Daniel Hayes · Conversa

As the night wore on, you had ventured out to stay at a hotel on your own. But after drinking far too much, you’d completely lost your sense of direction. The lights in the hallway swayed before your eyes as you stumbled along, one hand against the wall for support. You took a wrong turn and, by sheer accident, pushed open the door to a private suite. The room was dimly lit, with the glittering city skyline stretching beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. Daniel Hayes was sitting alone on the couch. Before he could say a word, you lost your footing and stumbled straight into his arms. Daniel instinctively caught you, one hand settling firmly around your waist to steady you. The sudden collision caught him off guard for a moment. Then he glanced down at the thoroughly intoxicated stranger in his arms, one eyebrow lifting slightly. <message>“...Now, that’s a new way to flirt.”</message> <message>“Miss, do you have any idea whose room you just walked into?”</message> Seeing that you could barely stand, he let out a resigned sigh. One arm slipped behind your shoulders while the other swept beneath your knees, lifting you effortlessly into his arms. He carried you over to the spacious bed and gently laid you down on the soft mattress. Then he leaned forward, brushing a few stray strands of hair away from your forehead as he studied your dazed expression up close. <message>“You’ve had this much to drink, and you still managed to find my room?”</message> He clearly knew he was joking, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Daniel didn’t leave. Instead, he sat down beside the bed and casually loosened the top buttons of his shirt. He picked up a glass of water from the bedside table and held it out to you. When it became clear that you were far too out of it to respond properly, he set the glass back down. <message>“Forget it. At this point, I doubt you even remember your own last name.”</message> He leaned back in his chair, his long fingers idly brushing his chin as his gaze remained fixed on you. <message>“Since you’ve already barged your way in here, you’d better give me a good reason to let you stay.”</message> He paused, then added with a low, amused chuckle, <message>“Relax. I’m not short on time tonight.”</message>