Lead the way

I was at the bar sipping my third drink or probably my fourth. I lost count. The crowd and the noise around me did not stop my mind from thinking mostly of him. Optimistically, this next glass would suppress any unwanted thoughts and gave me my much sought out reprieve.

Drowning myself in alcohol was not something I would do in normal circumstances, but tonight, I could not help it. As I was signaling for another shot, a man seated himself in the stool beside me. The scent was familiar, and I knew I made the mistake of leaving the safety of my room.

I ignored him and just stared at the game on the screen in front of me. I loved baseball, just as much as I loved the man who used to play the game so magnificently. It had a calming effect on me. Maybe it was the one I used to know who loved to play the game that brought me peace. I remembered I could watch him play all day and not get bored with it.

He was gone now, and I was slowly learning to accept it. Now, all I wanted was for this person beside me to vanish. What was he doing here anyway? I assumed he would be with Daniel on the other side of the planet, away from here. Away from me.

In truth, I thought he would be back in his room with his date. Where was the girl he was with earlier? Did he already dump her? It should not matter to me anyway. I was not even supposed to think about him. I reminded myself.

He was a despicable person who thought worse of me. He did not know me, yet he dared to pass judgment. Well, I believed anger was a better feeling, in comparison to me drooling over him, so I opted to dwell on the former.

I was signaling for another round when he finally spoke. "I suggest you cut this lady off now." He said to the cute bartender who had been giving me a cheeky smile since I got here.

Seeing this man waved him off, I could not contain my anger anymore. The nerve of this man was extremely annoying. He had no right to interfere with what I was doing.

"Wait... wait a minute," pointing my index finger at his face, but miserably failed. My hand ended up landing on his chest as I tried to regain my balance. The sudden swung of my head made me dizzy, and I had to shake it off. "Who are you to tell him what to do?" I said after a few more seconds.

Maybe I had more than my usual, my words sounded a little slurred, but I believed I could still think clearly.

"I think you are drunk. Scratch that. You are very drunk." He said with finality, putting his hands on my shoulder to prevent me from falling from my chair.

"I'mmmmm... not... drunk..." I said, enunciating every word after getting my equilibrium back. Well, I thought I did well.

At least in my head, it sounded right. "Get your hands off me." Looking at him with defiance in my eyes.

He checked his watch and signaled for the manager. Well, it was in the tag of his jacket from what I could decipher in my slight hazy view when he hurried towards him with worry in his eyes. They started talking. It had something to do with the man behind the counter and me.

He did remove his hands from my shoulder, but he gripped my right elbow instead, keeping me from falling and still connected to him while he conversed with the people around us.

Well, I had enough of him and his intrusion. "Hey, Sir. You're the manager. Right? You had to tell this-," trying to think of a better word to describe him. "-this obnoxious man that he has no business meddling with your customers."

The middle-aged man remained silent for a few seconds, contemplating on his words while he kept glancing at the infuriating man beside me. "My apology Miss, but it is a strict policy of the hotel that we limit the liquor if the client is already intoxicated." He tried to explain apprehensively.

"Mr. Hayes, I apologize for Mr. Rodriguez's behavior." Pointing to the bartender, who was also looking worried. "He just started today. I know that's not an excuse, but I will make sure that he learns all our policy and abides by it, or I will fire him myself if he repeats this." The manager said.

"Why are you saying sorry to this guy? He's annoying and a jerk." Perplexed at the whole situation. I was getting drunker from this conversation than from the actual drinking. I thought.

"For one thing, he's our boss, and he owns this hotel." The manager said apologetically. I could see the smug face of the devil himself when I realized that he owned this place. I had enough of this. Of course, he was the owner of this freaking hotel. I should have known.

This whole situation was getting frustrating. "Can you just let go of me, Mr. Hayes? I'm going back to my room." Putting more annoyance as I spoke and yanked my arms, but he tightened his grip instead.

"I would rather escort you back to your room." He firmly stated. He let go of me, for a brief second, said something to the manager that I did not bother to listen to, and I took that as an opportunity to leave before he noticed.

I stood up, but the ground began to tilt, and I ended up landing in his arms. It seemed that I was more intoxicated than I thought. His strong arm encircled my waist to support me as he guided me directly into the elevator. Well, there went my plan to getaway.

The next thing I knew, the lift was moving, and I had to close my eyes to prevent my world from spinning. Nathan was now holding me firmly at my waist, closely attached to him. I had no more strength to fight him, and the alcohol had already clouded my judgment.

That was my excuse. I leaned to Nathan, placed my hands on his chest, and used his body for support. The ride up was fast, the lift's door opened, and I had to blink my eyes as we stepped out of it. When I scanned the hallway, I realized that it was not my floor. I might be drunk, but my brain was still slightly functioning. Checking my surrounding, I could see the foyer, beautifully decorated with what I might assume to be expensive paintings and artifacts.

"This is not my floor." I panicked. My drunken state was slowly diminishing from the fear that was escalating in my consciousness.

He urged me forward, but when I refused to move. "This is my place." He faced me with a bit of exasperation. "I want to offer you coffee and time to sober up. I don't want to leave you in your room at your current state."

He moved to the door dragging me along with him. Not being able to stand steadily, I allowed him to lead the way. I had no choice anyway. Another excuse I knew.