Chapter 8
1774 Words
The journey to the airport was quiet, the tension fierce and thick in the air. Johny was waiting at the private jet, his tall figure leaning casually against the aircraft. His piercing gaze locked onto Ariel's as she approached, but he didn’t speak.
As the jet took off, Ariel’s heart beats faster than usual. She stared at the gleaming city beneath the sun, its opulence a cruel contrast to the memories it held for her.
In the jet, Johny sat across her, absorbed in his phone. He didn’t spare her a glance, nor did he offer any words of comfort. Ariel was fine with the silence; she needed it to steel herself for what lay ahead of her.
When they arrived, Ariel stepped off the jet, her legs shaky beneath her as her heels clicked softly against the metal stairs. A sharp sigh escaped her mouth.
The air tinged with dryness and distant nightlife, brushed her skin like an old acquaintance. Yet, it wasn’t welcoming.
It carried memories, stains of a past that stick to her soul. Her chest tightened as her gaze locked on the city. Every glimmer of light seemed to mock her, a spotlight on her scars.
Her eyes lost in the sorrowful expanse of the view, she didn't register Johny’s presence until he stepped beside her. His towering frame exuded indifference, as though the glittering city was as mundane as a filing cabinet.
“Let’s go,” he said calmly, his voice cutting through the silence like a scalpel. He didn't wait for a response and began descending toward the waiting car.
Ariel didn't respond, nor the she move, her legs frozen in place. She stared blankly at the city as her memories were clawing their way back to the surface—memories she had buried so deep that the mere thought of them felt like a needle piercing to her chest.
_______
~FLASHBACK~
6 YEARS EARLIER
Ariel stood at the front of her closet, looking lost and helpless, ~what to wear…….what to wear~ She thought inwardly.
It was no surprise she had blazers, suits and ballroom events dresses most in her closet.
She's not a club fan, her life has always revolved around organisational parties, and representing her father at important occasions, but what to do when her fiance insisted that she follow him and yes her sister too.
“Sister hurry up, Liam is waiting for us outside.” Her sister’s voice snapped her back from daze.
Ariel rushed to pick a dress, she was not sure if it was fit for clubbing but the shining stones at the tip of the sleeves made her pick it.
She went downstairs to show her sister if the dress was perfect, before she started pairing it with body accessories.
“Rina” Ariel blurted out her name gently but she didn't hear her as she was busy fixing her lashes.
“Rina!” Ariel shouted in annoyance.
“Yes Sissy” She responded without turning her head to look her way.
She was so busy fixing her goddamn lash.
“How is my dress, what do you think?” Ariel asked.
She finally turned to look her way
“Hmmm……how about something more revealing, firm and eye- catching? This dress doesn't really fit well.” She suggested.
“Alright” Ariel replied and rushed back to her room. She once again navigated through her closet, then she stumbled on a red short bandage mesh dress.
It was a Christmas present from her fiance last December. The dress was backless, sleeveless with a neck clip.
According to her sister’s suggestion, the dress would be a perfect match for clubbing.
Ariel put it on and paired it with her black clutch purse and her Yves Saint Laurent shining black 4 inches heels, styled her hair in a ponytail. Then locked it in with her favourite floral cologne.
No extra lashes, no makeup. She likes her natural look all the time. Checking herself out in the mirror she felt a little bit nervous as her dress was too short and the thought of the club being crowded.
“Sissy hurry up it's getting late!” Her sister muttered from downstairs.
“Coming!” Ariel responded. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest as she walked downstairs.
Ariel stumbled on her father as he was coming out from his study room, her heart skipped for a moment.
“Father.” She murmured, applied a faint smile on her face. She could feel his eyes fixated on her appearance, but he didn't comment.
“Make sure you come home safe with your sister.” He finally said something. Then he headed upstairs.
Ariel saw her sister hiding at a corner, obviously hiding from their father. They both know how strict and bossy he could be, but to their surprise he didn't disagree with them going for a night party.
They headed out, outside greeted by her fiance's black SUV packed at their house entrance. He stood beside his car smiling as they approached him. His smile could elevate one's mood.
“Wow ... .you look stunning in this dress babe. I haven't seen you looking this gorgeous before.” He commended.
Ariel felt worshipped by his comments. “Thanks Liam.” She replied.
“My Sissy has always been beautiful……just that she doesn't party with her hourglass figure, right sis?” Rina asked mockingly.
