CHAPTER 03

ELENA. 

I got home or rather, Rhea's house with the last notes I had on me. It was dark already. My clothes were still stuck on my body, obviously, I didn't wait for them to be properly dried before putting them on again, and I was shivering from the coldness of the clothes. 

The house was empty, and I felt relieved. I didn't know how I would face Rhea after what she said to me. 

I slipped out of my wet clothes and padded into the bathroom. I let the warm water run down my skin while my brain decided to play tricks on me by reliving those hurtful words that were said to me by my best friend. 

I snickered. They were right, I was a leech. And maybe if I didn't solely depend on the both of them, they would've done something better with their money rather than feed a jobless grown-ass woman. 

Rhea was generous, what I should be feeling right now is sole gratitude. 

Everything felt overwhelming, and what I was feeling couldn't be eased by just warm water running down my body. I needed something stronger. 

Something to help me drown all of these... Torturous thoughts. 

I stepped out of the bathroom completely exhausted. My chest felt so heavy that every muscle in my body felt just as heavy, making it hard for me to even carry myself.  

I was still shaken from the rain I had been under a few hours ago. 

I opened the wardrobe and slipped into a simple black mini dress with spaghetti straps. I had a location in mind, and I knew the small funds in my account would be enough to buy me a bottle of vodka. Or any other strong spirit. 

I raked my hand through my wavy locks and grabbed a jacket because of the chilly weather. 

The house felt empty and cold, like it already lost the warmth it used to give me. After what I found out, everything seemed to have changed. 

I easily got a cab that took me to my location. A club that was around the outskirts of the city, it was indescript and Rhea and I found this place during our last days in college. 

I snapped out of my thoughts, scolding myself for thinking about Rhea because it made me feel worse. 

The drive took twenty minutes max before we arrived. The place was quiet as usual, and dark save for the light bulb which gave a dull light to the environment. 

I paid the cab driver and strode to the main door, a gigantic security scanned me and with a low grunt, he asked. "Your pass?" 

I showed him a little ID and he nodded. He unlocked the door, pulled it open and stepped aside for me to walk in. 

Unlike a few seconds ago where everywhere was calm with just the distinct noises from the night insects, it just feels like they opened the doors to loud music and reverberating sounds. 

My insides shook in sync to the vibration of the songs. The place was packed with a crowd, provoking blue lights were on, with smooth stripes of red and yellow lights moving around. 

I walked straight to the counter and slapped my hand flat on the table. "A bottle of vodka please, no ice."

"Oh--kay." The bartender stared at me with an uncertain expression. "Are you sure though?"

"Do I look drunk? I know what I just ordered for." I snapped. 

Why pretend to be worried about my wellbeing when in reality, he wanted to sell his drinks off the shelf?

He poured what I wanted, and slid the glass to me. Again, his stare lingered, with the same uncertain expression, only this time, he looked worried. 

I ignored him, I've had too much heartbreak from the same people whom I thought really cared for me to even concede his fallacious worry. 

I gulped everything down in one go, my eyes squinting tight as the liquid burnt my throat so hard like it wanted to melt it open. 

I slid the glass to him. "Another." I rasped. 

He obeyed my instructions, and I downed everything at once again. This time, my throat had adjusted to the heat of the drink, and I was starting to feel the hit. 

"One more, ice this time." 

Once I was given another glass, I stood up from the stool and walked to the dancefloor. I let both the alcohol and music overwhelm me. 

Everywhere was starting to blur, my chest felt lighter. I let my body sway to the groove of the music. I was smiling, until my legs hit someone's foot, and I lost my balance, falling backward with my drink splashing all over my dress. 

I knew I was close to the ground, and I shut my eyes to mentally prepare myself for the pain that was about to hit me when I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist. 

It was firm, and he held me strongly like I weighed nothing. I looked up, but the reflection of the blue light I was directly under made it impossible for me to see his face. 

He placed me steadily on my feet. "Careful, it can get rowdy around here."

His voice, I swallowed hard. I had no idea why it had an effect on me. The bottom of my stomach churned, and my legs clasped together at the sudden heat that gathered between my thighs. 

He just merely spoke, or was it the alcohol? 

"Thank you." I muttered. He turned to leave, but my body acted before my brain could. I held his arm, stopping him. 

The hand I was holding was tattooed, and--

"Do you wanna dance?" I asked instead of dwelling too much on my thoughts. 

"Sounds stimulating." I could hear the humor in his voice, and for some reason, it made me more confident. And maybe with the addition of the alcohol effect on me. 

"Do you plan on rejecting such a simple offer?" I purred. 

"I initially did." His broad shoulders moved in a lazy shrug. 

"Why? Are you shy? Or do you just want a drink? I can get a bottle for you if you want." 

"You're trying to buy my attention." He turned slightly, and I saw the corner of his lips curl up. 

"I can do more to get those sexy hands of yours around my waist while I rock the hell out of you."

"Sounds intriguing." He moved close. 

I looked around and pointed at an empty couch close to us. "We can go over there and enjoy what I have planned for you." 

He nodded slowly, and I pulled him, leading him to the couch where he sat down. It was darker in this area, and I took advantage of it. 

I straddled him, placed his hands around my waist and started my moves. I didn't care if I was clumsy or not, I just did what my body did. 

Grinding on his crotch, hard, intensively. My body trembled in heat, full pleasure. He was hard underneath me, and I knew at this point that I was soaked already. 

I needed more than just straddling and grinding, I needed more than just staring at this face that was too pretty to look away from. 

His lips were glistening under the lights, and I knew he just had a drink before saving me back on the dance floor. 

I leaned down without thinking twice and rubbed my lips slowly against his. It was a slow feel of his lips at first, and I could've stopped there but what I tasted in his lips tasted nice. So I explored. 

I bit his bottom lip, making him open up and seizing the opportunity to dip my tongue in. It moved on his, tasting more of what he tasted of. 

His grip around my waist tightened, and he finally reciprocated the kiss. Not just reciprocation, it was a complete take over of the situation. 

He kissed me hard, and fast and it was almost impossible to catch up with his pace. And I tried to kiss him with as much intensity and speed, while my arm roamed around his partially opened chest. 

He broke the kiss when he noticed I was out of breath already. My chest heaved heavily and I tried to catch my breath. 

"Do you mind getting a room? I'll pay if you can't afford it." I wasn't thinking, I just said what my body wanted. 

"I like the idea of being spoiled by a lady." He smirked. "Is that what you really want?"

"I wouldn't mention it if it wasn't what I wanted." I frowned. 

He stood up, his hand gripping my ass firmly while I wrapped both my hands around his neck and legs around his torso. 

While he led the way, I took the time to ravage his neck, sucking, biting and nibbling. His throat vibrated with a low throaty grunt. It was so heavy that I felt it could cause a quake. 

He pushed the door open and pulled my face to his, his lips met mine in a fierce kiss. I held his jaw, kissing back like my life depended on it. 

My back met the soft bed, and his face slipped from mine. His cold lips touched my neck, I shuddered. 

"Are you sure you want this?" His voice was low, like he was on the edge of snapping. 

"Make me feel good." The alcohol was slipping off, and I needed something with as much effect. "You're slowing down." I grumbled. 

"I'll make you feel more than just good. Just stay sober so this night stays

etched in your memory like it's a part of you." His voice echoed in my head, and I shut my eyes while his fingers trailed down my thighs.