Chapter3
1381 Words
HANDSOME JERK
Elara’s POV
By the time we pulled up to the bar, the tears had dried on my face, leaving me feeling empty and hollow.
The neon lights blinked, and I could already hear the faint thumping of music from inside.
I paid the cab driver and stepped out, taking a deep breath as I stood on the curb.
The air was crisp, cold even, but I didn't care about the cold. I didn't care about anything right now.
All I wanted was to drown out the pain, to forget the world for a little while.
Tosca Bar wasn't my usual scene-it was a bit too rowdy for my taste– but tonight, that was what I needed.
My thoughts were scattered , my feet moving on their own as I stepped into the street, not paying attention to where I was going.
Suddenly, the screech of tires snapped me back to reality.
A car slammed on its brakes,stopping just inches from me. I froze, my heart racing widely as I realized how close I had come to getting hit.
The driver stepped out, slamming the door behind him, and I was suddenly face to face with a man who was,admittedly,stunning
Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair and stormy-grey piercing eyes that looked like they could cut through steel. But I wasn't in the mood to appreciate his good looks.
He stormed toward me, his face twisted in anger.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed?”he snapped, his voice sharp, cutting through the cold night air.
I glared at him, too numb to care about his outrage. “Why don't you mind your own damn business?” I spat back, my words slurred with anger and exhaustion.
“If you want to die, go jump off a bridge or something,”he shot back,his eyes flashing with irritation.” Don't make me run you over.”
I shot him a furious glare, my emotions already frayed to the breaking point. I couldn't help it. The words spilled out before I could stop them.
“Why don't you go f**k off?” I snapped, my voice venomous. I didn't have the patience to deal with anyone tonight, especially not some arrogant jerk who thought he could lecture me.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by my response.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. f**k OFF,” I repeated, my tone high and biting.
His eyes narrowed, but I didn't stick around to hear what else he had to say .
I turned on my heel and stormed into the bar, not even looking back.
Inside , the heavy bass of the music vibrated through the floor,and the dim lights cast long shadows across the room.
The place was packed with people dancing, drinking , and clubbing, but I didn't care about the crowd. All I wanted was a drink.
I found a secluded spot in the corner,away from the loud groups of people, and sat down. I waved over the bartender and ordered the strongest drink they had, not caring what it was as long as it helped me forget.
The first sip burned, but in a way that was oddly comforting. It was something real, something sharp that cut through the numbness..
One drink turned into two. Then three .By the time I finished my fourth, the room had started to blur around the edges ,and the weight of everything that had happened felt a little lighter.
I stared into the empty glass, my mind driving back to Ronan, to his face as he had stammered out his pathetic excuses.
A mistake, he had said. I felt like I was the mistake.
My stomach twisted, and I raised my hand to signal the bartender to get the bill but he couldn't see me.
As I stood, tipsy and unsteady, someone bumped into me, sending me stumbling back onto the barstool.
“Watch it! Are you blind or something?” I snapped,my words slurred slightly as I turned to glare at the person who had bumped into me.
I blinked in surprise as I recognized the person. It was the handsome jeek from earlier .
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice louder than I intended. “Are you stalking me or something ?”
He raised an eyebrow, his lips quirkiness into a smirk that made me want to punch him in the face.
“You really think I'd waste my precious time following you around? Keep dreaming, princess.”
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.
I wanted to punch him, to wipe that smug look off his face, but I had no energy left to fight .
“You're a real piece of work, you know that ?” I narrowed my eyes at him, my temper flaring again.
He shrugged,clearly unfazed by my anger. “And you’re drunk.”
“I'm not drunk,” I shot back, though the room was definitely spinning. “I just… had a long day.”
He gave me a once-over, his gaze lingering on my face for a moment too long.
“Yeah, I can see that. But here's one advice-maybe don't try to get yourself killed next time you cross the street”
I clenched my jaw, hating the fact that he was right but not willing to admit it. “Just…leave me alone.”
With that, I turned and walked over to the counter, ready to pay for my drinks and get the hell out of there .
But when I handed over my card, the bartender frowned and shook his head.
“Sorry, miss. It's been declined.”
I blinked, my heart skipping a beat.” What? That can't be right. Try it again.”
He swiped the card once more, but the result was the same. Declined Panic bubbled up in my chest. I couldn't think straight , but I knew what this meant.
My father!
He must have frozen my account. Of course he did. He wasn't going to let me off that easily. Not when he had his precious Tavian Hawthorne lined up for me to marry.
“s**t”, I muttered under my breath, my hands shaking as I fumbled through my purse for another form of payment.
But I had nothing. No cash, no other cards. My entire life had been tied up in that account, and now it was gone.
“Great. Just great,” I mumbled, closing my eyes again. Could this night get any worse?
Fury and frustration boiled inside me, and I could feel my face flush with embarrassment.
Behind me, I heard a low chuckle. The jerk from earlier was still standing there, watching the whole thing unfold.
“What's the matter, princess?
Trouble in paradise?” he taunted, his voice laced with mockery.
I turned and glared at him. He was leaning casually against the bar,a smug grin on his face as he watched me struggle.
“Go to hell,” I snapped, my voice low and venomous.
He shrugged. “Easy,tiger. I'm just trying to help.”
“Help? You’re enjoying this, aren't you?”
His grin widened. “Maybe a little.”
I'd rather be stranded than take any help from you.”
He scoffed lightly, his perfect jawline twisting into a mocking sneer. “As you wish,princess.” He said and bowed mockingly.
“You're just unbearable,” I muttered under my breath.
And then I reached up and yanked off the diamond bracelet I was wearing. At least I still had something of value in my life.
“Here,” I said, shoving the bracelet toward the bartender. “This should cover it.”
The bartender's eyes widened, but he nodded and took the bracelet.
I didn't even care how ridiculous it was to pay for drinks with diamonds.
I just wanted to get out of there, especially away from this jerk. He was so infuriating.
I turned to leave, but as I took my first step , the room titled violently, and my legs gave out beneath me.
The last thing I remembered was the cold floor rushing up to meet me as darkness swallowed me whole.
- Writer
