still wobbling. He started to whine at the detachment, and I almost thought of hugging him once more.Davis returned in anger, glaring at Rowan for whatever reason he had. "I left him for a minute, and he turned into a bloody laughingstock." Tristan also joined us and waved at me. "Rowan just knows how to gain attention, as stupid as his tactics are." That was his input, and I still don't know the whole drama that had taken place. "Take a damn break, got it." Davis's words were threatening with rage toward Tristan, who, in return, surrendered his hands. "We should get going." That was directed to me. "Please balance him; my hand is hurting a little." Once again, I was pulled into the whole-body connecting thing.I was balancing Rowan by holding his shoulders, and I really hope that was enough to drag him toward the car, but that was impossible. By taking a long breath, I held Rowan through his waist, and involuntarily, the hold on him was tighter. I shuddered at the touch, but in a good way, and I craved more and more. The contact is making me feel so many things. My thoughts started taking a wild diversion, and something is telling me that it's just the beginning. What did I find in this chubby guy? The word 'mine' is repeating in my mind like a broken record, matching my heartbeat.Everything in me is calm. The rage is at bay; the anger is masked from the contact; the cold attitude is groped by warmth. There was satisfaction for the thirst I felt for years, and the craving for everything was more as the second passed. That was too soon and sudden."He got played in truth or dare, and this moron just did whatever they said just to gain attention from that girl. Isabella felt sorry for him and informed me to update her about his condition tomorrow. I guess he gained whatever attention he wanted so desperately." Pathetic much, if you ask me. Suddenly, Davis stopped his steps and faced me. He wanted to say something, so he pondered for a while. "I don't trust you, and I don't know why. I hate you for no reason, and it's getting worse if I consider your behavior in recent days." He dares to say those words to my face, and I know he meant every word.He continued. "This is the first time Rowan has been wasted, and he has a good image with his family. Everyone still treats him like a kid and spoils him in every situation." No wonder he is chubby at this age, too. I am not getting why he is babbling everything to the person he hates. "The reason why I am telling you is that I can't take him to my place, as my family, including me, is travelling out of state. The flight is in two hours." I don't think I would like where this was going. "I don't want his family to witness this side of him; he will be devastated when he wakes up." Oh, oh, I definitely don't like this. "I don't trust anyone, especially with Rowan. I don't want to take chances, but here I am out of one." I am sure they both have lots of friends. "Rowan doesn't trust anyone besides me, and these days, you are gaining his trust. I don't know how or why." I rolled my eyes at that. He paused, and by taking a long breath, he continued. "Please let him stay at your place for the night." For once, his eyes look pleading, and I don't have any intention to give in to this absurd idea. Like heck, I would.There were so many things that needed my immediate attention. I need to think of everything that happened until now, and if possible, I need to come up with some logical explanation for everything that's happening. I want to digest the things and absorb a few details, and thoroughly I should prepare for the next encounter. Rowan staying at my place will ruin everything, and for sure, a few more things will be added to my to-do list."No." With a straight face, I spat the word on his face. He was taken aback, not at all expecting the answer. He composed in no time, and his pleading face was back. "Trust me, I wouldn't ask you this huge favor if it were not necessary. Not from you, at least." The last part was murmured underneath, but still, I heard it. "He loves his family so much, and he hates himself forever once his family finds out. At the end of the day, his mother and his sisters have a habit of checking on him. They wouldn't sleep without making sure he was ok. He sighed. I know in and out of his family, and he is not presentable at present. Please take him. I would have if this trip weren't important to me." My energy was almost drained by hearing the long explanation, and it had its effect.I continued dragging Rowan, and we were outside near the car. "I will inform his mother that he is spending the night with me." There was no response from my end, which he took as I agreed. When he was done with the call, he helped me buckle Rowan in the back seat.I made my way to the passenger seat when Davis spoke. "No funny business with him, and I mean it." I think I had enough for the day. My hands were on his collar before I could stop myself, and I made sure he witnessed my other face. I was fuming over his outrageous acquisition, which certainly had its effect on him, as he was terrorized a little. Davis was in shock, stunned, and dumbstruck on the spot. "Don't. Got it." I gritted my teeth, staring straight into his eyes, and he rapidly nodded his head. When I was satisfied, I loosened his grip, and his steps fumbled a little, which he balanced.I took the passenger seat, and Davis followed after composing himself and sat beside Rowan. The car started moving, and we were in front of our mansion in no time. I exhaled a long breath before I got down, and Davis helped Rowan. Davis didn't meet my eyes when he handed Rowan over to me, and the car started moving.Rowan and I entered the mansion. My caretaker, Ms. Raveena, was in front of me, trying to hold her composure at her best, but her face betrayed the shock that it portrayed. The day couldn't get any better. "Dinner, after clearing her throat, she continued, "Shall I set the table?" I shook my head at that and continued my steps to my room.As I entered, I placed Rowan on the bed; surprisingly, he was sober enough to be seated, and I wanted to make sure he had enough water before he passed out. The water bottle was on the opposite side of where I stood. It took only seconds. I snatched the bottle, and I was in front of him, but he was out. I sighed and drained the bottle to gain my energy.I made Rowan as comfortable as I could and made sure to place another water bottle near him. Once I was done, I made my way to the shower to remove the frustration that occurred from the series of events that happened today. I took more than the required amount of water and time and was out. I thought I would be ok, but when I saw Rowan, who was sleeping on my bed, it seemed nothing was ok.I occupied the chair, which was near my study table, and once again, involuntarily, my eyes were on the bed, watching Rowan. As far as I remember, I didn't share my bed with anyone; in fact, I didn't like the idea of anyone sleeping on my bed or beside me.There are so many rooms in the mansion; I should have made him occupy one of the guest rooms. Why the hell did I bring him directly to my room without much pondering? I didn't ponder, nor did anything occur while helping Rowan; things just don't make sense, but they should make sense. I sighed once again, my eyes betraying me as they swept over the sleeping figure. The image of Rowan lying on my bed should have irked me, or at least irritated me, but no such thing happened. On top of it, I am strangely calm with the whole situation while watching a sleeping fatty figure, who definitely wasn't my cup of tea. He held my attention without doing anything, which was odd.Another long sigh escaped from me. Reluctantly, I averted my eyes from Rowan and made my way to the balcony. To escape from reality for a bit. As I stepped in, the cold air hit my face, which I enjoyed by closing my eyes. As far as my memory serves, this is the first time I was enjoying something, being calmer and feeling warm. My life is taking a new shape; things are changing, and everything is in the right place only because of one person who is sleeping peacefully on my bed. In my sanctuary.How is it even possible?Rowan's presence is shaping my robotic life; there is some hope, and I could dream about the future. This entire situation doesn't make sense. How can my life be so dependent on someone else's presence? How can I survive if this were the case?Why him?My head started to hurt with the series of questions that started hitting my brain, and with a sigh, I occupied the chair. I leaned back on the chair, and my eyes started to get heavy. Oh, oh, this is the only thing that's happening for the second time. This is going to be a long, peaceful night after a series of sleepless nights, and once again, this is because of one person. I don't know how, without any evidence, I am pointing and connecting everything with Rowan.
