Chapter 5

Mandy

After a few hours of driving, we finally came to the villa.

The villa looked the same despite the years that had gone by. It was a little older and a little quieter ,but generally speaking, it was still the same as what I remembered it to be. As soon as I stepped out of the car, all of my memories of spending my childhood here all came back to my head.

I stepped up to the porch and touched the railing. The paint had peeled, and the wood felt rough under my hand. It wasn’t the perfect vacation house as I remembered it to be, but for now, it was enough. Now that I finally decided to come out of my martyrdom, I would need such a place like this that once felt like home.

It wasn’t perfect. But for now, it was more than enough.

And then, my thoughts drifted to something. No, to someone.

To Matthew.

Did he notice that I leave? That my things were gone?

Would it even matter if he did?

My heart still ached, but it was no longer enough to cry. Sure, I was still thinking about him, but already accepted our fate.

“Hey,” I heard someone calling. It was Abbie. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, almost out of habit.

I knew she wasn’t buying it. “Are you really?”

“Yeah, don’t worry. I’m just… thinking.”

Abbie walked over and sat beside me.

“Do you want to do something dumb and fun?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

Abbie grinned. “Let’s go clubbing. Let’s go dance until our legs give out. You certainly need a break.”

“You really think that’ll help?”

“There’s no harm in trying, right?”

There was a long pause while I thought about it. Abbie was right, nothing would hurt if we tried.

“Alright, sure. Let’s go dancing tomorrow night.”

The following night at the Midnight Wolf Club…

The music was lively. The wolves were dancing like there was no tomorrow. Lights flickered across the huge dance floor. There was even a bar on the side with all kinds of colorful drinks.

“This is more like it,” Abbie said as she pulled me toward the bar. She leaned to the bartender and started to order. “Sex on the Beach, please. For my best friend and me.”

I blinked. “You ordered what?”

Abbie burst out laughing. “Oh my goddess, Mandy! It’s just a drink. You seriously thought I meant actual sex on the beach, didn’t you?”

My face went red. The bartender even chuckled as he handed over the drinks. I was so embarrassed!

“Don’t blame me, Abbie. You know I wasn’t used to this type of place.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Abbie uttered. Then, she took the glass and raised it for a toast. “To freedom,” she said quietly.

“To freedom,” I said as we clinked glasses and took a sip. The drink was sweet, with a hint of tanginess from the orange, but I could still taste the alcohol beneath it.

I thought the alcohol would wash away all my pain, but I was wrong. The truth was, my heart was still grieving the love I lost. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about Matthew.

I could still remember what his voice sounded like…

The smell of his favorite perfume…

The way his eyes looked at me like I was his whole world…

Until I wasn’t…

So I drank. And drank. And drank. And let the music carry me away from my aching heart.

After a while, Abbie pulled me onto the dance floor. We danced like we were wild and free. For a moment, I forgot everything.

I actually forgot about how Matthew broke my heart.

But only for a moment.

I got tired and sat down. My head was starting to spin. I watched Abbie laughing with a handsome guy. He looked strong and confident. I saw how he couldn’t take his eyes off her. After a while, she brought him over and introduced him to me.

“Mandy, this is George. We met here at the bar a few months back.  He’s a very good friend of mine.”

“And her soon-to-be-boyfriend,” he added with a grin. Abbie nudged his side and we all laughed. It was obvious that George really liked her.

George leaned toward her and said something. Abbie shook her head in response. “Sorry, I can’t. Maybe next time. Tonight’s about Mandy. I can’t leave her on her own.”

“Oh, no. I’m fine,” I told her. “Go. Really. It looks like George prepared something great for you. I don’t want to be a nuisance.”

But Abbie still looked worried. “You’re already drunk. How will you get home?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.” I responded with a grin.

Suddenly, George held up a finger like an idea entered his mind. “Wait here.”

A few minutes later, he came back holding a room card.

“I booked her a room upstairs. The club offers private guest rooms for the night. She’ll be safe there.”

Abbie looked at him like he’d just offered her the moon. “That’s… really sweet.”

“Anything for you.” George leaned in and gave Abbie a wink.

They both turned to me. I gave them a lazy smile in return. “Thanks, you guys. So, go now and have fun!”

I stayed a little longer and sipped on another drink. After a few minutes, the buzz in my head grew heavier. My legs felt like jelly. I figured it was time to head up before I passed out on the floor.

A club staff member helped me to the hallway. “Room 609,” he said, pointing ahead.

“Thanks,” I nodded, clutching the key card tightly.

My vision was blurry, and I had to cling to the wall for support. I finally reached the door and raised the card to open it. But before I could swipe the card, the door opened by itself.

“Oh, shit!” I gasped as I stumbled forward, right into someone.

No... correction. I landed right on his lips, of all places!

I gasped, completely frozen. My heart raced.  His lips were warm and…inviting. Addicting, even. I couldn’t even see his face clearly, but Goddess help me! I didn’t want to move.

Something inside me snapped. I didn’t know if it was the alcohol or the pain I was trying to bury. I moved and deepened the kiss and it felt so good. After a while, he pulled away. We stared at each other’s eyes despite the darkness surrounding us.

And in a moment of stupidity, I uttered some words I never imagined saying.

“Can I kiss you again? Your lips taste like heaven.”

The guy chuckled softly and I swore, it made me wet down there. What the hell was wrong with me? Why was I feeling something this wild toward a total stranger?

Had I really gone mad?

No! It must be the alcohol.