Claimed By The Ruthless CEO.

Chapter 9: Shattered hope.

“Most people don’t really care about you.” —Sahil Bloom

EMILY

“Hold on, pain ends—Hope” is the regular word in everyone's heart, pushing them forward despite all their struggles, but for me, It seemed like my hope is six feets under, sinking into a dark bottomless pit with no chance of resurrecting again. The sultry sound of lips sucking each other tickled my ears even with the loud music blasting out of the speakers. Two ladies were groping each other's boobs right next to me, their eyes closed in pleasure as they nibbled on their lips.

My stomach churned at the sight, a sour taste at the tip of my tongue. While the strippers danced in their colorful lingerie under the neon lights, I pushed some vodka down my throat, leaving my tongue to deal with the aftertaste. I needed that to keep me alive, to keep me sane and balanced.

It's funny how I'm back at the same bar, the same place my drink got spiked before I got r***d. What was I thinking? That the bartender and his accomplice wouldn't escape? Silly me. I came here prepared, ready to give him a piece of my mind, and even take him to jail, but there was no evidence, no work record, it's like he doesn't even exist. There was a new bartender, someone who looked as innocent as a fly, different from the other guy.

My eyes stinged, tears threatening to spill from them, but I poured myself another drink, deciding to get all drunk before returning to hell. The taste was meant to soothe my bleeding heart, but it only made it worse. Everything was happening so fast it seemed like a nightmare, a nightmare I badly wanted to wake up from.

Alcohol isn't my favorite, but tonight, I've taken several bottles and this is just the beginning. The music was louder now, soft cries of ecstasy filling the air as heat seeped into my skin. I felt alive, free and giddy. My body swayed to the beat of the music, the high bass messing with my brains. It felt like I was on air, flapping my wings like a bird with no chains holding me down. I stifled a laugh and brought my precious Vodka to my lips again, only to have it snatched by someone. Suddenly, the mouthwatering scent of the earth after rain washed over me, filling my nostrils with the addicting scent. A shiver went down my legs and the suffocating feeling returned.

“Won't you stop now?” He held my drink in his hands, a slight frown on his face as he stared down at me. My vision was hazy, but I could still map out his features. His midnight black hair, his well chiseled jaw and plump thin lips. He looked like a demigod, a temptation stealing my breath away.

A simple attire was all he wore, black pants and a blazer over his shirt with his creamy collarbones peeping out of his shirt. He looked like he just walked out of a painting, his sculptured face rendering me completely speechless, breathless, helpless, I couldn't think of anything else. It was Theodore, my husband, the same man who added to my misery by making me his bride. I couldn't stop staring even after trying so hard to look away.

I balled my hands into fists and tore my gaze from him, trying to steady my heartbeat that was getting out of control. Since there was another glass cup on my table, I ignored him and reached for the other, but he snatched it from my hands again, this time, his eyes glaring daggers at me.

“Let's go home, haven't you done enough? ” Theodore asked, his voice a bit louder due to the music playing in the background. A soft chuckle escaped my lips as he stared at me, his eyes filled with an unreadable emotion. He was just like a plain book, hard to read and difficult to understand, which makes him even more mysterious.

It was just yesterday when he told me to fear him, and now he was trying to convince me to go home? I leaned forward and rested my head on my palms, “I'm..I'm not..not leaving.” I drawed, small hiccups escaping my lips. That should be enough to keep him away. The music was getting louder with each passing minute, soothing my soul with each thrill. I loosened my hair with my hands and pushed my chair back with a screech on the antique hardwood floor.

Dance

Dance

Dance

Those were the only words I could hear. I staggered backwards, chuckling like a child who had just seen his favorite candy. Swaying back and forth, I placed my hands on the table to balance myself. I widened my eyes and blinked my eyelashes constantly, trying to see clearly, but everything was a blur, like the scenery in a moving bus.

I weaved my fingers through my hair and screamed, throwing my hands in the air as I felt a rush of adrenaline. When last did I feel this free, alive and unbothered? This is fun, dancing and giggling like a child on the dance floor. I pushed all my thoughts to the back of my mind and focused on swaying my hips to the beat of the music. .

My eyes were tightly closed, all I could see was darkness, but his scent filled my nostrils and I could tell he was near me again. I fluttered my eyes open, coming in contact with a well buttoned shirt. I placed my hands over my mouth and giggled, raising my head to stare at him, the man who gives me the chills. He had a frown on his face, his brows slightly raised.

Theodore seemed frustrated, about to flare up, but I chose not to care. While he stared at me with two glasses In his hands, I took a few steps backwards, flapping my hands like a duck in a lake.

Theodore walked towards me, a fiery flame dancing in his eyes. He puffed out a breath and dropped the glasses, “Emily.” he drawed, his magnetic voice like music to my ears. Everything about him seems magical, mystical, and it aroused me. Maybe I was drunk, perhaps that was the reason I felt this way, felt this strange. I shook my head and turned around, still swaying to the music, having the best time of my life, “I'm not leaving.”

He facepalmed himself and sighed, taking slow strides towards me. I was at the front now, right next to the strippers. I watched as they twisted their body seductively, their moves and styles on point. So much fun they were having. I took a few steps forward, but Theodore dragged me backwards, his face twisted in an ugly scowl, “I think you've had enough fun today.” he said through gritted teeth, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

I swallowed nervously as he dragged me away from the spotlight, under the gaze of everyone, and I stopped, not wanting to go with him, to his hell, that confined place he calls home.

“Leave..me alone.” I slapped his hands away, staggering backwards as my voice came out in shallow breaths. Theodore approached me again, but my eyes widened in terror at the sight before me. A blonde walked into the pub with a wide smile on her lips, her arms tightly wrapped around a young man's. A lump formed in my throat as they moved closer, their soft giggles filling my ears and I sniffed, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.

Do..I have to go through this heartbreak again?