Chapter 6: Opposites Attract

Jude's POV

Needless to say, I was thrown out of the club by the bouncers. Gary came out carrying Natasha, followed by Luke and Gloria.

I took Natasha from Gary and we walked towards the car. He helped me put her inside the car and I put the seat belt on. I shut the door and was leaning against it, holding my head in my hands. I let Nick get to me and that annoyed me the most.

"Jude man that was wicked!" yelled Gary, punching my arm.

I looked at him, shocked.

"What?" asked Gary, "don't tell me you didn't feel good", he grinned.

I smiled slowly, "hell yeah."

Suddenly Gary, Luke and I were laughing like idiots. While Gloria stared at us as if we had lost our minds and went on muttering about boys and their idiocy.

We spoke for some more time and then decided to leave. I got in my car and glanced at Natasha. She looked like a little child while sleeping. She looked carefree and vulnerable. I tucked a strand of her hair behind the ear and saw her smiling in her sleep.

I started my car and got out of the parking lot. It was a pleasant drive home. There was a full moon and hundreds of stars in the sky. We reached home fairly quickly. I parked my car and tried waking Natasha but she was dead to the world. I carried her to the door and punched in my code. I entered the house and kicked the door shut.

I went to my room and laid her gently on my bed. I pulled her shoes off and went to change my clothes. When I came back, I saw Natasha sitting up on the bed and staring about confused. Oh shit, I muttered to myself. I hope she hasn't forgotten where she is.

As I went close to her she looked at me confused, "Jude", she said in a hoarse voice. "how did I get here? Weren't we at the club? And why do I have such an awful headache."

Oh, she's just experiencing a hangover, I said to myself. I didn't think now was a good time to tell her that her drink had been spiked. I just went and took her by the hand to the washroom and gave her another pair of my boxers and a T shirt. I asked her to keep the door unlocked just in case. She didn't even raise her eyebrow at that. Strangely I felt angry at Nick for making her this way.

She was more fun when she negated everything I said. It had been nearly 15 minutes. Should I go inside or not?

"Natasha?" I called out.

"Are you ok?" I asked raising my voice a little.

"Natasha, I hope you are decent! I'm coming in!" I opened the door and there bent over the sink was Natasha.

Well at least she changed into my clothes! I carried her again for the third time tonight and took her back to bed. As I made a move to make the 'wall of cushions' she caught my wrist and said "Stay."

I looked at her and said, 'Natasha you aren't feeling well. You should get some sleep." She shook her head and winced immediately.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Nick's what happened." I replied all my anger returning.

Now that I thought about the punch, I felt satisfaction flooding me again and I smirked.

"Ow" said Natasha clutching her head.

I went to the washroom and took a napkin. I immersed it in cold water and took it out. I pressed the damp cloth on Natasha's forehead.

"mmmmmm that feels good."

She said. I stared at her. If someone would've heard that from outside, they would've wondered what was going on inside, if you get what I’m saying. She looked like she had a terrible headache; she had a frown on her face.

"Go to sleep Natasha, just sleep it off."

"I can't", she replied. "My head is aching way too much."

I wanted to kill Nick, he just had to spoil everything.

"Jude" said Natasha, "is er was um, do you have a history with Stephanie?" I contemplated the answer to her question.

"Yeah. I-I guess I was in love with her."

She looked at me like she was trying to decide something. "I loved my dad too." She said suddenly.

I looked at her, ok, I thought; that was random!

"I was his princess", she said with a wide smile, which made her look slightly crazy.

She's drunk Jude, I told myself, and she's drunk for the first time in her life!

"Life was so wonderful. We had everything, never had to struggle for anything when dad was around."

To my horror I saw tears leaking out from her eyes. Ok, at this point I felt a funny feeling in my chest. I have seen a lot of girls cry before but none of them could cause me to feel their pain.

She looked so vulnerable and tired I just wanted to assure her that I was there for her and everything will be alright. "but since dad died in that accident it’s been downhill from there. First mom had to struggle and now I have to."

I looked at her and felt guilty immediately. This girl had a problem and I had taken advantage of it. I hugged her close and wiped her tears, she smelt of strawberry and cream.

"Don't worry Tasha, I'm gonna take care of you. If you need anything just say it and it will be there for you."

She gave me the most brilliant smile; I swear it illuminated the entire room.

"Wow", she said "this is what it feels to have someone take care of you."

I looked at her shocked, she snuggled into me and buried her head in my chest, then she looked up and said, "tell me about Stephanie."

I froze and thought about it. It was really painful for me but I guess if she could talk about her dad, I could talk about Stephanie too. "We met in my first year of college" I said as I played with Natasha's hair, "She was studying interior designing. I really liked her; I enjoyed her company like no other woman's." I paused and Natasha looked at me.

"At first Nick was a part of our group we all used to hang out together. He was my best friend even closer than Gary, he was like a brother to me. We grew up together."

I took a deep breath, "One day I returned home from my internship earlier than usual. I was not well that day. I entered my room and -" my voice broke a little at this point, "I saw my best friend Nick and the love of my life Stephanie you know doing it." I spat out. Natasha gasped and held me closer.

"I am so sorry", she whispered.

"It’s funny though. I thought that I would only be happy with Stephanie. I mean if I was to marry someone that girl was her. Boy was I wrong. I don't believe in that crap anymore though."

I looked at Natasha and she seemed to be sad.

"Not everyone is the same Jude", she said.

I looked at her and so genuine concern on her face, what I said was true if I had to marry someone it would have been Stephanie but yet I had never seen the tenderness in her face that I saw in Natasha's tonight.

