Chapter 3: Nightangles

(Anna’s POV)

It was five years ago, I had desperately signed those here in this same office.

My lawyer was there, trying to calm me down.

My mother was to be scheduled for her surgery and without the initial deposit to start she would die.

My family was bankrupt and at the verge of collapse and the only one who could save me was the devil sitted right in front of me now.

Richard.

He was kind that day and very gentle.

“It’s just a formality, sweetheart,” he had said. “All couples sign it. It protects both of us.”

I signed it without reading everything, I was desperate and the only thing I cared about was that he would settle all our financial worries as soon as I signed it.

Richard opened to a page with a yellow tab and pointed to a paragraph.

“Read it,” he said.

I already knew what it said. 

“I know,” I whispered.

“Well let me remind you as it seems you've forgotten,” he said.

“You signed a ten-year marriage contract. Ten years. We are going to be married for ten years before any of us files for legal separation or annulment of the marriage." He paused and looked up at me.

"We are only five years in. If you break it before the ten years finish, you must repay the compensation f*e given to your family at three times the amount.”

I gasped.

Triple the amount?

My mum’s hospital bills. My brother’s school fees. Our house we almost lost. Richard had agreed to pay for everything, only on the condition that I marry him.

I didn't think much of it then, I thought I had hit the jackpot and I was the luckiest woman on earth.

My family was drowning in debts totalling Ten million dollars.

Richard had cleared off everything.

Triple that amount meant thirty million.

“And if you don’t pay,” he continued calmly, “you can be charged with fraud.” He closed the document. 

“You would go to prison, Anna.”

“You wouldn’t do that,” I said weakly.

His face did not change. “Wouldn’t I?”

That was the scary part.

This man right here, I didn't know who he was anymore.

He felt like a stranger.

After what I witnessed earlier today, I didn’t know what he was capable of doing.

I clenched my fists.

“So let me be clear,” he said quietly. “You will not file for any divorce, not until another five years. So you will go home, get your act together and continue to play your role as a dutiful wife that you are. Is that clear?"

I nodded weakly, feeling utterly stupid and defeated.

He looked at his watch.

“My father arrives tomorrow. Ensure to prepare for his arrival. And don’t ever mention such a foolish talk ever again."

“Now leave.”

I ran out of the office and took the elevator down.

My heart was pounding and my chest felt tight.

Robert looked surprised to see me looking flustered with tears running downy eyes but I was too flustered to speak.

I ran past him towards the road and quickly hailed a taxi while Robert called after me.

“Nightangles,” I said softly as the car drove away from the building.

Nightangles.

Everyone knew that place.

You didn’t have to go inside to know it. Its reputation was famous.

The most notorious club in the city.

If I was to be seen here at this time of the night it would be catastrophic.

The headlines, blogs and entertainment news will blow up as everyone would want to cover such juicy story.

Richard would never forgive me.

But I didn't care anymore. I've had enough of this charade of a marriage.

The bouncer looked at me and opened the rope without speaking.

Inside, the music hit me first. Deep bass I could feel in my chest.

The club was huge, with many levels, dark booths, bright bars, and people dancing under coloured lights.

It smelled of strong cologne and very strong liquor, whiskey mostly.

I went straight to the bar.

“One strong drink,” I said. “Vodka tonic.”

I drank half in one go.

The warmth spread quickly through my body.

I ordered another, and another and it kept coming.

A man approached me, wearing a dark suit and too much perfume.

He pushed a drink towards me.

“Too beautiful to be alone,” he said.

I pushed the drink back to him. “You can keep it.”

He smiled wider. “Care for a dance.”

“No.” I snapped.

“I’ll pay for your drinks.”

“I can pay myself.”

“Name your price, gorgeous.”

The way he looked at me made my skin crawl.

“Go away,” I said quietly, “or I’ll pour this on your suit.”

He left, muttering curses underneath his breath.

After a few more drinks, the world felt soft and blurry and the pain in my chest felt smaller.

So many other men approached me but I refused all their advances.

I started to think coming here was a big mistake.

I needed to leave.

I paid and as I tried to get off my stool, the room tilted making me stagger.

“Careful—”

An arm caught me.

“I’m fine,” I said immediately trying to steady myself.

“You almost fell,” a deep voice said.

I turned to thank him but stopped when I saw him.

He was…striking.

He was tall, more like huge.

The strands of silver hair at his temples slightly gave away his age but he was still very attractive regardless.

I realised I was staring.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Are you here with someone?” he asked.

“I’m alone,” I said, smiling sadly. “Very alone.”

"I've been alone for five years but didn't realize until tonight ." I stopped. "Sorry. That's too much information for a stranger."

Something softened in his eyes.

“Are you alright?”

“No,” I said honestly. “Are you?”

He smiled slightly. “I’ve had better nights.”

Before he could speak again, someone grabbed my arm roughly.

It was the man from earlier that I had turned down.

He had returned with his friend.

“You think you’re too good for me eeh?” he said angrily.

I tried to pull my arm back. "Let go of me."

"Let go of her." The stranger said quietly.

The man came forward aiming to land a punch but the stranger quickly caught it mid-air and twisted it behind his back.

The man cried out in pain.

“Hey, hey—” his friend stepped forward.

The stranger moved too smoothly for someone his size and age.

There was a short struggle and he pushed his friend into some bar stools.

“I believe,” the stranger said quietly, leaning closer, “the lady asked you to walk away.”

When he let him go, both men quickly scurried away without turning back.

The stranger stood straight, fixed his shirt, and looked at me as if nothing had happened.

My heart was beating very fast.

Maybe it was the alcohol or the fight.

This was the first time someone stood up for me and I was very flustered.

Without thinking, I leaned into him feeling his warmth.

He stood very still, like he was shocked.

“You’re like a warm wall,” I whispered. “Richard is cold. He is always cold.” I lifted my head to look at him. 

“He's also a cheater. I caught him fucking Jessica in his office. Do you know Jessica? Blonde, pretty Jessica." I continued yapping.

"He hasn't even touched me since our first wedding anniversary and wouldn't even let me leave the dreadful marriage. I'm trapped with him for another five years."

“I think you should go home,” the stranger said gently, holding my arms steadily.

“I don’t want to go home.” I looked into his eyes again.

They looked like they were twinkling.

"You have very nice eyes. Has anyone told you?"

"That's it, you're really wasted. Need to get you home—"

“I want to kiss you,” I said suddenly.

He blinked in surprise.

Before he could answer, I stood on my toes, held his face with both hands, and pressed my lips against his.

For about two seconds, everything felt warm and perfect.

His lips felt refreshing, like cool water in a desert.

He didn't pull away so I leaned in closer and kissed him more deeply, wanting more.

I couldn’t remember the last time I kissed someone.

It had been so long.

Then suddenly the alcohol hit me hard.

The room began spinning so fast and the last thing I remembered was a strong nauseous feeling knocking me out as I gagged and expelled the entire content of my stomach all over the poor stranger.