ChapterTwo
1160 Words
It had been four days since the night at the club. But Alice still could not stop thinking about the man in the expensive car. Rodriguez Pedro. His name played in her head again and again. She had only met him once, but his face had stayed in her mind.
Every time she thought about how her car had returned, parked outside without a single scratch, she knew it was not a coincidence. Rodriguez had something to do with it.
That evening, her mother, Camille Whitaker, asked her to get dressed for a charity gala. “Wear something elegant,” her mother said as she looked through her jewelry box. “It’s for a good cause, and we’ll be seeing people from all over the city.”
The gala was being held at a grand hall downtown. There were men in sharp suits and women in long dresses. Tables were set with white cloth and shiny silverware. Waiters walked around with glasses and trays. People clapped, took photos, and made small talk.
Alice stayed close to her mother and Romeo. They greeted a few people, smiled for some pictures, and listened to a speech about charity donations. But after some time, Alice couldn’t stay still anymore. Her feet were sore, and her eyes kept moving across the room, looking for something else to do.
“I’m going to the restroom,” she whispered to her mother.
Camille nodded and waved her off. “Don’t stay too long.”
Alice walked slowly, the thought of the mysterious man still in her mind.
She turned the corner toward the restroom area. But just as she was about to enter, her steps froze. There he was.
Rodriguez Pedro.
He was coming out of the hallway, alone. He had not seen her yet. He wore a dark suit. His shirt was buttoned up, and his collar sat neatly against his thick neck. The watch on his wrist looked very expensive. His face was serious, and just like the last time, he looked like he didn’t care about anything or anyone.
Alice stepped in his path before he could leave.
“You,” she said, her voice low but clear.
Rodriguez stopped walking. He looked at her, his face calm, his hands in his pockets.
“Yes?” he replied.
Alice took a small step closer. “You were there that night. The club. You helped us.”
Rodriguez didn’t smile. “Yes. I remember.”
“I’ve been looking for you,” she said. “Not outside… but in my mind. Every single day.”
Rodriguez tilted his head slightly. “That’s not something I asked for.”
Alice took another step closer. “But it happened. I’ve thought of you every day. Even when I don’t want to.”
Rodriguez looked away for a second, like he wanted to avoid the moment. “You should forget about me.”
She ignored that. Her eyes stayed on his face. She took her time speaking. “My car came back. I know you had something to do with it.”
“I didn’t say that,” he replied, not denying it either.
“But it happened after you met us,” she said softly. “You didn’t just drop us off. You made sure everything was fixed. I want to know why.”
Rodriguez sighed. “Does it matter? You got your car. You’re safe.”
“But I’m not calm,” she whispered. “I haven’t been calm since I saw you.”
He looked her in the eyes then. She felt something stir deep inside her. She knew he was trying to act like he didn’t care. But she saw something change in his eyes for a second. Something warm flickered. Then it went cold again.
Alice stepped even closer. Their bodies were only a few inches apart. “I want something from you,” she said, her lips barely moving.
Rodriguez did not answer right away. His jaw moved slightly, like he was thinking about what she meant. “You don’t know me, girl,” he said.
“I don’t need to,” Alice said. “I want to feel you. I want you to take me.”
Rodriguez’s face turned stiff. “You’re young. How old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
He stepped back, shaking his head. “That’s too young. I’m thirty-eight. I don't go around taking girls your age.”
“I don’t care,” she said quickly. “I don’t care if you’re older. I’m a grown woman. I can choose what I want.”
He didn’t reply. She could see him fighting inside. He looked like a man who knew how to say no but didn’t want to.
“I’ve never wanted anyone like this,” Alice said, her voice trembling just a little. “Not like this. I feel like if you touch me, I won’t forget it.”
Rodriguez raised one eyebrow. “You won’t forget it?”
“No,” she said, breathing harder now. “Not in this lifetime.”
Then, before he could pull away again, she touched his hand. Her fingers wrapped gently around his wrist. He didn’t move. Her other hand went to his chest. She held him there. He didn't look helpless, but he watched her.
“Please,” she whispered. “Just once. I need to know what it feels like.”
Rodriguez’s hand lifted and held her wrist. He didn’t pull her off. Instead, he leaned in slowly. His lips brushed against her ear. His breath was warm.
“You don’t know what you’re asking for.”
“I do,” she said. “And I still want it.”
He leaned in closer and kissed her.
It wasn’t soft.
It wasn’t quick.
It was slow and rough, deep and full of something she had never felt before. His lips took control of hers, and her whole body pushed into his. His hands held her waist firmly. Her fingers clung to his jacket like she never wanted to let go.
The hallway was quiet, but her breathing grew louder. His kiss was strong. His mouth moved with hers in a rhythm that made her knees weak. She could feel everything—his hands, his breath, the heat that passed between them.
And then he stopped.
Rodriguez pulled away.
Alice stood there, lips swollen, eyes wide. She was breathing hard. Her dress felt too warm on her skin and she knew she was wet.
“I shouldn’t have done that,” Rodriguez said, taking a step back.
“But you did,” Alice whispered.
Rodriguez looked down for a second, then raised his eyes to hers. “You need to forget it. Go back inside.”
“What if I don’t want to for
get?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I don’t belong in your world.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
- Writer
