Note before reading: If the scenes feel rushed, that means that the book still needs to be revised after completion. As I said, feedback is highly appreciated if there are mistakes or anything that you want to let the author know. Lovelots! 💕

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Tipsy? No, I couldn't be.

I couldn't help but look at Eli, who was walking right in front of me. Right now,  we had just finished having dinner and I had to pay a huge amount with my card.

I'll take a note to myself to just bring him to another restaurant than a fancy one. Maybe somewhere relatable like Mcdonald's or any fastfood here in New York.

Staring at the way Eli was going, he actually seems like he was trying not to miss a cab or something - considering that he was walking way too fast.

Or maybe I'm slow in walking with these boots. I couldn't tell.

Eli probably noticed that I wasn't beside him so he turned his back to look again in the crowd.

I, on the other hand, decided to lean on one of the buildings as I feel a bit dizzy before sighing.

I wasn't that drunk, that's for sure. Probably a little off but nonetheless, I was fine.

It didn't take long before Eli walked his way over to where I was with his eyebrows furrowed and hands on his hips. "You alright? I told you not to finish those two glasses of wine."

"You finished yours, so I didn't want you to drink the whole thing." He didn't seem to amused to that. I mean, neither was I. It was my first time drinking and I wasn't prepared at all for the strong taste.

"Plus, I wanted to finish mine as well. That wine costs a lot, wouldn't let it be a waste," I answered before I still continued.

"I didn't think it would be such a big deal." A shrug soon followed and I could almost tell Eli was preventing himself not to roll his eyes at me.

"You've never drank wine once in your life, haven't you?"

"Not really. My first time drinking," I honestly replied. "I don't think I'll get the hang of it though. Might be my first and my last swig of wine."

"You seem fine to me, just a bit slow like a turtle," he commented as  I hit his shoulder.

"Of course, I'm fine. A little woozy but fine," I countered before huffing.  "These boots are killing me. I should take them off."

At this rate, I didn't care if people would notice.

When I was about to reach out to take them off, Eli grabbed my arm and stopped me. I could tell that he was preventing me since there were a lot of people staring and walking by.

Eli was protecting me from being judged in a public place, considering that I was also a writer and someone could easily recognize me.

Of course, I tried to pull myself together and waited right beside him. Even if my feet already felt like giving up.

"Not here on the streets. I'll call a cab." I only nodded in return as he decided to stand on the sidewalk before waiting for a taxi to stop for us.

As soon as it did, I didn't hesitate to get in first before Eli did. It took him in surprise but decided not to question me.

Nauseous. Felt like my mind was already drifting to something else. Just the buildings passing by, it almost did me a favor.

I felt feverish but I was able handle myself pretty well until we reached the condominium.

And of course, walking up to the elevator this time was a challenge.

I felt like the place was spinning. Even my boots weren't helping the situation.

Eli had to grab my arm to lead me to the elevator but being stuck inside would be hell. I already know since I could already feel like I wanted to get out before I could even get in.

"No." I pushed myself out of Eli's grasp this time, pulling his hand away. He seems surprised that I've decided to walk off as soon as the elevator doors opened.

I could feel him walking fast to get beside me and so he could grab my arm if I do lose my balance — which was quite gentleman of him. Though, at this point, I just wanted to go back to my unit.

"Cia, the elevator's right there," Eli kept telling me, his fingers pointing back to where we was.

I shook my head, proceeding to walk right toward the stairs and take the steps up. We were on the fourth floor so I could already feel Eli going against what I want.

He noticed me stumbling a bit on the steps and he couldn't help but try to pull me back. "You can't. You'll just lose your balance. Even yet, fall down these stairs."

"Not with those boots, too." Looking at my feet, I then decided to take them off, leaving me with a black socks with a cat design on it.

Eli tried his best to stifle a laugh as I carried it with me upstairs.

Sticking out a tongue, I mocked his remark. "Jokes on you, I'm wearing my socks. I can just walk to my unit like this."

"Damn woman, I swear to God you're full of surprises. And I don't even know if that's a good thing." Eli laughed but he then got worried when I really did go without him.

Nevertheless, I could feel him walking right behind me. I'm guessing it was because of my unstable walking pattern, I could probably fall if I lose my footing.

Since there were a lot of steps and we were just on the third floor, I couldn't help but sit down on the stairs and take a rest. Eli noticed this and nudged me to go on.

"Come on,  just a  few more steps. We're already at the third floor." I shook my head no.

"Do I have to carry you then?" He questioned with his arms crossed.

"Piggyback ride like the movies?" He nodded.

I shook my head. "No thanks. I'm not used to being carried. I can carry you though."

Then, I only giggled as he rolled his eyes. I could see him slightly bending his knees in front of me with his back turned, arms open. "Stand up and just let me carry you."

Dizzy, I just followed his command and decided to let him carry me in a piggyback ride. When we did, I couldn't help but lay my head on his shoulders, the room spinning. And I didn't even feel my hands letting go of my boots.

Right on the middle of the staircase.

I could only hear a loud object falling down in distance and Eli's sigh.

"I'm not getting those boots," Eli said before he continued. "You need to be sober and get it yourself."

"I need my coffee," I commented before shaking my head. "The room is spinning."

"Sounds okay.  But you need water. A good rest also. It's been a long day."