5. Special drink

Ethan's POV

I had been at home for two days straight. This is the longest time I had ever been inside my house. The black curtains hid the sunlight, trying to invade my room and a part me of got irritated at the slightest of the heat. Maybe I was just fazed by every single thing I saw moving, felt like shooting it with a gun.

After that incident with Lush and her best friend, I didn’t feel like stepping outside and the idea of staying inside, didn’t suit me pretty well. My existence was made for the parties, maybe in the past few years I had shaped it this way? Well, as long as it keeps me distracted, I never left my party-animal phase.

I was dragging my feet to the bathroom when my phone started ringing. I glanced at the clock with a thought of the 'call being an early occurrence’ but, it was almost three in the afternoon. It was then I realised, how much I was sulking, unnecessarily.

‘Unknown number’ the caller ID said. As I picked it up, I questioned, “Hello?”

“Is this Ethan Brown?” A sweet voice, almost captivating me; it had a hint of something similar though.

“Yeah?” I wanted her to continue.

“Hey Ethan, it’s Madison this side.”

I SNAPPED.

My eyes falling out, like a thunderstorm had hit me in the very centre of my chest. As if she broke through me like a mountain, lighting the dynamite. Her sweet voice felt like knives piercing through my skin, leaving me in shambles; because that’s exactly what she wanted to do with me.

Questions and questions. I tried linking them to every possible outcome, every scenario. Brain truly works faster than people imagine, because my thought process was faster than the speed of light, within a blink of an eye I had prepared myself for the worst. I felt like I had so much stored in my mouth that I wanted to say, but nothing came out, no matter how hard I try.

“Hello?” She got even softer with her tone. A red flag.

“Uh yeah. Hey, Madison.” I managed to say something.

“Um, well, this is awkward…How are you?” Why does she want to know that? To make my condition worse? Most probably.

“I’m alright. You?”

“I’m great.” Yeah, right, obviously you would be, after almost killing me.

You’re exaggerating E.

She would’ve killed me if she had the equipment and place to do so. I was lucky enough she only pushed in the very middle of the road, which is also an offense, almost can be considered as abuse. The slander was unnecessary, I can’t bring myself to erase that memory of this fucking mini bantam looking woman, attacking me.

“Well, I just want to apologize for what I did the other day.” Something about her voice was so attractive and convincing. Yet a huge part of me didn’t believe a word she uttered.

“I know I might seem like an asshole to you right now…”

“No, its fine.” I stopped her. “Don’t apologize, you are not an asshole, either.”

It’s just what she said, as if automatic enough, I assumed she was sincere. She seemed like the garden of gentle breeze and pure intentions. I guess she had that effect? Maybe she brought the heaven in her eloquent speech, I gave in very easily.

“Still Ethan. I shouldn’t have been so rude.” She continued to lure me in her voice like a lullaby.

“It’s all good Madison.”

“Maddy. You can call me Maddy.” That’s it, she was succumbing me to her plan, as she watched me climb to what she has expected of me. Sitting pretty in my brain.

“Maddy, it's fine.”

“Well, I actually want to invite you to a party.”

“Yeah sure.” I was dancing with the devil at that point, an information far away from my conscience.

“It’s just a little gathering I am organizing. I really hope you come.” I could hear her smile. Yes, it was that strong and attractive.

“I’d love to.”

“That’s amazing, see you there, tonight.”

“Bye.” I was swayed. I knew I was. She was unnecessarily fascinating.

It was about time I got ready, instead of staring at the screen which had the information about the party’s location and other details. I had the all-black Emporio Armani Nero single breasted fit suit, paired with a black shirt. In addition to how much I adored the brand, my Giorgio Armani black leather Derby shoes and a Emporio Armani Renato silver watch were my companions, for the night.

Yes, I’m very specific with things I wear, since I’m the face of dad’s firm, which will be given over to me soon (trust me I’m not ready for it). Theodore, being older than me joined the firm a lot before, but now the responsibilities are slowly handed over to me. Being a rich brat (blame my mom and Theo), I've always worn the most expensive clothing and accessories, considering the fact, that I am the youngest child, obviously I've been pampered and loved the most.

As ironic as it may seem, I was bullied at school because I was a very shy and an introverted kid. I never had any friends, though girls spawned around me, only because they saw me as a 'pretty looking' dude. But in my high school, when they got to know that I'm Brandon Brown’s son; basically, the heir of one of the leading businesses cooperations in California, everyone started getting closer to me.

Gold diggers.

Thus, I got trained to be tight-fisted and deceptively perilous (not to harm others, just for my own gain), picturing a shift in my social life after my financial status was revealed. Because of my experiences with people who just wanted to enjoy the feel of a lavish life with my money, my trust never seemed to deviate from a handful of people; in real sense, only my brother.

I believe in the saying, ‘one out of two people, who lies, is the successful one’ that's why I’m also a pathological liar. I have no shame in admitting I had lied an unhealthy number of times, but my bridge limit makes me stop advancing, when my lies might put people in big troubles.

