Heir Of Shadows

CHAPTER THREE

ELARA

It's been weeks since I last heard from Mason. I had instructed Avery to help pack my things from the company for fear of bumping into him. I still didn't know how to react. His betrayal stung like a knife to my chest. My mum, on the other hand, was recuperating well in the hospital and responding to treatments, save for the fact that we needed a truckload of money for post-hospital care. With no income, I was screwed.

The night slipped by faster than I had envisioned. I wanted to do nothing but sleep all day long.

I've had the most exhausting week—a nasty breakup as a result of a cheating partner, a sick mum, and the loss of a job I cherished sometimes.

It felt like the universe had it all out for me.

“Elara, stand up.” Avery flung the curtain blinds open as the sun's rays reflected its glow on my face.

“Ave!” I groaned, covering my face.

“Nu-uh, you can't stop living your life because one asshole decided to dump you!” She hissed, grabbing the sheets off my body. She didn't need a soothsayer to tell her I had been crying all night long; my eyes were red, and my voice was barely evident.

“Ave! I'm too tired to stand up. Please close the curtains.” I pleaded, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. She pulled me off the bed in one swift push.

“No, No. Mason is a jerk, but you don't get to be at the receiving end of it.”She handed me a cup of coffee. “ You are the most beautiful girl I know with the kindest heart. It's Mason's loss if he chooses to be gay.” She reminded me as if any of her words would lessen the hurt.

“Yet, that same beauty couldn't save me from this dying heartbreak.” I hissed, reluctantly standing up. As much As I hated to admit it, Avery was right. I couldn't stop living my life because of Mason.

She wrapped her arms around me in a comforting hug, and I felt relief for the first time that morning.

“I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry.” She tucked my hair behind my ears, kissing softly as she trailed her fingers along my skin.

“Thanks,”

We scurried downstairs to get to work for the day—-Her work.

“Girl, while you were away, I submitted your resume to several organizations in case you received a strange email asking for an interview,” Avery revealed. I scrunched my brows as I sat down to reply to my emails. She was right. She had indeed sent my resume to several organizations without being asked.

“Personal assistant?” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

“Do you need a good cash inflow or a fancy job like you had at Mason's father? " she inquired.

“I guess both.”

“I'll pretend you didn't just say that and move on. I know this cool nightclub. We are going there tonight!”

“For?”

“A girl's night out, El. You need to get your mind off things for a while. Take a look at the mirror; you look like a mess!”

“ I sure do, but I don't see how visiting the club will make me feel better,” I protested.

From the looks of things, Avery didn't have any piece of my story, so I had to give it in.

********

The music was deafening, rattling your bones and making conversation impossible. Sometimes, I wished I didn't fall victim to Avery's antics.

I sat in a dimly lit corner, nursing my glass of wine while the crowd pulsed with energy on the dance floor. People swayed and laughed like they didn’t have a care in the world, but all I could do was feel the ache in my chest.

Avery plopped down next to me, her face glowing with excitement. “Elara, come on! You’ve been sitting here all night.”

“I’m fine,” I said, swirling the wine in my glass.

“You’re not fine,” she countered, her voice rising over the music. “You’re sulking. You’re letting Mason win by sitting here moping while he’s probably off being his usual terrible self.”

I sighed, glancing at the crowd. “Avery, please.”

“Elara. I brought you here for a reason—dance, drink, flirt. There are tons of men here,” She grabbed my arm, trying to pull me up. “Avery, stop!” I protested, but she was relentless.

“Just one dance,” she insisted, dragging me toward the dance floor.

I let her tug me a few steps before stopping abruptly. “I’m not doing this.”

Her shoulders slumped, and she threw her hands in the air. “Fine. Be a party pooper. But don’t blame me when you go home and feel worse.”

She stormed off, disappearing into the crowd, and I returned to my seat, sipping my drink in peace—or as much peace as I could find in a place like this. The music blared, interrupting my thoughts.

That’s when I saw him.

He stood across the room, leaning casually against the bar. Even in the dim lighting, he stood out. His tailored suit clung perfectly to his athletic frame, the crisp white shirt beneath unbuttoned just enough to hint at a toned chest. Dark hair fell effortlessly over his forehead; an artist could have sculpted his sharp jawline. His eyes—piercing blue—locked onto mine, and a smirk tugged at his lips.

I quickly looked away, pretending to be engrossed in my drink.

Moments later, I felt a presence beside me.

“Not a fan of the dance floor?” His voice was smooth, low, and confident.

I glanced up, and there he was, closer now. He smelled like expensive cologne—woody, with a hint of spice. I didn't think he had been watching me all night.

“Not tonight,” I replied curtly, hoping he’d get the hint.

“Such a shame,” he said, sliding into the seat next to mine. “I was hoping you’d show me some moves.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like I’m in the mood to dance?”

He studied me for a moment, then grinned. “No, but you look like you could use a distraction.”

“From what?” I snapped. I didn't realize how snobbish I was, but I wanted to be alone.

“Whatever’s got you sitting here alone looking like the world’s about to end,” he said casually, sipping his drink.

I stared at him, unsure whether to be annoyed or amused. “You don’t even know me.”

“Not yet,” he said, leaning closer. “But I’d like to.”

His boldness caught me off guard. Most men would have backed off by now, but he seemed unfazed by my cold demeanor.

“Persistent, aren’t you?” I said, finally cracking a small smile.

“I prefer determined,” he replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’m Adrian, by the way.”

“Elara,” I said reluctantly, shaking his outstretched hand.

“Beautiful name,” he said, his gaze lingering a second too long.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, taking another sip of my drink.

“So, Elara,” he began, leaning back in his chair, “what’s a woman like you doing here alone?”

“Avery dragged me out,” I admitted, gesturing toward the dance floor where she was twirling with some guy. “She's my best friend.”

“I see,” he said, tilting his head.

“So, would you want a dance?” His smirk softened into something more sincere.

“I'm not sure, Adrian. I'm not—” He pulled me to the dance floor before I completed my statement.

It was exhilarating. Avery was right. I wouldn't regret tonight and needed to get my mind off the heartbreak.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight,” I rolled my eyes.

I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward him. He was charming, confident, and beautiful. Before I knew it, the small talk turned into something more. His wit disarmed me, his charm breaking down walls I hadn’t realized I built--One drink turned into two, then three, and the world around us seemed to blur.

The next thing I knew, we were in a cab, his hand resting lightly on my thigh. I should’ve felt nervous, but instead, I felt… alive.

When we stumbled into his apartment, his lips found mine, and all the pain, anger, and heartbreak melted away, replaced by something wild and unrestrained. I wasn’t thinking about Mason or my lost job for the first time in weeks.

Adrian’s touch was intoxicating, his kisses fierce and demanding. And as we fell into bed, I let myself forget everything—if only for one night.