Chapter One

Chapter One

Marguerite

It was already a few minutes past eleven, and I wasn’t even fully dressed yet.

“Hey, mom, I’ll be at Jacob’s!” I called out to my drunk mother who was lying face flat on the floor, a bottle of alcohol in her left hand, and making weird noises. I knew fully well that she didn’t hear or understand what I’d been saying for the past thirty minutes, but I didn’t care anyway.

It didn’t take me long to put on the red sleeveless gown Jacob had bought for me a month before, in preparation for Valentine’s Day/Night.

Valentine.

I giggled to myself and almost kicked my feet at the air save for the fact that I was standing. Jacob had been the most loving and considerate boyfriend I’d ever had, and I was looking forward to seeing him again. Just as planned, I was going to head over to his house and spend the valentine’s with him. And yes, we wanted to savor every minute, hence the reason why I wanted to be at his place before midnight.

My ride was already waiting for me, as I rushed out the door into the chilly night. I debated whether heading to his place without a blazer, and exposing myself to the frostbite was worth it. A honk from the car made me decide quickly. I hopped into the car, and relaxed on the seat. The ride to his place was painfully slow, or maybe I was the one who thought so. As one would’ve thought, the street wasn't silent, but was bustling with life as we drove through. Romantic decorations added to its beauty in the spirit of lovers’ day.

My phone rang at that moment.

“Hey, girl,” I muttered into the mouthpiece as I placed the phone across my ear.

“Heyyy. Where are you?” My friend and fellow cheerleader- Beckie asked, her voice as shrill as always.

I played with the material of my silky dress, a smile teasing the sides of my lips. “This is past midnight, Becks. Where else would I be?” I questioned, my voice cracking a bit at the end as the car suddenly screeched to a halt.

There was a little silence from the other end before she spoke again. “Oh, you’re with your mother, yeah? I just wanted to remind you about our practice by 9:00am.”

I didn’t bother to correct her that I wasn’t at home, but was right in front of my boyfriend’s apartment. The main reason was because Beckie hated my boyfriend, and the feeling was mutual. I’d tried to make both of them talk to themselves without wanting to cut each other’s throats, but none of my attempts had worked so far.

Not bothering to knock on the door as I had a spare key with me, I unlocked it, and walked into the dimly lit room. The television was playing in the background, as I moved around the mini bar and towards the bedroom. As I got closer, my heart sank for whatever reason. Grunts and moans floating over the door made me halt in my steps, and do a double take at the cream colored door. I didn’t want to jump into conclusions yet.

Didn’t want to think for a moment that at the other side of the room, my boyfriend was in bed with another woman. A woman that wasn’t me. And they were fucking.

There had been several occasions when Jacob’s unemployed friends used his apartment whenever they had their girls coming over. And the sky knows how much I hated it. But at that moment, I hoped and prayed hard that the moans and grunts that were currently getting intense and louder didn’t belong to Jacob, but one of his friends. I took another step. And another. And another, until I was right in front of the door.

It pushed open on the first try, and I slowly entered the room. It was decently lit, and smelt like cum. Smelt like sex.

My heart sank further as I made out the figures on the bed. And there was no way I wouldn’t be able to recognize my boyfriend’s shaggy brown hair. Or that familiar black wavy hair which was Beckie’s. My world seemed to spin around me so fast, and it was all it took not to fall onto the floor. Both of them–sweaty and horny– were still fucking and didn’t notice my presence.

Not able to take it anymore, I gasped with tears falling down my cheeks.

“Magg, what are you doing here?” Jacob asked, pulling the sheets over their nude bodies. Beneath him, a sweaty and disheveled-haired Beckie was trying to avoid my gaze.

“What else? I came to your apartment to spend the valentines just as we planned. But I bet you fucked that out of your memory, didn’t you?” I scoffed, and tried to bite back my tears. Fortunately, I succeeded in holding them back.

“It’s nothing serious, Magg. I promise. We hate each other, and you know that.” Jacob tried again.

I burst into a mirthless laughter. “Hate each other? Spare me the crap, Jacob.”

“Listen to him, Magg. We got drunk, and ended up in bed without our knowledge. You know I’d never betray you.” Beckie put in, and I was torn between laughing to the point of tears, or covering my face in shame at the memory of the fact that one of them was my soon to be ex-boyfriend, and one of them had been my friend. The shamelessness and their totally stupid excuse made me want to knock their heads against each other.

