Fallen From Grace

The Stranger

Lily's POV

I walked along the street with Mike on the way to our favourite club. I wore a baby blue short sleeved dress that stopped before my knees while hugging my curves nicely. The colour complimented my lightly tanned skin tone, thankfully I wasn't pale enough for the colour to wash me out. I paired the dress with some white heels and accessories with my make up looking natural.

Mike guided me through the entrance, protecting me from the already drunk guys outside the club. It amazed me that people were already throwing up at 9pm. I noticed the attention Mike got from female onlookers as we made our way inside and I easily could understand why. He wore a white fitted shirt rolled up to his elbows with a nice pair of navy-blue jeans. Although the outfit was casual, it was undeniable that he looked attractive with his dirty blonde hair falling slightly on his forehead. 

Once we found a table, I took in the atmosphere around us. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits as they danced and drank to the music playing, not a care in the world displayed. We ordered our drinks, and I couldn't help but admire how handsome Mike looked tonight. I soon noticed him look at me peculiarly before he spoke, his voice sounding amused. 

"Something got your interest princess?" his enquired, with his voice portraying his amusement. 

"Huh?" I had no idea what he was on about. Embarrassment slowly started to creep in as I realised where my thoughts were leading me. 

"You were staring. Is everything okay?" He looked partially concerned which only made my embarrassment grow. I was too busy eyeing him up that I was completely oblivious to the fact that he could see me stare. My cheeks lightly flushed, and I knew he noticed. 

"Oh yeah, everything's fine. I was just thinking that you looked nice today. I'm glad we came out" I replied while reaching out to hold his hand across the table. His smile took over his face and I was glad to see how happy he was. It was a refreshing change of pace to be out with him and I was excited for our time together. 

"Thank you," he beamed "although I must say that you are definitely stealing hearts in that dress tonight".

My face mirrored his as I took in his compliment. He always knew the right thing to say, and I enjoyed the confidence he gave me. We sat there for a few hours drinking and talking before I ended up dragging him towards the dancefloor. Time flew by and I loved being able to properly talk to him and joke around with one of the most important people in my life. Our bodies were close together as we danced, and I definitely felt the effects of the alcohol in my system. The room slightly swayed while I was dancing, and I was slightly concerned that I would trip over in my heels. That concern quickly faded though as my favourite song came on, eliciting a squeal from me as I led Mike closer to the DJ. 

After another hour of dancing, I felt the tiredness catching up with me. I wanted to tell Mike that I was ready to go home but he seemed to be having a good time, so I opted against that. Almost as if he read my thoughts, he leaned closer to my ear so that I could hear him. 

"Do you want to head home soon?" he asked. "It's getting late, and we've been up early for work"

I was grateful that he asked. I missed my bed and was looking to getting home tonight. I wondered if I would dream of him again but quickly dismissed that thought. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, let me just go the bathroom and I'll meet you by the exit"

"Are you sure you'll be okay? You've drank quite a bit tonight." I could hear the concern laced in his voice which made me internally smile. He never stopped showing how much he cared, it was one of the things I loved about him. 

"I'll be fine, promise. Meet you there in two minutes". He replied with a quick nod and I made my way towards the bathroom, fully aware that the room was moving while I walked. I just hoped that I didn't fall over and attract attention. 

I was leaving the bathroom and walking down the hall to the exit when I felt it. I could never forget that presence. His cologne invaded my senses, and I knew I could not be mistaken. I turned around to find out I was right. The man of my dreams stood in front of me, looking as handsome as I had remembered. His black shirt hugged his figure, and I couldn't help but wonder how good he would look without it on. 

We both stood in silence, studying each other. I was acutely aware that he could probably smell the alcohol off of me and that it was obvious I had drunk a lot. This was not how I imagined meeting him again, I at least wanted to be sober enough to remember it the next day! My thoughts were stopped when I noticed the angered expression he wore. It was dark, a complete contrast from the look of confusion he wore when I last saw him. This only led to my anxiety over our encounter to grow as my heart raced in my chest. Fear slowly crept in as I waited for what he would do. I was perplexed at why he was angry but dared not to ask. In his gaze I felt inferior and I didn't want to risk him unleashing his fury upon me. 

Before either of us spoke, my attention was diverted to a familiar voice calling my name. 

"Lily. Lily, where are you?"

I stood still, afraid that our encounter would end too soon. The voice caught my attention as it called out again, this time closing the distance between us. 

"Lily, where are you?" I didn't get a chance to speak before Mike came into my sight as I turned around. "Thank God you're okay. I was worried where you were, you didn't show up for ten minutes." He came closer as I quickly turned back around only to be met with disappointment. The stranger was gone again. Or was he even really there? My heart felt heavy knowing that our second encounter was just as short lived as the first- if it even happened. 

My attention was back on Mike as he came in front of me and embraced me, the tension noticeably lifting off his shoulders. I was too distracted to hug him back properly. 

"Lily are you okay?" His face showed his worry as he studied me, intensely gazing into my eyes for the truth. 

"I'm fine" I lied, unsure of how to explain the bizarre events that I may have imagined. "I'm just tired, let's go home." I could tell that he didn't believe me but thankfully he didn't push further. He led me out with his hand on the small of my back, making sure I did not fall over in my state. Before we left the corridor, I looked over my shoulder to find the stranger meeting my eyes. The dark look he wore somehow intensified, but I only felt relief. I didn't imagine it, he was there. He was there, right in front of me.