by T N Lowe
“I wanted the world to know you are mine, and now they do.”
“That was an asshole move, Patrick,” I hiss at him before stomping off in the direction of everyone else.
Patrick is next to me in two strides, “I’m sorry. I didn’t like it when that reporter called you arm candy. You are so much more than that. Please forgive me.”
How the hell do I stay angry with that explanation? Especially when he gives me teddy bear eyes, does he even know what that does to me? “Fine, you are forgiven but don’t do it again. That photo of us will be everywhere tomorrow, and I’ll have to explain it to my friends.”
“Scots honor, never again,” Patrick says as he hands our tickets to a man standing at the door. “Let’s find our table, and I will introduce you to my parents.”
A server offers us glasses of champagne, taking the glass offered to me Patrick says, “That should help with the nerves.” As we move around the room, everyone stops Patrick to talk, it sounds like most of it is about business, but a couple of the men ask him personal questions about his parents and siblings. He introduces me to some but others he holds me behind him. I’m not sure if he doesn’t want them to see me with him or if there is another reason he is hiding me from them.
A short, balding man takes the stage and asks everyone to find their seats. Patrick moves with more purpose to find our table, front row center. Already sitting there is an older woman with silver hair with a few black streaks, lightly tan skin, wearing a gold dress. With her is an older man with, silver hair, looking stunning is his tux. As we approach the table the couple stands, “Patrick I’m so happy you could make it,” the woman says hugging him.
“Hi Mom,” Patrick says hugging her back.
The man comes to his rescue, “Now, Brianna leave the man alone. You are embarrassing him in front of his girlfriend.”
“Dad,” Patrick says with a firm handshake.
Looking down at me he introduces me to his parents, “Mom, Dad, this is Lena Miller, my girlfriend. Lena, these are my parents, Quinn and Brianna Love.”
Nervously I step forward to shake their hands, “Mr. and Mrs. Love it is very nice to meet you.”
Brianna pulls me into a hug, “It is so very nice to meet you, Lena. Patrick and Dylan talk very highly of you. You must come to dinner while you’re here and meet the rest of the family.”
“That would be nice, Mrs. Love.”
“Brianna, please.”
“Mom, let’s not scare her off,” Patrick teases pulling me from his mother’s embrace and helping me into my seat.
“Patrick, stop teasing,” Brianna says as Quinn helps her into her seat as the short man takes the stage again.
“Good evening everyone. We would like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. We have a very exciting announcement to make tonight. But before we bore you with political announcements, let’s enjoy dinner.” Everyone in the ballroom claps as servers being to deliver food to the tables.
The first course is a small salad, tasty but not filling. When the main course is delivered to the table, and the dome removed; I can’t identify what it is supposed to be. It’s green with a weird white lump of something in the middle with black spots around it. Gently tugging on Patrick’s coat sleeve to get his attention I ask, “What is this?”
He chuckles and smiles sweetly at me, “I have no idea. Just push it around the plate then eat dessert, we’ll hit a drive-thru on the way home.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
I have to laugh when I look across the table and find Quinn and Brianna doing the same thing. Quinn joins my laugher, “I don’t mind supporting my friend, but I hate the food they serve at these things. Normally we eat before we come but I had to work late tonight.”
“I’ll have to remember that for next time.” With mercy, dessert comes quickly and is chocolate cheesecake.
Once all the plates are cleared a tall man with raven black hair with a small amount of gray near his temples takes the stage. He looks vaguely familiar with warm green eyes and a kind face. “Good evening everyone. If you don’t know me, I’m Samuel Walsh, Congressman for the great state of Virginia. Like everyone else in this room I watch the news and witness the horrendous events that are occurring in the world today, and it saddens me. Children are unable to play outside or safely attend school. Adults are scared to pull over for a routine traffic stop, or safely attend work, concerts, or sporting events. Police are scared to perform their duties for fear of reprimand. I for one can no longer sit back and wait for changes to happen. That is why I am here to announce my run for President of the United States. I hope I can count on your support.”
