The Devil’s Healer

Chapter 6

ROSALIA POV:

Sophia spent hours convincing me to go and dressing me up. Just to say I know I was a lot of work. we were finally ready to go out. Sophia wore a silver dress that sparkled every time she moved. I wore the emerald satin dress with my heels. She looked like the life of every party. I looked like myself. For the first time in almost two days that felt like enough.

The moment we walked into Inferno the music was really loud. It swallowed us whole. The bass vibrated through the floor beneath my heels. The club was really luxurious.

Sophia looked around taking it all in. "This is where I belong " she shouted, she moved her hips gently making me giggle.

I smiled. "You belong theres expensive alcohol and attractive men " I teased her.

She laughed. "And appreciating beauty is free " she said, linking her arm through mine.

A waiter approached us with a smile. "Good evening, ladies. Would you like a table?" he asked.

Sophia smiled sweetly. "We want the one you've got " she said.

He led us through the crowd to a velvet booth overlooking the dance floor. The moment we sat down Sophia leaned across the table. "Remember, no talking about Enzo " she said.

I agreed. "That sounds fair " I said.

She smiled. "And if a man approaches you don't tell him you're a doctor " she said.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why not?" I asked.

She laughed. "Because men hear 'doctor' and suddenly develop chest pains " she whimpers

I laughed too. "That's not true " I replied her

Sophia insisted. "It's absolutely true " she moaned

A waiter returned to take our order. Sophia ordered a cocktail and then he turned to me. ". For you miss?" he asked.

I hesitated. "I'll have sparkling water " I said.

Sophia looked at me like I'd just done something wrong. "No you're not ordering sparkling water in a nightclub "

I explained. "I drove and I have work in two days "

Sophia was not giving up. "You also have a heart " she said gently. ". That's exactly why I'm asking you to have just one drink."

I thought about it for a moment. Maybe one drink wouldn't hurt. "Okay fine " I finally agreed

Sophias face lit up. "Thank goodness” she exclaimed.

Then she ordered the same cocktail for both of us. I looked at her suspiciously. "You look really pleased with yourself " I said.

“I prefer to think of myself as an optimist " my lips twitched

A minutes later the waiter returned with our drinks. They looked shimmering beneath the lights in a mixture of ruby and gold with fresh raspberries on top.

I admitted. "It looks pretty " I spat

Sophia smiled. "It tastes better " she said

I picked up the glass cautiously. "What are we drinking to?" I asked.

Sophia raised her glass. "To never settling for men again " she said.

We clinked our glasses together. "To beginnings " I said.

The drink was sweet and refreshing. The alcohol was almost impossible to taste. We fell into conversation laughing and joking together.

The music. Sophia finished her drink. "Oh we're dancing " she said, standing up.

I hesitated. "No I don't think so " I said.

Sophia grabbed my wrist and pulled me onto the dance floor. The music surrounded us and people were laughing and singing and dancing without a care in the world. At first I only swayed awkwardly. Sophia laughed and spun me around.

After songs I felt warmer and more relaxed. The cocktail had settled pleasantly in my stomach and the constant tightness in my chest had eased. The world didn't seem so heavy anymore.

Sophia shouted over the music. "I'll get us another round” she spoked I could tell she was already getting tipsy

I thought we had agreed on just one drink. "I said one " I reminded her.

She winked. "You agreed, but I didn't " she said.

Before I could object she disappeared toward the bar. I shook my head smiling to myself. That woman would be the death of me.

A minutes later she returned with two fresh cocktails. "Sophia I said one " I said again.

She just smiled. "This one’s lighter " she said.

I looked at the drink. It looked exactly like the first one. "I don't know” I said.

Sophia pushed the glass toward me. "Trust me " she said.

I hesitated for a moment before taking it. Maybe it was because I hadn't eaten much or it was because I rarely drank. Whatever the reason I finished the cocktail much faster than the first. Everything felt lighter.

Sophia studied me for a second before smiling. "There you are rosa”

I smiled back. "I'm here soph”

Sophia said. "No you're finally letting yourself breathe " she said.

Maybe she was right. Because when she pulled me back onto the dance floor this time I didn't hesitate. I danced, not because I was good at it not because anyone was watching. Because for the first time in a long time I felt free.

But I could feel a piercing eyes on me, and I definitely knew it wasn’t Sophia’s, The Who was it?