Chapter 15

Sean had been right. She wasn’t ready for this kind of crowd. The club was not as Anna had told it to her. It smelt of flowers and sweat, like someone had tried to diffuse the evidence of bodies rubbing each other in the heat. Anna held her hand and dragged her through the crowd to the less crowded part of it, the bar.

Rosalia took in several breathes in an attempt to feel her lungs with fresh air as she looked up at Anna to ask for water.

“Here” Anna said, thrusting a glass with a water-colored drink inside. Rosalia shook her head and frantically. “I just need water; my throat is on fire.”

Anna laughed “This is a club, there’s just alcohol here. Better take this” Anna said, handing her the glass again. Rosalia took the glass from her and blinked to keep the tears forming in her eyes at bay. The change in Anna’s voice took her by surprise. They were supposed to be here to fun. Anna said nothing but at the moment, if anything she looked angry. Like she didn’t want to be there.

Swirling the drink in her Rosalia kicked it to the back of her throat. She gagged at the bitterness as it hit her tongue. With no choice she gave the glass back to Anna and asked for another. Her throat was too dry for her liking.

“Now you’re acting like an adult” She said and gave her another glass of the brown liquid and something else that Anna was not aware of. “My friend will be here soon. We’re going to another club, this one’s too crowded. I don’t want it to ruin your night.”

Rosalia nodded, glad she wouldn’t have to be in this place pretending that she was having fun. She twisted her fingers thinking of who Anna’s friend was. Male? Female? She sighed in relief when she saw Dex enter the club and look around before spotting her. Rosalia waved her hand in the air to get his attention.

He had excused himself immediately they got to the club. There was something about him that made Rosalia sit up in alert. Dex slipped an arm around her waist and smiled brightly at her. she relaxed. If she could trust Sean, a total stranger then she could trust his friends.

“Are you having fun yet?” He asked. He signed to the bartender of the same thing Rosalia was drinking. Rosalia was about to say no when Anna tapped Dex to get his attention.

“Daniel will be here soon, come look for him with me?” She asked. Dex nodded before excusing himself from Rosalia.

Left alone to the loud music, she turned to the bartender trying not to pay attention to the men that were making eyes at her.

“Can I get soda or something that’s not alcohol?” She asked, smiling sweetly. He looked at her like she had three heads and was confused on how to process it.

“This is a fucking club. Look around, see anyone with soda?” he said, rather harshly his voice rising above the music making everyone briefly stop to stare at them. She bowed her head slightly, letting her long hair form a curtain between her and all the eyes fixated on her. She turned away from him, wiping the corners of her eyes to trap the tears that had escaped. He didn’t have to be so rude. She was grateful when everyone turned back to their business, but her hair remained on her face.

“I’ve seen many beautiful women in life. Angry, sad, just broke up with my boyfriend depressed.” He motioned to the bartender who placed a drink in his hand immediately. Rosalia kept looking at the man that was now in front of her, slowly judging her from the way his eyes regarded her with a twitch at the corners.

“Excuse me?” Was all Rosalia could ask the fine specimen that was smiling at her now, a puzzled look taking over his face.

“I want to run my ex over sadness, mixed with a little hurt and anger…” He trailed off, his eyes solely on her “But never my love, have I seen a beautiful woman crying in a club” He finished before downing his drink in a second.

Rosalia touched her cheeks to make sure she had no tears there. “I don’t know what you’re talking about” She denied.

“You can fool others love but not me. I can see past the mask.” He carefully placed his glass on the counter.

“And who are you?” Rosalia asked, the irritation clear in her voice. The man was beautiful no doubt, but she wasn’t going to let him embarrass her further.

“Anna’s friend.” He answered simply. He looked at his wristwatch, which latched onto his cream skin perfectly. “Let’s get out of here, they’re waiting outside.”

“How do I know it’s really you and not some rando trying to lure me into some dark alley?”

He looked at her for a while, head cocked to the side before clicking his tongue “You’re cute. But not that cute” He stated clearly, before grabbing her hand and walking towards the entrance of the club. Rosalia pulled her hand with so much force, but his grip wouldn’t budge.

“I suggest you stop making a fuss. Your friends are just around the corner” He said, indifferent to the struggling girl following after him. Rosalia stumbled over when they finally made it outside and he let go of her hand. She coughed as she tried to get fresh into her lungs.

“That was totally unnecessary” She whined as they walked to where Anna was standing with Dex.

“Yes, it was.” He said “But…it was also fun! For me at least” He laughed like he was having the best night of his life. And at that moment the headlights of an oncoming car shone on his face, illuminating his sharp jawline and eyes.

Rosalia was suddenly yanked to the side. “It’s okay to stare at this handsome face, but it’s not worth being run over by a car.”

She blinked severally before processing what had happened “Thank you” She muttered shyly before walking over to Anna.

“You guys sure took your time” Anna said, “I’ll ride with Dex, you can go with him”. Rosalia was about to protest that she didn’t want to be left alone with a stranger, but Anna was already in the car, Dex going in after her.

“My car is over there” he gestured to the black Audi that was carefully packed in a corner. Rosalia scoffed, she knew his type. Sexy and fast cars, he same thing with the male characters in the romance novels Nana used to give her. She followed wordlessly after him, biting her tongue to keep herself from saying the words out loud.

Rosalia was about to open the door when huge hands covered hers.

“Let me” Was all he said and opened the door for her. She got in and put on her seat belt, she had a feeling his driving wasn’t as impeccable as his manners.

She had been right. He swerved onto the road so fast she held onto her chest afraid that it’ll spring right out of her chest. “Jesus Christ!” She exclaimed “Do you want to kill me?” She asked with wide eyes.

He took his eyes off the road for a moment to look at her. Laughing when he saw the horrified expression on her face. “There’s…nothing…to worry about” He said amidst laughter “I was named best driver of the year” He said, raising his right hand “I swear on it.”

Rosalia rolled her eyes “Whoever gave you that award needs to be reexamined. In the head.”

He laughed again, this time hitting his hand on the steering wheel. Rosalia tuned out his voice as the images from the window began to blur and a heavy feeling take rest between her eyes.

“Hey…” Was all she heard him say. Unable to form a coherent word she leaned her head against the window, welcoming the cold it brought to here, momentarily feeling the cold spread across her now aching head. She didn’t know what this feeling was, but she wanted it gone.