CHAPTER 2

Andrea's heart pounded in her chest as she stumbled into the dimly lit club, seeking solace in the embrace of anonymity and the haze of alcohol. The weight of her emotions bore down on her, urging her to drown her sorrows in drink, desperate to numb the pain that consumed her. The flashing lights and pounding music provided a temporary relief from her disturbed and scattered thoughts, but deep down, she knew it was only a temporary escape. How could Mark betray her? After everything they have been through together? She could not seem to be able to wrap her head around it. 

                           

She had turned off her phone on her way to the club, knowing fully well that Emily would call her to know how good their plan had gone. She knew that if she ended up informing Emily about what had happened in Mark's house, Emily would ensure that Mark and whoever was on the bed with him wish they were dead. 

"Hey baby girl."

Her gaze fell upon a shabby looking young man. He was dressed in leather pants and jacket, she immediately guessed that he was a biker and knowing fully well that they're usually not good news so she chose to ignore him. But it seemed that he wasn't having it.

As she made her way through the crowd, she felt a hand grope her ass. Her eyes widened in shock as she paused in her tracks, she felt her heart race. 

Andrea's shock quickly transformed into anger, her brows furrowing as she wondered who had violated her personal space. She didn't have the patience or tolerance for such behavior, especially not on a night like this when she was already grappling with her own emotional turmoil.

Without a second thought, she swiftly spun around, her eyes locking onto the man's face. Her voice dripped with a mixture of anger and determination as she spoke, "You have no right to touch me like that. Keep your hands to yourself!"

The man's face contorted into a smug grin, clearly unfazed by her reaction. He leaned in closer, his words slurred with the effects of alcohol, "Aw, come on, sweetheart. Just having some fun. Loosen up a bit."

Andrea's jaw clenched as her frustration intensified. She had reached her breaking point, and she wasn't about to let this stranger push her any further. Drawing strength from her anger, she raised her voice above the blaring music, capturing the attention of those nearby.

"Fun? Is that what you call it? Well, I call it harassment!" she retorted, her voice laced with defiance. The crowd around them began to murmur, their attention shifting from the pulsating music to the unfolding confrontation.

Suddenly, a tall figure emerged from the outskirts of the gathering. It was a bouncer or so she thought as she did not care to look at his face, clad in a black suit, his muscular frame imposing. He stepped forward, placing a hand on the man's shoulder, his voice firm and commanding.

"Is there a problem here?" the bouncer asked, his gaze fixed on the man in leather. His presence alone seemed to shift the dynamics of the situation, forcing the harasser to take a step back.

The man stumbled over his words, attempting to play down the incident, "Nah, man, just messing around. No harm intended."

The bouncer's stern expression didn't waver as he addressed Andrea, his voice filled with empathy, "Miss, are you alright? Do you want me to escort this individual out of the club?"

Andrea took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude wash over her. She nodded, her voice steady, "Yes, please. I appreciate your help."

With that, the bouncer firmly guided the man away, disappearing into the crowd. Andrea let out a sigh, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. She moved towards the bar and took a seat as she ordered for multiple shots of tequila. In a matter of seconds she had gulped down a lot of alcohol and was now tipsy. She held the glass in her hand and slowly twirled the drink, her eyes and lazily slowing scanning the crowd.

As Andrea sat there, lost in her own thoughts, a voice broke through the haze of the club and captured her attention.

"Is this seat taken?"

Andrea looked up to see the bouncer. She noticed his striking blue eyes and a warm smile that was surprisedly familiar. He looked so much like her high school crush, Ethan. But there was no way that it was him so she brushed the thought aside.

Andrea shook her head, gesturing to the empty seat beside her. "No, it's all yours."

The bouncer gracefully slid onto the stool, his eyes never leaving Andrea's face. "I saw what happened earlier. You handled that situation with strength and courage."

A mix of surprise and gratitude washed over Andrea. She hadn't expected anyone to notice or comment on the incident, and it touched her that this stranger had taken notice.

"Thank you," Andrea replied, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's been a tough night, and I needed someone to remind me that I'm not alone." 

"Hmmm"

Curiosity got the best of her and she ended up asking anyways. "Did you perhaps attend Antonio high school?"

"Yeah, why? Do you know me?" There was a hint of suspicion in his eyes, his eyebrows were furrowed in confusion.

"Oh my God, you're Ethan right?" She clapped her hands excitedly, she could not believe her eyes. "It's me, Andrea! Oh my goodness, I can't believe this."

"Wait…no way! Andrea?" He engulfed her in an embrace, he couldn't contain his surprise. "It has been like how many years now? Since prom right? Wow!"

"I know!" She allowed herself to enjoy the hug, after what she had been through earlier, she deserved a decent hug.

He released her from the hug and stared at her. "You look…wow Andrea honestly, you look amazing, you have really changed. You look so beautiful."

