Chapter 9

Derek × Celestia~

“Boss she's currently on the dance floor with some random man.”

I felt a wave of irritation wash over me as the guard who was supposed to watch Tia was telling me she was dancing with some random fool. Did she really leave the house to go clubbing after having a nightmare?

“Keep an eye on her. I'll be there in a few minutes.”

I let the hotel and got into the car.

“Nollaxia.”

“Yes sir.”

The little minx would explain if she thought being married to me was waltzing with anyone she liked.

***

Celestia~

I felt so carefree with the loud thumping music and didn't want to stop. To hell with Chris or whatever his name was. He could go around fucking like the playboy he was.

I swayed to the beat of the music and was getting into it until the dude dancing with me got a bit… Too touchy.

“Hey, hands off. That's wandering into territory that has no business with you.”

He held my wrists tightly and I struggled with him. Everyone around us was so busy dancing, they didn't notice our squabble. Fuck, another reason why I hate clubs. I moved away from him but he still held my hands tightly.

“I said hands off you freak. Let go of me.”

“C’mon baby, don't be like that. We can still have a little more fun if you weren't so st–”

“I said let me–”

“She said to let her go, you sick bastard.”

I froze in shock when I heard his voice. There was absolutely no friggin way that…

“Mr Leone?”

He glared at the man's hands which were still tightly wrapped in mine. I struggled to get free but obviously, this fool was either drunk or he didn't know who he was dealing with. I wasn't going to be the cause of anyone's misfortune today.

“I said let go, you fool!” I yanked as hard as I could and he finally loosened his grip. Whew. I stared up at Leone who had shifted his glare to me.

“Tch, don't glare at me sir. It was just a little trouble and I handled it just fine on my own.”

He said absolutely nothing but took me by my already bruising hand and dragged me out of the club while signaling to some invisible person until it dawned on me. I wasn't alone in the club the whole time. He must have had his guards watching. Good.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing?!” He asked in the calmest voice I had ever heard him in. He was sitting with his eyes staring dead at mine in the car. Did he think that would intimidate me somehow?

“Having fun on my wedding night?”

“With another man?!”

“Fuck you Leone! You're the one cheating on me on the very first day.”

I felt a stab of pain as I remembered my sister's experience with the boy she loved so much before father married her off.

FLASH BACK

Elena disembarked from the plane, stepping into the bustling airport, teeming with travelers. She had taken a week off to visit her parents in the countryside, but now she found herself returning to Derek, her boyfriend and the love of her life. Their relationship spanned five years, and just last week, she had been convinced he was finally going to propose.

“Just a few more minutes,” she murmured to herself, checking her phone for the taxi she'd ordered. She was anxious not to miss her ride.

Navigating through the crowded terminal, she imagined Derek's excitement when she would arrive at their apartment. “He’s going to be so happy to see me,” she whispered, hardly able to keep still.

After retrieving her suitcase, she spotted her taxi outside. “Please hurry! I need to get home!” she urged the driver, who seemed less than thrilled as he merely grumbled and drove on.

“Can’t you go any faster?”

“What’s the rush, lady?” the cab driver replied, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

“I’m seeing my boyfriend! He’s been waiting for me,” she said, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

“Good luck with that,” he muttered, turning his attention back to the road.

“Thanks!” Elena replied. Soon enough, they reached her destination, and she was out of the cab in an instant.

Grabbing her bag, she raced up the steps to his apartment, nearly bursting with joy. “Derek! I’m home!” she called out as she opened the door.

Silence fell over the space.

A knot tightened in her stomach. “Derek?” she ventured further inside, only to hear muffled laughter coming from the bedroom. Curiosity morphed into dread as she approached the door.

She opened it slowly, her eyes widening in disbelief. He was there, but not alone. Derek and another woman were...

“YOU ARE CHEATING ON ME?!”

“Elena?!” Derek exclaimed, his face immediately losing color.

