It was time for Halloween and Amira's boyfriend, Gregory hosted a costume party and invited the crew and Khalil. Gregory is a well-to-do lawyer working in one of the most prestigious law firms in the county. There were going to be well-to-do men at the party as well and Izzy was counting on that. Izzy, unlike most girls, wanted to marry mostly for money. She has always said that she wants to be a housewife with a rich husband. We didn't share or understand her opinion on marriage but we didn't judge her either.
I decided to dress up as Rebekah, my favourite female character in the originals and Amira dressed up as Hayley. She first started to like her after knowing she was adopted and she loved how she went from being a selfish lone wolf to a badass alpha of the crescent wolf pack.
I was wearing a blonde wig I got purposely for the costume party with black jeans, a red tank up and a black leather jacket with a tiny necklace. I did not cover my head because technically the wig is a fake. Khalil on the other hand could not come because of his unfinished assignment. He was never the one to choose to party over studying.
"Hey baby" Amira said as she hugged Gregory who was dressed as Edward from Twilight.
"Hi Greg, thanks for inviting us" I said, giving him a thankful smile.
"You're welcome, Rebekah" he said smiling.
"Ha, that must mean she made you watch the show too" I said
"You bet" he replied.
"Hi guys, I'm right here" she said smiling at how easily we got along.
"Babe, let me introduce you to some of my coworkers" he said pulling Amira in the direction of a group of fine men.
"Excuse me for a minute Zee" she said.
"Go, go have fun" I said encouraging her to leave.
"Thank you, I'll find you" she said, giving me a peck.
It was only because of her I came to the party because I didn't want to run into Christopher and I didn't want to be a third wheel while she hangs with her boyfriend. She promised not to leave my side, hence her guilt of leaving me by myself.
From where I was sitting outside by the poolside gently sipping my drink, I saw Christopher laughing with a girl who was obviously into him. She kept touching him at every little chance she got. I rolled my eyes out of jealousy and I took my phone to take some pictures for Khalil. While taking the pictures, I noticed a young man with a scruffy beard staring at me and it was weird. I texted Amira to ask where she is and when I looked up the man wasn't there anymore. I gave out a sigh of relief and continued to enjoy the view.
As I was texting Khalil, Aya walked up to me with a girl I haven't seen before. She is pretty.
"Hi girl, where's Amy at?" She asked.
"She's with Greg, what's up with you?" I asked.
"I'm good" she answered. She turned to the girl with her and smiled.
"Zee this is Toni, my girlfriend and babe this is Zeenat, my friend.
"Hi" Toni said shyly.
"Hello, I like your shoes" I said as nicely as possible, wanting her to feel comfortable around me.
"Omg thanks, it was a gift from my dad" she said.
"That's so ni.." I said before Christopher interrupted.
"Hey Aya, hi Toni. Aya have you seen Izzy?" he asked.
"Hi Christopher, didn't think you'd be here. Where is Yvonne?" Toni asked.
"Of course, I'd be here. Yvonne is in the ladies' room." he said and I stood up to leave. I expected he'd want to pull me aside to talk to me but he didn't even acknowledge my presence. I turned back and wanted to say hi to see if he knew I was the one but before I could, the girl I saw with him earlier walked up to him and pulled him away. They laughed as they walked to the living room. Why did he smell so good?
I went to the bar and ordered a margarita. I've heard Amira say it's a nice drink so I decided to give it a shot. It tasted nice so I ordered two more glasses.
I took my phone and sent Christopher a voice message on WhatsApp but I saw the weird man again and stood to find Amira myself since she hasn't returned my text. As soon as I stood up I became dizzy and the man came up to me. I wanted to make a run for it but my feet became heavy and I found it hard to move.
"Hey baby girl" he said as he got closer to me.
"Please stay away from me" I said as I watched how he looked at my breasts like a predator. He grabbed me by my waist and pulled me closer, he was reeking all over of alcohol. The room started spinning and I kept pushing him away but his grip was tight. He pulled me towards the elevator and I saw Christopher talking to Yvonne. I called him with all the strength I had but I wasn't sure he heard me and then I passed out.
