The Thorne in My Side

Chapter 4 -Maya

"This is absolutely insane, isn't it? I'm so glad you decided to come out with me today and not stay holed up in your room weeping

“Damn" I turn to Celia, shouting at the top of my voice because of the roaring of the music. " I had almost forgotten how loud clubs could be.”

“Ohh, that's true. You haven't been back here since Sandro and you moved in together… … .. Oops, I'm so sorry for saying his name. I know we weren't supposed to mention his name, Maya. I'm so sorry.” Celia responds, genuinely apologetic.

" Oh, that's okay baby. It's not like I can erase his entire existence in a night.”

" But that doesn't mean you aren't going to try, right?”

" Right ...Tonight is just about the two of us having the best time of our lives. I for one won't let anything stop me from having so much fun tonight, much less a bad breakup.”

“Now, that's my girl. Aren't you glad you agreed to come out tonight?”

" Thanks babe, left to my own devices, I would have been wallowing in my own misery tonight.”

" You know I've got you.”

The Young Royals club is an escape for me tonight, a place to escape the harsh realities of my life. My recent breakup weighs heavily on my shoulders, and I need to lose myself in the crowd.

Celia, my best friend and partner in crime, is already in full party mode. She grabs my hand, pulling me towards the dance floor. "Come on, Maya! Let’s dance our troubles away!"

I plaster a smile on my face, but it feels forced. "You go ahead, Lia. I need a drink first. Scratch that, several drinks.”

Celia pouts but relents. "Alright, but don’t take too long!"

I nod, watching as she disappears into the throng of bodies, her blonde hair bouncing with every step. I make my way to the bar and signal the bartender.

"A shot of tequila, please. Actually, make it three and keep them coming" I say, needing the liquid courage to face the night.

The bartender raises an eyebrow but obliges. I down both shots quickly, the burn in my throat a welcome distraction from the ache in my chest. I turn back to the dance floor, trying to muster the enthusiasm to join Celia, but my feet feel like lead.

Who am I kidding? How did I think it was a good idea to come here? I should have stayed at home where I would feel lost in peace and be able to bawl my eyes out without feeling watched or judged.

The scent of expensive alcohol and polished oak wood mingles with the myriad of perfumes and colognes, making my head swim. I glance around, trying to shake off the sadness, and spot Celia. She's already in the arms of a guy, their lips locked in a passionate kiss.

I feel a pang of jealousy—not for the guy, but for her ability to lose herself so easily. I would give anything to be her at this point. She's always been so carefree, so able to compartmentalize and keep it moving no matter the situation

I turn back to the bar, frustration and sorrow bubbling up inside me. "Another drink," I call out, and the bartender quickly complies.

As I sip my cocktail, a voice interrupts my thoughts. "Bad night?"

I glance up to see a handsome stranger with dark hair and an easy smile standing next to me. "You could say that," I reply, not really in the mood for small talk.

He nods sympathetically. "Bad breakup?"

I blink in surprise. "Oh my God, have you been watching me? Are you with the NSA? How did you know?"

"Just a guess," he says with a shrug. "We've all been there and I'd like to say I can spot a beautiful girl in misery from a mile away." He really is very sweet and has kind eyes but I really am not in the mood to carry a conversation tonight. "Want to talk about it?"

I shake my head. "Not really. But thanks for the offer."

He gives me a knowing smile. "Sometimes, dancing helps."

I laugh, but it’s a hollow sound. "I’m not sure I’m up for it."

"Okay, pretty lady.Suit yourself," he says, raising his glass in a toast. "But if you change your mind, I’ll be around."

He disappears into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more. I sigh and take another sip of my drink, the alcohol beginning to numb the edges of my pain. I turn my attention back to Celia, who's now dancing provocatively with her new conquest.

Maybe the handsome stranger is right, I think. Maybe dancing will help. Or at least, it might distract me for a while.

