Song: Earned It by The Weeknd

"Cause girl you're perfect. You're always worth it. And you deserved it. The way you work it."

We were in a moving car, and I could make out Chicago's city lights passing by.

I could barely keep my eyes open. I was exhausted - most likely from all of the shots I took. My cheeks were flushed, and my head was spinning. Never had I felt this way before in my life. This feeling was something I was indifferent about - I didn't know what to make of it. But I didn't mind it. It made me forget about everything that has happened - even if it was only for a moment.

I felt the warmth radiating from Henry's chest on my cheek. I could hear the steady beating of his heart drumming into my right ear.

Henry held me as I helplessly sat on his lap like a doll in the backseat, my legs stretching out across the leather. One of his arms steadied my back as the other clung around to my hip. His chin gently rested on my head, and every once in a while, I swear I felt him press his lips against my hair.

The way he held me - it confused me even more. I didn't know why.

"Ally..." Henry said as his finger brushed a piece of my hair behind my ear.

"Hmmm?" I hummed with a dazed mind - I could barely concentrate.

"Can I tell you something?" he continued.

I let out a tired sigh. "You ... can ... tell me ... anything... anything..."

"You know I say things I don't mean. And if I tell you to leave," Henry paused, and pulled me tighter against him, "well... if I ever do, please don't leave ... I need you the most. I want you to know that."

I nodded with closed eyes against his chest, indicating to Henry I understood - at least that was what I thought Henry said. I didn't know if it was a dream, but it felt real.

I felt him place a soft kiss at the top of my forehead before I finally fell asleep.

...

When I woke, the room was unlit. Where was I? What time was it? I slowly sat up and noticed I was in Henry's bed. The dark shades blocked the sun from coming into the room.

I scanned the room. How did I end up here? What happened last night? Why is his bedroom decorated with such dark colors? I really wanted to do something about it.

Before I could think any further, a dull, throbbing pain pounded at my temples.

I noticed my clothes were different from last night's. I was in a light pink silk pajama set, one that was too liberal to my liking.

As I tried to recall changing, Henry walked into the room from the closet. "How are you feeling?"

I quickly snatched the duvet to cover me. "What happened last night?"

"You happened."

"Me? What are you talking about?" I asked him.

"You got drunk so I carried you out of the bar."

"I got drunk because of you."

"You're the one who wanted to drink in the first place, remember?"

I glared at him, unsure of how to respond back. It was true what Henry said - it was me. "Fine, it was my fault." I stood up to from the bed and began walking towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Henry asked.

"I'm not going anywhere. I just need to shower and change."

"Your clothes are already in here," Henry pointed to his closet. "You don't need to go back to your old room anymore."

"Okay." I started towards the closet until Henry stepped in front of me, stopping me going any further. His chest was right in front of me, and I fought the urge to remember how comfortable it was last night to lay on it. "Henry, I need to shower. Please move aside."

Henry didn't say anything. As I met his eyes, he took a step forward, and I instinctively stepped back.

"Henry, what you are doing?" I asked. I noticed my breathing growing heavier as each step brought us closer to his bed.

Before I knew it, the back of my legs hit the edge of the bed, causing me to fall onto the mattress. Henry slowly hovered himself over me, and I felt myself falling backwards. I fought the urge to avert my eyes as that was something I would usually do. I needed to challenge him, and it didn't help that my heart was beating crazily. I felt all my defenses collapsing with each second.

I felt his steady gaze on me, keeping our eyes locked. I wanted to look away from his allure...

But I didn't. I couldn't. Finally, I felt the mattress on my back, and I knew I had to make a decision quickly.

Henry's right hand slowly lingered over the top button of my shirt. With ease, he undid the first button and then the next. I was dying to catch my breath, to catch any last sense of rational thought I had left to stop him.

He pulled away my shirt to the side, revealing my bra to him. Almost at once, he leaned down and kissed my shoulder, leaving a trail of kisses along my collar bone.

"Henry," I breathlessly said as his hypnotizing lips traveled up my neck.

He kept silent and lifted his head to look at me. His eyes flickered to my lips for a moment then back at me. I remained motionless, speechless and that was enough consent for him to lean in.

I closed my eyes, anticipating his lips just as knocks came at the door.

"Henry, are you up?" Nana called. "I made breakfast."

Henry stood up from the bed and looked at me with disappointment across his face.

"Yes, Nana," Henry replied. "I'll be down shortly."

He turned to me. "Why don't you shower? I'll be downstairs."

I nodded, sitting up from the bed and then fixing my shirt to cover myself. "Does Nana know I'm here?" I asked, as Henry reached for the doorknob.

He stopped and turned around. "No, she doesn't. I thought you would want to tell her. She'll be very happy to know you came home."

Home ... Was this really home? Maybe to Henry... but for me, I was still trying figure out that part. Would I ever feel at home in this house?

