CHAPTER2
1695 Words
LENA’S POV
As I entered, I regretted my action immediately.
What was I even doing here?
I almost turned around.
Almost walked back out into the rain and Pretended tonight never happened.
Then Ryan’s face flashed in my mind.
His hands on another woman.
Pain twisted violently in my Chest again.
Before I Could Stop myself, I Walked toward the bar.
The bartender looked up.
“What Can I get you?”
I Stared blankly at the glowing bottles behind him.
I had never ordered alcohol before.
“Something Strong,” I muttered.
He raised a brow Slightly.
“Rough night?”
A humorless laugh escaped me.
“You have no idea.”
A few minutes later, a glass was Placed in front of me.
Amber liquid. I Stared at it nervously then drank it.
Immediately, my throat burned.
“Oh my God—”
I Coughed violently while the bartender Chuckled.
“Easy there.”
Tears filled my eyes again, though this time from the alcohol.
“This tastes disgusting.”
“That means it’s Working.”
I laughed Weakly despite myself.
Maybe that Was the Point.
Maybe I Wanted Something Stronger than heartbreak.
Something loud enough to drown the humiliation Still replaying inside my head.
My Phone buzzed again.
It was June…
I ignored it.
Another message Came instantly.
JUNE: If you don’t answer me, I’m Calling the Police.
A tiny Smile Pulled at my lips.
That girl was insane.
I typed back quickly.
ME: I’m okay.
Three dots appeared immediately.
JUNE: You’re Crying Somewhere, aren’t you?
Fresh emotion hit my Chest Painfully.
Because She knew me too well.
ME: I just need tonight.
Her reply Came Seconds later.
JUNE: Don’t do anything Stupid.
And if Ryan Shows up, Stab him.
A real laugh escaped me this time.
The bartender glanced at me Curiously.
“You okay now?”
“No,” I admitted honestly.
Then I drank again and again and again.
At Some point, the burning Stopped mattering.
The music became Softer somehow.
Or maybe my brain just Stopped Processing things properly.
I Stared down at my empty glass with blurry eyes.
“Another one,” I mumbled.
“I think you’ve had enough.”
I frowned at the bartender.
“You Sound like my mother.”
“That’s never a good Sign.”
I rolled my eyes Slightly and Slid money toward him.
He Sighed before taking the glass away.
The room Spun lightly around me.
Everything felt warm, heavy and numb.
And honestly?
I Preferred being numb.
Because being numb didn’t hurt.
Being numb didn’t remember Ryan Choosing another Woman over me.
“Hey beautiful.”
My body Stiffened instantly.
A man Slid onto the Stool beside me.
Late forties maybe.
He Smelled heavily of alcohol.
And he Smiled lazily at me.
“You here alone?”
I looked away immediately. “Yes.”
“That's dangerous.”
“I Can handle myself.”
He laughed. “I doubt that.”
Discomfort Crawled up my Spine.
“I’m fine.”
His hand Suddenly landed on my thigh.
My entire body froze.
“Don’t touch me,” I Said quietly.
“A Pretty thing like you Shouldn’t drink alone.”
“I Said don’t touch me.”
“Relax.”
His grip tightened Slightly.
Panic began Creeping into my Chest.
“I have a boyfriend.”
The lie Came automatically.
He smirked. “Not tonight, you don’t tonight.”
Fear flashed through me. I tried Pulling away, but his hand only tightened harder.
“Come dance with me.”
“I don’t Want to.”
“Don’t be difficult.”
Then Suddenly an husky voice talked behind me.
“Take your hand off her.”
The voice was Calm and cold.
The man beside me turned immediately and So did I.
For a Second, I forgot how to breathe.
A man With a dark hair and a Sharp jawline Stood in front of me.
Broad Shoulders hidden beneath a black suit that Probably Cost more than my monthly rent.
But it Wasn’t his appearance that froze me.
It Was his eyes.
He has a Gray Unreadable eyes.
The drunk man scoffed. “Mind your business.”
The Stranger Stepped Closer.
“I Won’t repeat myself.”
Something in his tone made even me nervous.
The drunk man muttered a Curse under his breath before finally removing his hand from my thigh.
“Crazy bastard.”
Then he disappeared into the Crowd.
Relief flooded through me So fast I nearly Sagged.
I looked up at the Stranger. “Thank you.”
He nodded once.
“You Shouldn’t be here alone.”
Normally, I Would’ve been offended by that.
But tonight? I just felt tired.
“Well, I'm here alone.”
For a moment, neither of us Spoke.
Then Surprisingly he Sat beside me.
The bartender immediately Straightened.
“Mr. Calloway.”
The Stranger barely glanced at him.
“Water.”
