CHAPTER TWO

❣️STAY WITH ME❣️

"Is it bad that I feel tipsy even when the wine isn't alcoholic?" Crystal asked Jason after they'd finished the whole bottle of wine.

"I feel lightheaded too" Jason replied. He lifted the bottle and turned it over to read the contents on its label.

"I guess it's the smoke. That dude smoking over there. I guess it's the weed" she exhaled audibly.

"Yeah. Let's go home"

Jason tipped the waiter and they headed out, hand in hand.

Crystal swayed immediately they got outside, the sudden gush of fresh air was overwhelming and a little much to take. But he caught her in time and steadied her, his hand encircling her waist.

"I don't feel so good Jason" she mumbled and placed her head on his chest since she wasn't tall enough to place it on his shoulder.

He'd read the label, it was an alcoholic wine.

Crystal had zero tolerance for alcohol. One glass and she'd be sprawled on the floor or talking gibberish.

The wine had just 5% alcohol concentration and they'd drank the whole bottle.

He didn't want to tell her or lash out at the waiter. He couldn't be blamed. The damn place was crowded and the waiter must have gotten everything all mixed up.

"Steady, steady," he said as he guided her home. The thought of hailing a cab didn't occur to him or maybe it did but he ignored it.

He loved the way her body felt on his, how her curves fit into his, very perfectly.

"I think I'm going to throw up" she mumbled.

"Please hold it in till we get home" he made a sorry face even though she couldn't see him.

She grunted or made a sound that seemed to be an agreement or laughter that died in her throat.

They walked on in silence. The old woman selling the vegetables by the road looked at them and smiled, just like she always did.

"Just fifteen more minutes and we'll be home" he patted her back.

"Piggyback" she mumbled.

"What?!" He asked, astounded.

"Piggyback" she repeated.

"I thought you said you're too big for that?" He asked 

"Well I changed my mind" she replied.

He snorted but still went in front of her and squatted so she could hop on his back easily.

She swayed a bit and almost lost her footing but thank God, there was a wall close by. She placed her hand on it and hopped on his back gleefully.

The alcohol. O

Immediately she got on, she began to sing unintelligible songs, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm having fun" he laughed.

"Jason" she called, sighing deeply and placing her head on his broad back.

"mmm," he replied.

"Do you want to kiss me sometimes?" She asked innocently.

"Do you want me to kiss you?"

"Maybe" she replied and giggled.

"You're drunk"

"No I'm not" she protested.

"I'll put you down and we'll walk home. If you don't fall, I'll kiss you"

"No deal" she replied and buried her face in his neck.

Her Breathe sent shivers down his spine, it did things he didn't want to happen. She fell asleep immediately but he was unaware of that.

"I wish I know how to tell you how much I love you, how much I've loved you..." He stopped when she didn't reply.

Two minutes later, he stood outside their apartment. She felt like a dead weight on his back but he wasn't ready to set her down yet.

He stood in front of the door and sighed.

"I need to tell you something,g Crystal"

She mumbled an incomprehensible word and he knew she didn't, wouldn't understand anything he said but he continued anyway.

"I think I'm falling in love with you. I'm too scared to tell you but I guess it's now or never right? I'm confused and I don't know what to do. What do you say?"

"Why are we standing outside the door?" She asked, sliding down his back to stand on her feet.

"I thought you were asleep?" He asked, his heart thundering in his chest.

"Well, I'm awake now. And I really wanna throw up. I need to sleep. Take me in Jason"

Did she hear what he just said? How much did she hear?

"Uhm... Let's go in then" He took her hand and walked her... Straight to her bedroom. She fell on the bed and took a deep breath, falling back into her slumber immediately.

He smiled, "I wish I recorded your amazing display tonight"

He walked into the kitchen and got a glass of water, returning to her bedroom and placing it on the bedside table.

She had taken off her jacket when he was back into the room and the little light from the bedside table made her skin so beautiful and shiny. He fought so hard to keep his hands under control, 

He took off her shoes and tossed them to God-knows-where. Drawing the covers over her, turning off the lights, and pecking her on the cheek, he whispered, "goodnight" and walked out of the room.

The door closed with a tiny click.

Crystal slightly opened her eyes and smiled, then drifted off to sleep once again.

©Dora Twinkle 2023