“Really?” I prompted. And when she nodded in response, the laughter escaped my throat. “And why exactly did you call me moments ago to ask for my whereabouts? Let me guess. Jacob didn’t tell you I’d be coming over tonight, and after you showed up unannounced and he did, you decided to call me to make sure I wouldn’t be coming. Of course that’s what happened, my dear Beckie.”

None of them responded.

I shook my head. “Both of you are pathetic. Anyway, you both look good together.” I felt stupid for putting in the effort to dress up. For ever thinking that whatever we had would last long. I dashed out of the room, and straight out of the house. Suddenly regretting my decision not to take my bike when I was coming, I glanced up and down the road.

I whipped out my phone, and dialed my friend’s number.

“911, what’s your emergency?” Vinn’s lazy drawl sounded from the other end.

“I need something hot.” I promptly replied.

“Me or a bottle of vodka?” He laughed.

“How soon can you get my bike over here? It’s parked at our garage. I’m at Jacob’s.” I clarified before he asked any other questions.

“Figured as much. And by my speculations, you wouldn’t have rode out without your bike, except you’re aiming for a formal look. That means you just got there. So, why are you leaving so soon?” He asked, and I could picture his arched brows.

“Stop being a smartass, and get my bike over here, please. I’ll turn on my live location now, and head to the nearest club. I really need to clear my head.” I mumbled.

“Clear your head in a club? Okay.” He chuckled. “I’m currently making out with this hot chick, but I should be there before you’re done ‘clearing your head.’” He said and hung up.

I turned on my live location, shared it to him, and made my way towards the clubhouse down the road. I’d already visited Jacob countless times since the past two years we’d been dating to know almost everywhere in his neighborhood. Loud and gay music blasted all over as I approached the clubhouse. Two unsmiling men manned the entrance, but opened the door as I flashed them a smile, and handed them some dollar bills.

“Enjoy.” One of them said, still with an unsmiling face.

I nodded. That's what I had in mind to do. Stumbling in on my boyfriend and best friend in bed was not going to stop me at all. I ignored the little voice that reminded me that I was at the club to clear my head because of them. I made my way swiftly to the bar corner, and asked for a bottle of vodka. On second thought, I requested that gin and tonic be added to it.

“Vodka, gin and tonic, coming right up,” the bartender called out, and soon placed two large mugs before me. I didn’t hesitate before gulping down both contents simultaneously.

Just then, the image of Jacob groaning as he thrusted in and out of Beckie flashed through my mind, and a gnawing pain clenched around my belly, and unfurled through.

“Another glass,” I rasped, placing my cup hard on the table. The bartender nodded, but eyed me curiously.

“And what is a pretty lady doing all by herself on such a beautiful night as this?” A masculine voice said from beside me, forcing me to whirl my head around even though I’d resolved not to talk to anyone at the bar.

“None of your fucking busin-” I began saying, but the words died on my lips when I met his gaze.

Holy shit. He was hot. Hot enough to serve as my partner for the night.

“Doing what everyone goes to the club to do.” I responded instead, trying to ignore the tingling feeling which was already spreading around my body. The stranger was seductively handsome. And there was something to him that I couldn’t place, but it was alluring. The more I stole glances at his beautiful face, the more I wanted to go over and straddle him. I’d always prided myself on not being spontaneous, but there was something to this man that was out of the ordinary. When he wasn’t looking, I faced him fully, admiring his facial features. He had thin almond blue eyes and beautiful white hair. I’d never seen white hair executed so beautifully before. He was also pale, almost white, and was dressed in a full leather outfit, that made me wonder about his identity for a moment.

He was obviously not an average man. I parted my lips with the intention of striking up a conversation with him, but he beat me to it.

“Will you dance with me?” He asked.

Out of habit, I wanted to decline but stopped myself just in time. I came to the club to clear my head and forget about what had happened tonight. And what other better way was there to enjoy oneself more than dancing and drinking with a hot white haired man in a leather outfit?

I nodded, and pushed down my chair. I placed my hand in his outstretched one, and I jolted at the almost electrical pulse that moved through me. I was certain he felt it too, ‘cause his eyes narrowed for a moment before it went back to normal.

“You know what? Why don’t we go to a more secluded corner?” I suggested, holding his gaze. He towered above me by a few good inches. And I wasn’t short.

An intense look flashed across his eyes, and when he spoke this time, his voice was hoarse. “Mine.”