"Get up Zhera! You can't keep going like this. You've been in this room for three weeks. You need to get out. And this time, I'm not taking no for an answer." Aurelith said dragging me downstairs.
"Okay, okay fine. Even if I go out, where do I go and what do I do?" I asked when we reached the living room.
"Looks like you're forgetting who you really are. You used to work in the day but you didn't let that stop you. At night, you dress up and go to the club and take shots and have a great time with me." She said like she was narrating a fantasy story.
"We were young Aurelith. Things are not the same anymore." I said trying to convince her.
"Are you saying we are old now? Come on Zhera, you are only twenty five and I'm only twenty seven. If anything we are at the peak of our young age and we're not getting any younger. I'm not letting you stay a day in this room living miserably when we could be out there having some fun." She said firmly but clearly I wasn't bothered.
"You want to move on right? I think this is the perfect way to do so. Blow off some steam and have some much deserved fun." She said smirking. I could easily tell what she was doing. I have been trying so hard to move on. So she was using that to convince me. And honestly, the idea was not bad.
"Okay fine but what if …" I agreed but before I could state my doubts, she cut me off.
"No what if girl. You just agreed." She said squealing excitedly. " We're going to have so much fun."
I still had some doubts but seeing her smile, I couldn't bring myself to say anything.
About 30 minutes later:
"Aurelith, I don't want to put any makeup on." I said when she tried to but clearly she wasn't backing down.
"This is your first night out after your break up. You've got to look your best." She said.
"Okay but make it light and less." I said and she nodded.
"All done. Now rise and look at yourself in the mirror girl." She said winking playfully.
"You are looking stunning." She said sounding dramatic but she was right.
She choose a black corset top and a peach mini skirt with chain accents. With matching black thigh high boots. She gave me a bold eye makeup, flawless contour and glossy red lips. My hair was sleek straight. She adorned me with layered necklace,hoop earrings and statement rings. And my clutch with shine was a perfect match for the dress.
I barely even recognised myself. Aurelith was right. I had lost myself chasing a delusional dream. I couldn't even remember the last time I dressed up to have some fun. I had been solely focused on making my father proud yet what he did proves that he didn't care about me. I had wasted the past ten years of my youth on a fake friend, impressing people who didn't care about me and chasing a man who clearly doesn't love me. I wasn't wasting any more of it.
"Are you ready to do this?" She asked.
"You bet I am. Let's go." I replied confidently.
At the bar:
As soon as we entered, the strong smell of alcohol and perfume hit me. I hadn't smelled this scent in years. The manager immediately greeted us and led us to the vip. It was just as I remembered.
It was elevated from the dance floor. It had luxury seatings, sleek decor, dim lighting and very few people compared to the packed dance floor. And of course, the men overlooking the dance floor to see if they can find a girl to 'play' with. Group of high class people dressed in designer fits or high end looks playing cards or poker.
Aurelith booked our former seating. The server brought our drinks. Of course I ordered my usual; margarita and cosmopolitan. But Aurelith ordered vodka which wasn't like her. But anyway we had a great time. The music was great and so was the drinks. We kept dancing nonstop and taking shots one after another.
But after sometime, Aurelith excused herself in the bathroom. Almost immediately after she went, a guy who was definitely in his forties kept gazing at me. After sometime, he walked to the table.
"Hey, I saw you across the room and had to say hi." He said with a grin. But his grin didn't reach his eyes, and something about it felt wrong.
"Hi." I replied with a soft smile trying to sound polite.
"You have a great smile. Can I know your name?" He asked still carrying that grin on his face.
"Sorry, I don't disclose my name to strangers." I said with a fake and forced smile.
"I can change that. We won't be strangers if we know each other. How about I take the seat next to yours." He said with a smirk.
"I'm waiting for my friend. She'll be back soon." I said clearly uncomfortable with the idea.
"I'm not sure she's a friend if she left you alone at a place like this for ten minutes." He said with a mocking sneer.
"Don't you dare say that about her!" I yelled, completely losing my cool.
"Calm down woman. How about I buy you a drink to cool you down?" He asked yet before I could even answer he already called the server and ordered a martini for me.
"I already drank enough I don't want to drink anymore. Thank you." I said trying to compose myself.
"I just want to apologise. A wild cat never declines a sincere apology. Or are you just afraid to…"
"I'll accept your apology." I didn't even give him a chance to finish his sentence. This guy was suspicious as hell. But I never give anyone a reason to say I'm afraid. And like he said, a wild cat never declines a sincere apology. I drunk the glass of martini in one gulp. But I regretted it instantly.
I started feeling dizzy and hot. I got up to head for the bathroom but he tried to pull me back.
"Let go of me!" I yelled trying to desperately push him away as he forced himself on me. He smelled weak but I couldn't even shift because of whatever thing he gave me. He was now grinning and I wasn't usually scared but this time I was. I kept looking around to see if I can find Aurelith but she was nowhere to be found. I had completely lost hope.
But then, I saw him. He dragged that man from me and went physical with him. I could swear the man was as good as dead. My knees went weak and before I could fall, he caught me midair. I couldn't help but look into his eyes. I knew him; I'd recognise those eyes anywhere. He was the vampire from the night before. Even though I fought to stay conscious, my body gave in and everything went black.