The room erupts into clapping, everyone standing rejoicing in the announcement and hope for the future. Samuel leaves the stage walking into the crowd to greet his supporters. He is a natural, shaking hands and kissing cheeks; he listens to everyone concerns and accepts their congratulations. As Samuel approaches our table, I begin to feel weird, maybe anxious.
“Good evening Quinn,” Samuel says shaking his hand. “Brianna you look amazing, as always,” Samuel says kissing her hand. Moving around the table, Samuel takes Patrick’s hand. “Patrick it is great to see you again. I’m glad you could make it tonight.” When Samuel looks at me, he stops shaking Patrick’s hand and stares. He stares like he can see into me, like he knows what I’m thinking and feeling.
“Who is your beautiful date, Patrick?”
Turning to me Patrick takes my hand; I can feel my heart beating faster anxiety fills my veins. Not noticing my body going ridged Patrick says, “This is my girlfriend, Lena Miller.”
Samuel raises one eyebrow like he does not approve of our relationship. Who the hell is he to not approve of our relationship? If he wants to be president, he better get used to seeing mix-race couples. But we sure as hell don’t need his approval to be together, we love each other, and that is all that matters. “It is very nice that meet you, Lena,” Samuel says taking my hand from Patrick’s raising it to his mouth and kissing it lightly. “If you will please excuse me I have more people to meet,” Samuel says quickly dropping my hand fast.
“Excuse me I need to use the powder room,” I tell Patrick. As I walk away from the table, I become dizzy and unsteady black spots fill my vision. My steps waiver, Patrick rushes to my side just in time to catch me as my vision fades and everything goes black.
Chapter Ten
I’m in that state between awake and asleep, I can hear people talking in harsh hushed tones. I try to make out what they are saying, but the darkness swallows me whole.
Sometime later I feel someone take my hand giving it a light squeeze. I try to open my eyes to see who it is, but my eyelids refuse to open. “Miss. Miller, can you hear me?” An unfamiliar male voice asks.
I fight through the blackness, my body finally responding to my commands. “Yes,” I croak my throat dry and sore.
“Can you open your eyes for me?” The man asks.
I open my eyes a sliver to find an older man with white hair leaning over me, Patrick is sitting at the end of the bed rubbing my calf. The doctor flashes a flashlight into my eyes that makes me shut them right away.
“Okay, everything appears to be okay, but I want to take a blood sample,” the doctor says.
“Why?” Patrick barks.
The doctor takes a deep breath and blows it out, “Because all of Miss Miller’s signs and symptoms point to Rohypnol drugging, and I want to cover all my basis.”
“The date rape drug?” Samuel asks. “Where would she have gotten that?”
“Yes, the date rape drug. I’m not sure, it’s fast acting so she would have had to ingest it within half an hour of her first symptom,” the doctor explains.
“Someone drugged her intentionally?” Patrick asks the fury lacing his voice.
“If she were drugged then I would say yes since she is the only one with symptoms. It could also be a complication from her recent concu
ssion that would have also caused her to pass out,” the doctor reminds Patrick and Samuel. After drawing a vial of blood, the doctor leaves saying he will call in an hour with the results.
“I’ll show you out,” Samuel says following the doctor out of the room.
It finally dawns on me, I’m lying on a soft bed with blankets covering me. I look around to see a modern decorated bedroom. “Where are we?”
“Samuel’s room at the Four Seasons. After you passed out he insisted we bring you up here, then he called his personal physician,” Patrick explains. Scooting me over to lie next to me, he wraps his arms around me, “You scared the shit out of me. I love you so much I can’t lose you.” As soon as the words leave his mouth, Patrick stiffens worried about my reaction.
I relax in his arms, “I love you too Patrick. I’m sorry I scared you.”
Patrick turns me in his arms to face me then presses his lips to mine. There is a soft knock on the door making us break apart.
