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‘’Okay, but it’s your petrol’’ I teased again, feeling a little nervous now as I trudged my way up the few steps leading to the abandoned apartment building, feeling Hudson’s protective eyes watching me every step of the way.

‘’Okay well, have a great evening’’ I turned and waved at him, which he returned with a polite ushering motion of his hand for me to go inside.

Why are men so stubborn? I groaned, although was naturally touched by his continued good graces of wanting to see me in safely.

I knew full well I didn’t have keys to this apartment, nor did I have an aunt or any other made up relatives that lived here. So with a deep breath, I decided to just brave it and turn the door knob to go inside…

HUDSON POV:

I politely waved Taylor goodbye, satisfied now that she was safe and sound behind closed doors, before turning my car around ready to head on home…great, what’s all this? I thought, noticing up ahead an array of red and blue flashing lights from about three cop cars fast speeding into view, all pulling up to the main entrance of the hotel not too far from where I was.

I could see the concierge staff all quickly heading out and ushering them over, followed by hotel security arm gripping tight what looked to be some flashy socialite who clearly couldn’t handle his alcohol intake.

‘’…I said get off of me! Do you know who I am? Or better yet who my (hiccup!) who my father is?! And I swear, he’ll have ALL your jobs by tommo-blurgh!’’

The poor police officer with his handcuffs at the ready, approached just in time to be viscerally vomited on by the young socialite, whose disloyal entourage which I noticed had followed him out from the hotel, all now quickly dispersed when they saw the cops out front, and began fast making their way to their vehicles ready to flee the scene.

Looked like the commotion was going to be a while, and I myself was now boxed in by cars piling up behind me in wait for whatever was going on to clear so we could all pass.

Now that I was alone again away from company, I figured it was as good a time as any to call Cassandra back.

TAYLOR POV:

Again, what are the odds? I thought, as no one was more stunned than me right now that the abandoned building door had opened. Usually local government boards these places up until a new lease is contracted out. It didn’t take long to realize why, as my eyes scanned the filthy surroundings of what appeared to be a squatter's den, with people shuffling and lazing about everywhere, shooting up and coking up on whatever street drugs they had to feed their habit.

Yep. This shit definitely ain’t for me…I thought doing an instant U-Turn and exiting out the building fast. The petrol fumes of city street air smelled good right now as I stepped out into the open. It was what I was used to, and the environment I was used to handling myself in.

I felt stupid at that moment for missing the comfort of Hudson’s car, and miserable for missing the warmth of his companionship. I knew both were nothing but a temporary encounter, one derived from a sudden fluke incident that had caused our paths to temporarily cross that night. But inside, it was a memory I would forever treasure and hold dear to my heart.

I wiped the silly tear which had fallen from my eye, before adjusting my rucksack ready to head on over to the quiet alleyway I planned on sleeping in that night. As I neared, I noticed what looked to be some sort of commotion up ahead, some drunk guy was getting arrested out front of The Charlotte Hotel, with cop cars and hotel staff all standing around surveying the scene. Great for me, as with all staff pre-occupied it was easier now to slip by unnoticed, and hopefully still grab myself some food from out the dumpster shoot.

With a swift left turn, I in no time was filling my plastic bag with leftovers from that day’s special of beef bourgeoned pie, and greasy roasted potatoes. I was so fucking hungry that my rumbling stomach demanded I just stand there and stuff my mouth full with what extra food I could, before feeling it suddenly tighten and knot when someone said…

‘’Taylor? Is that you?’’

With semi-cold beef sauce still dripping down my lips and onto my clothing, I turned with eyes wide to see the stunned face of Hudson Avery staring down at me…

CHAPTER 7

HUDSON POV:

It was no secret I lived a privileged life. I’d traveled the world and seen almost everything in it. But nothing ever prepares or reminds you of that privilege, like that of witnessing the dis-privilege of others. And it was there down a darkened side alleyway, as I stood staring across at Taylor rummaging food waste from out a filthy dumpster, did I suddenly place my finger on the missing puzzle piece…

‘’Are you…are you homeless?’’ I asked taking a small step toward her.

‘’Please just go away and leave me alone!’’ she cried, instantly slamming shut the dumpster lid and running down the alley to get away from me.

I swiftly caught up to her in no time, and with her frantic arms pushing to get away, I managed to hold her in my grip while looking down very concerned at her face ‘’are you?’’ I asked again, feeling inside me something I hadn’t felt in forever…heartbreak.

‘’Please Hudson, just let me go’’ she cried, but I ignored her protest and held onto her still ‘’and how did you even find me? I thought you left’’ she sobbed with tears streaming down her face now.

‘’I did. Or I was trying to. But something was going on by the hotel out front and I couldn’t pass my car around, so I had to just sit there and wait. That’s when I saw you hurdling by heading down this alleyway. I tried calling out to you but you must not have heard me. I guess I was surprised to see you out again instead of safely inside with your aunt’’ I told her.

‘’I don’t have an aunt’’ she said quietly, and I gently relaxed my grip on her arm before tilting her chin up to look at me ‘’ why didn’t you tell me?’’ I asked softly.

‘’What, and embarrass myself further? Yeah, no thanks’’ she said wiping her face with the sleeve of her hoodie ‘’look just go alright, this night has been awful enough’’ she sobbed.

‘’It’s been a pretty weird night for me too…but I can’t do that Taylor. I can’t leave you out here like this’’