Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO 

                        DELIA.

"I'm so sorry Lia, we thought you knew about it," Shawn said handing me the tissue, I blew my nose sniffing as he added that he had seen them together countless times.

"He's an asshole, you shouldn't be crying over a cheating scum" Carrie scowled while prying the bucket of ice cream from my hand.

"You don't get it" I shook my head hating myself for believing we were going to be together forever, we started dating in college and had lived together ever since I even dreamt of having his kids.

How could I have known he was seeing someone else?

I didn't even suspect him and I had doubted it when Carrie told me.

"What we are ignoring here is the fact that you were in Golden Hills before it went down, you survived! Thirty people died in the incident including Charles Roderick the owner, you got out alive and that's a miracle we should be celebrating instead of moping about that ugly bastard" Carrie groused, looking at Shawn for assistance, I had forgotten about how disastrous last night was, so many people died yet my ex was still alive sending me texts and apologizing.

Was he texting me with Aliyah by his side?

Why does it hurt so much?

I really want to stop thinking about it.

"You're right, we should be celebrating" I croaked out wiping my tears, I sat up taking a deep breath.

"That's the spirit! Let's go out, it will cheer you up and who knows you might find something or someone to take your mind off that piece of shit" Carrie remarked rushing to my room to get a change of clothes cause I was currently wearing hideous dinosaur PJs, my hair disheveled and I just knew I look like shit.

"Are you sure you want to go out? We can cancel and stay here to watch TV with you" Shawn said being the thoughtful gay sweetheart he is, I shook my head.

"It's okay, Carrie won't stop until she gets what she wants and I really need a distraction right now" I shrugged, he stood up from the armrest plopping down beside me on the couch and wrapping his arms around me.

"You know I can arrange for that jerk to be beaten up, just say the word and I will get someone to break his scrawny legs" He stated, I laughed pulling back from his embrace.

"No thanks, it's a low blow for me. And look I'm still here I didn't die in the fire incident, it would have been a stupid death. 'She died because she went into the hotel to catch her cheating boyfriend' I'm pretty sure I would be kicked out of heaven the moment I get there for being such an idiot" I snorted and he rolled his eyes.

"Even if you are an idiot you are a gorgeous sexy idiot, now get up and get dressed we are hitting the streets. No friend of mine should be allowed to mourn useless men, right Carrie?" Shawn called out loud.

"Heck yeah!" She arrived with the black tight short gown I had forgotten to throw away because it was no longer my size, she grinned at me.

"I'm not wearing that, I would die of suffocation" I pointed out but she didn't listen instead she dragged me out of the couch and forced me to put on the extremely tight dress, which took both her help and Shawn's to wear. Then helped me with my makeup while Shawn did my hair. We left my apartment and headed to the first bar.

Carrie had suggested we visit some bars to drink before going to Killswitch club, it was very popular in San Francisco and I haven't been there before but my friends have so they want me to try it, I didn't oppose to their plans the alcohol was helping and after the third bar stop I couldn't remember why I was sad in the first place.

We got to Killswitch and passed the bouncers after giving our IDs, it was massive inside and I could finally relate to the hype. Blue disco lights with loud music blaring from the speakers, smoky-like effects on the floor thick and dark with the clubs divided into two parts.

The dance floor at one side was filled with people grinding on each other, sweat glistening on their skin and the smell of nicotine mixed with sex lingered in the air. The other side was the huge bar with a long fancy counter and a display of numerous liquors.

"This is epic!" I screamed laughing as Shawn pulled us to the bar area, we sat down and ordered shots of tequila.

From the corner of my eye, I could feel multiple gazes on me, it would have been uncomfortable if I weren't already drunk.

The dress was tight with my boobs almost spilling from the top, a pair of leopard print leather boots, and heavy makeup. I knew I was going to draw a lot of attention.

Speaking of that, one guy inched closer with eyes on my chest. 

"Can I get another glass? And one for the gorgeous lady" He smirked.

He was dressed like someone looking for a good time, jeans and t-shirt with mussed hair and an easy smile.

But not what I was looking for. 

Carrie and Shawn exchanged looks before leaving me alone with the guy, he started blabbing about how his night had been boring and I pretended to be interested.

I swear if he looks at my chest one more time...

"You know my face is up here, not down there" I scowled and he smirked licking his lips.

"You can't blame me, you are showing off and I'm just giving you want" He shrugged.

Disgust and anger rushed through me and I wanted to slam my glass on his head, but instead I stood up wanting to be out of there.

I wasn't that drunk to accept insults just because I wanted to forget my ex, "Excuse me" I said and headed for the restroom.

Thankfully the hallway was empty, I leaned on the wall shutting my eyes and trying to gather my thoughts, when I felt a presence my eyes flew open the moment his hand pressed my mouth muffling my screams. 

The jerk from the bar grinned at me, eyes dark and filled with deviant intent, his other hand starting groping me and I bit hard on his palm until I tasted blood.

He hissed and let go of me cursing, I used the opportunity to shove him off me rushing towards the bathroom stalls.

He cursed and followed, my heart skipped a beat as I broke into a run desperately looking for a way out. The bathroom stalls were too frail and he would get to me.

No.

I can't let that happen.

"Help! Help me!" I yelled and he started laughing.

"You can scream all you want no one is going to hear you" He mocked.

"Just be a good girl and suck my cock I will take it easy on you" 

Over my dead body.

The door at the other end was my only hope because it didn't look like one of the bathrooms, maybe it led outside.

I didn't think twice I darted for the door and twisted the knob, it clicked open and the bastard started running towards me seeing that I was getting away.

I opened the door and found a staircase leading down, without a second thought I dashed in shutting the door after me. I jogged down two stairs at a time and the door burst open behind me, I reached the bottom and halted at the view in front of me.

Dangling and tied upside down with blood dripping on the floor, the bruised half half-dead man cried out as the man in front of him sliced his chest open, more blood gushing out of the wound.

My eyes widened and my heart sank to the pit of my stomach bile rising up to my throat, everything screamed danger and I felt as if this was worse than what I was running away from.

My eyes strayed to the other men watching me and I recognized a familiar silhouette in their midst, now clad in black slacks and white long sleeves with no tie, sitting comfortably on a black couch.

Bronze skin, the sharp jawline, and hollow cheekbones.

Those eyes concealed by the dark shades stared back at me, bright turquoise beautiful but lifeless, no ounce of emotion or consideration behind those eyes.

His jaw ticked as if he recognized me too.

The stranger from last night at the hotel.

What the hell did I just walk into?