003

SOPHIA

"Hey!" | yelled, trying to shake off the man who had grabbed me by the wrist and was pulling me towards a corner. I swiftly retrieved my taser, ready to use it as soon as his firm grip on me loosened.

When it did, I swiftly shoved it against his skin, and he let go almost immediately, his yell of pain barely audible over the thumping music, his scream sounding more like a muffled whisper.

"What the fuck, man?" he exclaimed, his eyes blazing with annoyance as he darted his gaze at me.

I furrowed my brow, my eyes locked onto his face, and that's when it hit me. - it was the taxi driver from earlier. His features etched with a scowl, and his eyes seemed to bore into mine with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

What right did he have to drag me into a corner like that? I thought, my instincts on high alert.

For a split second, I wondered if he was one of the goons my family had sent to haul me back home. Maybe he was…

"Why are you here? Are you following me?" I asked, my words tumbling out in a rush. He scoffed, with an incredulous expression.

"I should be asking you that. I dropped you off miles back, and now you're suddenly here. If this was your destination, you could have just told me to stop. But it clearly isn't, seeing what you're wearing." His tone dripped with distaste as he eyed my outfit.

I frowned, feeling a twinge of discomfort.

He was partially right, and it grated on me.

Everyone around us seemed to be dressed in trendy, stylish clothes, while I stuck out like a sore thumb. My father usually had someone do my shopping for me, so l wasn't often able to choose my own attire.

I felt a pang of embarrassment at being so underdressed.

"You can stay in the bathroom until the rain stops and use the card gave you to call me, so can take you back to wherever you came from." His response and look gave me the impression that he wasn't one of my family's goons, and I felt a bit relieved.

''I actually came in here to party," I said, trying to sound casual, but he looked me up and down with a distaste expression.

"In that outfit?"

"The rain ruined my plans," I added quickly

He snorted. "You've never been to a club before, have you? Well, I don't care. Just leave. This isn't a place for you."

"And it is for you? Look, I'm just trying to have fun, okay? If I don't do what I want tonight, I'll never get the chance to."

He gazed at me intently with an unreadable expression. "Why'd you run away from home?" he asked, his question catching me off guard.

My eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know that?" I stuttered, my mind racing.

"You left a paper with a list on it"

I racked my memory, trying to recall what he was talking about, and then it hit me. had made a visual list of what I planned to do before a new day began.

"Any luck so far?"

I shook my head, feeling a bit sheepish.

"No," I admitted.

He didn't say anything for a bit, but he looked like he was contemplating something. After a solid minute, he spoke up.

"I'll get you another outfit. Just tell me what you like and wait for me in the bathroom."

Lines of worry etched on my forehead as I hesitated. I didn't want to do that. What if he goes and calls people who would pick me up and take me back home? He stepped closer, his grip on my shoulder tightening as he stared me down. I swore I saw his iris narrow.

"Do as I-" he began, but I cut him off.

"I need a minute," I said, looking away and leaving him standing there, startled.

If he was really a goon, he would have taken me by now. Or worse, wouldn't be negotiating with me. It didn't take long before I turned back to him - he was already staring me down, looking puzzled.

"Okay, I'll wait," I said, resigned. "Whatever will do, just fine, as long as it's... hot."

With that said, I entered the bathroom, not bothering to wait for a response.

A knock came soon after I finished in the toilet. I wondered why whoever it was bothered knocking, seeing it was a public bathroom. But only a guy would do that, and I was certain it wasn't the Taxi guy - shit, I didn't even know his name. I quickly dragged my jeans up to my waist and hurried to the door, curiosity taking control of me.

I came face to face with the taxi driver, who was holding a red flare short gown.

"How did you.?" I started to ask, but he cut me off.

"Let me worry about the details, put this on," he said, shoving the gown into my hands before turning around, but not leaving. I carried the dress into the bathroom and stared at it at the mirror, hesitant. The dress was incredibly short, making me feel quite uncomfortable. This was the first time I had worn a short dress talk more of rocking one in public, and I was nervous about it. But as I looked in the mirror, I didn't hate what I saw.

It was quite the opposite.

Before changing, I went under the hand dryer machine and used it to dry my hair. I smiled in victory when I noticed my hair was now dry. I had only ever read and watched videos of tips online, and I was glad it paid off. I proceeded to comb my hair with my hands before putting on the gown.

I rushed back to the door, hoping the taxi driver was still there. He was. As I approached, his eyes darkened again, and I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. The way I looked in the outfit might have surprised him, given my earlier baggy clothes.

I walked out of the bathroom with my wet clothes in hand and asked, "Where do I put these?"

He forced his gaze away from my body and said, "Give them to me, I'll take care of it." I handed him the clothes and watched as he disappeared into the crowd.

"Huh? He was just there, where did he go?" I wondered, scanning the crowd.

As I slowly made my way through the sea of people, I noticed the gaze I got from others and couldn't help but smile. I was enjoying the attention and admiration, and even the girls were looking at me lustfully.

Although it wasn't on my list, I found myself thinking, 'Being the center of attention? Check!'

But as I continued to bask in the attention, I started to feel like it had drifted away from me to someone else.

I turned, curious to be proven wrong, and that's when my eyes landed on a familiar Blue-eyed man.