I stretched weakly on the bed, my whole body was sore and my head was banging. It felt like all my joints were hit hard. I opened my eyes and the room was strange. I had not been here before. I looked around and saw myself in the mirror. A scarf was tied to my head and I was naked. I slowly remembered how the weird man tried to get me to leave with him and I screamed immediately out of fear.
"Hey, hey relax. You're safe" I heard him say as he hurried into the room and pulled me into his arms.
"Christopher?" I asked.
"You're fine okay" he said reassuringly.
"No you don't understand, there was a man" I said impatiently as I tried to tell him what happened.
"It's okay Zee, I know" he said as he covered my bare skin with the sheets.
He laid out a comfy outfit for me and left to get food. As soon as he left I hurried into the shower and took my bath. I packed my hair and tied my scarf neatly after putting on clothes. Just as soon as I rearranged the bed he came into the room with my favourite fast food and sat with me on the sofa.
He watched as I ate the food and he cleaned up after me when I was done.
"Did he?" I asked after I took medicine to help with the hangover.
"No, he didn't" he answered. I sighed with relief and asked him to tell me what happened.
"I was talking to Yvonne when I saw you passed out in his arms and I helped you. He's been arrested now and he won't be bothering anyone anymore" he answered.
"Who is he?" I asked still wanting to know more.
"No one in the party knew who he was. The officer in charge of his case said it's over 20 girls he has sexually assaulted this year alone including minors" he replied sadly.
I couldn't believe what I heard. This man has hurt a lot of people and if not for Christopher I would have fallen prey too.
"Thank you" I said as I started to cry. He wiped my tears and rested my head on his shoulder.
"I can leave and tell Amira to come if you want, she's in the next room with Greg" he said after I stopped crying.
"No, please stay" I answered.
"Okay, he said as he lay next to me on the bed and I heard him whisper I love you before I fell asleep.
I woke up to Christopher staring at me while I was asleep. It was mid-evening already and the hangover seemed to have subsided.
"That's a bit creepy Chris" I finally said.
"Sorry, you're just so beautiful when you sleep" he said with the sweetest voice.
"Stop" I said hesitantly not wanting to enjoy his compliments. He makes it hard to resist him, laying beside me in a fitted top and with the sexiest smirk.
"What, I'm not lying" he said, this time closer to me. He knew what he was doing and I enjoyed it a little bit but it felt wrong. He had that look on his face like he did before he kissed me during the truth-or-dare game.
"This is wrong" I said as I stood up hurriedly. Giving it a second thought, what he was trying to do provoked me.
"Why? Zee, please stop sabotaging us" he begged but I wasn't having it.
"There is no us Christopher" I yelled at him.
"There isn't? Wait, so all that's happened between us was nothing? And don't get me started on this unavoidable chemistry we have" He said as he walked towards me.
"Yeah, and you have that with Kate too" I said pushing his hands off me.
"Kate? What does Kate have to do with this? Did she tell you something? He asked.
"Yes and so so did you" I said, poking his chest.
"I did?" He asked with confusion
"Please just drop the act, drop the clueless victim act because you and I both know what I'm talking about" I answered him and before he had the chance to say anything my phone rang and it read my caller's name out loud. It was Khalil.
"Who is that? Who is Khalil with a heart Zee? Your best friend at home?" He asked
"No, my boyfriend and he goes to our school now" I answered
"Boyfriend? What the fuck Zee? When did this happen? He asked impatiently.
"That is none of your business" I retorted.
"What did I ever do to you? He asked calmly as he sat on the sofa. He looked hurt. I don't know why I cared but I did.
"You cheated on me with Kate" I answered him but the look on his face made it seem he had no idea of what I was talking about.
"What are you talking about Zee?" he asked innocently but I shoved my phone at him to see our previous conversation where he sent me a picture of him and Kate in bed. He looked even more shocked to see it and he stood up as he went through it hastily.
"Jesus! Kate" he said
"What? I asked, confused by his reaction
"Zee, all this never happened. I lost my phone after the last party we had at the beach house. It was after we did a video call and I couldn't get a new one in time until when I messaged you last month but you had me blocked" he said convincingly. I wanted to believe him.
