Chapter 33

Chandra woke up the next day to the greeting of bright, glaring daylight. She sat up, and instantly, dizziness enveloped her. She gritted her teeth and realized she had a splitting headache.

"Shit!" she muttered under her breath, knowing she'd have to hurry up and take a pain killer; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to function properly throughout the day.

She shifted her body, and pain erupted from her ankle. That was when what had happened last night rushed back to her in full force.

Her heart raced the moment she remembered Sam Harrington, the kiss in the club, and him with her in the elevator and in the office on the fortieth floor, which she now assumed was his.

"Oh my God!" she murmured, a full blush creeping across her cheeks. She couldn't believe it. Just couldn't believe those things really had happened last night, that she kissed Sam Harrington, that he helped her with her sprained ankle.

Slowly, she moved her legs up, being careful with the ankle. She tugged her knees under her chin and hugged herself tight.

"Sam Harrington," she whispered. "Lilly's father. A billionaire elite. With a wife and child." She sighed. "You're sick, Chan," she said to herself. "Very sick in the head."

Yes, she'd better stop herself from getting any more involved—both emotionally and physically—with Mr. Sam Harrington, the billionaire elite. She had to do it pronto if she wanted to be sane, if she didn't want to hurt herself, if she didn't want to destroy someone else's marriage, someone else's family.

Sticking to single, available men was what she should do. Not pining for someone who was already taken.

Single. Available. Men.

It was then she remembered she had a date with Jeremy White this evening.

Panic seized her, and she hastily reached out for her cell phone. She quickly searched for Jeremy in her contact list and then rang him.

She waited impatiently for Jeremy to pick up. Please pick up, Jeremy, she prayed.

"Chan?" Jeremy's voice came through. "What's up?"

"Hi, Jeremy," she said. She knew her tone was apologetic, and she wondered why. After all, it couldn't be helped that she wouldn't be able to make it to their dinner date tonight.

"Sorry, is this not a good time?"

Jeremy chuckled. "Nope."

"Sorry," she said.

He laughed. "No. What I mean is it is a good time. It's fine. I'm just hanging out with some friends at the moment."

"Oh, right. Um… Jeremy, I just wanted to tell you I can't make it to dinner this evening."

There was a short pause, then Jeremy said, "Oh? I see. Is everything all right?"

Chan thought he sounded a little upset. Well, what could she do? Her ankle was sprained, for God's sake.

"I've gone and sprained my ankle. I can't walk at all properly."

"What? Are you okay?" he asked. "When did it happen?"

"Last night. I was with my friends, and… Anyway, sorry about dinner."

He chuckled. "Don't worry about it. We'll rearrange the date. Hmm… How about Thursday night? Surely your ankle will be better by then. That's if it's not broken or anything."

"I'm going to get it checked tomorrow. I sure hope not." She laughed.

"Actually, how about I come around this evening? Is that okay with you? I want to make sure you're all right."

Chan shook her head. "No, Jeremy. I'm fine. I don't want to bother you. Please, I'm—"

"No, Chan. I'm coming no matter what you say."

She sighed. There was no stopping him. "All right, then. But if you're sniffing for a free dinner, you better negotiate with my sisters."

He laughed. "Hmm… I think I will. I promise to bring a plate."

She laughed. "Sure. I guess I'll see you this evening?"

"Bye," she said and then hung up. "Well, that's sorted, then." She set the phone back on her bedside table and then carefully got out of bed. Just as she was doing that, her tummy growled.

"Food," she said. "I need food." When the rush of pain overwhelmed both her head as well as her ankle, she muttered, "And some aspirin."

Still in her flimsy tank top and sleeping shorts, not to mention her long hair in a tangled mess, she headed downstairs. More accurately, she limped down the stairs, her hands held tight to the wooden rail. She felt like she was some old granny trying to make her way below. It was slow progress, and once she landed on the first floor of the apartment, she smiled with glee. She'd think about heading back upstairs later. Now she was happy she was able to make it without anyone's help. Of course, last night had been a chore of its own just going up the stairs with both her sisters' help.

She limped along the corridor toward the living room as she called out to her sisters.

"Dara? Soriya?" she beckoned softly. "Are you guys around?" When there was only dead silence, she sighed. Surely, they must be up by now. It was past ten in the morning.

Damn, her headache was getting worse. She was sure she hadn't drunk any alcohol last night, so it wasn't a hangover. Maybe she was dehydrated. Or perhaps it had been the way she'd slept last night.

Rubbing her temple with her fingers, she rounded the corner and walked through the door that'd lead her into the living area.

"My head and my ankle are killing me," she said softly as she limped in the direction of the kitchen.

"Want some help?" A manly voice came her way.