I smiled at her and said, "Well so then began my conquest, one girl after another which alarmed my parents and so they decided to take the matter in their own hands which is the reason why we are where we are right now!"

She giggled and said, "I am glad we met Jude' and yawned. She rested her head on my shoulder and instantly fell asleep.

I stared at her sleeping form and realized that I had grown incredibly fond of Natasha. She sniffled a little in her sleep and then eventually started breathing normally.

I kept thinking of how life must have been for her. I never had to struggle for anything in my life, nor did any of my friends. All of us were from a privileged background. I stared at the cute girl asleep in my arms and after a long time since my breakup with Stephanie I felt anything for a girl.

I kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Goodnight my pretend wife." I kept thinking how we were going to spend the next one year of our life and the next thing I knew I had drifted off to sleep.

Natasha's POV

I woke up the next morning with a slight headache. I tried to move but I couldn't. I tried looking up from the pillow but I couldn't budge an inch. Then I stared at my 'pillow.' Since when was it so hard? And since when did it sprout hair?!! Suddenly last night came back to me distinctly.

The club, Stephanie, Nick, drinks and the fight. Oh God! The fight, I remember passing out after that. The rest was hazy. I remember I spoke to Jude and I guess I fell asleep while talking to him. I looked up and saw that he was fast asleep.

He looked so vulnerable while sleeping and so yummy! Ok Natasha, calm down. That's not gonna happen remember? He's only gonna break your heart and we don't need that complication. I started humming Taio Cruz's break your heart.

"If you fall for me"

"I'm not easy to please"

"Told you from the start"

"I'm only gonna break break your break break your heart."

"Nooooooo" grumbled Jude, his voice still husky from sleep. He tried searching for my mouth with his eyes closed while I playfully dodged and raised my voice up a notch.

He started chuckling and said, "No Steph!" I froze and shut up immediately.

Seriously? I mean its not like I expected him to fall in love with me but was it too much to ask that he at least remembered my name?

I mean I have never spoken to anyone about my dad. After his death, I just stopped discussing him. I thought we had a moment last night and then he does this. Well Natasha, remember the song you were just singing? Remember it as if it is a mantra. I realized that he had stopped moving too and was looking at me with a frown.

"I'm sorry Natasha. I really don't know what I was thinking."

I shrugged, "Hey! Its ok, not like I'm really your wife! Heck I am not even your pretend wife yet!"

He winced and asked, "Are you mad at me?"

"Who me? Pshhh!" I said making a dismissive gesture with my hand.

Ok suddenly we both realized that he had his arms around me. Awkward much? He cleared his throat very subtly- NOT! I sat up and he followed.

"What the hell happened last night?" I asked playing the innocent card.

"Tasha I am so sorry." He said sincerely. I glanced at him and there was remorse all over his face.

"Nick spiked your drink. There was more vodka in it than juice and I guess since you had a hard drink for the first time it went straight to your head."

"That asswipe!" I exclaimed. I had completely forgotten about it! Slowly as if a movie was being played, I remembered Nick coming over and telling me that Jude had sent this drink especially for me.

I couldn't help but feel happy that Jude would think of me especially when he couldn't take his eyes off Stephanie.

Yeah, he thought I hadn't noticed but I had seen how hard he tried not to look at her. There was something different in his eyes when he looked at her but I couldn't quiet name it. I could smell eggs and cheese and instantly my mouth began to water.

I looked at Jude and said, "Lets freshen up I can still smell alcohol." Jude laughed and was kind enough to let me go first. I took a shower n changed into a violet dress which reached just below my knees.

I came out and saw Jude was asleep once more. I crept to his bed slowly just as I was about to yell, he opened his eyes and started tickling me! He totally tricked me! I gasped trying to shout but I could not.

"that will teach you to wake me up to your singing again!" He said.

"Ju Ju Juuuuuuuddddddeeeeee! I am sorry please stop." I said trying to catch my breath.

My stomach really hurt and I couldn't breath! My eyes were watering and I bet my face was red! Suddenly he stopped and I opened my eyes to see that his face was above mine. I was panting, I saw him looking at my lips my heartbeats increased.

Unconsciously I licked my lips and his eyes followed my actions. I saw his eyes darken with desire. I opened my mouth to speak but before I could say anything his lips crashed on mine.

There were fireworks going on in my head! I had never felt this way before. It was kinda scary. Suddenly we heard a throat clearing and hastily broke our kiss. I looked up to see Mrs. Bowers looking at us adoringly.

"Good morning!" said Jude cheerfully.

"Good morning Mr. Jude, I tried knocking when no one answered I feared something may have been wrong! I am sorry I came in."

"That's ok Mrs. Bowers! My wife to be was just waking me up." I looked at him mortified.

I knew my face must be as red as a beetroot by now. Mrs. Bowers just chuckled and went out. I glared at Jude while he just smiled back impishly and went to freshen up. I sighed and went out to eat breakfast.

Jude's POV

I smiled as I showered. Last night had been incredible. I'd come to know Natasha so much better. I frowned as I thought about the phone calls she kept getting. Did she owe someone any money?

Of course, she did! Was it because she didn't have her dad anymore and what did she owe the money for and to whom?

I wish she would tell me but I knew I would have to wait until I find out. She had just begun to trust me.

One thing I knew for sure I was definitely fonder of her than I was first when I had met her. I heard my phone ringing and answered it.

"Yeah?"

"Jude its Gary, I need to tell you something important. It’s about Natasha."