Keyword being ‘big’.

As I picked up my phone walking out my room, a significant portion of my conscience, conflicted with my decision to attend that party tonight. Putting in simple words, I knew something wrong would happen but I was still going.

Why?

I don't know.

My intuition was dominating my steps, making them heavy as I walked towards my car. But, something about her, made me want to believe that she's a nice person and that she really was apologetic, at least. At least.

I sat down, quickly starting my car as I drove off to the destination. I was there in no time and as expected, it was packed with blaring music, lights and drunk people. An endless ocean of crowd swimming in the dark pleasure of losing consciousness. Night life is alluring, yet like a dangerous drug gets mixed in blood, sneakily making its way to the subconsciousness, leaving it at ease. A hindered ease.

Even though I am very used to an environment like this, I was a little distracted. I was looking for Madison, since she is the party host, I wanted to meet her. As I entered the crowd a faint fragrance of mixed perfumes with alcohol dominated the place, I straightaway walked to the bar.

It was not even a second when the bartender asked, “What can I get for you, sir?”

“A paloma with fresh grapefruit juice.”

“No, get him our special drink.” A voice, sweeter than a candy, made me turn my head to its owner.

Madison, standing not more than a feet away from me, with her skin fit, black full sleeve, turtle neck one piece, which ended right above her, mid thighs. And Good Lord, she had amazing thighs, enhancing her curves even more. She looked serene, yet elegant and a part of me felt attracted, just like the first time I saw her. With her lips and nails painted in the same dark red tint, I couldn’t remove my eyes off her face.

She was stunning. She really was.

Her hair scattered all across her shoulders and face in the most perfectly gorgeous way, made her even prettier. I knew she had a peculiar charm about her, but in that moment, she looked like this ravishing brunette, anyone would stop and take a look, at least once more. The dazzling earrings shining like she had captured all the stars in the sky, ruling over every single one of them. She was a divine beauty.

“Special drink?” I smirked, as she came closer.

“I got it added to the menu for my friends. Its good, you should try it.”

“If you say so.” I said, picking up the drink and she chuckled.

She looked dangerously radiant.

As I took that drink in my system, it hit me strangely hard. Usually, drinks don’t hit me that hard, since my alcohol capacity is very stable and I’m able to handle myself pretty well, but something about this made me a little dizzy. It was almost as strong as my water tuning into wine. Yes, pretty intense.

Head started getting heavy, within the next few seconds when I realised Madison’s voice getting faintly silent. I forced opened my eyes, seeing her right beside me. With her head tilted in concern, I smiled at her and leaned to the counter a little, trying to give my body the support it might've need.

“Are you okay?” Her voice, melting like a sugar syrup.

I nodded as the pleasure of losing my consciousness took over.

“We should dance, let’s go.” She grabbed my hand, dragging me to the very centre of the dance floor, before I could even figure out the situation. Was it the alcohol or me being purposely fragile to her? (I'd let her do anything to me.)

There was no room for space between us, her hands hooked on my shoulders, while mine wrapped around her waist; like it was a natural process. My face bent down while her eyes never lost the contact with mine. She smiled from time to time, swaying her hips to the beat. Being a trained salsa dancer, with the devoted practice for seven years, I was able to control my body according to her movement.

Though my control was losing its focus slowly, I enjoyed Madison being in my arms. She was hot and her body moved in the most seductive manner, close to mine. I would be lying if I say I didn’t pull her close at every chance I got. I should’ve been careful in taking advances but she was almost as addictive as a drug.

Sweet or sour, I didn’t mind. She was a tempting animal.

In every glance, I managed to steal in that dark crowded place, with the drink I had in my system taking over, she didn’t fail to sink my heart inside. She was like wine; you could never get enough, no matter how much you consume. Her hands wrapped around my neck, and my lips inches away from her face, I did what my inner mind suggested. Something I wanted to do, really bad.

I grabbed her tight, with my fingers slightly pulling down her turtle neck, placing my lips on her neck. I kissed her. Her fingers gripped on my coat as I held the back of her head, not letting her go. The kiss wasn’t too long but I did start craving for more. Maybe I took advantage of the dark or was my drunk state an excuse? In the back of my head, I knew what I was doing and I wanted more. More of her touch, her skin, her body, her scent. Her.

“I want to undress you.”

“You want to undress me?”

“Yes.”

SLAP!

What the fuck?!

I was shaken to the very core of my existence. The heat was felt on my cheek, while the pain at the very centre of my body. The very image of madison getting angry was all I remember before I saw her dissolve in the dark crowd like a mist, as if she was there. I might have completely passed out after that because I don’t even remember how or where I was taken.

But the image of madison slapping me hard, surely was a waking up point for me. Like a flame which dies down, flickers a few times before, something similar happened to me. Yes, she woke me up in just one hit. She really is strong considering how tiny she is.

The next time my eyes opened, I just remember my phone buzzing with a notification from Lush, which said,

‘We are done, Ethan.’

WAIT WHAT?