“Whatever.” Ariel responded as she rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“It's time to rock ‘n’ roll.”
Ariel could feel the excitement in her sister’s voice.
“Yeah let's go!” Her fiance added.
Ariel felt like she was the only party pooper amongst them.
“Ladies first.” Liam muttered as he held the car door inviting her in.
Ariel blushed as she entered feeling like a princess being escorted out by a chauffeur. Liam turned to the other side and sat in the driver's seat.
To Ariel's awe, Rina was still outside, obviously waiting to be treated like a princess too. Liam noticed her coquettish action and smiled. He then got down and opened the car door for her too.
“Thanks Liam!” She said happily as she entered.
“Ladies, are we set?” Liam asked.
“Of course Liam!” Rina responded.
They arrived at the club, at the entrance was two hefty men, checking identification card for age rating, and purses for security.
Liam got down from the car and approached them, but to Ariel's surprise they exchanged pleasantries.
~Hun….has he been coming here frequently?~ She wondered inwardly.
Liam then signaled them to come down. They entered without being checked for security of age rating.
Inside the club was a foggy darkness and rocky entertaining music. Just like how Ariel had thought of it; it was so crowded that she felt uneasy.
They spotted a quiet corner to settle down. If not for the busyness of the people in there…..I bet everyone would see the nervousness and uneasiness in Ariel as she was pulling down her dress to reveal less skin.
Without wasting much time Rina had stood up,
dancing. “Sissy come dance.” She said and dragged Ariel up to the middle of the clubbers.
“What would you like to take?” Rina shouted for audibility.
“Cocktail is okay.” Ariel whispered aloud in her ear. Rina nodded in understanding.
“Stay here, I'm coming.” She said and went to the bar.
Ariel didn't want to stand amidst the strangers, she eyed scanned their seats, looking for her fiance. However he was nowhere to be found.
Few minutes later Rina had returned with two cocktails, and handed Ariel one.
Ariel sipped the drink, Rina smiled evily, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes, knowing that their plan had succeeded.
The nervousness in Ariel's face had turned to a worrisome and searchy face.
“Rina, have you seen Liam?” She asked.
Rina shook her head sideways, signaled NO.
Ariel became more worried not seeing the sight of her fiance.
“Wait for me here, I will go look for him.” Ariel said, took one more sip and handed her drink to Rina.
Rina nodded in response, she watched as Ariel moved around looking for Liam. A devilish grin formed on her lips, sending a message on her phone. ‘Successful. She's looking for you now.’
Amidst the search for her fiance, a sudden dizziness made her legs swayed.
~What’s going on, I only took two sips.~ She inclaimed and rubbed her temple.
Although she had a low tolerance for alcohol. However, she shouldn't be feeling dizzy over two sips of cocktail.
Most bizarre, an uncontrollably heat surged from her inside, making her mouth dry.
Shaking her head to shake it off, she tried to sober up. She needed to find Liam, without realizing she had walked to the back of the club.
“Little princess, where do you think you are?” A gruff voice sounded from behind her. A disgusted smile curved on the man's lips.
“Who are you?” She asked with curiosity in her tone.
A step forward from the man was a step backward from Ariel. The remaining trace of boldness kept her clear-headed, while her instinct warned her of a great danger.
“Don't worry, I will be gentle with you!” The man's disgusting grin was filled with lust.
The intense heat coming from the Inside of her body made her feel like ripping her cloth off, but she remained alarmed of the man in her front.
Her face flushed crimson, made her looked adorable and inviting. Some thin layers of sweat formed on her fair delicate skin, making her enticing.
The man's eyes longed for her, and he couldn't contain his hunger as he raged towards Ariel.
Confused and alarmed, Ariel's head was in chaos, her legs turned jelly, making her unable to run.
The man grabbed her neck.
‘Rip!’
The neck clip snapped, revealing her clear snow white cleavage. She quickly held her clothe to her chest, to prevent it from slipping down.
“Liam!”
“Help!”
Suddenly a car light flashed them. The man paused, disturbed by the sight hurting brightness of the car light.
A tall manlike figure stepped down from the car, stood at exactly 6’5 tall, one could feel the strong aura of his presence.
He leaned his back on his car, his hands tucked in his pocket, his legs crossed above each other like one with no fear.
“Let go of her.” He commanded.
- Writer
