Chapter 43. Attention Seeking (1)

Vanessa stirred in Andre's arms as he carried her to his room on the top floor. Her fingers clutched weakly at his shirt, and she mumbled his name, her voice barely coherent.

"Stay still," he instructed, setting her down on the bed.

She giggled, her words slurred. "You're so bossy."

Andre sighed, running a hand through his hair. Whatever they had given her was making her loopy. She wouldn't stop squirming, her clumsy attempts to assist herself is only making things worse.

"Williams, lie down," he said firmly.

"But I don't want to," she pouted, her lips forming a stubborn curve.

"Too bad," he muttered, gently pressing her back against the pillows.

For a brief moment, her expression softened. Her gaze locked onto his, filled with such raw vulnerability that it caught him off guard.

"Why are you so mean to me?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Andre froze. He hadn't expected that, but he answered anyway, "I don't know."

"Do