Soon, Alexia and I were standing outside Lockders hotel, one of the biggest and most popular five star hotel in the city. I wore a short crimson blue gown which accentuated my curves perfectly, tight and loose at the right places. I also paired it with black sandals . My eyes were still swollen from the day's crying but Alexia had done a good job in concealing the puffs with makeup.
Glancing at Alexia attired in a shiny top with a black mini skirt, I expelled an airy breath. Alexia was what you would describe as 'wild' at first sight. She dressed and talked so carefree which was why I kept my distance away from her most time. But she was also a sweetheart. That I knew for sure. On every other day, I would have turned down Alexia's suggestion that we go to a club but I needed an outlet as it felt like I would die in the next minute.
"Come on, let's go," Alexia said, her excitement very evident in her tone.
We pushed our way through the crowd of crazy people as Alexia guided me to a bar at the far end of the room. The place lived up to its name and was really lovely.
"Ralph offered me money. I just can't believe he would treat me this way.."
"Girl, quit the talk about the motherf*cker and let's enjoy the night," Alexia yelled over the blasting music as she ordered our drinks_two shots of cocktails.
I emptied my cup at a go and shoved the cup to the bartender for a refill.
"Now, that's the spirit," Lexi cheered on as a smile clouded her features. She gulped her glass with a noisy sigh and tilted her head to the bartender who looked at us with an unreadable expression.
"Refill, mister!"
And that was how we ended up gulping shots upon shots of cocktails. My vision turned blurry but I smiled, loving the way the alcohol numbed all my feelings. I was a superhero at that point.
The bartender hesitated in giving me another shot and I was about to utter profanities at him when I felt a presence beside me. Heat emitted from the body and I heard the very familiar gasp from Alexia. Turning my head in the direction of the stranger, my breath seized…Literally. For one or two seconds, I was rendered speechless.
"Who….what do you want, Mr. Angel?" I asked as I stared into the most handsome face I have ever seen. I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating but I'm not.
I was about to say something else when a loud belch tore out from my lips. Snatching my drink from the bartender, I broke into weird laughter as Alexia pinched my arm. Alexia stood up and giving me a wink, announced her exit and scampered away.
"Hey, refill!!" I screamed at the bartender who was attending to the other customers.
I could feel the gaze of the stranger on my skin so I looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Any problem?" I slurred. "Why are you so handsome?"
The man chuckled slightly as he moved his seat closer to where I was.
"I'm no angel….Just Ryan," He said, and god…. Was it the alcohol or did his voice sound like it was pulled down with gravity? So manly, so….
"And permit me to say, you look stunning tonight."
The bartender poured me another glass which I gulped down in one go.
"Says the man who's working so hard to get laid."
My lips tugged up in a smile as I looked to see that my cup was filled to the brim again. Meeting the bartender's eyes, I nodded my approval as I raised the cup to my lips only to be obstructed by the man. He took the cup from me and drank it.
"That would be all for the night," he said to the bartender who nodded but it only infuriated me.
"You are not the boss of me," I said, a scowl tainting my features. "I want to be left alone. Off you go!"
The stranger, was it Ralph, bared his teeth exposing well arranged set of teeth as he leaned in till he was looking me in the eyes.
"Yeah, so do I." He said, his tone dripping with amusement. "That's why I think we should be alone together."
Silence ensued between us and for a second, I think something crackled in the air between us. I was sure of it.
"Do you mind sharing what the problem is," Ryan asked, as his features turned serious. I must have looked surprised because he quickly apologized.
"I'm sorry if it feels like I'm intruding. It's just that I have been watching you for a while and I noticed you don't seem to be in a good mood." One of his thick eyebrows was raised and for a moment, he looked curious and concerned. But I knew better than that. I was in a bar for goodness' sake.
Not caring to hide my disgust, I rolled my eyes at him and his gaze quickly darkened, causing me to subconsciously swallow saliva. Averting my gaze from him, I searched around for Alexia but she was no where in sight. But I was sure she was somewhere around, either watching me or engaging in something nasty. That was the typical Alexia.
"What are you? Some kind of creep?" I asked when I noticed Ryan had been staring at me all the while. His expression was unreadable but there was something about his gaze which was…I don't know…Nostalgic.
"Well that's because you are yet to give me a reply," The man replied as he sipped from his shot.
Who sips alcohol? The sane part of my mind wondered.
I don't owe you any reply. You are not my daddy," I yelled as his face started to annoy me.
As I shoved my cup to the bartender for a refill, I felt his hand wrap over mine and pull me with him.
"Let me go, you freak," I struggled but it was fruitless.
The sane part of my mind wondered why nobody said anything but just paved the way as Ryan dragged me to god knows where.