What Love Has Lost (11 page)

"I don't seem so convinced. I'm going to ask you again. Will you come home with me?" Nathan breathes. Fluttering my eyes open, I stare into Nate's emerald eyes. I chew onto my lip and decide to give him a forceful kiss.

Breathless, I simply answer his question. "Yes."

Without prior notice, he spins me around as we continue laughing in joy. In conclusion, we finish the night with a simple kiss.

♠♣♥♦

The next day, my nose whiffs the smell of cookies. Actually, it's burnt cookies. I leisurely get out of my bed and walk towards the kitchen. I watch Rhiannon murmuring to herself, opening cabinets and looking for something. Panicking, her eyes glance at me, yelling. "Are you going to help me?"

"What are you doing?" I rub my eyes.

"I'm baking cookies because my boss and his employees want to throw a Christmas party here, so I agreed. They're coming tonight, so everything has to be perfect!" she explains. Then, I hear Grady and Nate walk into the living room.

"What's going on, babe?" Grady asks, rubbing both of his eyes.

Rhiannon ignores him as she continues running around the kitchen. Instead, I explain to Grady.

"We have a party tonight."

Grady grins foolishly. "Hell yes! Nathan and I are going to the liquor store!"

Merry Christmas to all and to all is that my life is, officially, a living hell...

Chapter Ten

Christmas Cheer and Beer

Christmas is the one time of the year, where everyone gets together, open presents, believe in Santa Clause, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and be merry. This Christmas, this Christmas party has gone too far. Let me remind all my viewers that this isn't a normal Christmas party.

It's the day before Christmas Eve, and Rhiannon rushes around the kitchen to make this Christmas party perfect. She's trying her best to impress her boss because of this promotion. She works with a fashion designer, who is a major bitch.

Then, Grady suggests on buying liquor from the liquor store. Hell, Grady isn't twenty-one, but he knows folks around who are twenty-one. Nathan turns twenty-one in February. I'm still nineteen until September.

Nothing can be anything better, because Rhiannon and I go to the store and buy more Christmas ornaments, and sometimes, Rhiannon has no taste in decorating. She will buy the most hideous porcelain dolls, which scares the livings out of everybody. Therefore, I've been keeping myself quiet because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

"Oh my god, what do you think of this one?" she asks, while holding a hideous reef. Just look at it! It's not even lively or Christmassy! It's more like dead with no Christmas spirit, because it's a reef made out of branches with a small red bow on top.

"Uh, why don't we get this one?" I smile, grabbing the pretty color of green reef with red, white, and blue ribbons surrounding it. Rhiannon shakes her head. She tells me that Grady is allergic to leaves. I sigh, slapping my hand onto my hand. I definitely know that Grady isn't allergic to leaves. He's allergic to chowder!

"Rhi, are you sure there is something that you're not telling me?" I question, placing both hands onto my hips. Rhiannon hesitates before answering. I know there is something that she isn't telling me.

"Okay, fine. I'm keeping you something, but please don't tell Grady!" she warns.

Oh my god, is she cheating on him?

I nod stiffly. She proceeds. "I didn't want Grady to know, but I'm so waiting for my boss to give me this promotion! She gave me hints, even though I know she's a total B-I-T-C-H. Oh, if I don't screw this up, then I will co-host the International Fashion Show."

My mouth forms a huge 'O' shape. "Well, what is up with the horrible decorations?"

"What horrible decorations?" she scoffs and trails off. Ruffling my hair, I let out a long sigh.

But this day has gotten worse. Rhiannon tells us all that we are staying at a hotel, where the party occurs. We all start packing our things and head out, but Grady also brings the liquor. I swear that Grady and liquor does not make a good combination. Grady will get so drunk; he will do anything!

He sends drunken text messages, he will go to people's houses, maybe streak throughout the neighborhood, and he will try to have sex with any girl. He commits to Rhiannon, so he tries not to have sex with any girl. This one night, he explains about the night where he has a tiger in the bedroom, on top of a mannequin.

"How much longer?" one of us in the backseat complains, as we are driving to the hotel.

Rhiannon waves her hand. "We're almost there!"

