Unveiling Shadows: Echoes of Vengeance, Ties of Betrayal

CHARLIE

“No need, Julius! We can handle it,” I refused with some reluctance. "Give me her pouch so that I can look for her keys and then drive her home," I added and the instant that I finished saying that, I found myself lying on the ground, right next to the swimming pool.

‘Oh, God! Did I just slip or something? What?’ My whole body had the feeling of being numbed.

‘No, I was not inebriated, and there was no way I could have been.’

These ideas rushed into my head as quickly as I felt Julius' hand, and I immediately realized that I needed to take Avery back to my house.

Because I was so lightheaded, I thought for a moment that I was having a hallucination. The first thing that happened was that I found myself on the floor, and the next thing I knew, I was on Julius' arm.

It took me a little time to figure out that he had lifted me up, and that it was indeed true that I had fallen close to the water.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked myself. How did it get to the point that every part of my body felt numb?

But then I was aware of how quickly my heart was thumping. It was so loud that I felt as if I may be jolted out of my body at any moment.

"This won’t do, Charlie. It’s unsafe,” Julius added in a solemn voice, "I'll drive both of you home, and that would be the last time I'll say that."

Julius was serious. He was like a rigorous instructor who gave me directions that were difficult to follow, but I wasn't afraid of him.

His words had such a seductive tone that I couldn't help but feel that it had caused me to flush.

Everything seemed to be out of focus. I felt like I had a snooze. I have no idea where I was or how I got there.

Just now, I saw brief glimpses of Julius' chest, the elevator, the parking lot, and his vehicle.

Later on, I had the impression that we had pulled over to the side of the road. I used a lot of effort to lift my head and turn it toward the window, but I was unsuccessful.

"Are we now in Avery’s place?" I managed to mumble the words. Julius, who was standing next to me, seemed to have heard me and responded.

“Yes. It's a good thing I have an excellent memory because I was able to recall how to drive all the way here.” He explained.

"Really? Why have you... I mean, when did you come…" I was about to ask him but he cut me off.

"I bet you really forgot about the big party that Avery threw in their house during our high school days. You seem to have a poor memory, Charlie,” He chuckled after uttering these words.

So that's how he was able to find out where Avery lived. However, he does have a point. Though it was really hazy, I was able to save the memory of the crazy party that he was referring about.

"Just relax. You need not be concerned about anything. We just dropped her off, she's home safely…” Those were the last things I heard before passing out and losing consciousness.

…..

The following morning, I awoke in one of the most infuriating ways possible: the light was shining through the window directly into my eyes, which caused my eyelids to fly open.

Because my head is hurting so much, I have no recollection of anything that happened after I fell asleep.

"What the bloody hell? Seriously?” I mumbled to myself as I inched my way slowly toward the bed and pushed myself to sit down.

At that point, my eyes were still closed, and the moment I opened them, the realization that I wasn't in my bed caused me to instantly regret doing so. There is no way that this was ever my room.

"No way!" I said due to disbelief. I began stroking my own body irrationally, as if I were a mad person, and then I hurriedly glanced beneath the heavy black blanket.

When I saw that someone had changed my clothes from last night, I let out a gasp. I found myself wearing an oversized white shirt and boxer shorts, definitely not my own clothes.

Someone had taken off the black dress I wore last night. And my mind started to have a race with thoughts like, ‘Who brought me here?’, ‘Is Avery safe?’, ‘What did I do?’ and most importantly, I uttered the last thought in my mind, "Who the hell had the guts to change my clothes?"

“Charlie! What have you done?” I carefully got out of bed and glanced about before deciding to find out what happened.

The room was rather spacious and seemed quite elegant. The bed that I stayed on was so large that it could have easily accommodated six people.

A flat-screen television with a broad screen was mounted on the wall, and there was also a large matte wardrobe and fashionable furnishings. I saw a door and reasoned that it must go to the restroom; so, I made a beeline for it.

However, just as I was about to open the door, I recognized a familiar voice coming from outside the room.

I couldn't wait to find out who it was, but I had to admit that I was already making some educated guesses. I simply was conscious of the fact that I was in denial.

“Damn it, Charlie!” I mumbled as I closed my eyes in disbelief.