Chapter 54 Threatened
NANCY’S POV
The drink hit faster than I thought it would. At first, it was just a tinge of heat sliding down my throat, but then it turned into a full explosion of warmth that clothed my whole body.
Just as fast, I felt my eyelids turning heavier, as well as my frame. My vision began to grow hazy, too, but all of these changes were things I could feel happening inside of me.
On the outside, nothing seemed to have changed.
Everything tilted.
I blinked rapidly, trying not to show the kind of effect the alcohol was having on me, while Vanessa folded her hands into each other, watching me closely as though trying to fish out the signs I was now hoping weren't showing outwardly yet.
“Well,” she hummed, “That wasn't so hard, was it?”
I'd be damned if it wasn’t.
Did she think everyone had a tolerance for alcohol?
Regardless, I managed a tight smile at her, hoping it didn’t look as forced as it felt, “No.”
My voice was oddly light. Well, not oddly, I knew the reason behind it, but it was softer nonetheless.
“Not at all,” I added.
Vanessa’s gaze flickered. She probably was not expecting that I would just agree with her, but at the moment, I was past caring what she expected.
I wasn’t going to let her embarrass me, not on my first night out in Florida.
Just as I suspected earlier, she reached her hands out and someone, one of her lackeys, I supposed, handed another glass of drink to her.
I didn’t even know what she’d done with the empty glass I gave her.
Either way, she took the filled glass, then a slow smirk graced her lips, “In that case…”
My body chose to fucking sway then.
I didn’t know if I should be glad that Mason noticed, but I wasn’t mad either, because that turned out to be a huge help for me.
He stepped forward before Vanessa could say more, then snatched the glass out of her grip, “That’s enough.”
He took another glance at me then muttered, “She’s had enough.”
Vanessa frowned at him, then waved him off, “Oh, relax, Mason. She’s not a damsel in distress you have to save, she can handle one more.”
My eyes widened in horror.
One more? I could already feel the impact of the alcohol in full swing now. One more would wreck me.
Now desperate, I signaled Mason with my eyes, asking him to deter his girlfriend while also internally pondering why Diana still wasn't here.
This would have been the best time for her to make an appearance.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I finally voiced out, though it came out sounding more amused than serious.
Mason gave me an apologetic look while Vanessa’s smile turned even more wicked, predatory even. “What are you saying? I think it’s a wonderful idea…”
Maybe it was the tone of her voice, or it could have been the gleam that had yet to leave her eyes, but something in me snapped.
Filled with refusal and anger, I let my body straighten, forcefully keeping my eyes focused while cold laughter tumbled past my lips, “Wow.”
“You really don’t like me.”
Vanessa’s smile froze, and she sputtered, “What?”
In a firmer tone, I repeated, laying ample emphasis on my words this time.
“I said you really don’t like me.”
“You have been trying to get at me all night, and while I think it’s impressive, I won’t just stand here and take it.
“What are you talking about?” She shook her head, feigning confusion.
“Oh, don't be so pretentious, you know exactly what I’m talking about, but here’s the thing…” I held a finger up like I was making an important point.
Loudly and formally, I enunciated, “I don’t want Mason."
I think even Mason was shocked by my statement because his gaze snapped to me, faster than lightning.
My words, however, landed with the intended effect because even Vanessa froze, and as for the people watching, they were even more attentive now, gazes snapping from me to her then back.
I lifted my finger; it felt heavier than it was supposed to, but that didn’t stop me.
Mason was the one I pointed at first, ignoring the surprise still etched on his face, then I shifted my finger to Vanessa.
“You two are very intense, I must say, and you…you’re very dramatic, but a pity, that isn’t my thing.”
I had no idea who, but someone snorted behind me, and that caused Vanessa’s face to darken.
She glared at the space behind me, “You think this is funny?”
That seemed to work because the room became so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.
Completely ignoring the fact that she wasn’t talking to me, I chuckled loudly, “It is if you think about it.”
Her eyes turned even darker, and she snapped at me, “You must be drunk, you’re spouting nonsense.”
“I don’t think I am,” I said, then tilted my head, studying her the same way she had done to me earlier.
“You can’t say that I’m drunk, but a fact anyone here would agree with is that you’re threatened.”
That landed with impact, her expression cracked, and I felt a huge sense of satisfaction that I wasn't expecting to feel.
“It’s weird if you ask me, because in my opinion, you’re very pretty.”
“But since you’re this worried,” I continued. “Then, maybe your problem isn’t me.
Dead silence followed my words.
Honestly, I realised much later that I didn't even say that to mock her. It was the truth I felt she had to know.
She needed to look inward and figure out what exactly she was so insecure about, and the answer didn't lie with me.
Mason drew closer and then grabbed my arm when I swayed again, more noticeably this time, “Okay, I think it’s about time we leave.”
“Wait…” Vanessa started.
“No,” Mason cut in firmly.
That surprised me because of how sharp his tone was. He was firmer than he had been towards her the entire night, too.
“We’re done here," he said with a note of finality.
Vanessa stared at him, then at me with fury burning in her eyes, but there was nothing she could do.
She had already caused enough of a scene.
“Let’s go,” Mason muttered, then pulled me away.