Chapter One

Jessica Lewis

It was my turn to pay respect. My legs felt heavy as I dragged them to the front till they stood right in front of the gravestone. My eyes met with the beautiful framed picture of my mum sitting on the gravestone, her smiling state captured in a still moment.

With trembling hands, and eyes brimming with tears, I gently dropped her favorite flower on the depressing tiled gravestone. "Mom...I".... I couldn't finish my words as my knees buckled, hitting floor with an heart wrenching cry. My heavy heart tightens, realizing that she was really gone. Her soft voice, her touch... it's all gone now.

Warm hand embraced me, helping me up. I glanced into my father's sad eyes, sniffing " I can't....I can't...". . I couldn't get the words out but that was all he needed for him to guide me out of the cemetery, towards the car. I could feel people eye me with pity as he guided me out.

I was able to calm down a little bit in the car but the tightness in my heart didn't reduce. I held my dad's hand, looking at him pleadingly " Can we go home now please". " I don't...I don't think I can stay here any longer"

I heard him sigh before he turned to me "We have guests who came to honor your mom's funeral. It'll be rude to leave them and just go home".

"Moreover, the Costello's are here. You know how hard I've been trying to get them to sign that contract, this is a good chance to try to mellow them".

My head snaps up in disbelief at his words "You are thinking about business now? What the fuck!!!" I screech, jabbing him on his chest.

He snatched my hands, his eyes hardening " You need to grow up Jessica, your mom is gone and there is nothing that can bring her back. We mourn, but we also live. I'm going to pardon you just for today, I want you more put together tomorrow ". he opened the car door to leave.

"I'll be arriving home late today, I have dinner plans with the Costellos. Lewis will drive you back home". he added before slamming the car door shut, leaving me numb.

My dad had always been a jerk but this...this was just too much.

I watched him through the window as he whisper something to Lewis, who nodded in reply before coming up to the car. I sighed as he started the engine, driving the car away from the cemetery .

****

I arrived at Club Eclipse, the pulsating music and vibrant lights enveloping me like a warm hug. The dancing and sweating bodies around me distracted me from my thoughts for a while as I made my way to the bar.

"Tequila shot". i drowned the alcohol immediately it was placed in front of me , it's burning sensation hitting the back of my throat. The barman eyed me wearily as he filled the glass again . I can't blame him, I probably look like shit right now. The thought of staying alone in the whole house had terrified and here I am...

"Tough day?". The barman tried to engage me in a conversation and I nod, smiling a bit. "Yeah...the worst day"

"Well I can definitely tell you that I'll be better ". he smiled gently, pouring another shot of tequila.

I downed the shots again and again feeling the burn all the way down. Again and again until music grew louder, and the crowd began to swirl around me.

That's when I saw him – a towering figure with piercing eyes that seemed to bore into my soul. He stood at the edge of the dance floor, his gaze fixed intently on me.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as our eyes locked in a hot gaze. The music and laughter around us faded into the background as I felt an inexplicable connection to this stranger. His eyes seemed to hold a secret, a message meant only for me. I felt a flutter in my chest as he began to move towards me, his long strides eating up the distance between us. My heart was racing with anticipation, wondering what would happen next. And then, just as suddenly, he stopped in front of me, his piercing eyes burning with an intensity that left me breathless..." Dance with me".

I attempted to refuse at first but my head bopped without my consent and he definitely took that as a yes as his hand swept to the the dancing floor.

As I swayed to the rhythm, the stranger's eyes never left mine. His gaze was hypnotic, drawing me in with an otherworldly pull. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he reached out and took my hand, his touch sending sparks through my entire body.

We danced under the pulsating lights, our bodies moving in perfect sync. The music was intoxicating, but it was the stranger's presence that had me drunk with desire. I felt like I was melting into his eyes, losing myself in their depths.

But as the night wore on, I began to feel a creeping sense of unease. The club seemed to be shifting around me, the walls melting like wax. I stumbled, my vision blurring.

"You're drunk ". he stated the obvious, his voice easing me out of my already clouded hearing.

"Yes, I'll like to call it a night". I tried getting out of his embracing but he yanked me back like a yoyo, his eyes turning darker shade .

" You can't leave me..."... his voice was laced with some kind of desperation but maybe I'm just too drunk.

But I was definitely not mistaken when he leaned in, his breath cold against my skin, and I felt a searing pain in my shoulder. I tried to cry out, but my voice was lost in the music. The room spun around me, and I felt myself falling, falling, falling...