I stared at myself in the mirror, grazing over the places where Henry kissed me earlier. I shook my head, forcing the memory of his touch out of my system. Don't feel that way...You can't let him get to your head.

One day had only gone by and I almost failed already, giving into my emotions.

I grabbed my phone from the night stand and went into the closet. My things were organized nicely on the shelves and hangers.

While selecting my outfit, I decided to text Adam. It had been a while since I saw him, and Lily was still out of the country. I wonder how she was doing on her trip.

Are you free today? I texted Adam.

After showering and dressing up, I went downstairs to find Nana. I found her in the kitchen, as always, busy cooking away something delicious.

I walked behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist, placing my chin on her feeble shoulder.

"Oh! Dear Ally! You came home," she exclaimed. She turned around to examine me up and down. "I can't believe you are here! Henry didn't mum a word to me that you were here."

"He wanted it to be a surprise," I said, smiling at her. Seeing Nana made me happy.

"And you cut your hair. I love it!"

"Thank you. I needed a new look."

"Anything would suit you, Ally." Nana placed a hand on my cheek. "I missed that beautiful smile so much." I could see the emotions welling into happy tears as she pulled me into another hug. "I'm so happy."

"Thank you for forgiving me, Nana," I said. I wanted to start over with Nana on faithful terms and I wasn't going to lie to her again from now.

This woman has taught me so much, shown me so much selfless love and dedication. I couldn't let her down again.

"Henry and I had a long talk about it," Nana said as she guided me over to the dining table. "And I know asking you to forgive him isn't as easy ... but people can always start over, right?" Nana grabbed my hands with pleading eyes. "You're the one. I know it might not seem like that, but it's in his eyes. I know he only thinks of you."

I nodded my head, understanding Nana's words.

"Come on, enough talk. You must be hungry," Nana said, putting an arm around me as we reached the dining room where Henry was already sitting.

After breakfast, I went upstairs to grab my purse. It took me ten minutes to find it when I realized I must have left in Henry's bedroom. I didn't tell Henry where I planned on going this afternoon since he probably wouldn't allow me, but I was not going to let that stop me. I couldn't stay around and do nothing all day.

As I exited, Henry walked in unexpectedly through the door. "Where are you going, honey?"

Honey? I dismissed the new pet name.

"I'm going shopping with the money you gave me."

"I'll come with you."

"No, that won't be necessary," I countered.

"Then I'll have Larry drive you."

"He'll get bored. Anyways, I already texted Adam. He's coming with me so I won't be alone." I walked away from him towards the door.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

I turned around to face him, a little agitated. "What?"

"It's a Sunday. The bank's not open."

Dang it, how could I have forgotten that? Now I wouldn't be able to cash the darn check. With a defeated frown, I thought of what I was going to have to do instead.

"Here," Henry said. He grabbed his wallet and took out a navy, blue card.

"What's that?"

"Your credit card. Spend it however you wish."

I watched him suspiciously for signs of mockery, but his expression never faltered. I padded over to Henry and reached for the card in his hand. Just as I did, he swiftly pulled it from my reach.

I lightly scoffed, in disbelief that I read him wrong. He was playing with me. I wasn't going to let that get to my head. To get what I want, I had to be smart. I had to play on his terms - something I picked up being around Henry and the other people around him.

I stepped right in front on him and threw my arms around his shoulders, pulling him down towards me. I closed my eyes the moment my lips melded onto his. Henry didn't waste a second to fight me as his lips surrendered, maneuvering them diligently on mine. His free arm wounded around my lower back, pressing our bodies against one another. His hand tightened on my hips, his fingers digging into my skin.

As he deepened the kiss, I slowly cascaded my hand along his arm. Upon reaching his hand, I carefully grabbed the card from his fingers. Immediately, I pulled away from him. Our quiet, panting breaths filled the air. I can't believe I just did that. Neither can Henry. He chuckled as he pinched his lightly swollen lips, amused with my actions.

"Bold move, honey," Henry smirked.

"Thank you for the card," I showed off the prize in my fingers.

"I should tease you more often."

"There's something else I want."

"There's a price to pay," he countered, but I wasn't pleased. "I'm only teasing you. What is it?"

We walked out towards an area of the house I had never been to before. Once the lights turned on, I shouldn't have been so surprised by what was in front of me.

There were about twenty cars parked perfectly alongside one another against the wall.

"Take your pick. The floor is yours, honey," Henry said, noting my awed expression.

I toured Henry's collection of luxury vehicles, sauntering from one car to the next. There were so many choices, my heart fluttered a little. Henry was really letting me drive one of these?

I walked pass the black Ferrari, brushing my fingertips along its cool metal surface. Next to it was a metallic grey Lamborghini and over, a shiny blood red Porsche. I think I found the one.