THE MAFIA LORD

Lady in Red

The Past

July 2018

Hinsdale, Illinois

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Nicole looked taken aback. Her gray eyes were wide with shock and Drake felt the urge to apologize to her.

"I'm sorry for yelling."

"I should be the one saying sorry. I thought you were gonna enjoy the party that's why I asked that you come. I didn't want you to be left behind since everyone was coming."

"I'm used to being left behind, Nicole. I can take it." Drake sighed, rubbing his forehead wearily. "I'm tired. I'll just go."

"Alright. Let me go get my jacket." Nicole told him but Drake shook his head vehemently.

"You don't have to come with me. I know you still wanna stay back. I'll hate to ruin your fun."

"Nothing is fun without you being there, Drake," Nicole stated seriously. If she had smiled, Drake would have taken her words for a joke but there was no trace of smile on her face. Her bluntness made him speechless always.

"I'll go get my jacket so don't leave without me," Nicole warned as she turned around to go.

Drake watched her leave and when she got back inside the building, he let out a heavy sigh, leaning his back on the wall and shutting his eyes. He took a deep breath, breathing in fresh air — fresh air which the stuffy club lacked.

Rather than fresh air, he had only breathed in smoke and alcohol. Drake felt relieved to be out.

However, he soon opened his eyes when he heard a man's shout. This man was trying to keep up with a lady who was walking very fast. She was dressed in a red dress which hugged her slim figure, perfectly aligning all her curves which were quite huge for a slim person like her.

The dress hung just a little bit below her butt, exposing her thick thighs and straight legs. She had a red lipstick on and her eyes were darkened with eye-shadow and mascara.

Her long dark-brown hair fell upon her shoulder, adding to her already salacious look and as she walked, her hips swayed to the side like a runway model would do while sashaying around a stage. Drake's jaw dropped as he stared at her, wondering how someone could be as beautiful as she was.

Despite the man's shout, the woman kept walking as though no one was asking for her to stop. The man finally caught up with her and he pulled her around violently so she could look at him.

The lady's leg wobbled a bit due to the violent pull but she soon stabled herself and when she looked up, she had a nasty look on her face. Drake watched them from where he was standing, wondering what had transpired between them.

He was also torn between the choice to intrude or to ignore since it was actually not his business. He didn't know who they were and there were other people present in the scene. No one was trying to help so why should he?

However, he found himself wanting to interfere. He was scared that the girl might get hurt and as crazy as this might sound, Drake did not want even a strand of her hair to be touched. It was at times like this he wished he had the guts to confront a man.

But he did not. If anything, what he had was fear. He was so scared and the last thing he wanted to do was to disgrace himself before this woman. What if he interfered and got beaten up so badly?

Impulsively, Drake's eyes swept through his body, a frown forming on his face as he stared at his lean arms, flat chest, and long thin legs. He was too lean. Regardless of how much he consumed, he never gained any weight.

"Have you lost it?" The beautiful brunette yelled at the man, her eyes spitting fire as she tried to pull her hand from his grip. Drake looked up from accessing himself when he heard her voice.

"I should be asking you that." The man bit back. He was short and sturdy with a slightly protruding belly. He was heavily bearded, so much that his lips were buried in his beard. He was dressed in a black suit and from his wristwatch and shoes, Drake knew he was rich.

However, His black hair was wet and messy; some curls fell over his forehead in a nasty fashion. Drake wondered why he was sweating that much.

"Have you lost it yourself?" The sturdy man continued, "Where do you think you are going after downing a glass of wine on my head? Huh?" He yelled back, shaking the brunette violently as his grip on her arm tightened.

"I'll do more than that if you do not let me go." The brunette seethed in anger. Her eyes were now darkened than usual and her free hand balled into a tight fist.

Drake watched in interest and fright: interest, because he was curious to see what the lady would do and fright, because he did not want her to get hurt in the process.

"You b***h!" The sturdy man yelled, raising his arm to hit her but before he could, the brunette ducked, pulling her arm from his grip and kicking him right under his crotch with her heeled foot. Drake winced at that, his hands gripping his crotch in reflex.

The sturdy man groaned in pain but before he could recover from that, the brunette kicked him again, this time on his stomach. She set her leg in between his and dragged him down, so he fell to the ground, hitting his butt with a heavy thud.

The man's scream was throaty. His face squeezed in pain but the brunette was not done yet. She sat astride him, grabbing him by the neck and throwing many slaps on his face. She finally stopped after a while but she kept holding his neck tightly.

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood. I would have killed you right here." She spoke calmly but the death in her voice was evident. Drake found himself shivering as he heard her, for he was within hearing distance.

"But don't get too excited. You just might not be lucky next time." She stated before spitting on his face. The man winced in disgust, still writhing on the ground and holding on to his crotch. It was clear he was in so much pain and that brought a smile to the brunette's face.

Satisfied, she stood to her feet, ignoring the stares she was getting. Rather, she walked away confidently, exiting the compound without a glance back.

Drake watched her as she left and even when she was gone, his eyes remained on the gate. He was totally enamored by what he had just witnessed and he remained awestruck till Nicole returned.

"Sorry, I took long. I had to use the restroom." She said to him but Drake was too much in a daze to respond.

Nicole frowned, looking at the gate which Drake was staring at to see what was so interesting to have gotten Drake's attention. When she could not find anything, she returned her gaze to him.

"Are you sure you are okay?" She asked, concern written all over her face. But rather than reply, all Drake could do was exclaim,

"Wow!" He spoke as one who was drowsy. "She's so cool."

"Who?" Nicole's frown got deeper.

"She," Drake replied. "Red dress lady. She is so cool."