How on earth should I respond to that?

How could he ask just like that?

I didn't even bring my mouth freshener with me. Dammit.

He was silently looking at me and I was swarmed by hundred thoughts. It was not even that complicated for my heart but my head was making it. I had to say something.

'I knew it; I knew it that your heart will flutter after listening to my fantasy. I mean I don't blame your hormones because I am every man's fantasy but still you can't pop question like that.'

His hands were still clutching mine.

'And now look, my lips are little chapped, I didn't even bring my cherry lip balm and moreover I am not expert at kissing but man, you should give me some heads up like, "Scarlett, I am going to kiss you at this moment on this date" so, that I could practice but Nooo, You have to go out of your way and now my heart is beating so fast because of this unexpected question so, what are you going to do about it? I....'

My rant didn't even complete when he suddenly got up, closed the distance between us, and just like that melted his lips with mine.

I stopped, my heart stopped, time stopped, my whole world stopped.

His eyes were closed and I placed my palm on his beating chest. His hands very slowly grabbed my neck and played with my tangles. It was too hot for me to bear but in less than a second, his lips were away from mine.

It was just a beautiful peck but it was so powerful to last me a lifetime.

'Why did you kiss me?' I asked once I regained my lost breath.

'I wanted to. Today, I had to.' Was it his eyes changing colour or my brain was going fuzzy? 'And moreover, you yourself said that there's only one way to shut your rant and look at the brighter side, it worked.' He winked.

Can I die from embarrassment? My joke just backfired on me.

Be strong, Scarlett.

'Good night, Brayden. I hope you have a fantastic night.' I got up to leave. 'And I think you will now.' I muttered the last part.

'Will you stay the night with me? I promise I won't do any hanky panky with you because I fear your pepper spray but please stay.' The way he was holding my hand, he didn't want to let it go and I was holding back my laugh.

Those memories. He remembered everything. Einstein's brain.

'Fine, I will but I need to change so, yeah see you at some time.'

'Sure, I will wait for you.'

'Hold on your excitement Romeo, I am bringing my pepper spray with me.'

'I will still wait.'

And there's no doubt he has gone crazy.

I peacefully lay down on the bed surrounded by softness of a blanket, the comfort of fluffy pillows, and then looked at Brayden who creeped the hell out of me.

'Wipe that silly smile off your face.'

'Sure, madam.' And he didn't.

We were both facing each other, palms under our cheeks. He looked livelier now with his sparkling eyes. I could have conducted the staring contest right then and there but I knew I would lose because my eyes kept on looking at his lips and then I drifted off to sleep with the last thought of his lips on mine and thinking what he even saw in me?

'Someone stop THAT terror.'

I threw my pillow at that and deep-dived more in my blanket like a turtle but it wasn't stopping. The phone ringing still continued.

I was not a morning person and the person on the other side of the phone was about to be murdered. I picked up the phone and answered it.

'You better have a good reason to call me, whoever is calling me.'

'And that's how I sense the criminal activity. Good Morning Ms Scarlett, I am Officer Brock of Mayor Square Area.'

'Look man, I think you have got the wrong number. I don't know anyone named Rock. Good night.' I was unable to comprehend anything in my sleepy state.

'Miss Scarlett wake up otherwise more sections of POMAAC will be charged on you.'

What? POMAAC? That's Officer Brock.

Holy hell.

'Salute sir.' I unraveled myself from the blanket puffed my chest and gave him the salute. 'How can I help you in this bright morning and I am sorry for earlier, I was just rehearsing some dialogue.'

Please buy my lie. Please.

'Yeah, and you got me only to practice it. Well, forget about that. Where's Mr Brayden?'

I looked on his side of the bed which was properly made up. His bag wasn't there either and neither his phone.

Where did he go?

'Ms Scarlett, Brayden is not under 5km radius for the last two hours. We are unable to track him on our radar. Care to tell us where is he before I notify the police station of the Mind Tricka Valley?'

He wasn't bluffing when he said we will be under his eye.

'Sir, he just went out for a walk. You must be knowing this place is good for trekking so, he must have lost on his way but I am sure, he will come back.' A lie was my only option at this moment.

'Careful Ms Scarlett, if he didn't come back under one hour, get ready to receive a knock on your door and cuffs on your hand and you need to come to Tight Screw Ville for further procedures. We will notify you of the date and time. Have a good day.'

He will come back, right?

I quickly went to the reception area to inquire about Brayden and they said he left with his belongings at 8 in the morning. The moment I heard it, I felt something shattered within me. He just couldn't leave me alone, not like that. He wasn't that cruel or was he?

No note and not even a proper goodbye.

I quickly went back to my room and wiped the unwanted tears that kept on coming. I was not to lose hope so quickly therefore, I tried his number for the hundredth time but he didn't pick up and at one point, it just answered that his phone was switched off.

