After the meal and closing speeches, the banquet was finally over. However, Melissa and Arianna had to stay until all the guests had left. They were required to assist with any goodbyes and ensure all guests had a ride home.
The women were so relieved once the final guests were waving goodbye. Melissa's ride had been waiting for her for over half an hour, so she left immediately.
Arianna sighed and smoothly took off her high-heeled shoes and casually looped them through her fingers to carry them. She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, but a waiter informed her, "Miss Jenkins, someone left a note for you."
He reached into his vest pocket, pulled out the folded piece of paper, and placed it in her hand.
She thanked him and shoved the note into her purse. Once Arianna was out of the building, she opened her bag and drew the note back out.
Written in black pen, the note simply stated, "Hillside." She could tell that this was a man's writing.
Hillside was a leisure club that was open all night. It was only ten minutes away from here, she thought.
Arianna decided to go back into the building to check her appearance. She took her hair out of the tight bun she wore for the banquet and shook it loose with her fingers.
Arianna sprayed herself with some perfume once again before slipping back into her heels. She then left the banquet hall for good.
Once in her car, she checked the time; it was already 12:30 a. m., and she took a sip of water. The night was still young.
After parking and entering the club, she was directed through several corridors before reaching the back. It was a secluded parking lot with no lights. Few members could enter here.
A black car was parked in the middle of the lot, blending in with the night.
The driver got out and opened the door for Arianna. She got in without saying a word and slid across the black leather seats.
The driver firmly closed the door, and she could feel the engine vibrate through the car, though it didn't make much sound.
The person next to her suddenly asked, "Do you mind if I smoke?"
It was not a request but rather a polite announcement that he was about to smoke. Travis Cooper took out his cigarette case and drew one out.
Arianna effortlessly found the car lighter and lit the cigarette for him.
In the flickering light, they briefly looked at each other. His eyes showed no emotion.
She quickly put out the flame and put the lighter back in its place.
As the car grew dark again, the only light was the reddish glow from the cigarette and a faint cloud of smoke.
The smell of tobacco was making her throat a little itchy. She couldn't help but lean forward and cough a bit, breaking the silence.
When she leaned back into her seat, she felt his arm behind her shoulders.
His muscles were very strong, though far less comfortable than the car cushions. Her shoulder blades began to ache.
To get more comfortable, Arianna turned towards him and leaned back into his body. Travis slowly lifted his arm and embraced her shoulder. He briefly ran his fingers through her hair before resting his hand on the side of her neck.
Arianna held her breath. He continued to slide his fingers down her body and gently stroked the skin on the front of her chest.
Though it was midsummer, his fingers were cool. They spread the cold through Arianna's body, giving her chills.
Lights from other vehicles flashed through the window, illuminating the driver's eyes in the rearview mirror. Nonetheless, the young driver was focused on the road.
Arianna whispered in his ear, "When did you come back?"
"Last week." He turned his head to look out the window.
His voice had a metallic texture, pleasant but cold, just like his fingertips.
His fingers continued to linger around her neck and chest. Finally, he asked, "Why didn't you find something to cover here? What about your necklace?"
Arianna answered lightly, "It's a little too flashy for me."
Travis smiled quietly in the dark.
****
Arianna finally woke up in complete darkness.
She had night blindness and could not see in the dark. This made her afraid of the dark. She usually left a light on when she slept alone.
Though squinting her eyes never helped before, she couldn't help but try. She felt powerless, as if trapped in a nightmare.
Between her spastic heartbeats, she heard someone breathing deeply next to her.
Relief washed over her. She fumbled for the switch on the table lamp.
When the soft light brightened the room, her body was rejuvenated.
Travis was on the other side of the bed, lying on his stomach. He seemed to be in a deep sleep.
He looked very innocent, Arianna thought.
Melissa was right; with his thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, crisp jawline, and strong figure, he looked like he was from a heroic myth.
But he was too intense for her to appreciate his looks while he was awake.
Arianna gently made a beheading gesture across his neck with her fingers.
She had always wanted to know if someone ever tried to harm him while sleeping and if he would wake up instantly.
This game would be no fun if he took it seriously, so she did not dare to try with a real knife.
Then, she put her hand into the shape of a gun and pointed it at his temple. He did not move.
With a small sigh, she slowly got out of bed to take a shower.
The water was hot and began to make her skin red. She didn't care and continued to shower for a long time.
Arianna looked at herself in the foggy mirror. Her chest and collarbone were bruised. Her shoulders had some hickeys and bite marks. Since her skin was so pale and delicate, these markings looked even more defined.
Travis's ancestors must be beasts, not apes, Arianna thought to herself. When lying under him, she always felt like he was out of control. In her dreams, he often transformed into a wolf and swallowed her whole.
Though his foreplay was soft and made her melt slowly like an iceberg, afterward, he did not stop until she was pushed to her limit.
Before, when she had more courage, she clenched her teeth and refused to do as he pleased. She would bite if he pushed her too hard. But in the end, she was always the one who suffered more.