"You've said that two hours ago! We've been driving for almost six hours! We probably left Montgomery!" I exclaim. Rhiannon sighs before she explains any further. She starts explaining for her reasons. She mentions about her boss, staying at this Embassy Suits in another part of Atlanta. She is meeting some Japanese artist, so she might be coming to the Christmas party, which Rhiannon is throwing. Rhiannon explains that she wants everything perfect for her boss.

Grady rubs her back. Of course, Rhiannon spats at him. Poor Grady, because he's going to marry a woman who always goes through PMS (Poor Mentality Syndrome). Anyways, we finally arrive before the party starts. Rhiannon goes all out. She hires the caterers, entertainment, and expensive food for her boss and her employees.

We're all in our hotel room. There's one room that Rhiannon and I will sleep and the other room that Nathan and Grady will sleep. The wooden door separates the room. The bathroom is in Nathan and Grady's side of the room. "Okay, everyone get out the fanciest clothes you have!"

Whoa, Rhiannon goes psycho here!

♠♣♥♦

Later, we finish getting ready. However, Rhiannon looks smoking hot with that red dress, which I bought for her last Christmas. She finally wears the dress, after begging her to wear it last year. Rhiannon tells me that the purple, skimpy dress looks great on me. She says that it enhances my curves.

We open the door as we see two stunning men in front of us. "Oh my god, Grady, you look so handsome this year!" Rhiannon flirts and then winks while she swings her arm around his.

Nathan slowly walks towards me. My heart starts beating faster and slower at the same time. The heat between us builds. He whispers in my ear, "You look ravishing, tonight."

I blush, and then let out an exasperated chuckle. "Behave."

"Oh, why don't you teach me a lesson after this party we're attending?" His husky, deep voice taunts my every thought and motives. Part of me wants to rip off this dress and rip off his clothes as we proceed whatever is in the bedroom. However, this night is Rhi's night of getting her chance to co-host in an important fashion show.

Grady clears his throat. I bet Grady is watching Nate's every move. I love Grady, but he needs to loosen the reigns a bit, or maybe a lot. He's my best friend, not my mother. I glare at Grady for a long second, before we attend at the party. Grady carries the liquor to the hotel ballroom.

♠♣♥♦

Now, this is where I come into play as I start complaining about how this party is turning into a disaster. The bitch of Rhiannon's boss has left as well as the international Japanese famous designer, whom I do not know nor care. Anyways, Grady has every employee drunk as well with him. Nathan and I are the only ones who are actually sober.

Rhiannon is dead on the floor, kind of.

However, I walk outside of the party and decide to get fresh air. I think nature takes things out of my mind. I honestly don't like being cooped up in a room or something. I'm claustrophobic and I cannot deal well with people. I'm friendly, but I hardly open up to people who I do not know.

Without noticing, Nate follows me outside. "Lovely weather we are having." He says in a British accent. I chuckle, shaking my head as I feel the cold air hit my ears. I shove my coat closer to my body, trying to get heat. Suddenly, I feel Nate placing his coat over mine. I look at him, surprisingly.

"What?" he asks, dumbfound. I crack a smile.

"Why are you suddenly being nice to me?"

He shrugs, acting oblivious. "Hmm, I guess it's a side of me that you barely see nowadays."

"C'mon, you were always nice, four years ago. Honestly, you haven't changed a bit." I speak. He grunts.

"For your information, I have changed. You just didn't notice." He winks.

I roll my eyes. "Yes, you're still the same old Nathan Hampton."

Suddenly, I hear someone singing terribly inside the hotel ballroom. "I don't have anyone at home to talk to. And you don't have anything to do. So, I'll spend my Christmas with you." the song continues.

"I'll spend my Christmas with you." The person continues to sing.

Abruptly, Nathan wiggles his eyes as he extends his hand. "May I have this dance?"

I roll my eyes and cave as I nod. We walk inside the building and see Grady on the microphone, drunk as hell, and the rest of the people are lying on the floor or sitting on the chairs, or somewhere else. It's a good thing that Nathan and I are the only ones who decided not to drink, tonight. Things will end up terribly, where Nate and I might end up in a room, alone.

"It's Christmas and we are in love. With the way that the soft snowflakes kiss us from far above. The blustery breeze. Trudging onward, braving a harsh winter storm. You and I met passing by and now, our spirits feel warm. I believe that Jesus is truly the only way." Grady sings.

"So, what are you parents like?" I whisper into Nate's ear.

