Twins With Benefits

11

Gigi

As my girlfriends and I step into the extravagant masquerade party, the air is filled with the lively chatter of guests and the soft background music that drifts through the expansive ballroom. The room is adorned with opulent decorations, and students are elegantly dressed in lavish gowns and sharp suits. Amidst the bustling crowd, I accidentally collide with a tall man whose dirty brown hair triggers a sense of recognition within me.

A familiar scent of his cologne wafts towards me, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. Concealed behind my masquerade mask, I am confident that he cannot identify me, so I discreetly run away from him, choosing to silently retreat from the unexpected encounter.

After a brief moment, I observe him dancing with my friend Heather. His intense gaze locks onto me, causing a chill to run down my spine. Heather notices and signals for me to join them. Initially hesitant, I resist her urging a few times before ultimately deciding to approach them. Heather, looking fatigued, implores me to dance with him, expressing her admiration for his skills on the dance floor. "I don't want to lose him, Gigi. He's an excellent dancer. I'm thirsty, I'll be back -" Before I can respond, she hurriedly makes her way towards the bar counter, leaving me standing there, uncertain of what to do next.

In a sudden movement, his arms circle around my waist, drawing me in close, eliciting a groan from me. The delicate contours of my chest meet his firm frame as our synchronized steps guide us across the dance floor, our eyes locked in an intense gaze. Unsure whether to distance myself or confront him at this moment, I contemplate seizing the opportunity to address him. Just as I part my lips to speak, he abruptly interjects, "I'm not interested in entertaining your stupid questions."

Frowning with frustration, I retort, "My questions aren't foolish. I simply want to know...what is it that you want?" Leaning in closer, he whispers near my ear, "To play with you." His voice carries a captivating allure, and I feel myself ensnared by his gaze. There's a hypnotic quality to his voice and stare that leaves me disoriented, as if under a spell. I resist the temptation to be swayed by his captivating presence, aware of the danger of succumbing to his allure.

"Remember when you were pleading for more?" His teasing grin stirs annoyance within me. Without hesitation, I push away from him to leave him standing alone on the dance floor. As I make my way back towards the bar, a profound sigh escapes my lips, reflecting the swirl of emotions and anticipation that consume me. Suddenly, a voice I don't recognize interrupts my thoughts, "May I offer you a drink?" I turn to face the unfamiliar voice, feeling a mix of surprise and curiosity at the unexpected offer.

I glance around and notice a handsome man standing beside me, elegantly sipping his wine. His face is unmasked, revealing his impeccably chiseled features that capture my attention. With a forced smile, I nod as he signals the bartender to mix a drink for me. "What has a lovely young lady like yourself feeling so tense?" he inquires. I chuckle lightly and reply, "Oh, just my friends abandoning me, and honestly, I'm quite content enjoying some alone time for now."

"Alone, without an escort?" Chad's eyebrows furrow in curiosity, and I simply nod, taking a sip of my drink. "Well, I'm Chad," he introduces himself, extending his hand for a handshake. I reciprocate with a smile, saying, "Gigi - Genevieve Anderson," adding my full name after a brief pause. As Chad and I engage in conversation, I glance at the time and notice a text message from my stepbrother indicating that he has arrived to pick me up.

"Thank you for the drink, Chad. It was a pleasure meeting you," I express gratefully as I prepare to leave. Chad nods with a warm smile, bidding me farewell with a casual, "See you soon!" With a smile lingering on my face, I make my way out of the bar. However, as I walk into the empty hallway, a sudden hand clamps over my mouth from behind, forcefully pulling me into a secluded corner. Shocked and alarmed, I find myself once again captured in a sinister scenario, a sense of horror creeping over me despite a growing familiarity with such unsettling encounters.

"How dare you laugh with another guy, Genevieve?" His voice seethes with rage, exuding a menacing aura that suggests he is capable of extreme violence. As I recognize his familiar presence and realize he is my stalker, a surge of fear grips me. Pushing his hand away from my mouth, I swiftly turn and deliver a resounding slap across his face. Fueled by anger, I confront him, "You have no right to tell me what to do! I have my own life, and if you ever attempt to intimidate me like this again, I will not hesitate to involve the cops. I'm serious."

As he ominously tilts his head, a sense of dread washes over me, my heart pounding erratically in my chest. Sensing close danger, I run as fast as I can to escape the unsettling encounter. Reaching the parking lot, I spot Alex leaning against the car, waiting for me. Gasping for breath, I approach him, but he inquires in a concerned expression, "Gigi, what's wrong?" Despite the urge to confide in him about the stalker, I realize the potential risks involved and decide against burdening Alex with the dangerous situation I find myself in.

I don't want him to be entangled in any trouble on my behalf.

"Uh, my friends are insisting on going to a club. I'm exhausted and just want to head home," I fabricate a lie, mustering a forced smile. "Let's leave before they show up." Alex nods in understanding, settling into the driver's seat. As I reach for the passenger door, a chilling sensation washes over me when I catch sight of my stalker standing nearby, his gaze fixed on me with a predatory intensity.

A wave of unease grips me as I sense the ominous intention behind his stare, fearing the impending danger he may have in store for me. As Alex reverses the car, a sudden impact jolts us when we bump into another vehicle. "s**t! Let me go check," Alex mutters under his breath, expressing his frustration. Glancing around and wiping the beads of sweat from my forehead, I notice the absence of my stalker from the scene.

Stepping out of the car, I hear Alex engaged in a heated argument with someone, prompting me to investigate. My heart seizes as I watch in disbelief as my stalker emerges from the situation, his car visibly damaged from the collision.

Rushing towards my stepbrother, I interject, "That's okay, Alex. Let's just go—" However, Alex shakes his head, refusing to back down. "No, that's his fault. Are you drunk, kid?" Alex questions the stalker, assuming he may be a student from the college due to the setting.