“Are you feeling better?” Samuel asks with Patrick’s parents standing behind him.
“Yes,” I say not wanting to scare them with the possible drugging until we know for sure.
“Good, you gave us quite a scare,” Quinn says.
“Sorry,” I say meekly.
“Why don’t we let Lena rest while we wait for the doctor to call with the results,” Samuel says to Quinn and Brianna. “Patrick, can I please speak to you for a moment in private?”
“Of course,” Patrick answers. Kissing me on the forehead he whispers, “Rest princess, I’ll be right back.”
As they leave me, I let the feather bed swallow me whole and drift off. “Lena, princess wake up,” Patrick whispers in my ear.
“No,” I whine.
“Come on sweetheart,” Patrick says shaking me.
Opening my eyes Patrick smiles down at me, “Can you sit up for me I need to tell you something.”
Moaning I wiggle free of the duvet and sit up resting against the headboard, “Okay.”
“The doctor called, someone drugged you. From what he could tell you were given a low dose, that’s why your reaction is mild. We don’t know who drugged you or why.”
“What does that mean?” I ask snuggling into his side.
“I don’t know, but we will find out,” Patrick tells me.
There is a light knock on the door, and Samuel enters the room, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Patrick helps me from the bed. “Thank you for everything Samuel, but I should get Lena home.”
Samuel nods, “Anytime. When Lena is feeling better, you two should join me for brunch.”
“I would like that. Sorry for the extra drama,” I say as Patrick leads me to the waiting elevator.
“Don’t worry about it,” Samuel says seeing us out.
As we wait for Bryan to bring the car around Patrick asks, “How are you feeling?”
“Tired and my head hurts,” I answer leaning into him.
“We are resting for the next few days, lying in bed, watching movies on the couch, and eating healthy meals.”
“That is not necessary,” I say as Bryan pulls the car up and we slid into the back seat.
“Lena, you were drugged. You will rest for the next few days even if I have to tie you to the bed. I also don’t want you going out without me until we know about who did this and why.”
“Fine, but I’m not a child. I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can, but I’m not taking any risks with your safety. I love you princess.”
“I love you too,” I tell him burrowing into his chest. When we arrive home, Patrick carries me into our bedroom setting me on the bed. Taking off his tux jacket Patrick tosses it onto a nearby chair then walks into the on-suite. Returning with his shirt sleeves rolled up, “Bath time,” he says as he helps me off the bed unzips my dress and slides it down my body, my bra and panties follow then carries me into the bathroom setting me in the tub.
A sigh of contentment escapes my lips as the warm water relaxes my aching muscles. “Slide forward princess, and I’ll join you.” Sliding forward Patrick sits behind me pulling me to his chest. “I have never been so scared in my life as I was when you passed out in my arms.”
“I’m sorry I was feeling funny, but I thought it was just nerves or anxiety about meeting your parents.”
“Next time tell me when you don’t feel well.”
“I’ll try, but I’ve been taking care of everyone else for so long I forget about myself.”
“We are a team and take care of each other, okay princess?”
“Okay, baby.”
When our fingers and toes are pruned, Patrick declares it time to get out of the tub. Patrick gets out first wrapping a fluffy white towel around his waist. Taking my hands, he helps me up from the tub wrapping me in a towel and carrying me to bed. Patrick pulls a black t-shirt from a dresser draw handing it to me, “Now lie in bed and rest while I heat some soup.”
After the soup, I quickly fall into a fitful dream-filled sleep. I’m rushing home from school to help take care of Mom after her chemo treatment. As I round the corner to my street the golden eye man is waiting for me, “How are you, princess?” He asks walking with me.
“I’m fine. It’s my mom I’m worried about,” I tell him.
“What’s wrong with your mom?”
“She has cancer, and the chemo treatments are making her sick.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Do you need anything?”
“No, Martin is taking care of everything,” I say walking faster to get to Mom.
