4. Who Is This Stranger?

Marina hauled her bag down the streets with tears streaming down her cheeks. She had nothing on her. There was no money, no savings, and now there was no marriage. 

She had invested all her time and life in making Collin comfortable in the marriage, forgetting that her own happiness mattered, too. If only she knew, but it was too late. She was stuck.

“Where do I go from here?” As she walked down the streets, the reality of being homeless dawned on her.

She was now alone in the world. There was no home to return to. No friend. No family. Collin didn’t give her the chance to keep the few friends she made in college. He had shut everyone away from her, claiming they were jealous she got lucky with him.

The evening was gradually slipping into the night, and she had yet to figure out a solution to her predicament. Everyone was passing by, minding their business to the core. Morvane wasn’t a safe city for people to associate with strangers.

After a few minutes, the streets fell quiet. She was standing by a corner of the road, still thinking about a way out, when a group of men moved past her, tall and broad-shoulders, their presence exuding danger.

Cold shivers ran down her spine. It wasn’t safe for her to stay there, on the streets. Her mind raced, searching for someone she could call. Roselyn, her best friend from way back, instantly surfaced in her thoughts, but she doubted whether she still remembered her after many years of silence on her part.

Clinging onto the hope that she still used her old line, she dialed Roselyn’s number. Luckily for her, it rang.

-

An hour later, a skinny woman showed up at the address she had given her over the phone. After five years, Roselyn still looked the same. Skinny and tall. They used to be the same body shape, but marriage gave her a little more flesh. Now, she was curvier.

“Marina.” Roselyn’s expression dulled as she spotted Marina sitting on the street slab.

With her overly long dress and hair in disarray, the best description that came to mind was that of a person who just bolted from a psychiatrist ward. She looked mad, but undeniably pretty even in that state.

“What happened?” She spread her arms widely open to receive Marina.

A quiet sob left Marina. The words were too heavy to utter. She had expected Roselyn to throw a tantrum for neglecting her for five years, but instead, she welcomed her wholeheartedly.

“It’s okay.” She patted her back softly when she wouldn’t stop crying. A few minutes later, she flagged down a cab that conveyed them to her house.

They arrived at the condo. A one-room studio apartment that barely contained Roselyn. 

“Welcome to my house.” Roselyn’s lips curled as she spread her arms around in contentment with what she had.

A queen-sized bed that was well-made with plain black bedsheets. A one-seater couch and a media shelf that housed a television and a CD player.

She placed Marina’s bag against the wall of her grey painted apartment.

“I knew that bastard was no good for you.” Roselyn offered her water. “You don’t have to go into details right now. I was on my way to work when your call came in. We can talk when I get back from work.”

Marina’s eyes glimmered, overflowing with unspoken gratitude. Roselyn just saved her sleeping on the streets of Morvane.

She quickly donned her uniform, her gaze drifting on Marina, who was back to sulking. Loathing her expression, she sighed and said, “You know what? You’re coming with me. I can’t leave you all alone. Come to the club with me.”

Marina shook her head. She just wanted to be alone, to drown in the reality of what her life was going to become after this divorce.

“No. You will come with me, and I will buy you drinks. You need something to get that asshole off your mind.”

Marina thought carefully about her offer. She had been crying since the day had started. Her life was already in shambles. She had nothing to lose. If anything, the alcohol would numb her pain for a while.

“I’ll come with you.” She agreed to Roselyn’s offer. She looked at herself. “But I can’t go like this.”

Roselyn smiled. “I’ve got you.” She rummaged through her bag. She yanked out a little black dress. Tossing it at Marina, “This will do.”

Marina took the dress and quickly donned it. Not her perfect size, but it was manageable. Better than the one she was wearing before.

“I work night duty in a private club.” She told Marina as they walked out of her house. “It’s for exclusive people only, but they will allow you in tonight because you are with me. However, you can’t go into the club rooms. They are reserved for higher-end members. Just stay where I tell you to stay, and do what I ask of you.”

Marina nodded, taking careful notes of all the instructions Roselyn was giving her. 

After spending minutes going through the rules and regulations with her, she concluded with a small smile. “It’s safe there. I will make sure you are safe, and… I will prepare a nice drink for you.”

For the first time since the news of her infertility hit her, she smiled. Tears quickly poured down her cheeks. Guilt ate her up as she looked at Roselyn. The friendship connection wasn’t strong anymore. They were almost like strangers now, but she still came through for her.

“Thank you, Rose.” She hugged her tightly, soft sobs leaving her.

Roselyn patted her back gently. “We’re running late.” She freed herself from Marina, and together, they stormed the street.

-

By the time they got there, the club was roaring with life. Loud music blasted from speakers. Multi-colored lights flashed across the room, highlighting rich, polish skins, and bodies colliding.

Roselyn directed Marina to a deserted part of the room. Motioning to the tall padded chair, she said, “Sit here, I’ll bring you a drink when I start serving my customers.”

A few minutes later, Roselyn showed up again with a glass of wine in her hand. Her smile grew wider as she walked down to where Marina was seated, her eyes scouring the club as though this life was entirely new to her.

“Here, red wine. Not too hard.”

Marina took the glass from her.

“Have fun.” She disappeared again.

Marina felt alive as she downed the wine Roselyn served her. She didn’t drink alcohol, but it was sure needed this night. She raised the glass to her lips, about to finish the last sip, when a sudden chill prickled her skin.

A cold presence dominated the whole of her body. Her heart skipped a beat, and she slowly dragged her eyes up. His gaze met hers in the glow of the lights above them. Sharp and magnetic, pulling her into him.

He towered over her, a figure carved from authority and menace. His eyes were icy, as if he were at war with the world. He reeked of affluence and danger in equal measure.

As Marina sized him from up to down, she was sure his beauty ended at his face. Every other part of him radiated hostility. Something inimical. Something she should run away from.

She opened her mouth to talk, but he beat her to it.

“May I sit with you?” He asked, like he already knew she wouldn’t say no.