Ensnared Hearts

Selene connor's phone rang and she answered on the third ring. Her father's stern voice was on the other end.

" Selene, I've called you several times, where are you?" He asked, his tone calm but firm.

" I'm sorry dad, I didn't notice my phone ringing, I'm out celebrating with my friends, Annie and the twins". Selene shouted into the phone, trying to be heard over the blaring music from the club.

" Young lady, you're not the first high school graduate, so do whatever you need to do quick and return back to your hotel. It's late and I want you home before noon tomorrow. You know it is an important day for me . Jacob would pick you, so be ready in time" her father said sternly.

"Yes sir" selene replied quietly, her words trailing off as her father hung up the phone.

"Cheers to being college freshmen soon! Annie, Selene's best friend screamed as she raised her glass in a toast, the alcohol splashing slightly as she gestured enthusiastically. With joyful shouts, the four friends clinked their glasses together in a cheerful toast, the sound of glass on glass ringing out as they celebrated.

As Selene sipped on her fifth glass, she glanced over her shoulder and noticed a strange man in a black hoodie, sitting alone, a bottle of vodka in front of him. She had first seen him when he arrived with another man, who later left with a woman from the club. The stranger looked familiar, Selene thought. She stumble slightly as she got up and made her way to the stranger's table, then collapsed into the chair opposite him with a tipsy giggle.

"You went to my school, right? But I don't remember ever meeting you...how is that possible?" Selene asked slurring her words, her voice laced with a hint alcohol.

Caleb Simeon gaze was transfixed on the young woman sitting across from him, her beauty captivating despite her obvious intoxication. Her green eyes sparkled like stars on a clear night, her blonde hair framing her oval face with grace, her lips pursed like a pouting child, added to her allure and her porcelain skin seemed almost otherworldly. Though she seemed on the verge of passing out.

Caleb found himself unable to look away, his fascination with her beauty momentarily overriding his concern for who she might be. He noticed she bore a uncanny resemblance to his late girlfriend Lisa who had tragically passed away a year ago.

Selene let out a loud burp, jolting Caleb back to reality.

"Uhm, no... I mean, we haven't met before" Caleb stuttered.

"Awwn ....I thought we had", Selene whined, her voice dripping with disappointment as she let head fall onto the table with a soft thud.

Caleb's eyes widened in disbelief as her head hit the table. He glanced over at her friends, who were equally wasted, their heads also resting on the table, their bodies limp and motionless, completely passed out.

Suddenly, Selene jolted upright, her body lurching forward and her eyes a bit opened.

" Please.... take me to my room" she slurred, her voice barely above a whisper, flinging her hand bag towards Caleb with a limp arm.

"What!? I don't even know you!"

"Please" Selene can begged

"No, go back to your friends!"

"Please, my father would kill me, if he gets to know I slept in a club" she begged again, her voice in whisper.

Caleb's expression softened as he looked at Selene, his eyes filled with pity and understanding. Despite her drunken state, he saw a vibrant and youthful energy in her a teenager who just wanted to let loose and have fun.

"So, what would happen to your friends?" Caleb asked as he gestured towards Selene's friends.

"Annie's uncle owns this place, so they're safe"

"That's good".

Caleb stood up and walked over to Selene offering her his hand to help her up. As she struggled to stand, her legs wobbled beneath her and she stumbled. Instinctively, Caleb wrapped his arm around her waist, supporting her weight and together they made their way out of the club, Selene leaning heavily on him for balance.

"Where do you stay?" He asked.

"Queens hotel, room 225, it's around the corner ", Selene mumbled, " my key card is in my bag", she added, her hand vaguely gesturing towards her purse which Caleb had slung over his neck. As they approached the hotel, Caleb quickly spotted the entrance and he glanced at Selene, her eyelids drooping, her body relaxed in his embrace. For a fleeting moment, he was tempted to lift her into his arms and carry her inside, but he restrained himself opting to carefully guide her towards the door, his arm still wrapped securely around her waist.

Selene stumbled slightly as she leaned heavily on the stranger, her grip on his arm tightened as she struggled to stay upright. She couldn't help but notice the enticing scent of his cologne, a subtle blend of spice and leather that filled her nostrils. She couldn't bear to think of what might have happened if he hadn't agreed to help her.

As Caleb swipe the key card and pushed open the door, he helped her inside and guided her to the bed, his supportive grasp never wavering. The soft click of the door closing behind them was followed by the gentle rustle of her settling into the blanket. He was struck by the warm lightening and immaculate condition of the room, impressed by how tidy and well maintained it was. Just as he turned to leave, Selene's fingers tightened around his arm

"Please don't go yet", she pleaded", her voice barely above a whisper

"What!?"

Caleb's body responded to her touch, a shiver running down his spine as his heart raced with a intensity he hadn't experienced in a long time. It was a sensation he couldn't ignore, one that no woman had stirred since Lisa's passing. The unexpected spark of attraction left him breathless, his gaze locking onto Selene's as he struggled to process the unfamiliar feeling.

To his own surprise, Caleb glanced at his watch and discovered he still had a few moments to spare, he kicked off his slides and slipped into the bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling your her close.

As their heartbeats synchronize, he felt her softness and delicacy in his embrace. Looking down at the beautiful stranger in his arms, he whispered to himself " what are you doing to me?". The warmth of her presence seemed to awaken a deep longing within him, one he couldn't understand or resist.

Selene slowly raised her head to kiss Caleb, as their lips met, Caleb was initially taken aback, but soon found himself lost in the warmth of her kiss. The sweetness of her lips was like honey, freshly harvested at dawn. But just as the kiss deepens, Caleb abruptly broke away.

" You want to make me do more than kiss you?" Caleb said, his voice low and husky

" Yes, please do it, I'm eighteen now" Selene responded, her voice trembling with anticipation.

"No! And if you keep pushing, I will have to leave" he replied firmly.

Selene noticed the firmness in his voice, accepting his boundaries, she gradually nodded off to sleep, her body relaxing into the warmth of Caleb's chest.

A sudden sharp knock on the door jolted Selene awake, her head pounding from the previous night's excesses. Slowly, she got out of bed, her surrounding blurry and made her way to the door.

" Who's it ? She called out, her voice heavy with fatigue.

"Mr Jacob, miss Selene," the voice on other side replied.

Suddenly the fog of sleep and hangover lifted, Selene's senses snapped back to reality and realized that she was running late. Her father was expecting her for lunch, she knew she had to hurry.

"I'm so sorry Mr Jacob, I'll be ready in just a moment" she said, her voice now clear and urgent.

As she rushed to get ready, her gaze fell upon a paper note and a beaded bracelet lying on her desk, next to her bed. Immediately, memories of the previous night came flooding back and she recalled that she had been alone. She opened the note and it read;

" Dear beautiful stranger,

I hope our paths cross again someday, until then keep this bracelet as a reminder of our brief but beautiful encounter.

All the best,

A fellow stranger.

Selene was unsure of how to react after reading the note, so she tucked the note and bracelet into her bag and went to get ready, pushing her thoughts aside for the moment.

When she got home, Selene saw her father and his two other visitors waiting for her, their expectant faces clear in the light. She quickened her pace and rushed into her father's embrace.

"You're late", he said softly, his tone a gentle reprimand, as he returned her hug.

"I'm so sorry father"

"Meet Karen and Caleb" her father said as he gestured to the other two people sitting at the table.

As Selene turned to look at them, a familiar scent wafted through the air, the same scent she had noticed on the stranger the night before. In a quick moment, her eyes met Caleb's and she was taken aback by the sudden recognition. They stood in stunned silence, their eyes locked in a moment of mutual surprise.