Walk of shame? Please.

Carrie

With my soul amazingly draped in comfort, I stirred out of my sleep. I do not know if it’s because the bed was extremely comfortable… But that sleep was one of the best I have had. And that is strange.

Who sleeps peacefully after a one-night stand?

Me. I am that person.

My eyes opened to the sight of the gorgeous stranger who was still sleeping beside me. At that moment, I wished I was with my phone. For some reason, I wanted to keep his image in my head and my phone. The peace on his face was a lovely sight and it made me guess that he was someone who was doing something meaningful with his life.

But before I could spend tons of minutes staring at the stranger who gave me one of the best nights, I realised that it was time to leave. So, I carefully got off the bed and landed my feet on the ground.

I grabbed my satchel which I had kept closer after I woke up in the middle of the night to bathe.

He was awake then but he was busy with his laptop and I knew better than to disturb him.

As I straightened my back and looked his way again, I realised I had one little problem.

Okay, it was actually a huge one.

And it has to do with getting back to where I came from. I have no idea how I could get back to the hotel.

But there was no need to panic.

I exhaled hard.

The solution was very simple. I just had to use Google.

I am sure Mr. Gorgeous wouldn’t mind me touching his phone and using his finger to unlock his phone. He won’t be seeing me again anyway.

My solution worked without waking him up.

As I clicked on the Google icon, his name popped up.

Alessandro.

I whispered his name into the air. I did it again and soon, it turned into a song that filled my lips. As I searched for directions, I kept singing his name.

And, when I finally got what I wanted, after I committed my destination route to memory, I dropped his phone at the spot I met it.

Then, quietly, after stealing another look at him, I walked out.

~~

Walk of shame?

Please.

I just had the best sex ever and no matter what any soul says, I gave myself the best thing ahead of my forsaken wedding.

So yes, I strutted into the reception of the classic hotel my father had booked for his daughter’s destination wedding with pride on my shoulders.

“Stop.” My walk of pride was soon ruined. “Put your ur hands in the air and turn slowly.”

“Gary…” My lips blurted the name of my bodyguard while I did as he asked. My hands mid-air, I turned and asked him, “Do you have to be so dramatic? Do you need to treat me like a criminal?”

Gary used to work for my father but after I nearly got into trouble during a simple night out, he was assigned to work for me and keep a good eye on me. And since then, he made sure to trail my every movement. I am certain he knows exactly where I was over the night. But, Gary being who he is, might not say a word.

“You are not meant to be outside,” his deep voice boomed and he signalled to the men behind him to fall back.

“Where is my father? Did he order you to imprison me?”

Gary moved closer and gathered my hands till they were behind me. Without a word from him, he began to walk.

“Gary… Does my father know?”

It was necessary that I knew the truth. That would determine the kind of act I will put up when my father confronts me.

“What do you think?”

“That you are ridiculous for listening to my father?” His eyes peered dangerously into mine and I sighed in complaint. “Can you people just for once stop killing my fun? Please.”

“Running away a few days to your wedding is not a good definition of having fun.”

I rolled my eyes as he led me down an open corridor that was decorated with sculptured pillars.

“Yeah, my wedding to a man I don’t know anything about.”

“You brought this upon yourself, Carrie. You know that.”

I said nothing more after what Gary said in his deep, ever-monotonous voice.

A few more steps after, we were in front of the room my father turned into his temporary office. Gary released me, I looked up at him and sighed.

“Let’s go in,” he urged.

I bit into my lip before I asked, “He is really angry, isn’t he?”

“You’ll find out when you go in.” I sneered at him. His kind of friend was annoying. He never helps cover my tracks even though he finds it comfortable to sneak into my room for movie night.

“Dad,” I announced my entry.

As I made to speak another word, Gary grabbed me by the wrist, rushed into the room, and slammed the door shut.

“Wh-What are you doing?” He put on his towering persona and made sure to push me further into the room without touching me. “G- Gary…” I stole a look behind me. “Is this another intervention?”

“Trust me, I am tired of having to organise interventions three times a year.” At least he finally replied to me.

“You make me sound like a terrible person.”

“I know you are not. But it is time for you to start acting like the daughter your father expects you to be.”

“Gary…” I rolled my eyes at his unbelievable statement. “My father’s expectations are ridiculous. My father expects me to get married to a man I don’t know.”

“Your father knows you ran away, Carrie.” Gary sighed and I watched as his built chest moved. “He is not happy.”

“I am not happy either, Gary. I ran away because I am not happy.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“Well…” My lips wore a mischievous grin immediately and I disjointed my body from the edge of the desk behind me. My finger began to trail a line on his chest and I said, “You can help me run away. You know that is very possible. And I know you’ll do a good job of helping me.”

“Carrie…” His eyes softened and I saw something I have always noticed. I saw his affection for me. Gary reached for my finger and that grip converted to wrapping the entirety of my hand. “Listen to me… You are on the verge of getting your father’s wrath. So you need to take a minute to understand what you want to do with your life.”

“Gary…”

He took a step back before I could show how affected and appreciative I was of his advice. It is the first time he has spoken in such a sombre tone with me. And since I deduced the affection that he has tried to keep hidden from me in his words, I wished to say a word or two, but he beat me to it.

Gary began to take steps back. “Your father is currently considering calling off the marriage.”

“What?” My eyes widened in excitement and my feet were ready to fly. “Really?”

With his usual stoic expression, he continued, “But you are grounded for two weeks.”

“Grounded? I am not a child.”

“You act like one, Carrie.”

Okay… That is a burn. A huge burn.

“Whatever you say…” I quickly pushed his hurtful words away and focused on the fact that I will be getting out of my terrible wedding ceremony to Frank Maximus, the man I give no shit about. “As long as I remain unmarried after those two weeks, I am good to go.”

“Let’s go to your room,” Gary offered his arm and I hooked mine with his. “I told the chef to prepare a meal for you.”

“Oh… Gary. You know the way to my heart.” My pouting lips soon wore a sigh and I rested on the comfort of his buff arm as we walked out of the room.