66
New York, Mia
Amidst the chaos, I could hear distant voices. They seemed to be calling out my name, a faint murmur in the background. For some reason, I couldn’t seem to open my eyes, as if I were trapped in a state of half-consciousness. Panic began to well up within me. What was happening? Why couldn’t I wake up fully?
The voices persisted, growing slightly louder, but they remained muffled, as though they were separated from me by some insurmountable barrier. I strained to make out the words, and they did indeed sound like my name being called. It was a disorienting experience, as if I were caught in some surreal dream.
Then, suddenly, I felt it-a cold splash of water on my face. It was like a shock to my system, and my eyes snapped open. The world around me swirled in a blurry haze, and I struggled to make sense of what was happening.
As my vision slowly cleared, I realized that people were standing around me. Through the confusion and dizziness, I recognized Sebastian, his concerned face hovering over me. His strong hands supported my head, and I felt a sense of grounding and security in his presence.
“Mia… oh God, you’re awake, baby,” he said, his voice filled with relief and worry. It was a stark contrast to the anger and violence I had witnessed earlier.
Confusion gnawed at me. “What happened?” I asked, my voice quivering with uncertainty. My memory was fragmented, and I needed answers.
Sebastian scoffed, a mix of frustration and anger in his tone. “Your father happened,” he replied, his eyes reflecting his disdain for the man who had caused this chaos.
With great effort, I attempted to sit up, but my head still spun, and I was forced to lie back down. “Careful, baby,” Sebastian cautioned, his hand gently pressing against my shoulder to keep me still.
The question that weighed heavily on my mind finally escaped my lips. “Where is he?” I asked, my words coming out groggily, like a fog slowly lifting.
Sebastian’s eyes met mine, his gaze filled with a mix of determination and reassurance. “He’s at the police station. He’s getting locked up for public harassment,” he explained, and I could hear the satisfaction in his voice. “You’re safe now.”
As the fog in my mind began to dissipate, I realized that the entire cafe had fallen into an eerie silence, the other patrons casting curious and concerned glances in my direction. The sudden and violent interruption of their morning had left them shocked, and my presence on the floor seemed to captivate their attention.
Sensing that I had become the center of attention, I felt a growing unease. I wanted nothing more than to leave this place and escape the judgmental gazes. “Can we go?” I asked Sebastian, my voice wavering with discomfort.
Without hesitation, Sebastian nodded. “Let’s go,” he said, his protective instincts kicking in. He helped me to my feet, and I leaned against him for support as we made our way towards the exit, leaving behind the unsettling silence of the cafe.
The car ride was mostly silent as we made our way through the city. I sat in my seat, lost in my thoughts, still reeling from the unexpected encounter with my father. Sebastian, his concern evident, broke the silence.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice filled with worry.
I nodded slowly, the pain from the slap on my cheek having dulled somewhat. “It doesn’t hurt as much now,” I admitted, my voice still tinged with discomfort.
Sebastian’s eyes remained focused on the road, but I could sense his presence, his unwavering support. “Do you want to get ice cream?” he asked, the suggestion offering a sweet distraction from the day’s turmoil.Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.
The idea of ice cream sounded comforting, a simple pleasure in the midst of chaos. “Yes,” I replied, my voice carrying a hint of gratitude, and Sebastian veered towards a nearby ice cream shop.
We stepped out of the car and made our way inside the quaint little shop. The aroma of freshly churned ice cream enveloped us, and for a brief moment, I could forget the turmoil that had transpired earlier.
“What’s your favorite flavor?” Sebastian inquired as we approached the counter.
“Pistachio,” I replied, smiling at the thought of the nutty, green-hued treat.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, humor dancing in his eyes. “Yours?”
“Vanilla,” he said, offering a sheepish smile. “I know, it’s pretty basic.”
I couldn’t help but tease him. “Sorry, Mr. Vanilla,” I said, rolling my eyes playfully.
He chuckled, his laughter infectious. “Alright, Ms. Pistachio, let’s get our ice cream.”
We left the shop, each with our chosen flavors in hand, ready to enjoy a moment of simple indulgence. But as we stepped out, the serenity was shattered by the blinding flashes of cameras. The paparazzi had found us.
Their voices bombarded us from all sides, a relentless onslaught of questions and accusations. I felt a sudden, overwhelming pressure, and my brain seemed to lag as it tried to process it all.
Sebastian, acting quickly, grabbed me by the upper arm and guided me towards the car. It was a grounding touch, a lifeline in the chaos. With a sense of urgency, he helped me into the vehicle, and we sped away from the crowd of reporters, leaving behind the intrusive paparazzi.
“Stupid paparazzi,” Sebastian muttered under his breath, his frustration evident. He checked the time, and his expression grew serious. “I have to get back to LA now,” he said, glancing at me.
I felt a pang of disappointment, realizing that our day together had been abruptly cut short by the intrusion of the paparazzi. “Can I drop you home?” he asked, his eyes holding a mixture of concern and regret. “I’m sorry for how today turned out.”
I shook my head, offering a reassuring smile. “It’s alright. None of this was your fault,” I replied, my voice filled with understanding.
Arriving home after the chaotic day, I felt a mix of emotions. Sebastian walked me to the door, his eyes filled with concern and regret. I knew he had to leave for Los Angeles, but his parting kiss was filled with tenderness and promise. It was a silent reassurance that, despite the tumultuous events of the day, we would face whatever challenges came our way together.
As he pulled away, I smiled at him, grateful for his unwavering support. “Take care,” he said, his voice filled with affection. With that, he turned and walked back to his car, leaving me standing at the door, a mix of emotions swirling inside.
Stepping into the living room, I was met by Bella’s worried expression. She rushed up to me, her eyes wide with concern. “Oh my God, are you alright?” she asked, her voice brimming with anxiety.
I was taken aback by her question. I hadn’t had the chance to tell her about the day’s events, so she couldn’t possibly know what had transpired. “Yes, why?” I replied, curiosity edging into my voice.
Bella pulled out her tablet and swiftly turned the screen toward me. In big, bold letters, the headline caught my eye: “MIA ANDERSON THORNTON SLAPPED BY HER FATHER!” It was all over the gossip channels, the details of the encounter laid bare for the world to see.
My heart sank as I read the headline. The paparazzi had been relentless in their pursuit of the story, and they had managed to turn the events of the day into a sensationalized spectacle. My personal pain and family turmoil were now fodder for public consumption, a harsh reminder of the invasive nature of the media.
Bella’s eyes were filled with sympathy as she watched my reaction. “I’m so sorry, Mia,” she said, her voice gentle and reassuring. “I didn’t know they’d make it such a big deal.”
I shook my head, a sense of helplessness washing over me. “It’s not your fault,” I replied, my voice heavy with resignation. I couldn’t blame Bella for something that was beyond our control.
As I sat down on the couch, Bella joined me, offering a comforting presence. “How are you feeling?” she asked, her concern evident.
I sighed, the weight of the day’s events pressing down on me. “Confused, angry, and humiliated,” I admitted, my voice quivering with emotion. “But I also feel lucky to have people like you and Sebastian in my life.”
Bella smiled warmly, offering a reassuring squeeze of my hand. “We’re here for you, Mia. No matter what.”