“If you need anything you only have to ask. I’ll always make sure you are taken care of princess,” the golden eye man tells me.
“Who do I ask?”
“Anyone, they will deliver the message to me.”
“Okay,” I say skeptically as we stop in front of my house.
“Take care of yourself, princess,” the golden eye man says. I look up to see his face, and it’s Patrick smiling down at me.
I gasp sitting upright in bed. Patrick stirs next to me, “Lena are you okay?”
“Did we meet before you came to the Resort Inn?”
“No,” Patrick says rubbing my back. “What was your dream about?”
“I was walking home from school; I was rushing to take care of Mom after a chemo treatment. When I turned the corner a man with eyes like yours was waiting for me. He was checking on Mom and me, then when we got to my house, I looked up and saw you.”
“It was just a dream, honey. I’m sure it’s because of the drugs and the stress. Go back to sleep, it will all be better in the morning.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Patrick keeps me under house arrest for three days only relenting when his parents insist we join them for dinner. “Are you sure you feel up to dinner with my family? We don’t have to go, I can tell Mom you aren’t feeling well,” Patrick says as he drives us to his parents’ house in Alexandria.
“Honey, I’m feeling better than I have in years. But if that changes I promise to tell you right away.” I love this man more than I ever thought I could love anyone, but he is driving me crazy. The last three days Patrick has done nothing but hover over me. While I was watching movies on the couch, he worked on his laptop asking me if I needed anything or how I was feeling every five minutes.
“Okay, but my whole family will be there tonight, and they can be overwhelming. Just promise you will tell me if they become too much for you,” Patrick pleads.
Taking his free hand in mine I give it a quick squeeze, “I promise I will tell you everything.”
Patrick brings my hand to his lips as he stops in front of a large iron gate. Lowering his window Patrick inputs a code into the keypad opening the gate. The gate opens to a massive circle driveway surrounded by a perfectly manicured green lawn with trees and bushes. “Wow, this is where you grew up? My god, every house you take me to is bigger than the last one.”
Patrick la
ughs as he navigates the car up the driveway, “I grew up here. It was great running and climbing trees with Liam and Dylan while Rylie chased after us.”
“It sounds like you had a great childhood here.”
“I did, I was very lucky,” Patrick says parking the car under a carport behind four very expensive looking cars. Opening his door and quickly rounding the hood, Patrick opens my door helping me from the car. Taking my hand, Patrick escorts me to the front door knocking once before opening the door and walking in. “Mom we’re here,” Patrick calls out closing the door behind me.
“In here, honey,” Brianna calls back.
Patrick walks me through a maze of hallways to a large family room furnished with two large gray couches and a matching love seat. A small cherry wood coffee table sits in the middle of the room with matching end tables at the ends of the couches, and a large TV mounted to the wall. Brianna and Quinn are nestled together on the loveseat; a dark-haired little boy about three years old is entertaining them. A younger version of Quinn is sitting on the couch with a gorgeous Asian woman in his arms both are focused on the little boy in front of Brianna and Quinn. Dylan and a tan woman with purple hair are sitting on the opposite couch laughing at the little boy.
“Hey,” Patrick says as we enter the room.
Dylan jumps from the couch wrapping me into a giant hug. “Oh, I see where I rate,” Patrick teases.
Breaking the hug Dylan moves to hug his brother. Brianna and Quinn are next, “How are you doing, dear?” Brianna asks.
“Much better thank you.”
“Lena this is my sister Rylie,” Patrick says pointing to the woman who was sitting next to Dylan. “Rylie this is Lena, my girlfriend.” Rylie stands to shake my outstretched hand.
“It is very nice to meet you. Dylan has been talking about you nonstop.” Rylie steps aside letting me meet the rest of the family.
“This is my older brother Liam, his wife Hui, and their son Jian. This is my girlfriend, Lena Miller.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lena,” Liam says standing from the couch, hugging me gently.
“It’s nice to meet you all. Patrick talks about you all the time.”