I finish my drink and head towards the dance floor, my steps still hesitant. The music pulses through me, the beat vibrating in my bones. I close my eyes, trying to let go of my inhibitions. Slowly, I start to move, swaying to the rhythm.

At first, my movements are stiff and awkward, but as the music envelops me, I begin to relax. I let the beat guide me, my body responding instinctively. The club is a sea of faces, all lost in their own worlds.

For a moment, I forget my troubles, lost in the anonymity of the crowd. For one moment, I can pretend to be a girl who's full of life and not dying inside from pain and heartache

I open my eyes and see Celia watching me, a smile of encouragement on her face. She blows me a kiss and goes back to her dance partner, completely immersed in her own world. Seeing her so carefree, I feel a spark of determination. I down another shot from a passing waiter’s tray and let the alcohol take over.

I dance with abandon, my movements growing bolder with each passing moment. The crowd presses in around me, and I lose myself in the music. I flirt with a few men, exchanging playful glances and seductive smiles, but none of them hold my interest for long.

It's really not my fault, I'm just coming out of a long term relationship and I'm not ready to jump back in the dating pool just yet though it would be fun to have a rebound guy at this time because the only way to get over somebody is to get under someone else

The lights flash, illuminating the crowd in a strobe of colors. The alcohol and the music blend into a heady mix, making me feel invincible. Desperate for more release, I make my way to the restroom. In one of the stalls, I fumble with a small packet of ecstasy that Celia had given to me before she disappeared, popping a pill into my mouth. It dissolves on my tongue, bitter and promising. I wash it down with a gulp of water, then splash some on my face, trying to steady myself as the drug begins to take effect.

Returning to the dance floor, I feel a new wave of energy and euphoria. My movements become more fluid, my inhibitions melting away completely.

And that is when I see him.

Amid the swirling bodies and flashing lights, he stands out like a beacon. His eyes, a piercing blue, lock onto mine, and for a moment, everything else fades away. He is the most beautiful man I've ever seen, his presence magnetic and commanding. This is so cliche, like a scene from one of those romance movies where the two main characters meet for the first time and time stands still for a moment.

His gaze is intense, watching me with a mixture of curiosity and desire but mostly the latter. He looks like something straight out of a magazine, like one of those Greek god sculptures with his chiseled body and his seductive look.

We move towards each other, drawn together by an invisible force. He joins me on the dance floor, his body moving in perfect sync with mine. We dance seductively, our bodies brushing against each other, the heat between us building with every beat of the music. I can feel the object of his desire growing and I'm excited to know that I'm the reason for that.

"Hey," he says, his voice a smooth baritone that sends shivers down my spine. "What's your name?"

"Maya," I manage to reply, my voice barely audible over the pounding music.

"I'm Richard," he says, his eyes never leaving mine. "But you can call me Dickie."

I smile at the odd nickname, but it somehow suits him. "Nice to meet you, Dickie."

His hand finds its way to my waist, pulling me closer. "You’re a great dancer," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear.

"So are you," I reply, feeling the tension between us build. Every touch, every brush of his skin against mine, sends jolts of electricity through me. I am hyper-aware of his presence, the space between us crackling with unspoken desire.

He leans in, his lips brushing against my ear. "Do you want to get out of here?"

My heart pounds wildly in my chest. I have never done anything like this before, never thrown caution to the wind so recklessly. But tonight, with the alcohol and the ecstasy coursing through my veins, I feel invincible. I nod, unable to speak, my voice lost in the whirlwind of sensations.

He takes my hand, his grip firm and reassuring, and leads me through the crowd. My mind races, a mixture of excitement and fear. What am I doing? But as I look at him, I decide that tonight, I will not overthink. Tonight, I will let go.

We exit the club, the cool night air hitting my flushed skin. A car pulls over and we slide into the backseat. His hand never leaves mine, his touch grounding me as we drive through the city. Okay, I don't know where we're going, and for once, I don't care. All that matters is the here and now, and the promise of what the night might bring.