Chapter 2

ALVIRA’S POV

I could feel the tears fall freely now as I got home, despite the fact, I enjoyed everything that happened between Carter and I at the night club.

But, the memories from three years ago came crashing in, harder, stronger. I had been outside, trying to get to my rundown home in an equally run down neighborhood quickly before the heavy rain that was brewing came pouring down, and I decided to go through an alley that was a short cut.

I could still remember the sound of the rain, the smell of wet pavement, cigarettes, and dirt as powerful arms held me down, hurting me, violating my body.

He had kissed me, and his mouth had tasted vile, making me feel like gaging, but I suppressed the urge to throw up. I needed my mouth to breathe, as my nostrils did not seem to get enough air.

I shivered, then hugged myself as I finally got to my house. That had been three years ago, and in another neighborhood, another state – so why did I still remember that night so vividly immediately a man so much as looked my way?

I hugged myself and sank to the floor, fighting tears. The billionaire, he was different. There was something extremely different about the way he kissed me, the power, the ruthless possessiveness, everything was there. But he kissed as if I could walk away anytime I wanted, and the only thing holding me back was my own desire.

'Desire.’ I felt my heartbeat quicken at the mere thought of that word, and I was sure a blush crept up my cheeks. Did I desire the billionaire? Did I want him to do even more than just kiss me? To hold my body against his powerful one, to…

"OK, I can’t tell if you are fantasizing about a man, crying, or just plane sick – your face is a mess of jumbled emotions.”

I looked up to see Clarissa standing by the door to the bedroom. She was still wearing her night wear, and the flimsy wear made her look even thinner, her bones jutting out where she used to be all rounded flesh and curves.

The tears that filled my eyes now were for her, not myself, for my best friend in the world who was slowly withering before my very eyes. This was the main reason I had gone to work at the night club, not to catch the eyes of a powerful playboy billionaire.

Clarissa’s voice was soft as she opened her arms for a hug. “Come here baby.”

I shook my head. “I’m crying, and I’m wet, I’m going to get you wet.”

Clarissa seemed confused for a moment, “wet? Did it rain, I’ve been sleeping –“ a look of compassion washed over her clear blue eyes. “Oh no Honey. You’re are not thinking of that rainy night you got raped – you got forced, are you?”

I shook my head in denial of the obvious truth, then I ran into the waiting arms of my friend, almost toppling her in the process. Resting my head against her shoulder, I cried my eyes out.

"I really thought I had forgotten that night – I-I thought I was over it and, had moved on, but then the billionaire – the man – he, I – he grabbed me and –“

Clarissa pulled my head away from her shoulders, gently, but urgently. Her blue eyes searched mine. “I don’t understand. What billionaire Ally. Who grabbed you – talk to me. Did something new happen today. Please talk to me Alvira.”

Her voice broke, and this time, it was her pale blue eyes that filled with tears. “I should not have let you go to the club – I shouldn’t have,” she said in a tiny voice, shaking her head slowly, with a look of utter pain in her eyes.

I shook my head, feeling slightly guilty at how worried I had made her. “No. I wasn’t ra – attacked today. No one forced me, except for a few inappropriate touches..

It was only the billionaire who –“ I halted on my words as I thought I was exposing too much despite she was my friend more like an unrelated sister.

"Hold up a bit,” she interrupted, gently guiding me to the sofa, and pressing my shoulders down till I was forced to sit. “What billionaire are you talking about? I need to hear everything – and speak slowly, so you don’t confuse me further.” She added when I was about to start my lengthy explanation. Walking over to the tap, she poured a glass of water, then handed it to me.

I waited until I had finished drinking, marveling at how thirsty I was, before I continue as I decided to let out a hint. “Nothing extraordinary happened today.

I just got kissed by a very handsome – very powerful man, and my body’s reaction to him triggered some memories.”

Clarissa nodded. “And this kiss – it happened at the club?”

"No. It happened in Buckingham palace.” I said in mock sarcasm. Clarissa paused a bit, as if processing what I said, then she smiled. Her lips curved more upward till she was laughing.

I joined in, and for a few seconds, we were just two friends laughing at a silly joke. I couldn’t remember the last time we had laughed before.

"He seemed nice, but there was a ruthlessness about him that scared me, it was as if he could easily hurt me without a backward glance if he chose to – and somehow, I knew instinctively that he was going to choose to, it was only a matter of time.” My voice sounded more serious now, and Clarissa was silent a bit, then she came to sit beside me on the Sofa.

"Alvira, I don’t think you should go back to work at the night club –”

I sighed. “Then how would we get the money for your medical bills? You need to get checked up in a real hospital – the kind rich people go to. They’d know what to do to make you okay again.”

I winced at how childish I sounded. My friend may never be okay again, but at least, she could feel better. With the right medication and care, she would not be in the amount of pain she was daily.

"We’d find a way. Ally. I promise, we will.” Clarissa finally answered, and then, tired of talking, we just sat in silence as we thought about what awaited us in the future.