Chapter One - Maria

"Franklin!"

I called as I worked the key in the key hole and pushed the door open. I was so tired from the day's work but a small smile still hung on my lips.

"Franklin" I called again. Franklin, the love of my life. Franklin, my support system who'd been with me through those nights of hardwork. Who else would I share this exciting news of my promotion if not him. Finally, we would be able to afford that new apartment we had talked about last month.

There was no answer. He was probably sleeping, I thought as I kicked off my shoes and padded down the tiny passage way to the only room in the apartment.

I pushed the door open and what I saw next nearly made me lose consciousness. There on our bed was Franklin and my best friend Elena, having the time of their lives and moaning and groaning loudly. Thanks to the soundproof walls, I wasn't able to hear them till I opened the door.

They were so into it, they didn't even notice me. My phone and bag fell from my hands and landed in the floor and that's when they saw me and pulled away from each other.

Despite myself, tears started running down my cheek as I sobbed loudly. Maria. Always the cry baby.

"Oh my God, what are those tears for? You disgust me Maria. Did you just interrupt us to cry?" Franklin said angrily.

What does that even mean? I literally just caught him with my best friend and he's angry that I interrupted. I turned to Elena.

"How could you?"

"I'm sorry, Maria," Elena said, clutching the duvet to her chest.

"Oh please, stop with the crocodile tears. If you were half as good as her, there'd be no need for you to see this." Franklin said, "If you had just gone to your parents house after work like you said you would, you wouldn't have seen this either."

"So it's my fault now." I wiped the tears from my cheeks but more came rushing down.

"Yes, you're always the problem. Can't you see?"

"How long has this been going on?" I asked. Why did I want to know anyway? It wouldn't change a thing.

"A few months. Not that it's any of your business. Look Maria, I'm sick of your shit okay?" Franklin said as he rose from the bed, not even attempting to cover his nakedness.

My gaze started from him to Elena who was kneeling on the bed and back to him, "I'll send someone to get my things in the morning."

"Wait, Maria, please!" Elena said but I could hear it in her voice. She wasn't sorry. She had wanted this. I should have known from the way she looked at him when we were all together.

I turned on my heel and stormed out of the room.

"I have the good mind of sending them with you right now!" Franklin said as I banged the door behind me.

Audacious bastard! I had been the one paying for the apartment and yet he has the guts to threaten me.

It's true what they say, men are really scum.

The cold air outside hit my face and I took a deep breath and wiped my tears. I should go home but I don't want to, not in this condition. I don't want my parents to see me like this. It'll make them worried, especially Dad.

I flagged down the next taxi, " Blue Inn!".

The Blue Inn was the spot Franklin and I used to hangout on days we didn't plan a proper date but wanted to hand out. Infact, we had met in The Blue Inn.

He was working as a bartender there at the time and I was fresh out of high school. He had caught my attention because he was handsome. He looked the way I imagined the guys in James Hardley Chase novels looked. Now looking back, I knew I'd have fallen for any handsome guy with blue eyes and blonde hair who winked at me the way he did.

The cab pulled over in front of Blue Inn and I got out and paid the driver. I was still on my work clothes, a little bit soaked cause it had started drizzling. I didn't want to look so formal so I unbuttoned the first few buttons so that a lot of cleavage showed and I stepped into the club.

The place was dark with only a few blue lights providing sultry illumination and it took a while before my eyes adjusted to it.

"Madeira" I said to the bartender. I needed something to burn the pain away and get me drunk as well. I didn't want to think about it. "A bottle."

I took the bottle and walked to an empty table at the far corner which was the darkest corner. I wasn't able to hold alcohol so I knew I'd be wasted after a few shots.

Daddy hated me drinking. Franklin did too. To hell with Franklin, I thought as I drank the first shot. Who the hell did he think he was? Where was all that audacity from?

To hell with Elena, I thought again as I took the second and third shots. We had met each other accidently and had an easy friendship which eventually led to us becoming best friends. But I should have known she didn't wish me well.

It was there in the frequent snarky comments.

To hell with love, I took another shot and swayed a bit as I poured another, spilling some of the drink on the table.

To hell with everything. I had just taken my sixth shot when I heard a deep masculine voice.

"Hello, pretty lady." The bigger one said.

I looked up at the blurry figures in front of me. I shook my head and wiped my eyes but it didn't do much to make my sight better.

"Not a good time for a lady as pretty as you to be alone." The other one said. He was not only smaller in size but had a more feminine than masculine voice.

"You sound like a pretty lady." I hissed. Yeah, I was very prone to attracting trouble when I was drunk. Being intoxicated really loosened my tongue.

The bigger man laughed a bit and plonked down on the chair beside me. "You've got a sharp mouth. Your type are usually the best ones "

"The best ones for what?"

The smaller man grabbed my bottle and took a long swig." How about you step into the other room down there..." He pointed and winked"...and let's show you."

I turned but all I could see was blurry objects moving up and down.

"Show me what?" My speech was slurred.

The big man tightened his grip around my arm. "Let's go, sweetie. All your questions will be answered". He traced a finger down my chest.

He stood up and tried to pull me up.

"Let me go." I said, weakly. I tried to pull my hand out of his but his grip was tight and my hand hurt.

"Come on, sweetie." The smaller man said

"Stop... calling me...sweetie. I am...not ...your...sweetie," I stuttered. "Let me go!"

"Gentlemen, I believe the lady said you should let her go."