Chapter 32: Chapter 32

I can feel Thomas's eyes burning into me all night. Everywhere I look, he's there. But he doesn't come close and lets me have fun with my course friends, dancing, drinking, screaming until I'm hoarse. My heart warms for this. Kelly is already more there than here, and I've been trying to get away from Josh for a few hours, who also drank more than he should and insists on coming after me.

And the party is not far from over.

The graduation ceremony took place a few hours ago. After the diploma delivery, all the parents went to do something else and the party is just for the graduates. So people are really losing track and celebrating with everything they have.

When the music changes to slow music, I start looking around for Thomas. Before I can, Josh finds me and tries to pull me into a dance.

“No, I don't,” I say, smiling to try to be polite, but he insists and pulls me away. I let out a soft “ouch” because the grip on my arm hurts and he holds me tight against his chest.

“Just a dance, Cecil,” he says and I can smell booze in his mouth.

Damn it, Thomas! Did it disappear right now?

— Josh...

"What did you see in that old man?" he asks in a drunken voice. “I've spent the last four years trying to convince you to go out with me, and then you end up with a guy who's old enough to be your father?

— You're just a friend, Josh, I've told you that several times — I speak carefully, because I don't want to hurt him. He laughs and squeezes me tighter. "Okay, now you're hurting me." Let go of me - I ask and try to pull the arm, but he won't let go. "Josh, you…"

"I was really looking for a reason to punch you in the face." I shudder when I hear Thomas's voice and see his hand squeezing Josh's shoulder, who lets go of me at once. Thomas looks at me and I desperately shake my head. He gets annoyed but does as I ask. — Get out of my way, kid, because the next time I find you alone, they'll need to pick you up from the hospital.

Josh runs off and Thomas pulls me to him.

- Are you well? - question. I nod.

“You didn't have to talk to him like that.

Thomas raises an eyebrow.

"Are you going to defend the son of a bitch now?" he asks irritably. I roll my eyes and he holds me by the waist. "How many times do I have to repeat that you're mine?"

I bite my lip and he leads me to the slow rhythm of the music.

"Am I?" I ask after a few minutes. "Am I really yours?"

Thomas sighs and rests his forehead against mine.

— You're mine, Cecilia — she guarantees, caressing my back. "All mine, all mine."

I forget we're in the middle of a bunch of people when he starts kissing my neck and I wrap myself in his arms.

“And you…” I gasp, losing my voice when his hand goes to my ass. "Are you mine too?"

I feel Thomas's entire body stiffen at the question and I instantly regret what I said.

"Forget it, I don't…

He kisses me and doesn't let me finish the sentence. When he releases me, he puts his mouth to my ear.

“You still want that hand-holding thing and I don't know what else, crystal, and I don't—” He takes a deep breath. “I don't know how to do these things. I wasn't made for this.

- But…

“We're getting married,” he says in my ear. “And I will respect this marriage. I'll take care of you. I will try to make you happy.

My eyes feel teary and I rest my forehead on his shoulder. That wasn't a "yes". He didn't say it's mine. And I so want it to be... "Take me away?" - I ask. Thomas pulls away and looks at me confused.

“The party isn't over yet.

“I know, I just… I want to leave.

Thomas studies my face with a creased brow and nods. He takes my hand firmly and leads me to the exit. When we get outside and the music isn't so loud, he kisses me again.

“I'll have the valet bring the car,” he says. A cold wind hits and I shiver. Thomas takes off his jacket and wraps it around my arms. He kisses my forehead and walks away.

I hug my own body, wrapping my jacket around me, and blink several times to keep from crying like a fool. It's too weird. The two of us are living like a loving couple, but Thomas refuses to admit it. It hurts a lot to think that it will always be like this. That he will be sweet and cute. That it will be romantic, but will never give in. Am I asking too much?

— Cecilia?

I look over my shoulder and see a man in a black and white uniform approaching with a car key in his hand,

— Cecilia Magalhães? - ask again. I nod. — Mr. Albuquerque asked me to take you to the car.

Weird and I frown, but I nod and start to follow the man into the parking lot. But I only take a few steps and stop walking. He stops too and looks at me confused.

"Wait..." I say to myself. The man takes a few steps closer and smiles.

"Is everything okay, miss?" - question. I look around, only then noticing how empty the place is. "The car is right over there."

I shake my head and take a step back.

No. Thomas wouldn't do that. He's insane about my security, he wasn't going to send some random person.

“I'll wait here,” I say and take another step back.

The man stops smiling and looks at me irritably. He starts to walk fast towards me, and I let out a scream and try to run, but I can't get far in those heels.

The next thing I know, he's holding me and covering my mouth tightly with a strong-smelling cloth.

“ Shh …it's okay,” he speaks into my ear.

I try to wriggle free, but he tightens the cloth to my face and I start to feel limp until I can't see anything.