“What is going on?” she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.

“Wait! I can explain!” Derek flailed, desperately trying to cover himself with a blanket, panic written all over him.

“Explain what? That you've been unfaithful?" Tears welled in her eyes, but she fought to keep them from falling.

“It's not what it looks like!” he blurted rapidly, stumbling over his words.

“Of course,” she scoffed, anger flooding through her. “It’s quite clear what it is.”

Without hesitation, Elena felt her legs move as if on their own. She began to retreat and made her way to the door. “I can’t... I can't handle this.”

Once outside, she slammed the door shut behind her and raced down the stairs, allowing the tears to flow freely. She felt lost and unsure of where to go or what to do.

“Taxi!” she called, waving her arms in the air.

The cab driver, still waiting, shook his head. “You alright, lady? You look like you just lost a fight,” he said with a hint of sarcasm.

“I’m fine, just drive!” she snapped, sliding into the back seat, her heart pounding.

“Where to?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t know. Just anywhere!” she exclaimed, frustration spilling over. “Drive, please! I need to think!”

At this point, the driver was becoming increasingly irritated. “You can’t just say ‘anywhere’! I need a destination,” he huffed.

“Take me to a bar!” Elena finally yelled, exasperated.

“Fine,” he muttered, merging back into traffic.

As they drove, she remained silent, her mind swirling with memories of Derek. The image of him with that other woman replayed endlessly in her thoughts.

When they finally reached the bar, she threw cash at the driver without waiting for change. “Keep it,” she mumbled as she stepped inside, barely looking back.

The dim lighting offered some comfort, and she quickly found a seat at the bar, ordering a shot of tequila.

“One tequila, coming right up!” the bartender said, pouring her drink with a friendly smile.

Elena downed it in one shot, feeling the burn in her throat. “Another!” she called, banging her fist on the bar, desperate to drown her sorrows.

“Easy there, champ,” the bartender advised, eyeing her carefully. “You don’t want to end up on the floor.”

“Too late for that!” she laughed bitterly, tossing back shot after shot until the room began to spin.

Then, her phone buzzed. It was Alice, her best friend.

“Elena! How was your trip?” Alice's cheerful voice came through the line.

“It was great until it wasn’t,” Elena replied, her words beginning to slur. “I came back to find Derek with another woman in bed.”

“What?!” Alice gasped. “I always thought he was trouble. What are you going to do now?”

“I’m not sure, Alice. I just had to get away.”

“Okay, okay. You know what I always say, right? The best way to get over a guy is to get under the sheets with a new one! You were too dedicated to that jerk, and all the signs were there. Let loose a little—find a handsome stranger, dance with him, maybe even bring him home,” Alice suggested playfully.

“Yeah, right,” Elena scoffed.

“Come on, I’m serious!”

“Not happening. Bye.”

As she ended the call, she noticed a tall man walking toward her. “Hey there,” he said with a charming smile. “Want to dance?”

Elena considered it for a moment. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea. “Sure,” she replied, stumbling slightly as she got to her feet.

He led her to the dance floor, and for a fleeting moment, she was enjoying the music.

But soon, his hands began to roam too far—too close. His attempts to undress her right there caused her to feel overwhelmed for all the wrong reasons.

“Whoa, easy there!” she exclaimed, pushing him away.

“Don’t be shy,” he insisted, grabbing her wrist tightly.

“No! Let go of me!” she shouted, panic rising in her chest.

In an instant, a stranger jumped in. “Hey! Back off!” he commanded, placing himself between Elena and her unwanted dance partner.

“Mind your own business!” the aggressive guy retorted, but the newcomer didn't budge, his gaze steady on Elena.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern clear in his eyes.

“Yes… I think so,” she managed to reply, relief washing over her.

“Good. Let’s get you out of here. You don’t look so well.”

END OF FLASHBACK

“Tch. Men are all the same. Pathetic creatures.”