Mr. Calloway?
The name Sounded important…. Rich maybe.
But my brain was too foggy to care.
The bartender quickly handed him bottled Water before disappearing.
The Stranger Slid it toward me instead.
“Drink.”
I blinked.
“I don't want Water, I Want alcohol.”
“You’ve had enough.”
I frowned slightly.
“You Sound bossy.”
“You Sound drunk.”
“That’s because I am.”
To my Surprise, the Corner of his mouth twitched Slightly.
Not quite a Smile but Close.
I Stared at him.
He Was ridiculously handsome in a dangerous way.
The kind of man that didn’t belong in ordinary People’s lives.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked Calmly.
“You look expensive.”
That actually made him Pause.
Then a quiet huff of amusement escaped him.
“You’re honest.”
“I’m always honest.”
I took the Water reluctantly. My fingers brushed his accidentally. And his hand was Warm.
Something Strange fluttered briefly in my Stomach.
I quickly looked away.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
I hesitated.
Normally, I would never talk to Strangers.
Never sit beside one…. Never even be here.
But tonight already felt unreal.
“Lena.” I replied.
“Lena,” he repeated quietly.
Something about the Way he Said my name made heat Creep into my Cheeks.
“What’s yours?”
“Ethan.”
The music Pulsed around us While Silence Settled briefly between us.
He leaned back Slightly.
“You Were Crying before.”
I Stared down at the bottle in my hands.
“My boyfriend Cheated on me.”
Ethan’s expression didn’t change.
But Something Colder entered his eyes.
“How long Were you together?”
“Three years.”
“That’s a long time.”
Ethan Studied me Carefully. “You loved him.”
It Wasn’t a question… I laughed weakly.
“I thought he loved me too.”
Something unreadable Crossed Ethan’s face.
Then he looked away briefly toward the Crowded dance floor.
“You okay?” I asked Softly before I Could stop myself.
Ethan blinked Slightly like the question Caught him off guard.
Then he looked at me fully for the first time.
And God.
The intensity in his eyes almost Stole my breath.
“No,” he answered honestly.
Something inside me Cracked a little more.
Because Somehow…
I understood that feeling Perfectly.
The alcohol buzzed warmly through my veins while the World blurred around us.
The music. The lights. The People.
Everything faded into the background.
Until it felt like it Was just me and him Sitting there.
“You know What hurts the most?” I whispered.
Ethan Stayed quiet.
“He made me feel Stupid for Wanting s*x after marriage.”
Pain tightened my throat.
“I'm Waiting till after marriage because I loved him and I want our married life to be Sweet.”
Emotion burned behind my eyes again.
“But he made me feel like I Was difficult to love.”
Ethan’s gaze darkened.”You're a virgin?”
“Yes.” I nodded nervously.
His gaze Softened. “Wow.”
“What.”
“Nothing. He’s just a Stupid man for letting you go. And I Want you to know that you’re not difficult to love just because you refused to give him s*x. He’s the fool here.”
The Words hit me So unexpectedly that my Chest Physically hurt.
Because Ryan had Spent months making me feel like I was difficult to love.
And this Stranger… This man who didn’t even know me had destroyed that insecurity With one Sentence…
Tears filled my eyes instantly.
Embarrassment flooded me.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry—”
“Don’t apologize.”
“I never Cry this much.”
“That’s Probably a lie.”
A Watery laugh escaped me.
Then Suddenly the room tilted Slightly.
I grabbed the Counter.
Ethan noticed immediately.
“You’re dizzy.”
“I’m okay.”
“You Can barely Sit upright.”
I frowned. “I can.”
“You Can’t.”
I opened my mouth to argue then nearly Slid off the Stool.
His Strong hands Caught me instantly.
Heat rushed through me at the sudden contact.
Ethan Steadied me Carefully.
“You’re leaving now?”
I blinked up at him.
“Can I go With you?”
The question Slipped out before I Could Stop it.
For the first time, real Surprise flickered across his face.
Then Slowly his grip tightened Slightly around my waist.
“Yes.”
My Pulse Skipped.
Logic told me this Was insane, dangerous and reckless…
I didn’t know this man.
But heartbreak and alcohol Were a terrifying Combination.
Because instead of fear… I felt safe.
And maybe that was my first mistake.
Or maybe… It was fate.
Ethan guided me Carefully through the Crowded Club toward the Private exit.
Cool night air hit my Skin immediately.
Rain still Poured Softly outside.
A Sleek black luxury Car Waited near the Curb.
Driver Standing nearby.
Ethan opened the back door for me.
I Stared at him for one long Second.
Then Climbed inside and the moment he followed after me, the door Shut behind us.
- Writer
