Nina's POV
The air was sucked from my lungs as Richard scrambled to cover himself. Sheila, on the other hand, smirked at me with satisfaction.
"Nina, wait!" Richard called, his voice panicked as I turned on my heel.
But I didn't wait. I ran, my tears blurring my view. I needed to get out of here.
I got my car keys and drove out of the pack house and into the city, in hopes that the hustle and bustle of the city would silence my pain.
My car came to a stop in front of a bar.
Velvet Lounge The signboard read.
I cleaned the tears off my eyes and used the visor mirror to check for any missed spots of mascara streaks. My face was bare and empty and I added life to it by applying the bright red lipstick I always carried in my purse. I masked my scent to avoid being noticed.
Once I made sure I didn't look like a raccoon caught in a rainstorm, I got out of my car and into the bar.
The bar was dimly lit with neon lights from the disco balls casting vibrant colors through the bar. I walked shuffling through sweating bodies as I tried to hide my disgust from the smell that emanated from them. I was never a fan of places like this but this was the first place I could think of to drown my sorrows.
The bartender gave me a nod as I slid onto a stool at the bar. "What can I get you?"
"Something strong," I muttered, my voice cracking from all the crying.
He gave me a questioning look but didn't press further and instead poured me a glass of amber liquid that burned as it slid down my throat. I welcomed the burn— it dulled the pain I tried to suppress.
By the time I had downed my second drink, my head spun, momentarily forgetting my sorrow. I felt a little lighter, even if it was all just a mirage. I ordered another, determined to drink until I was emotionless and felt nothing.
"Celebrating or drowning sorrows?" a deep voice asked beside me.
I turned to find a man leaning casually against the bar, his dark eyes studying me with curiosity. His aura was unmasked and he carried an air of elegance and importance.
"Does it matter?" I replied with a slur.
"It doesn't," he said flatly, taking a seat on the stool next to me. "You might want to slow down though."
I snorted, ignoring his advice and taking another sip. "It's my birthday and I can do whatever I want. Why are you even here?"
"To your birthday," he clinked his glass with mine completely ignoring my last question.
"What are your plans?" He asked, chugging down a shot.
"What is it to you?" I scoffed down a shot myself as well.
"If you do not have any plans…" he leaned in closer to my ear, his breath against my neck making my hair erect, "permit me to make it an unforgettable night."
Something about the way he said it made me pause. I turned to look at him, our gaze locking like it was just us present at the bar. "Unforgettable," I muttered, clinking glasses with him.
There was something about this stranger, I had no idea what it was, but I welcomed it. It gave me an escape from the deep hole Richard's betrayal threw me into.
"Considering my offer?" He asked with eerie mirth in his eyes but I wasn't fazed.
"Hmmm," I pretended to be thinking even though I had accepted long ago. I noticed I couldn't perceive his scent, but I didn't care if he was human or masking his scent like I did. His presence made me forget the chaos waiting for me at home.
Just then his phone buzzed breaking the moment. He glanced at it and frowned, his expression shifting coldly. "I have to go," he said, standing abruptly.
"Yeah, me too," I muttered, realizing the trouble I almost got in if I had engaged his offer.
In a jiffy, he was out of the bar leaving me all alone. "What a jerk," I muttered drunkenly as I gathered my things.
I stumbled out of the bar, the cool night air sobering me up a little. I sighed as I floppily unlocked my car door when a hand suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Hey, where you headed, gorgeous?" a slurred voice asked. "I could drive you, you know."
I turned to see a wasted man lustfully staring at me as he staggered and struggled to find his footing.
"Let go of me," I stated firmly.
"Aw, don't be like that," he drawled, pulling me closer. "Let's have some fun. I promise it'll be worth your while"
"I said, let go!" I snapped, panic surging through me as he tried to drag me to the restroom.
Just when I was about to scream, his hands roughly pulled away from mine and I turned to see him flying across the street.
My eyes widened as I saw the stranger from the bar standing over the man's wounded form, his expression unreadable.
"Are you okay?" he walked towards me, his voice calm but laced with authority.
I nodded baffledly. Where did he come from? Just then a bunch of men dressed in suits arrived in sedans. They stepped out of the car and bowed to the stranger wordlessly before hijacking the wounded man into one of the sedans and zooming off.
People from outside the bar gathered to witness what the commotion was all about.
Before I could thank the stranger, he turned and started walking away, disappearing into the crowd.
"Wait!" I called, chasing after him.
He stopped, turning to face me with a raised eyebrow. "What is it?" He responded coolly.
"Can you… take me home?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I had brought my car with me to this place but I wanted to ride with him. I guess I wanted more.
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Come on."
I was pleased by his acceptance and quickly texted Anna to arrange for my car to be picked up. I took a picture of where I hid my car key and sent to Anna. I didn't trust dropping it with the waiters at the bar.
The car ride was silent at first, tension quickly building up. I fought the alcohol from taking over but I was too weak against it. I couldn't stop myself from stealing glances at him. His sharp jawline, the way his Adam's apple bobbed as he rested his head against the headrest, the way the veins in his hands popped as they laid on his hands…I couldn't stop the nasty thoughts that crept into my head.
"Why did you help me back there?" I asked finally breaking the silence.
He smirked, his eyes flicking to me briefly. "You needed help." He said briefly.
Something in his tone sent a shiver down my spine, and before I knew it, my hand traced the veins on his hands.
"Do you know what you're doing?" He asked, not trying to hide the bulge that had formed in his trousers.
That only fueled my fire more, whatever restraint I had left snapped, and I leaned toward him, my lips brushing his.
We engaged in a long kiss before he broke it off. My eyes
searched his own, screaming for more.
"Deluxe hotel." He told the driver, his eyes still locked with mine.