Andrea blushed, feeling a mixture of flattery and nostalgia at Ethan's words. It had been years since they had last seen each other, and the sudden reunion felt surreal. She couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in Ethan's demeanor, and the flirty look in his eyes didn't go unnoticed.

"Thank you, Ethan," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of shyness. "You're looking good too. It's incredible to see you after all this time. Do you work here?"

"No I don't."

"Well, earlier when you kicked out that pervert, I honestly thought you were a bouncer."

"Good God  no."

"You have really changed Ethan."

Ethan chuckled, his smile widening. "Yeah, life has taken some unexpected turns since high school. But it's great to reconnect with old friends. So, what brings you here tonight?"

Andrea took a deep breath, contemplating how much to reveal. She didn't want to burden Ethan with her personal issues, but she also didn't want to dismiss the chance to confide in someone who seemed genuinely interested.

"I needed an escape, you know?" she began, her voice laced with vulnerability. "Some things happened recently, and I just needed a break from reality. I didn't expect to run into you, though. It's a pleasant surprise."

Ethan nodded understandingly. "I get it. Sometimes life throws curveballs, and we all need a temporary refuge. If you ever feel like talking about it, I'm here to listen."

Andrea appreciated his offer and the genuine concern in his voice. Opening up to someone she hadn't seen in years felt strangely comforting, like a fresh perspective on her situation.

"Well, I just found out that my fiance cheated on me," she confessed, her voice slightly shaky. "I caught him with someone else, and it shattered me. I thought we had something real, you know? We had plans, we were supposed to have a beautiful future together, our wedding was so close. It feels like my whole world has turned upside down."

Ethan's expression softened, his eyes reflecting empathy. "I'm sorry to hear that, Andrea. Betrayal is never easy to deal with. But remember, it says more about him than it does about you. You deserve someone who appreciates and respects you."

Andrea nodded, grateful for Ethan's words of encouragement. "Thank you, Ethan. I needed to hear that. It's just hard to let go of the past sometimes."

He reached out and placed a comforting hand on hers. "I understand. Healing takes time, but I have faith that you'll come out stronger on the other side. And remember, you're not alone. You have friends who care about you, even if they're from the past."

Andrea sighed, there was just something about his voice, something about him in general that reached out to her.

"So Ethan, tell me, what brings you here?"

"Hmm, I just came to loosen up. Been going through a lot of stress and pressure lately."

"Then what are we doing sitting here and being all moody? C'mon let's hit the dance floor!" With that, Andrea gulped down two shots of tequila and pulled Ethan with her to the dance floor. 

Ethan couldn't help but smile at Andrea's sudden burst of energy and determination. Her infectious enthusiasm was contagious, and he found himself getting caught up in the moment. As they made their way to the dance floor, the pulsating beats and vibrant lights surrounded them, engulfing them in a sea of euphoria.

Andrea let herself go, allowing the music to guide her movements. She danced with an uninhibited grace, her worries and heartache momentarily forgotten. Ethan too, let loose; matching her energy as they moved in sync with the rhythm. 

The music gradually faded, and as the song ended; Ethan and Andrea separated, their gazes locked. There was a mixture of warmth, understanding, and a hint of desire in their eyes. The unspoken tension hung in the air, begging for resolution.

With a gentle smile, Andrea broke the silence; her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. "Ethan, can I ask you something?"

He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers, she took a deep breath. "What happens after tonight? After the dancing, the laughter, and the escape from reality? What happens when the music stops?"

As if reading her thoughts, Ethan continued; his voice gentle yet filled with a quiet determination. "Andrea, I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I do know that I feel a connection with you, one that I haven't felt in a long time. I want to get to know you,"

"I don't have anywhere to go tonight!" She said, hoping he would understand what she meant.

Ethan nodded, he grabbed her hand and headed for the exit. There was a hotel across the road and that was exactly where he was going.

Andrea decided to go with the flow, soon they were alone in a room. The sexual tension in the air was so thick that a knife could cut through it, their gazes were locked on each other and in a split second their lips met, a rush of desire surged through Andrea's veins, intertwining with the lingering pain and vulnerability she had carried with her. In that moment, she allowed herself  surrender to the passion, to let go of the past and be present in the intensity of the present.

The room seemed to fade away as Ethan's hands explored her body, tracing every curve, every contour with a fervor that mirrored her own. Their bodies moved together in perfect harmony, melding into a dance of passion and desire. Time became an ethereal concept, lost in the sea of their intertwined emotions. Every touch ignited a fire within them, fueling a connection that seemed to transcend the physical realm.

Ethan's lips brushed against hers, softly at first, as if savoring the taste of anticipation. Their kisses deepened, becoming an intoxicating blend of longing and surrender. The room was filled with the sounds of their breaths.