Thalia

Corey helped Rhys buckle me into the seat belt before they both climbed into the car. Rhys turned around from his spot in the driver's seat and looked at me. "Okay, so we're going to drop you off at home. Do you remember your address?"

My brow furrowed as I tried to remember. I remember leaving the house with my friend. The rooms were...empty. Why were the rooms empty? My heart stopped as the memory suddenly came back to me.

I had been evicted.

My friend had taken me clubbing, but she didn't know that I'd just lost my house because I couldn't afford to pay rent anymore. I was homeless.

I gagged as my stomach contracted violently. The guys instantly realized what was going on. "Out the window! Out the window! OUT THE WINDOW!" Corey screeched, pointing. The nausea clawed at my throat, and I tried to force down the bile, but it was too late. Before the vomit could spew from my mouth, I leaned out the window as my stomach forced everything out.

"Gross." I heard Rhys mutter. "My old man just got me this car." Corey slapped him arm.

Tears streamed down my face and I tried to stifle them, but they just kept coming.

"Hey! It's okay! You didn't get it in the car! There's nothing to cry about." Corey said in an attempt to sooth me.

"It's not that!" I sobbed. "I got evicted today! I'm homeless! That's why I came to the club, to forget everything!" Something in my subconscious was telling me that I shouldn't be spilling my guts to strangers, but my intoxicated self could care less. I just bawled harder.

They boys got quiet suddenly. Great! Now they probably thought I was poor! Which I was, but I didn't want them to know that!

"We can drop her off at a motel. You know? Maybe pay for her room for a few days? A week at most." Rhys muttered, thinking I couldn't hear him over my sniffles.

"Yeah. We could wait until she finds a steady source of income, an apartment, whatever she needs. We have the money. Plus it's the right thing to do." Corey added softly. Both boys looked at Peter for confirmation on their decision.

Peter sighed through his nose and looked at me. I could tell he was thinking about something, but I couldn't tell what. His passive face was very offsetting. I couldn't read him. We held eye contact like that for a heartbeat, me staring at him and him staring at me. I swear I could feel my own heart pounding in my chest.

Peter finally broke the stare and turned back around. "No. Who knows what could happen to her if we leave her alone like this."

"Then where the hell do you suggest we take her, genius?" Corey fumed from beside me.

Peter was silent for a moment before he answered. "My house." He said simply.

Peter

I never liked to think of myself as a sucker for damsels in distress, but as I watched Thalia lean her head over on the window, slowing falling asleep, I realized I probably was. My family would kill me for bringing a stranger home, but I couldn't help it. Not with what just happened.

"What? Dude! Are you insane?" Corey whisper yelled at me.

"Yeah!" Rhys echoed. "What about-"

"We'll deal with that later, okay? Just...trust me." I stated.

"Last time you said that, we got into a bar fight." Corey mumbled.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

Suddenly I heard a gag. Everyone turned to look at Thalia.

Fuck.

She threw up in the backseat car before any of us could say anything.

"Shit, my car!" Rhys exclaimed.

The smell of the vomit was so rancid, it was hard for me not to throw up myself. I quickly let down the window and winced when it didn't help.

Thalia sat back for a split second before vomiting again.

"What the actual fuck." Rhys practically cried.

_ _ _ _

I practically hopped out of the car when we arrived at my house. The smell of Thalia's vomit was putrid and was literally choking me! I mean, she was a pretty girl, but damn!

I opened the door and helped her out, being extra careful and making sure she didn't step into her own puke. She muttered incoherently to me as I guided her to the door.

"I hope you know you're gonna be paying for that carpet." Rhys muttered to me.

"And I hope you know that it's just throw up and is easily cleaned." I shot back.

"I hope you BOTH know that we have bigger problems than who is cleaning Rhys' stupid car! We are literally bringing a stranger to Peter's house! For all we know she could be-"

"She's not." I said, cutting him off. "Trust me. I've practically been indoctrinated on what to look for when it comes to them. She's not one of them."

"You can never be too careful." Rhys said, knocking on the door for me. I adjusted Thalia in my arms just as the door opened. I looked up and saw Simon, looking down at me. He was our family butler, though we thought of him more as a family friend. He was an elderly man who grew comfortable with his job and therefore stopped caring about what he said to people, especially me. "My! Peter, what in God's name are you doing?" He asked. "Your face and knuckles? What happened?"

"Thalia here was attacked. We got into a scuffle with her attacker, and won by the way, but she's sort of..." I trailed off.

"Homeless." Corey finished.

"Yeah that. So, I've decided to let her crash here until she gets back on her feet." I stated.

Simon stared at me dumbfounded. "Are you out of your fucking mind?"

"That's what I was thinking." Corey muttered.

"We can't take anyone in at this time? Do you have any idea how brash you're being? We can't trust anyone! Not now! Not when things are so dangerous!"

"Look at her, Simon. She's drunk out of her mind! Do you really think she works for anyone getting herself in this state? She couldn't even walk straight! Let alone do any damage!"

Simon remained quiet for a moment.

"Come on Simon." I begged, well, more like commanded. I gave him a look that would usually make anyone shit their pants, but not Simon. He was used to my violent demeanor. It was kind of annoying to him.

Simon sighed through his nose and stepped aside."Fine. But your mother and brother will probably have your head for this."

I smirked before walking past, mumbling a quick, 'Thank you' to Simon.

"Hey, Si, I don't suppose you have any secrets for removing vomit from a car, do you?" I heard Rhys ask.

We had an extra guest room upstairs. We mostly used it for housing our business guest. Well, Leo used it for that purpose. Ever since dad's death, he took over. He was the oldest son so he got control of the entire business chain. Fiona, the middle child and father's only daughter inherited father's Private Island, named after her: Isle Fiona. She was there now with her current boyfriend doing only God knows what.

As the youngest, I didn't really inherit much, only a couple of cars and houses. Leo, being the ever-chivalrous older brother, decided to give me a cut of the other family business, the more...hidden one. It was more dangerous than father's wall-street business, but it made more money. At first, I wanted nothing to do with it. But it was the family legacy. I either had to join it or be an outcast, neither of which were desired.

I opened the door and turned on the room light, laying Thalia on the bed gently and pulling a small trashcan to her bedside for her to throw up in if she needed it.

Though her red dress was breathtakingly beautiful, it stunk. Like REALLY bad.

I sighed. I thought about going to Fiona's room and finding her something comfortable to wear, but it was late and Fiona's closet was practically a maze. I didn't have the time, or effort to deal with that. So I just opted for getting her something from my own clothes.

I quickly rushed down the hall to grab some sweats and an old graphic tee before rushing back into the guest room where Thalia was sleeping on the bed.

She needed to change. "Hey, Thalia." She sleepily hummed in response.

"I got you some clothes to change into."

She didn't respond.

I sighed and rolled my eyes at her half-assed response. This was pointless. I stood up, realizing that my presence was no longer needed. I'll just call in some maids to help.

As I left, I found myself lingering in the doorway watching Thalia as she slept. Even in her drunken state, she still remained just as beautiful as she did when she was on the dance floor. Her brown hair was sprawled around her face, her honey blonde highlights standing out. Her skin seemed to reflect the moonlight itself, making her practically glow. She looked like a movie star.

I smiled softly. But then it melted. I couldn't get attached. That would mean trouble for both of us. Plus I just met her and she was drunk out of her mind. I closed the door behind me as I left the room. It was better this way.