Walk of shame? Please

Carrie

Walk of shame?

Please.

I just had the best sex ever. No matter what anyone says, I have given myself the best gift ahead of my undesired wedding.

So yes, with pride, I strutted into the reception of the classic hotel my father secured for the ceremony.

“Stop.” My walk of pride was quickly ruined by that order. “Put your hands in the air and turn slowly.”

“Gary…” My lips blurted the name of my bodyguard while doing as he ordered. My hands mid-air, I turned and asked him, “Do you have to be so dramatic? I am not 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'ss my father? Did he order you to imprison me?”

Quietly, he moved closer and gathered my hands till they were behind me. Then he led us towards the destination he had in mind.

“Gary… Does my father know?” Knowing that truth is necessary, it would determine the kind of act I’ll put up when my father confronts me for my disappearance.

“What do you think?” his grumpy voice replied.

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

“Running away before your wedding is not a good definition of having fun.”

“Yeah, right.” I rolled my eyes as we turned towards an open corridor decorated with sculptured pillars. “My wedding to a man I know nothing about.”

“You brought this upon yourself, Carrie. You know that,” his deep, ever-rigid voice boomed.

And I said nothing more. I only glanced at his quite handsome face and sighed.

A few more steps later, we were in front of the room my father turned into his temporary office.

Gary released me. “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 once you go in.”

I sneered at Gary. Sometimes, his friendship falters, especially when my father’s involved. However, he doesn’t hesitate to sneak into my room for movie night and to have discussions about whatever.

After pushing out a rush of breath from my lips. I turned the doorknob and announced my entry. The room was quite dark, but I went in. “Dad? Dad, I-”

Before my words could land, Gary’s hand snaked my wrist, and with a rush, he slammed the door as though hiding us from something deadly.

“Wh-What are you doing?” His towering presence made me fearful that he was planning to confess the feelings I suspect he has for me. “G-Gary?” I glanced behind me, my Dad was truly not in the room. “Is this another intervention?”

“Trust me…” Slowly, he walked, leading my feet backwards. “I am tired of organising interventions three times a year.”

“You make me sound like a terrible person.”

“I know you are not.” My reversing steps were halted by the desk that pressed against my butt. And Gary stopped as well, his gaze very stern. “But it's high time you start acting like the daughter your father expects you to be.”

“My father’s expectations are ridiculous. He 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 chest heaved. “He is not happy.”

“I ran away because I’m not happy.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“Well…” My lips wore a mischievous grin immediately while I shifted from the edge of the desk behind me. “How about…” Without hesitation, I began trailing lines to tease his clothed chest. “... you help me run away? I know you’ll do a good job of helping me.”

“Carrie…” Gary’s eyes softened. His affection for me was within that expression. He then wrapped my entire hand in his, his grip very desiring of more. “Listen to me…” His voice also dripped with a need that he couldn’t boldly confess. “You are on the verge of facing your father’s wrath. So, take a minute to understand what you want to do with your life.”

“Gary…”

He took a step back and didn’t allow me to address the heaviness that settled between us within those few seconds as he said, “Your father is currently considering calling off the wedding.”

“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’s a burn.

A huge burn.

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

“Great.” Gary barely smiled in response as he offered his arm. “Let me walk you to your room.” I hooked mine into his. “The chef prepared an amazing meal.”

“Of creamy pasta?”

“Yes.” My head leaned against his arm, and I felt the pause in his breath. “Of creamy pasta.”

“Oh… Gary.” My lips formed a little smile because his presence reminded me of the stranger from earlier. “You fucking know the way to my heart.”

~~~

Boredom is a disease. I’ll tell you that for free.

Two weeks have passed since my father decided to call off the marriage. And I have been confined to my hotel room since then. In fact, it’s best to say that this room is now my very own custom purgatory. And nothing I do to survive my severe boredom helps.

Even watching movies seems like a death sentence.

And that’s just wrong!

I should be jumping and recklessly throwing pillows in jubilation since I won’t be getting married anymore.

But no, I have been stuck in a loop of tiredness, crazy sleep and frequent showers. A few minutes ago, I had my fourth bath today. Yesterday, I showered six times. At this rate, I deserve an award for the cleanest woman of the week.

So, give me my award, people.

On a serious note, though. I want to escape this hell and return to my usual life. Unfortunately, I can’t run back to that usual life without letting my father know. At the very least, I have to thank him for calling off the wedding, but he’s refused to show his face in the past two weeks.

A sigh was already leaving me when a knock came on my door. I was expecting it to be Gary since he’s the only one who has visited me since I was grounded, but my expectations were proved wrong.

It was my father.