"Morning After"
Part 8
I groggily opened my eyes, my head pounding and my mouth dry. I was disoriented, but as I looked around, I realized I was in Matt's apartment. I was lying in his bed, wearing his pajamas. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the pillow. Matt was sitting in a chair beside the bed, his eyes fixed on me. He looked tired, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. "Morning," he said, his voice low and smooth. I tried to speak, but my voice came out in a croak. Matt handed me a glass of water, and I took a sip, feeling it soothe my parched throat. "Why...why did I sleep here?" I asked, trying to remember the events of the previous night. Matt's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "You were drunk," he said. "You couldn't walk, and I didn't think it was a good idea to leave you alone." I looked at him, trying to process my feelings. I was attracted to Matt, I knew that. But he was a lawyer, and I was a Stark. Our worlds were different, and our families would never approve of us being together. As I looked at Matt, I saw that he was watching me, his eyes intense. I knew that he felt it too, this attraction between us. But we both knew it was impossible. "Matt?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah?" he replied, his eyes locked on mine. "I...I don't know what to say," I said, feeling a mix of emotions. Matt's face softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair out of my face. "You don't have to say anything," he said. "Just rest." As I lay there, I couldn't help but feel a sense of jealousy. Who was Matt with? Who was he dating? I didn't know, but the thought of him with someone else made my stomach twist with anxiety. Matt seemed to sense my unease, and his eyes locked on mine. "Celine?" he said, his voice low. "Yeah?" I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I...I don't see anyone else right now," he said, his eyes intense. "Just you." I felt a spark of hope, but it was quickly extinguished by the sound of the door knocking. Matt got up to answer it, and I heard the voice of Karen, his paralegal. "Matt, I brought some files for you to review," she said. Matt's voice was apologetic. "I'm sorry, Karen. Can it wait? I'm...I'm busy." Karen's voice was cheerful. "Of course, Matt. I just wanted to drop these off. Oh, and by the way, I made some breakfast for you. I thought you might be hungry." Matt's eyes met mine, and I saw a flash of amusement there. "Actually, Karen, I think I'll take you up on that offer. But I have a guest. Celine Stark is staying with me." There was a pause, and then Karen's voice said, "Oh, hi Celine. I'll bring the breakfast in." Matt hung up the phone and turned to me, a smile on his face. "Breakfast," he said. "And company." As he walked back to the bed, I saw that he was carrying a tray with pancakes, eggs, and coffee. My stomach growled with hunger, and Matt laughed. "I think someone's hungry," he said, setting the tray down on my lap. I took a bite of the pancake, and it was heavenly. Matt sat down beside me, watching me eat, a look of contentment on his face. As we ate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What was happening between us? And what would happen next?