Chapter 195: The Past [1]

Two Years Ago

[Music: S&M By Rihanna]

My head moved with the beat, my hair whipping to and fro as I let it rain before shooting my hands up in the air.

I have never felt more alive; I wasn’t sure anything could top this, not even dancing in classes and enduring Madam’s strict lessons.

This was different and a much-needed activity to unwind.

There was just this vibe that came with the less formal form of expression, that wildness and that thrill that courses through your veins as you surrender.

My hand moved down to my face as I swayed slowly with the flow, then trailed down my waist.

I glanced to my side and saw Annabeth; her flawless wavy dark hair bouncing like she had extensions done, but she didn’t.

Even after an hour or so of dancing, nothing was out of place. Her silver mini dress caught the light, and I grew envious of her curves.

She was curvy. And I have always desired that part of her. She was so many things I wished to be.

With a smile on her lips, she danced toward my direction, and I giggled as we both took the stage and let loose more. We pressed our backs together as we rolled our hips.

Then Clara came into view, and the three of us danced to our hearts’ content until we walked to the exclusive bar for a breather and drinks.

"We should do this more often!" Clara pitched amidst the loud music even though it was pretty dimmed where we were. We had our exclusive space so...!

Annabeth and I shared a look, and then we burst out laughing.

"What?" Clara asked innocently. "Did I say something wrong again? You two are always giggling behind my back when I do. So annoying."

"You always say we should do this more often," Annabeth said, amused. "And each time we end up here."

"But I can’t help it, I love clubbing with you guys. It’s so much fun... ugh! We should go dance again!"

"Only because when you do, you get the exclusive space," I retorted.

"Ana!" Annabeth scolded.

"She’s right though," Clara reasoned, and we all giggled.

"I mean, come on, it’s better this way than some random guy creeping up at us. At least here we can have our space, and we’re not interrupted."

She was right, though.

Clara got comfortable in her seat and crossed her legs. Annabeth and I shared a look again.

"She loves us, doesn’t she?" she said.

"Butttt I think she loves us for the club," I teased.

"Hey! That’s not fair, I love you guys so much!"

"We know." Annabeth and I said simultaneously.

We grabbed our glass and each took a shot.

"Yep! Now that hits the spot. Whoo!" Clara shot her hands in the air.

I winced and dropped the glass, letting the alcohol sink in.

"Whoopise!" Annabeth giggled. "Still having a hard time, aren’t you? Trust me, the burn is the right spot."

"I got it!" I took another glass and my action repeated.

God, I’m never gonna get this down, am I?

"Still don’t got it, huh?" Clara said. "Which is why you should learn from the pros."

I rolled my eyes. "Look who’s talking! Last time you couldn’t even hold your liquor."

"And vomited all the way back," Annabeth added as she crossed her legs. "Even though she was half drunk."

"Come on!" She rolled her eyes. "Enough with that. Why don’t you tell me how you two evade the hot bodyguard?"

I blushed hard at the mention of Jacob. It wasn’t easy, though, and I was running out of creative ideas, and I swear if he found us, he was gonna be very angry.

Father was away for business, so Jacob was kinda watching over us. And we’re not making it easy for him; he was probably racing through the night looking for us.

"Don’t worry, he’ll come around," Annabeth said for certain.

"Just give him those eyes, and he would swoon."

I forced a smile. Annabeth always had that effect on Jacob, and I knew the moment he came in angry, she’d always find a way to calm him down, and all she had to do was look at him.

I jolted when my phone vibrated, and reached for the purse hanging across my body, pulling it out.

I thought I switched the damn thing off.

"Shit!"

"Uh-Oh... that doesn’t sound good."

I looked at Annabeth. "It’s Jacob."

"Well, don’t pick yet."

"Do it!" Clara chirped, and we looked at the glass and found it empty.

"When the heck did she finish that?" I said.

"Remember when we’re out here alone, and we can’t have too much. Enough so we can..."

"Drive ourselves..." Clara finished for Annabeth. "I know, I know."

Nope! She certainly doesn’t. I guess she was still processing that breakup.

Clara rose from her seat, and Annabeth was quick to hold her before she stumbled and fell in the most embarrassing way possible.

"Okay, Ana, I think you should really pick that call now. We need Jacob."

"O-Okay."

I picked up, but the line got cut. I tried calling him back, but it wouldn’t get through, so I rose to my feet and hurried out for a signal.

The call went through.

"Hey!"

I couldn’t hear him.

"Hello?"

The line was breaking, so I walked further out until I was in the hallway.

God, this place has like the worst signal ever!

Mumbling in frustration, I tapped against my phone, then sent a text with the name of the club, making sure I used all the loveliest emoji I could find.

Suddenly I saw mean-looking men coming toward me, not at me, just passing through, and I gave way to them.

Okay, what’s their deal?

One of them whistled at me.

"Focus! We have to find him."

I pressed my back into the wall when he got close.

"Doesn’t mean I can’t have some fun. What do you say, love?" he said, checking me out.

How about my fist in your face? But as my sister always says, in a place like this never resort to violence so quickly, cause you might not know what they’re capable of.

But I’m afraid my fist was already balling, and the moment he thinks he could touch me with those nasty hands I’d—!

"Now!" His companion growled.

"Too bad." He murmured as he walked to them and left.

I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Now that wasn’t scary at all.

I shouldn’t have wandered too far. I checked my phone and found out the text wasn’t sent yet.

"Great!"

I walked further in hopes of catching that one signal, but I collided with a wall.

The rest happened so fast. That was not a wall because walls don’t have hands. I was dragged into the darkness, and before I could scream, a large hand clamped over my mouth.

"Shhhh." The sound came off smoothly.

Oh God, am I getting kidnapped?!

I squirmed in panic, trying to free myself.

"I wouldn’t do that."

I froze at the sound of his gravelly voice, warmth creeping the helix of my ear. I felt something cold pressed on my cheek.

I-Is that a gun?

"Don’t be scared. I won’t shoot unless you give me a reason to."

Are you kidding me right now?

"Have you checked that area?"

We heard a voice.

"Not yet."

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

Oh shit! I think those mean-looking men are coming here!

We moved, and my brain couldn’t process what was happening because I was too focused on the gun, and the thought of my brain spraying out like those horror movies I watched with my sister.

Okay! Not a good image right now. What the fuck is wrong with you, Ana?

We emerged into a much brighter place that looked like a VIP lounge, and he finally released me.

I stumbled forward and turned sharply.

My breath caught the moment I laid eyes on him. He ran a hand through his dark-blond hair, and for a second, everything slowed down.

He was tall... insanely tall... and built in a way his suit couldn’t possibly hide. His dress shirt was unbuttoned beneath the jacket, revealing a glimpse of that hard chest, and the tattoo that winded up his muscular neck.

H-How could a man like this exist? I have never seen anyone like him. And here I thought Jacob was the hottest man to exist. This was just so...!

Our gaze locked; those hollow eyes seemed like they stared into my soul. Slowly, he tilted his head as he observed my face. He didn’t even look at my gold satin mini dress or once devour my body.

Just my face.

Like he found something there.

He slid his gun back into his shoulder holster and moved. I took a step back instinctively, but he didn’t make it to me because he held a wall for balance, and a pained groan slipped from his lips.