17 Need to leave

The look on his face was making her uncomfortable.

"What is it?" She said.

"Did you sleep well last night?" He asked.

"That's what you want to ask me? You must be kidding me." She said slumping back into the couch. His expression didn't change. "Answer me Nora. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. I did." She said.

"You sure about that?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I just had a nightmare though." She accepted.

"What was it about?"

"I don't remember, but you," She trailed off.

"But me? Complete yourself Nora." He said.

"No." She said looking down at her feet.

"Nora, I need an answer." His eyes seemed to pierce through her. She squirmed in her place, it was getting too intense, she couldn't handle it anymore. "Stop it! What do you think you're doing? You are scaring me." She blurted.

"I'm what?" He was taken aback from her sudden outburst.

"Nothing. I don't need any answers, not from you at least." She said getting up on her feet and stumbled.

The doorbell rang. "Might be Tina. I'll take that. I called her when you were asleep." He moved towards the door and opened it.

"You asshole! What did you to Nora? Mind me if anything happens to her I'll make sure to strangle you with my own hands." She shouted at him.

"Tina." Nora called out. She walked past him and moved in. "Nora you made me worry about you. What happened? And your foot?!" She looked down.

"Just sprained it." Nora leaned in closer. "Tina get me out of here." She whispered. Tina looked at her dubiously.

"Nora pack up your stuff. I don't want to stay in this jerk's house even for a second." She declared. She held Nora's hand and helped her move to the door.

"Wait right there, at least give me a chance to explain." Luke said blocking their way.

"I don't need an explanation from you Luke. Get out of the way." She said firmly.

"Okay, but think about Nora. She cannot go like this." Tina accepted Luke's point and looked at Nora who was still standing bare feet.

"I can." Nora blurted.

"Nora, don't be reckless. You can barely stand. Stay here. I'll drop you guys off." He said impatiently. "Nora, he got a point." Tina looked at her.

"No it's fine. You are there to help me Tina. I need to get back now." She was resolute.

"But.."

"Luke." Tina shook her head.

He sighed, "Fine, just wait here first." He rushed towards the guest room. A few moments later he appeared with a bag and a pair of slippers.

"Here, wear them." He put the slippers in front of Nora's feet. "And take this, your shoes." He handed out the bag. Nora looked at him, with an unreadable expression.

"Nora." Tina said tugging at her hand. She stepped into the slippers and handed the bag to Tina.

"Thank you." She mumbled and started towards the door. Tina looked at Luke and sighed, "I don't know what happened but thank you for looking after her."

Luke just nodded. She smiled and rushed out to catch up with Nora, helping her out and they stepped out.

Luke watched them leave resisting his urge to stop her. He stood there for a second and then went to close the door. He went back into the guest room and sat down on the bed.

He was up all night just because he couldn't push out her thoughts. How she cried in front of him, the way he consoled her, he just couldn't take it out of his head. After taking a shower in the morning he had called Tina and told her everything, just because he couldn't afford to be alone with her. The call had ended with Tina hurling curses at him.

He wished Nora to be asleep until Tina arrived but when he stepped out of his room he saw her standing at the windows and froze.

She stood there, looking all mystified by the view. She was standing there with her back to him, still in her night's attire. When she turned around hearing his voice, his heart skipped a beat. Her hazel eyes were a little puffy due to the night's crying but still seemed to sparkle under the sunlight, while her chestnut brown hair all messy, fell down to her shoulders. She looked beautifully perfect.

She was looking at him, technically staring at him and it was the first time in ages when he felt uncomfortable under someone's gaze, and it had to be a girl, that too her.

When he came back to his senses, he gave her an all chilled out look. But she on the other hand was an open book, her face said it all. She was embarrassed at being caught and looked insanely cute with that flushed face. Only he knew, how he suppressed his desire to take her into his arms and ask if she was fine.

He laid down on the bed, "This is frustrating" He muttered to himself. This was happening again, it had been years since he felt like this and he wasn't liking this.

"Get it together. She's just kid, no way you can allow her to mess up your mind." He was up on his feet. "Good she didn't remember anything." He took out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number, "Jerry call the house cleaner. I'll be leaving the house in about an hour, I want the house thoroughly cleaned." He ended the call.

He took one last look and moved out of the room shutting the door behind him. Shutting his door, behind him.