Chapter 12 Sneaking Out

I woke up the next morning feeling heavy and nauseous. My head hurts due to a hangover. How many cans of beer did I drink? It's just a few I think.

"Good morning Princess!" Cherry greeted me.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"It's 9."

We went out to eat and I saw Jeremy and Gin having breakfast in the resort's restaurant while talking.

Are these people immune to hangovers?

Cherry and I sit at a different table. Cherry ordered the food. I rub my throbbing head and close my eyes. This is killing me. I shouldn't be drinking but I did.

I opened my eyes and met Gin's eyes. He look away when Jeremy called him.

"Here's your hot choco and hangover medicine. Our food will be here in a minute." Cherry said as she sit with me.

"Cherry, let me borrow your phone. Mine is the empty battery. I need to call Simon to pick me up." I asked.

"Gin will leave soon. Just go with him." She said.

I glared at her. She just laugh.

"Come on Georg. You made out. It's okay."

"Yes, that's right. We are okay now so let's not change that. I don't want to ruin it again."

"Georg, you're going to the same destination. What's wrong with going with him? It'll save gas and Simon's time of driving back and forth. Anyway, your driver is hot." She said in a flirty voice and wink.

"Cherry, I-"

She turned to Gin and called him.

"Gin! Is it okay if Georg leaves with you? She wants to go home now. She's feeling sick." Cherry said asking Gin across the hall.

"Yeah sure." Gin answered as he glance at me.

Cherry looked back at me. "See? He's fine with it."

After breakfast, I went back to Cherry's room to retrieve my things. I went to the parking lot where Gin is waiting. He opens the car door for me as soon as I reached him. I said thank you and he just nodded. After I'm settled, he hop in and started to drive.

My head is still hurting so I just close my eyes and lay my head onto the side.

"Are you okay?" I heard him ask.

"No," I answered.

"You were a heavy drinker back then." He commented. I can sense humor in his voice.

"Well, my brain must have forgotten that," I said.

He chuckled.

Wait. Who put me to bed last night? I can't remember. I fell asleep on the beach and woke up in the bed in Cherry's room.

We remain quiet most of the ride home. Then I dozed off.

When we reach home, I woke up and saw him grinning like he just heard a funny joke. I look at him confused.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing." He answered but he's still smiling. trying to avoid my look.

"Did I snore?" I asked guessing but he chuckled. I guess it's a yes.

I pouted looking annoyed.

"So what? I'm tired. I bit you snore too." I said in a defensive tone.

He laughs. I'm about to get mad but his laugh is so adorable. It's my first time to see him laugh like that. It sounds genuine and carefree. He's laughing because of me. That's a first.

"Sorry. Let me open the door for you." He said but still grinning. He went out and turn to my door. He opens it for me. My parents and Bettany are on the porch waiting for me. They all have questioning eyes but are also amused by the sight of me with Gin.

Gin greeted them and my parents look so happy seeing him. I can read their mind. Maybe I'll talk to them tomorrow. I need to rest.

"Thank you for the ride," I said to Gin.

"No problem." He said then smiled.

I went inside and my family followed me into my room to ask me questions about why Gin and I are together. They look excited. They want details.

"I just need a ride. That's all. I need to sleep. Let's talk later." I said as I close the door pushing them out.

I woke up later in the afternoon and decided to take a shower. Why rub bath soap in my body, I touch something in the back of my shoulder. I tried to look at it in the mirror. It's a scar. It's like a small but deep wound. More like a.. bullet wound. That's odd.

I decided to walk in the garden. I was looking at the bushes when I saw a cat just appear from there.

"Look at you little intruder."

I kneel on the ground and brushed its purr with my hands.

My eyes darted to a small opening under the bushes. The wall is cracked open where a cat or even me can go through. I peak. On the other side is also bushes and leaves.

Hmm.

I smiled. I think I know how I can leave the house without being watched or followed.

A few days ago I asked my parents if I can go to the place of the accident where I was found but they refuse. They said It might trigger traumas. I can't even remember the accident. I don't understand why they're so overprotective. I need to go there. They refused to tell me everything so I have to know the truth about why I was there. And why they keep from me that I was found in the river.

The next day, they all leave the house for work. I told them that I won't go anywhere and just hang on to my room. Once they leave, I locked my room. I brought a bag pack with me. I wore a plain white shirt and jeans, partnered with sneakers. I also put on a cap. I look at myself in the mirror. I feel like I did this before or I wore something like this before.

I went to the garden and crawl my way out to the other side of the wall. Then I walk my way towards the road where a few taxies pass by. A taxi pick me and brought me to the bus station. I bought a ticket. It's a 3 hours ride to Gota province but I still have to wait for 15 minutes before the bus left. It's almost 11 am so I decided to go out and buy some snacks I can eat while traveling. I went to a convenience store just outside the bus station.

I went inside and pick a few snacks and bottled water. I paid it to the cashier. I was about to leave when I saw Gin walking towards the cashier. He's holding bottled water. I immediately lower down my cap.

What is he doing here?

I panic and was about to run to the door when one of my snacks fall. He picks it up and hands it to me.

"Here." He said.

I bow my head and grab it in his hand.

"Where's Simon?" He asked.

What? Does he know it's me? I turned around. He paid the cashier then he look back at me.

"Let's go outside." He said as he lead the way.

"What are you doing here? Where's your driver?" He asked as soon as we're out.

"He-he's on leave." I lied.

"Hm." He's not convinced. He must have noticed I'm lying.

I put down my cap and look at him straight in the eyes.

"Fine! I sneak out. But you can't tell anyone you saw me here." I said.

"Hmm. And why do you need to sneak out to go here?" He asked while opening his bottled water. He drinks it. I can see his Adam's apple. He looks like a model of bottled water. The way he drinks it. I shake my head to dismiss the thoughts.

"I'm going to Gota," I answered.

He looks at the bus station behind me.

"What are you going to do there?" He asked. He crosses his arms and looks at me with suspicion. He's like a father asking questions to a misbehaving child.

"I can't tell you. Just please don't tell anyone you see me here." I pleaded. "I need to go now. The bus leaving in a minute." I said as I look at my wristwatch.

"I won't if you tell me why you're going there."

What's wrong with him?

"I'm going to go to the place of my accident. I need to check something." I said in hurry to finish this conversation.

He stared at me for a moment. He's thinking something.

"Then I'm going with you."