CHAPTER 4 - A NIGHT TO NOT BE REMEMBERED

Leah was appalled by Victoria's sudden change of character. Her demeanor switched and felt somewhat sinister. What happened to the angel that was sweet talking to her moments ago?

Leah took a step back from Victoria, her muscles tensing up with unease.“Woah did I do something?”

“No. This is just a warning. I wouldn't want any misunderstandings between us.”

The door swung open and Alex walked in, his hands in his pocket as he scanned the environment. He probably picked up on the tension in the room because the first thing he asked was. “Any problem?”

Victoria flashed a gleeful smile. “No, not at all.” She gently placed her hands on Leah's shoulders. “I was just ironing out a few details to Leah here.”

Leah's eyes widened, Details? More like a veiled threat. She was starting to think that Victoria might actually be a bigger problem than Alex. At least he didn't pretend to be anything other than a jerk but Victoria? She was a hypocritical, two-faced bitch.

“Good.” Alex walked over to his desk. “The paperwork will be ready by this evening. I'll have my assistant set up your move tomorrow.”

Smoothing down her flawless channel dress, Victoria flashed a syrupy smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. “Don’t worry Leah, I'm sure everything will be perfect.”

Alex faced Leah. “Since everything is settled now, you're dismissed.”

Leah hesitated, glancing between Alex and Victoria. The air in the room was suffocating, tension crackling like static. She knew better than to argue, so she gave a curt nod and turned towards the door. But before she could take a step, Victoria shot her a nasty look that sent shivers down her spine.

Leah swallowed hard, then scurried out of the office, her pulse hammering. It was blatantly obvious that Victoria wasn't fond of her.

The thought of living with Victoria unsettled her and there was Alex – her infuriating, overbearing boss.

She badly wanted to back out of the contract but the risks were too difficult to bear.

She got back home, tossed her bag on the floor near the kitchen counter before pouring herself a glass of whiskey. She needed to drown her thoughts. She chugged the glass in milli-seconds casually.

After everything she had been through, she longed for an escape.

Drinking alone wasn't going to cut it. This might be the last time she gets a chance to drink or have fun before Alex takes a complete hold of her life so she sent a text to her friend, Claudia.

“Wanna meet me up at Cj’s?”

Cj was their go-to club/drinking spot and Claudia was the only of her friends who was crazy enough to accept an offer to meet there so late.

A minute later her phone beeped. It was a text back from Claudia.

“See you in thirty.”

She quickly hit her wardrobe in search of her club wear. She wanted the sluttiest she could find. She wouldn't be able to wear it much longer anyway.

She took a cab and headed to the club. As she got in, her pulse thrummed with anticipation or maybe it was the whiskey kicking in. Heavy bass music was blasting through the club speakers rattling her bones as disco lights flickered everywhere.

Claudia was already seated at the bar. A row of shots in front of her. She waved to get Leah's attention. “Hey, over here.”

Leah grinned as she approached. “Hey, girl.”

Claudia handed one of the shots to her. “Damn you look like you need ten of these.”

“I do need ten of these.” She downed the shot in one go.

For the next hour, she let herself slip into the haze of alcohol and flashing lights. She danced, laughed, flirted with strangers, anything to forget about the miserable life with Alex and Victoria that she willingly signed up for.

She was in the midst of the dancing crowd when she caught sight of someone on the other side of the hall, the VIP center.

His physique was familiar – Too familiar but he was turning his back to her so she couldn't see his face, she stylishly moved closer to get a better view and that's when she saw him as clear as day. It was Alex, looking out of place in a crisp black shirt, he had his sleeves rolled up and didn't look as formal as he usually does. His usual controlled expressions were absent - his eyes were glazed and his movement was looser than usual.

He was drunk.

Leah turned to face Claudia. “Hey, I think I see my shit head boss.”

“What did you say?” Claudia yelled through the music.

Leah leaned in, shouting louder. “I said, I think I see my shit head boss.”

Claudia smirked mischievously. “Go say hi then.”

“Ew no, I hate his guts.”

Claudia's grin widened. “Go tell him then.”

Fueled by alcohol and recklessness, she dragged her feet to the VIP section of the club.

Alex spotted her and their gazes locked, something in the air shifted between them. It wasn't anger or annoyance this time. It was something heavier, more intense.

“Hello mister.” Leah slurred. “What are you doing here? Don't you have people's lives to ruin or something.”

Alex's lips brushed against her ears. “I already did, and this is how I celebrate.”

Leah clenched her fists and she felt a surge of adrenaline. She's had it with him. The alcohol coursing through her veins gave her the courage to speak her mind.

“You know you're a jackass right and I wish you'd go to hell.”

He gave his signature smirk, the one that infuriated her before stretching out his arm. “Come with me then.”

His response shocked her, but something about the way he said it moved her to accept his offer.

She grabbed his hand and they both danced under disco lights. They moved in sync, their bodies pressed together, the alcohol erasing all logic yet drank some more, one drink turned into two, two turned into more and then somehow his mouth was in hers, urgent and demanding.

Next thing she knew,they were stumbling down the hallway, their lips still intertwined with his hands under her dress.

“Tell me to stop.” Alex murmured, under her skin.

She should, she really should.

But instead she pulled him closer, digging her nails deep into his back and then – Total blackout.

—--------

The sound of her phone alarm jolted her from sleep.

Leah groaned, clutching her pounding head. She reached for her phone to turn off the alarm and that's when remembered why she set one in the first place – It was her first day at her new job.

She panicked, then flung the duvet off her body, ready to jump out of bed and froze.

She wasn't in her bed.

She wasn't even in her apartment and worse, someone else was in the bed with her – Alex.