"What? If that wasn't you then who was... Kate! That snake" I said as I came to a realization.
"I should have known she had something to do with this, she was acting all sketchy when I told her you blocked me" he said as he sat beside me on the bed.
"So you never cheated on me" I said. I broke up with him for no reason. He tried to explain but I never let him.
"I love you, Zee, I would never cheat on you" he said
"You love me?" I asked, he has never said that to me out loud.
"Of course" he said as he kissed me on my cheek. My phone rang again with Khalil's call.
"I need to go" I said as I stood to leave.
"Wait, like right now?" He asked.
"Yes" I answered but it came out as a whisper. I was nervous.
"Oh, okay. Can I take you to your place then? He asked politely. I knew he didn't want me to leave and was hurt by me not telling him I love him too but I couldn't. How could I say that when I have a boyfriend?
"No" I answered abruptly
"Can I at least walk you out?" he asked
"Okay, but have you seen my bag?" I asked as I scanned the room for it.
"It's over there" He said, pointing at the drawer by the mirror.
"Okay thanks" I said and took my bag to leave.
"I have a question Zee" He said as he walked me to the elevator.
"Go on Chris" I answered and we got into the elevator.
"Do you love me?" He asked after he stopped the elevator from moving.
"We should move and let others make use of it Chris " I answered purposely ignoring his question.
"This isn't the only elevator in the building and you know it'' He said, seeing through me.
"Ok then'' I said as I dread answering his question.
"Please babe, I need to know" He said, this time facing me and leaving no space between us. I wanted to un-exist at that moment if that's even possible.
"No I don't'' I finally said. He wasn't buying it and truthfully, neither was I.
"Liar'' He said as he moved his lips closer to mine. I tried so hard to resist and when I was about to give in, he pulled away.
''Liar" He mouthed at me. I could not defend myself, it was pretty obvious what hold he has on me.
I was in my thoughts and still trying to shake off the fact that I almost cheated on Khalil when I heard my voice coming from Christopher's phone. I was rambling on about how I love him even though he broke my heart and how I think I made a mistake dating Khalil. I even went as far as telling him I wanted to be with him instead.
"Please delete that message" I said with my face flushed from shock and embarrassment.
"Only if you admit to loving me" He said.
"Fine! I love you too" I yelled at him and grabbed his phone from his hands. He annoys me so much. I deleted the voice message and threw the phone at him.
"Are you mad?" He asked.
"Well, you are pretty annoying and pushy too" I replied reluctantly. I hit the down button and moved closer to the entrance of the elevator door.
"You know one of these days you'll have to decide who you want because I won't wait around forever" He said with a straight face.
"Whatever, I don't care. Go get a girlfriend if you like" I said and walked away from him and the door slid open. He didn't follow me and I was bothered. I liked him chasing after me.
I got to my place and after writing a bit in my Journal, I picked up my phone to call Khalil.
"Hey Zee, why haven't you been picking up my calls?" He asked and I could sense the worry in his voice.
"I'm sorry babe, I was reading and my phone was on vibration" I answered. I knew he won't ask more questions if I told him I was reading and I was right.
"Okay, I was calling to give you good news" He said and I could tell he was more than excited. He was ecstatic.
"Oh?" I asked in anticipation.
"Yeah, can we meet up at that place you told me about?" He asked. Khalil's favourite fast food is chicken and chips and there is no better place to get that other than at Oliveira's. It was the restaurant Amira took me to when I first came and where I met Christopher. I told him of the place during one of our little chats and he looked forward to visiting if he got accepted and luckily, he did.
"Okay no problem, is tomorrow good for you? I'm a bit tired and need enough rest tonight" I said to him. I could not tell him about how I got drunk and got assaulted. He's sweet and wouldn't judge me but I didn't want to disappoint him.
"Tomorrow is fine. You should relax Zee, see you soon" he said
"Good night" I said mid-yawn.
"Okay sleepy head. I love you'' he said and I chuckled before dropping the call