Chapter 4

I'm not sure how long I've been in the car, but it must have been hours because someone was tapping on the car window.

I couldn't see clearly at first, but after wiping my eyes, I identified the person: Sandra.

I rolled down the window, and she didn't say anything; she simply opened the door from the inside and invited me to come down.

"Sandra-"

"I'm not hearing any excuses now, you're going to come down or I'm coming in and we are driving to a club.”

"Promise?" Well, alcohol didn't seem like a horrible idea right now.

"Bitch, move!" She shouted as she climbed in, I promptly switched to the passenger seat. "Here, there's powder there, fix your cheeks," she tossed her purse into my hands, and I grasped it before fixing my cheeks, which were red from all the sobbing.

"What about Edward?"

"I will send him a text, besides I was invited to my cousins club, you know only VIP there, talk of fucking with top billionaires.”

"Sandra, please not tonight."

"Trust me the best way to forget a man is by sleeping with another and today I'm not taking no for an answer."

"I just want to drink and forget."

"Same thing, good thing is the man is a complete stranger, you won't even need to see him ever again."

"Please drive." Sandra was a naughty, and I knew my heart was broken, but I also knew sleeping with another man wouldn't make things better.

Sandra put on loud music and danced while driving, while I gazed out the window and thought of my mother. 

She stated that if she did not have the money by tomorrow, she would be evicted from her apartment. My account did not have a decent amount, and I had used the majority of my money to pay part of the rent and for food since dad's wife decided to cut me off.

Yes, when I turned twenty one, which was two months ago, she called and told me that from now on, they would only pay my tuition f*e.

My father was upset that I failed a year because this was supposed to be my third year, but I didn't have enough time to study because of Elliot's drama and my complicated family.

If it's not my little sister Emma, who was only ten, calling to complain about Helena, my stepmother, for mistreating her, it's my drunk mother demanding for more money.

Part of the reason I worked so hard was so I could battle for custody of my sister. I understand that working in a restaurant was not a solid career, but after I become a nurse, I will take her from them and give her the life she deserves.

I was not aware we'd arrived until Sandra shook me, asking if I was ready, and all I wanted to do was forget about my issues; I was so tired of it all.

"You are already fighting for your life, you adding Elliot will just burn you.”

"Trust me I'm drained, drained for a man that sees me as his bro..." I chuckled as I recalled his precise words.  

"Well, for what it's worth, he's not that handsome; Harvey is better." I knew she was just trying to make me feel better, so I rolled my eyes, "Speaking of witch, he hasn't stopped calling, even after I told him you were at my apartment."

"Harvey?" I inquired even though I knew it could only be him.

"Yes, you should give him a chance, he's hot, smart and totally loves you.”

"Let's go in." I got out of the car without saying anything else, she got out too and went to the trunk to get her hoe bag - she always carried additional clothes in case of an emergency.

We then went inside; there was no need to stand in line because the guards recognized her.

"I don't even know why you work when your family is this rich." I said as someone led us to what I assumed to be the restrooms.

"You're a Sanders, why do you work?"

"Your dad didn't cut you off."

"Yeah but he wants me to sit boringly and assess who dresses better, this is better than being a Grant, I wouldn't be here if I was living with them." She added as we stepped inside the restrooms.

She then reached into her bag and handed me a very short dress while taking another herself; I couldn't refuse because I knew she'd win, plus the clothes I was wearing were work clothes, smelled of food, and the coffee that had fallen off my hands earlier had left brown spots, so I changed right away and she fixed my makeup.

We looked like strippers in minutes. We then left the toilets, and she handed someone the bag to take it back to her car as we marched directly to the bartender and got double shots.

I took as many as I could, without counting, and before I knew it, my vision began to blur. Okay, having started drinking at a young age, I understood what to do to get sober; so I ordered a martini.

I was alone at the counter while Sandra was dancing with some guy.

I was telling the bartender about those problems when I heard a deep, husky, elegant voice behind me ask the bartender to pour me another drink.

I was ready to turn down when I sensed a presence next to me. I looked to my right just as the man slid into the stool next to me, leaving one empty seat between us.

He was dressed in an all-black suit that looked sleek and immaculate, as if it had been tailored specifically for him. His shoulders were superbly balanced, and how he handled himself? Effortless.

His hair was skillfully braided to the back, with no strand out of place. His skin was smooth, well toned, and gleaming under the bar lights. And his lips… they were broadly and delicate, not what you'd expect from someone with such a deep voice.

I briefly lost how to speak.

I didn't know how he got here, but Sandra was right. Tonight was about forgetting. My life was a disaster. I'd wasted five years yearning for someone who didn't care about me.

If I truly wanted to move on from Elliot and begin to rebuild my life, I needed to forget about him. And to do so, I'd simply have to sleep with a stranger.

The man met my gaze and grinned faintly. Without thinking, I raised my glass to him, the cold martini glinting in the dim bar lights.

‘Bingo,’ I thought… this is just what I needed.