I didn't know what was going to happen. I didn't know whom to contact to know where he went. I didn't know what mistake I committed?

Exactly at 11 am, my door received a thunderous knock. I knew I had not done anything but I was still feeling guilty. Putting a brave front, I hesitantly walked towards my door and after calming my inner battle; I opened it and was met with two bulky officers.

'Morning, Ms Scarlett.' I wished a feeble morning to both of them as they showed me their batches.

'I am Officer Raymond and he is my Assistant Officer Tony.'

Officer Raymond a man in his forties looked to me like a man of no-nonsense. His stern face and intriguing deep eyes frightened me. The way he was looking at me, it felt that I was some insect that he was inspecting under his microscope and Officer Tony, a stout man looked least bit interested. The smell of cigarette was lingering around us and then he just flicked the cigarette bud somewhere as the Imperial Cottage was his father's property.

My fate lies in their hands. Great.

The moment Officer Raymond spoke, I knew even the stones will crack by its bareness. 'So, Ms Scarlett you already know why we came here. You must already be informed by Officer Brock. So, I will simply cut to the chase, where is Mr Luke? We already have a pile of cases on our heads. I can't waste my time on your absurdity.'

'Sir, believe me. We have not done anything wrong and he..' Where are you Brayden? 'he must have gone for a walk. Give me some time. I will bring him back by the end of the day.'

'You can be really smart in your dumb land but Ms Scarlett; I can't afford to lose both of my culprits. You messed up with Tight Screw Ville laws, you should have familiarised yourself where you were going.' I noticed Officer Tony taking out handcuffs. His smile was a winning trophy.

'I am no culprit, officers. Believe me.' But, they didn't because the metal was dangling in my hands and before I could hear the "click sound", I closed my eyes as a lone tear escaped. Never in my million dreams had I imagined myself to be treated as a criminal.

'Scarlett, what's going on here?'

Did I imagine his voice or was he here?

The metal cuffs were still dangling when he appeared in front of us. Officers looked at him and they started talking. I got mute to all the conversation because my eyes couldn't believe that he came, my heart was still weeping but my head was red-hot with rage.

I am going to jail tonight.

'Scarlett, let's get inside. People are looking at us.'

He ushered me inside the room. He kept his bag down and shut the door. His whole aura was so calm as if he bathed himself in the mystical peace water or met Buddha on his way and then he had the nerve to smile at me.

'Did you have a good sleep? I left early because I didn't want to disturb you.'

'YOU have the audacity to ask me about my sleep.' I took one threatening step forward and automatically he stepped back.

'YOU left without telling me anything, I was terrified to my very soul.' I was on my quest to choke him with my bare hands and he was cornering himself.

'I thought that YOU left me and you won't come back.' His back was touching the wall and his eyes went to the door.

'Calm down, Scarlett. I will come back later.' He was about to escape from my interrogation when I caged him. He shrunk further into the wall if that was possible.

'YOU need to answer me now. Start speaking, Brayden.' There was a very small amount of space between us.

I didn't care if this closeness made my whole appearance look like a tigress with its nostrils emitting fire but I was sure to make him feel the wrath of it.

'Firstly, I want to say...' I raised my eyebrow but he gave me a smirk. 'I have never been cornered by a girl before and you look so damn sexy right now caging me in your arms.'

'You are just giving me more reasons to punch you. Don't test me, Brayden.'

'Okay okay, fine. I went out for a walk but I lost my way and I reached somewhere where there was no network and I was unable to receive any phone call. I know, I made you worried but it wasn't my intention and why on earth would I leave you? That doesn't make sense.'

'What doesn't make sense is that why you took your bag for "just walk"?'

'I took it to fill my bag with your favourite blueberries. Yesterday, you were so excited to eat them once we reach Arc but my fever came in our way. So, I didn't want to ruin this journey for you. It's as simple as that.'

'Is it the truth?'

One by one he lowered my hands and then cupped my face. 'I don't have any reason that would make me leave you. This is the whole truth.' And then he crossed his arms on his chest. 'And you can check the bag. Blueberries are waiting for you.'

I was in such a dilemma, comprehending what just happened in the past few hours that I didn't move and got rooted in my place. He only gave the heavy bag to me and nudged me to open it.

'And I also received a text from Miranda, the CC Celebration will be happening after a week and she has invited both of us. So, you will come with me, right?

What other choice do I have?

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Hey Family,

Pheww, so much happened in just a few moments. Who all thought that Brayden actually left or any reason that came to your mind why he left?

Did anyone of you cage/corner someone in your life?😁🤭

Let me know your thoughts in comment section *I always feel like a Youtuber when I write this*😂

Please don't forget to vote and share this rollercoaster journey with your friends.

Happy Reading❤❤