He flops his head to the left and then to the right before answering. "They're very nice."

"Oh?" I cock an eyebrow.

Nathan grins, sheepishly. "Yes, especially to pretty redheads."

I blush. "Anyways, how long are we staying?"

His eyes roam around the room. "Hmm, I think for only five days. I want you to meet my dog, Goldie." He smiles. "I bet she'll love you. She's so friendly to others. Are you a dog lover?"

"Nate, I love animals. Of course, I would also be a dog lover." I giggle, gently hitting him on the shoulder. What is this? Him and I are getting closer as we finally had our closure. We're bonding and I don't think we're boyfriend and girlfriend anymore.

Well, I'm not so sure. Are we boyfriend and girlfriend, again? Shall I ask him?

"Um, Nate," I hesitate. Quivering my lips, he places his hand onto my chin. Well, this certainly does not help at all. He looks at me with those sincere, emerald eyes. I stare at them for a second.

I shake my head. Just ask him!

"Are we t-together?" I stammer. Nathan just looks at me with those sincere eyes. We stare at each other for a couple of minutes. Oh great, I just scared the livings out of him. I'm such an idiot.

"Um, Inna...I don't think we should rush us into anything. I know that I broke up with you, and I regret until this day..." Nathan trails. I don't understand what he's saying. Fighting back those tears, he objects.

"No, I didn't mean to bring any hurtful memories." He pauses. "I think you should decide and listen to your heart's content." He smiles, but I'm standing before him, confused.

He sighs. "I don't think coming back to me will make you any happy. I hurt you so badly, and I hate myself for doing so. I think I should let you re-think all of this before going any further."

I nod. "Do you still have feelings for me?" I breathe.

"Yes." Nathan confesses. I look at him, surprisingly.

Then, I ask him this other question. "Do you still love me?"

This is where Nathan hesitates. Truly, I have no idea if I still love him. I don't want to end up hurt, again.

"And I celebrate Christmas because it's his birthday. I don't have anyone at home to talk to. And you don't have anything to do. So, I'll spend my Christmas with you." Grady continues on singing, horribly.

Nathan doesn't say a word. Does he still love me? Has he moved on? He says that he has feelings for me, but does that mean anything? Does feelings and love go together? Does pain and love go together? This boy confuses me so much, but my heart still beats for him, only.

He makes me laugh. He makes me angry. He makes me happy. He makes me gloomy. He's everything that I hope to see in a guy. I don't want any other boy in my life, besides him. Sure, he can be complicated, but he is forgiving in the end. He can be goofy and cocky at the same time, but he's sweet and caring. He has flaws that people can hate, but I don't care.

"I'll spend my Christmas with you." The song continues to diminish as Grady still sings horribly.

Leaning closer to me, the body heat intensifies between us. Suddenly, Nathan whispers in my ear. "Do you still love me? And do not lie to me, Inn." Oh god, he's so tempting. His stamina irks me so much, I can just rip the hairs on my head, but I choose not to do it. Anyways, his ego is so galling.

"Uh, I don't know," I continue to stammer. In amazement, I feel Nathan crashing his lips onto mine. Those emotions come flooding back to me. Every pain and every happiness from the day that we've dated all comes rushing towards me. My feelings for him are still there.

I feel his tongue, licking my lips. Opening my mouth, I invite him. He slows down our kiss as I start feeling light-headed from our passionate kiss. Gasping for air, Nathan presses his forehead onto mine.

"Goodnight everyone," Grady yells, before passing out onto the floor, drunk.

Nathan and I giggle and spend the rest of the night, cuddling and watching a movie in our hotel room. We decide to leave Rhiannon and Grady to clean up the mess that they made. Hey, they can ask one of the guest to help them with cleaning up. Honestly, I'm exhausted to clean up after Rhiannon and Grady, since they are always depending on me. It is their responsibility, anyways.

♠♣♥♦

The next day, Nathan and I wake up at the hotel room, smelling alcohol in the atmosphere.

"I bet Rhiannon and Grady are passed out on the floor." Nathan whispers in my ear. I bite my lip.

Slowly getting out of the bed, I stretch my arms and legs before we grab breakfast in the hotel. Suddenly, Nathan whimpers. I turn around and give him a confused look. "Stay with me in bed for a little longer." He pouts. I smile as I roll my eyes.