Chapter2

#Chapter2

Beginning

/"Celeste Apartment Complex./" I read the gold plated sign aloud and I let out a low whistle.

The complex was lavishly constructed, the huge black Iron gates seemed to open automatically as the truck approached.

/"Can I help you Sir?/" A uniformed guard stepped forward and asked politely.

/"Yes, I'm here to drop off../" I trailed off as I realized that I didn't know her name. The girl mumbled something incoherently, she was still unconscious.

/"Er- a friend./" I finished awkwardly.

The guard seemed to recognize the girl because he permitted me to proceed inside but not before giving me a suspicious look. I parked my truck in the massive parking lot, before stepping out and unlocking the door to the passenger seat. I cursed under my breath as the girl almost toppled to the ground when I did so.

I picked the girl up in my arms and made my way towards the extravagant building. I couldn't help but be enthralled by my surroundings. The place was beautiful, everything about it screamed of money: the marble fountains, the perfectly trimmed bushes.

I made my way inside to the reception. I sighed in relief as I noticed a woman sitting behind the counter.

/"Excuse me ma'am. I happened to come across this girl, she's unconscious. I believe she lives here./"

The woman studied me for a brief moment before her eyes wandered to the girl's limp form in my arms.

/"Oh, yes. That's Allison Wyatt./" She answered, her voice sounded suspicious.

I felt immensely relieved, /"Thank God she lives here. Can you make sure she gets to her apartment safely? I need to get going./"

/"She's not my business, honey./" The woman cut in.

/"Excuse me?/"

/"My shifts over, I'm leaving./"

I scoffed, /"I thought you said she lives here./"

/"I did but that doesn't make her my problem. You brought her here so you're responsible./"

/"I don't even know her./" I gritted through clenched teeth.

This woman was getting on my nerves.

/"Here,/" She snapped impatiently as she held out a key. /"Her is number 187./"

/"You expect me to carry her all the way to her apartment?/" I demanded angrily.

/"Yes. It's on the eighteenth floor, use the elevator./"

I wanted to strangle her so badly but instead I just snatched the key she was holding out with my free hand as I held Allison up with the other.

I couldn't keep the scowl off my face as the elevators doors opened and I got off the eighteenth floor. Finally I reached the door labelled 187.

I tried to unlock the door but it was proving to be difficult; probably due to the fact that I was holding an unconscious girl in my arms. I cursed loudly as the key refused to go in.

The sound of someone clearing their throat behind me caught my attention.

My eyes met with a pair of big brown ones.

/"You need any help?/" The girl asked cautiously.

She eyed the unconscious girl in my arms with suspicion.

/"I got it./" I responded gruffly.

I had always hated accepting help from others. It made me feel incompetent.

/"Okay./" She sounded amused. /"You know, it would probably be a lot easier if you weren't holding the key upside down./"

I grumbled when I realized that she was right. Quickly correcting my mistake I unlocked the door and stepped in. The apartment was lavishly furnished like the rest of the complex, it didn't come as a surprise to me.

I quickly placed Allison down on the huge L-shaped sofa and adjusted the cushions around her so she was comfortable. Leaving the key on the kitchen counter I finally walked out of the apartment, shutting the door behind me quietly.

To my surprise the girl was still standing there, she eyed me curiously.

I took in her toned frame, her auburn hair was tied up into a ponytail. My attention was drawn back to her brown doe like eyes. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest, I assumed it was something she did to appear intimidating. She had an air of confidence about her.

For a moment I allowed my eyes to lingered on her attractive form.

/"Care to explain how that happened?/" She asked me brazenly.

For some reason I found it rather annoying. Her voice sounded accusatory.

/"Nothing much to explain. I found her unconscious so I brought her home./" I responded with a scowl.

It wasn't like I owed her any explanation.

She gauged my expression, trying to figure out if I was lying but my face stayed impassive, betraying no emotion. Finally she gave up and let out a sigh.

/"If that is the case then that was really considerate of you./" She said softly.

I scratched my neck awkwardly, I'd never been particularly good with compliments.

/"Nice place you got here./" I finally said, trying to change the subject.

/"Thanks./"

Not bothering to say anything else I started to make my way towards the elevator, it was getting late and I needed to leave. The elevator doors opened and I stepped inside. To my surprise the girl stepped in after me, I hadn't even noticed her following behind.

She was stalking me now?

/"I'm going to the library. I've got a lot of studying to do./" She told me when she saw the questioning look on my face.

I nodded, satisfied with her explanation. She pressed the button for Ground floor and the elevator started moving.

/"Is it always this deserted?/" I asked after a while, breaking the silence.

I found it strange that the whole complex seemed to be empty, I hadn't seen any people walking around or heard any noise altogether, the place seemed to be uninhabited.

/"The complex is mostly occupied by college students, all of them have gone to attend some party./"

/"How come you're not at the party?/"

/"I'm not much of a party person./" She admitted.

I smiled at that. That made two of us.

/"You go to college here?/" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

/"Tomorrow's my first day actually. I just moved here./"

The elevator doors drew open and we both stepped out into the lobby. We continued to walk in silence towards the parking lot. I found myself looking back in her direction once I'd reached my truck

/"I could drop you off at the library, if you want?/" I found myself asking before I could stop myself.

I was surprised I'd actually asked her that. I was mad at myself for making such a ridiculous offer.

What had I been thinking?

The library was in the opposite direction from my apartment.

She looked taken aback by my offer.

/"No thanks. I have my own car./" She answered quickly, motioning towards the sleek red Lamborghini parked a few feet away.

/"Good./" I replied, my voice cold.

I got into my truck and started the ignition.

To my surprise I'd actually felt a pang of disappointment when she declined my offer.

I didn't look back as I drove off.

I groaned in annoyance when I heard someone banging the front door.

What time was it?

I grabbed my phone and squinted at the screen, it read '6 AM'. I groaned again.

/"Marcus will you please go get the damn door!/" I yelled.

There was no response, the banging seemed to get louder.

Begrudgingly, I got out of bed. I was ready to kill the bastard who had made me wake up this early. I clenched my jaw in annoyance as I saw Marcus passed out in the hall. I was surprised he had managed to make it home from the party last night.

I yanked to door open, ready to give whoever it was a piece of my mind, but who I saw standing outside made me stop short.

In front of me stood two police officers.

/"Nathaniel Cohen?/" One of them asked.

/"That's me./" I responded coldly, all traces of sleep gone.

/"You're coming with us./" The policeman ordered.

/"What for?/" I demanded evenly.

/"You're under arrest for the murder of Allison Wyatt./"