Stray Dog

CHAPTER SEVEN

DAHLIA

The streets were cold, empty except the occasional stray dog. The night lights shone from their steel lamps casting a yellow glow on the ground.

The trees billowed in the wind close to where I was but I could still make out clearly the sound offootsteps behind me.

I turned to see Lily tailing me.

She wore a pink crop top--my pink top, and jeans.

I should have remembered to take my keys from her.

I was carried away with my anger towards Evans I didn't remember Lily any longer.

But now that I stood in front of her, staring as she walked towards me, I didn't know if it was anger I was feeling now or something else.

Something that looked more like pity. She was truly a young girl. 18 years of age, and Evans had thought to take advantage of her?

But then again she was already a consenting adult. More times than I could count she had gone against my advice, wanting to prove her independence.

I hoped now she had finally achieved her aims.

"Stalking me Lily? After fucking my boyfriend?"

She hid her hands behind her back, her face pink-full of shame and embarrassment.

It was dark but I could still see it.

"Look, Dahlia. You don't have to be so mad at me. What happened was really unplanned."

I scoffed. " You are truly despicable. After everything I have done for you Lily."

" I'm sorry, Dahlia. I'm sorry. That's what keeps eating me alive. That I allowed myself to this to you." She was unable to look me in the face.

She kept her gaze down at her red sneakers.

"You always wanted to fuck him Lily. Just say the truth. You always wanted what was mine. That evil desire to compete with me in everything. You just have to admit it is there."

Lily looked up, like she would soon burst in tears. " You don't have to be so mean to me Dahlia. Can't you just forgive? I am still your cousin."

" Yes you are. Unfortunately for me. And unfortunately for you, I have somewhere to be. I'd rather eat dog food than have this conversation with you."

" I saw you go into Giveon's quarters."

The statement shocked me, and made me narrow my eyes.

"Lily, I don't know what game you are trying to play."

She shook her head. " I am just curious. Do ...do you want Evans to leave the team? Will Giveon make him leave?"

I burst out laughing, not even knowing why I was doing so." You gotta be kidding me. So you care about him that much? Oh don't worry. Giveon can't make him leave the team. But I think I can. And I have already begun."

All I needed to do was let him ruin himself as he always wished to do and I wouldn't be there to save him.

"Please forgive him. Please." Lily burst out crying. " Can you still work for him? He's saying you are quitting."

I shook my head, feeling immense anger. "You seriously make me sick. Get out of my face."

I turned and left. I didn't remember to tell her to leave my apartment, but I guess that would come later.

These people wanted to ruin my mood, and I wasn't going to let them.

Just when I thought it couldn't get worse, my phone rang and it was Evans.

I rejected the call, put on airplane mode and slipped my phone into my bag.

I arrived the bar a few minutes later, to the low sound of hip-hop music and strong beer scents in the air.

I went to the wooden stool by the bar and sat.

"What would you be having Dahlia?" The bar man asked.

I raised a brow in surprise. " You know me?"

I had never been in this bar before. I didn't even drink.

It was my first time here.

"And why not? Who doesn't know the only private pr specialist hired by a top team? That's usually a tough fit to achieve."

His eyes sparkled with admiration.

" Yeah could be, but my life doesn't fit what you just described right now. If anything I am an actual mess."

" That happens a lot. You have to keep fighting."

I nodded." That is what I came here to do. To .... fight."

He smiled. " So, what would you like to have to kick start?"

" Anything that would make me think of killing my boyfriend."

I didn't want to say ex. I wasn't about to expose my private affairs.

One person had already used that against me just this night and I had succumbed ... completely.

I resisted the urge to slap my head in front of the bar man. "Please anything that can knock me out will be fine."

" I am not sure that would be a good idea. You haven't come here before so I take it you don't drink."

" Let me be the judge of that," I said, my head in my palms.

" Alright then." He went back and a few minutes later he came back with a glass, red with a substance I had no idea of.

"This is Negroni. Should get the job done."

I nodded. " Thanks."

He left and I raised the drink to my mouth when a strong large hand held the cup.

Confused, I looked to see who it was that was looking for my trouble.

It was none other than Giveon.

He had a smooth black leather jacket draped over an immaculate white shirt and matching jeans.

My heart skipped ten beats.

"Give ...giveon? What are you doing here?"

This was the last person I had expected to meet here right at this crucial moment of my life.