Chapter 4
1049 Words
AUSTIN
She was sleeping.
I stood so close I could touch her. She lay curled up on the bench. She keeps mumbling in her sleep which I find amusing.
Fate has played it nicely into my arms. She looked so tiny and curled up like that. Years of watching them and I've never seen her this vulnerable. I smiled as she turned on the bench.
My time is almost near. I could taste it now. My efforts are about to pay off. Very soon she will be mine but till then I'll bid my time. I've to relay this new development to Father, he'll be so proud.
*****
LUCY
The sound of the bus approaching woke me up from my nap, dehydrated and sprouting a migraine. I boarded the bus with no destination in mind and highlighted at the last stop. A neon sign read 'Dainty Nightclub' on the side of the road. I've never been to a club but at this point, I was willing to try anything to distract myself.
The club was crowded and the music was unusually loud. I pushed my way through the sweaty crowd, heading for the bar.
"Hey" I called out to the man behind the bar
"Hey!!" I said, louder this time.
“I could get his attention for you.” A man sitting beside me offered. He was muscular and wore a half-sleeve tee with ripped jean trousers. He had a light stubble growth on his chin.
"What will you be having, pretty?” he persisted, his eyes sizing me up.
I kept quiet and he banged the table with his fist so hard, that his beer spilled over. Silence ensued for a moment.
“Dave, take the lady's bloody order!” he boomed.
“What are you having?” the barman asked me impatiently,
"Tequila," I replied. I had heard someone say it in the crowd.
The noise returned as the bartender went away with my order.
"Thank you” I whispered to my helper, smiling.
My order was pushed towards me in a shot glass. I picked it up and gulped it down immediately before I started second-guessing myself. I started coughing as soon as the drink hit my throat.
"Woah, woah, easy, you must be real thirsty" the man who had come to my rescue chuckled, beating against my back gently. I looked up at him wide-eyed, tears filling them up.
“The name is Drea, by the way.”
“Lucy”
“First time here I guess. It gets better, I promise” he said, moving closer.
I signaled for a refill ignoring the not-too-subtle hand movements of Drea on my body.
“Put it on my tab,” Drea said to the barman as he returned with my refill.
"No, thanks. I can buy my drinks" I injected quickly, trying to shake loose his hands on my body to no avail.
"Please leave me alone," I said quietly, looking directly at him.
He laughed and walked away.
"Keep the drinks coming," I yelled, banging the table too.
I stumbled to the dance floor drunk, swaying my hips to the music till my feet could hold me no more. I got out of the club stumbling on my feet. My eyes kept shutting down. A hand on my wrist pulled me back as a truck brushed past me.
"Thank you" I slurred, squinting my eyes upwards."You… you are the same man, the one from the bar."
I took a step forward, stumbled and fell against his chest.
"Let's head to my car so I can drop you off at your place" Drea suggested and I nodded my agreement.
He led me to the parking lot; it was dark with no one in sight. His car was parked in the middle.
“We could continue from where we left off,” he grunted, pushing himself into me. His hands were all over me struggling to lift my dress.
“I think I'll head home alone,” I pulled myself away. “I’m too drunk to be of good company.”
“Not to me,” he said, his eyes twinkling devilishly. “We don’t have to make conversation. We've got our hands full.”
He tried pulling me closer, but I ducked underneath his arm. He grabbed the hem of my dress, pulled me back with force and slammed me into the bumper of the car. I screamed.
"Hey!” someone shouted. A man. He was strolling towards us. "Tryna take advantage of a drunk girl, huh?"
"Mind your business," Drea replied angrily.
"Do you know him?" the man threw his question at me. I shook my head. "Listen, bastard. Go away from here before I call the police."
Drea released his grip on me instantly and walked away. I fell to the floor, spewing my guts out and shaking with relief.
"C'mon, let's get you cleaned up." He picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.
*****
My eyes opened to the strangest room I've ever seen. The brightness of the room was making head ache. I wore an oversized shirt that smelled of cinnamon and aftershave and my clothes were neatly folded on a chair. Nothing was making sense to me.
"Good morning" a man walked in, holding a mug.
I tried remembering his face but it only made my headache worsen.
“You should drink this while it’s hot” he sat beside me, pushing the mug gently into my hands. “It will help with your hangover. Best remedy ever.”
I cradled it, welcoming the warmth. I guess he could sense my discomfort because he stood up and shut the window binds. I smiled my thank you, brought the mug to my lips and took a sip. I looked at him, waiting for him to give me an explanation. He said nothing.
"Do I know you?" I ventured since he wasn't forthcoming. Still, nothing from him
"Did we….?" I redirected my question, pointing my finger back and forth between us.
He laughed in response which only made me more confused.
“You remember nothing from last night?”
I shook my head and he just stared at me.
"Well… what the hell happened last night?" I shouted, glaring at him.
- Writer
