A night of turning tides

Chapter 2

Ameera's Pov

“Heyyy!!” It was Cassie, waving from a distance.

She closed the space between us and threw me in for a bone-crushing hug. I didn’t realize how much I needed it until then.

“Hey,” I said with a genuine smile.

“How are you doing? How’s work?” she asked, pulling back to study my face.

“Disgusting as usual, but I’ll survive,” I said with somewhat of a smile.

She rubbed my arm as she gave me a comforting smile.

“Let’s all forget about our sad lives tonight and have funnn—spend my uncle’s money and get really wasted,” she said with a big smile, taking my hand into hers as we stepped inside the club.

Ravishè Club and Hotels.

I’d never been to something like this before. It felt so clean, so fresh, so… new.

So many sophisticated people. They all looked perfect—a little too perfect, I must say.

I looked at the couple that entered before us. My eyes went straight to the lady’s shoes. The pair of shoes looked like it could pay for my mother’s treatment.

I felt people staring. It was probably me they were looking at, because what I was wearing definitely didn’t fit the club’s aesthetic. Or maybe it could be my best friend… Cassie looked gorgeous tonight.

She was wearing a purple backless dress that made her look really good. She packed her hair into a sleek bun but left two strands in front that perfectly framed her face. She looked great without even trying. I’m guessing that’s why we were getting stares from the men. But if it was from the ladies, it was definitely me.

I couldn’t shower—my landlord said the water would be running tomorrow morning, but he said it with the kind of disinterest that made me think he was lying. Maybe he said that to make me leave his apartment. Who knows.

I put on one of my black dresses, didn’t put on any makeup except lip gloss, and just let my hair fall. I drowned myself in one of the expensive perfumes Cassie gives me anytime her grandma comes back from London.

Cassie was well-to-do, but not to the level where these people were.

Her extended family were the rich ones. Her father divorced her mother, so they weren’t left with much, but some of them still loved her regardless. Emphasis on “some.”

“Oh my God, look at all these men, are they even real??” she said, squeezing my hand in excitement.

“I was thinking the same thing,” I said to her.

“What are we waiting for? Let the party begin!” she squealed, tugging me towards the bar.

I’d never had any of this wine before. They all looked super expensive.

“Cassie, are we going to pay for this?” I asked, lowering my voice.

“No, silly,” she said. “It’s all on my uncle, so technically it’s free.” She spread her hands wide, exclaiming the word free.

It made me laugh.

“Alright, let’s do it,” I said, smiling.

We had enough to drink and eat. I had to take a break; my head was spinning.

Cassie was seated with a guy. He looked like one of those sexy playboys you read about or see in movies. He said something that made her laugh really hard. Either he was a really funny guy, or it was the alcohol working.

I knew they were going to end up together tonight. It never bothered me—it happened a lot.

Cassie gets drunk and gets a one-night stand. Or I get drunk and get a one-night stand. But mine didn’t happen often like Cassie’s. I would get irritated easily and just go home, or tell the poor guy to drop me off.

It was past 3—really late, I must say.

“Hey, can I quickly pull my friend for a chat? Thank you,” I said, without waiting for a response from the playboy guy.

“Babesss, are you good?” she asked me.

“I’m great,” I said.

“Well, that’s awesome, because did you see that hot Greek God over there? I’m about to make him mine tonight,” she said, grinning.

I chuckled at her excitement.

“You enjoy yourself. I was just going to tell you I’m about to leave.”

“Ohhh, should we go together? I can get another Greek God another time,” she said, not looking too happy about the decision she made herself.

“It’s fine, babe. You go—and don’t make babies, I’m not ready to be an aunt yet,” I said, causing her to laugh hard.

“Alright, captain,” she said. “Text me when you get home, okay?”

“Of course,” I said.

We hugged, and I stepped out of the glamorous building, knowing it was going to be my last time in such a place.

…..

I should take a cab, but I couldn’t bring myself to spend money on my comfort right now.

I started walking home when I heard noises.

It sounded like two guys fighting it out—with words, though.

The voices rose, angrier, more vicious.

I should have ran, but I didn’t. I froze on the spot and watched. It was really dark, I couldn’t see them or make out their faces.

It was getting intense. Before I knew it, I heard a gunshot. The crack split the night. My scream caught in my throat as I fell hard onto the pavement, my heart racing.

A guy came out of the shadows. He must be the one that made the shot. The moonlight caught his face—no, his eyes. They were sharp, glinting like crystals in the dark. He was tall, commanding, terrifying in the way that made your body want to both run and stay.

I was able to get a quick glance of his full face before he entered his sleek car and turned the engine on.

That was my cue. I immediately ran for my dearest life. I doubt he saw me, but I wasn’t going to take any chances.

I ran and didn’t look back.

When I finally stumbled into my apartment, I ripped off the black dress, threw on an old T-shirt, and collapsed into bed.

Sleep swallowed me whole before I could even think.