Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I bit my lower lip when I saw the bartender's forehead creased. I'd been sitting at the bar area for more than five minutes, trying to figure out what the bloody cocktail drinks were made of. 

I tapped my fingers at the counter while my eyes narrowed at the menu. "Uh, excuse me but what's this uhm... this Bloody Mary?"

The bartender sighed and shook his head. "You don't want that, kid." He grabbed a can of Coke in the chiller and placed it in front of me. "Just get this one and get out of here, will yah? I ain't Google, sugar."

I pouted and stared at the carbonated drink for a couple seconds. "I'm being nice here." My eyes drifted to his nametag. "Ryle. I'm serious. I need a drink."

He raised both of his eyebrows and pushed the Coke closer to my hand. "There. Now get lost."

I rolled my eyes and pulled out my bills to show it to him. "I got money, alright? I can pay for like twenty more." I shook my head. "It's not expensive to be nice to customers, Sir."

Ryle chuckled, his dimples showed as he rubbed his jaw. "Ah, little girl. You're totally missing the point here, alright? I don't know what magic you did back there with Big J but that's not gonna work with me."

He turned away from me to give a glass of scotch to the guy sitting on the other side. When the two started chatting about the "beast" who attacked the campers, I sighed and looked at the menu again. I didn't know there's something harder than Math.

If only I brought her phone, it's going to be easier to figure out which one of the fancy cocktails was best for a beginner. I didn't want to waste time and Ryle probably got tired of explaining things to me already.

I scratched my neck and began looking around, observing the interiors of the place. Its walls were designed with red bricks. There's a red vintage car sitting inside as a decoration near the pool table. Heads of wolves and a pair of swords were displayed near the bar area while several abstract paintings were lining up on the other side, near the bathroom. 

I was busy checking the place out when I felt someone sat on the stool next to me. His elbow slightly hit mine, making me gasp for unknown reason. What was that? My body reacted as if I was hit by lightning bolts.

When I tilted my head to look at him, I swore my heart almost broke my ribcage just to jump towards his hands like it was an animal that longed for its master. He was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen; like a work of art that's meant to be praised.

Where the hell did those come from? I was never been poetic nor a big fan of her English subject? Why did that sound like I was possessed by Shakespeare or something?

Damn it, I couldn't even blink. His pair of gray with strands of green eyes reminded me of medows and storms, of unforseen comfort in the midst of a catastrophe. And look at those bone structures? His patrician forehead hid under his damp black strands, its tips almost reaching his thick, inky brows.

Holy mother of pearls, this guy's facial features must've been handcrafted by God himself. His narrow and pointy nose and sharp jaw matched his thin, reddish lips that seemed to be calling for every woman's attention. My attention.

Oh, goodness, he looked dangerous with the wet hoodie he's wearing but I couldn't help but admire his features.

Seriously, I needed exorcism with all the cringe words and stupid admiration I was having while looking at him because I didn't think that those, with all honesty, came from me.

Thank goodness, the guy looked away and turned to Ryle before I even fell off my chair. "JD, double on the rocks." He pulled out his cash and put it on the counter. 

I swallowed when I felt chills ran down my spine. Why did his deep, husky voice sounded familiar? 

I grabbed the Coke Ryle gave me earlier and opened it with my trembling hands. Good heavens, I didn't even know why my body was acting strange towards this man next to me. Was it because he looked like someone who magically popped out of a billboard? Or perhaps because he reminded me of someone I imagine whenever I was reading fiction books about hot, problematic heroes?

I was hopeless. Maybe I need to gargle holy water instead of Bloody Mary.

"Impossible. The Legion would know if it's true. They'd been looking for the beast for decades," I heard the guy Ryle was talking to earlier said to another guy.

The man sitting next to me took in a sharp breath. His fist balled so tight that his knuckles turned white. Was he... listening to the other guys?

It wasn't my intention to study him but I couldn't help it. His elbows were resting on the counter while his eyes were watching his glass of burning liquor, but with the way his jaw was clenching, I knew he was indeed, listening to the other guys' conversation. 

"When you're done, go home, kid. Your coke's on me," Ryle said, earning my attention again.

He winked when I looked at him but I just frowned. "You know what? Fine. Just give me the same bluish thingy you gave the lady earlier."

Ryle pursed his lips for a moment then arced his thick brow. "You mean the Margarita?"

I gulped. Marga--what?

"Y--Yeah."

He shook his head while grinning. "You really ain't gonna stop, are you?"

The guy sitting next to me straightened up his back then pulled his hoodie off his head. "Just give her what she wants. You've been treating her like a joke since she walked in." He drank his JD and threw a sharp gaze at Ryle. "That's not how you treat a lady."

Ryle's smile faded. For a second, I thought the two would get into a fight like those scenes from the movies. Take goodness Ryle looked down and started preparing my cocktail. When he's done, he poured another shot of JD for the guy. 

The guy sighed and rubbed his collosal palm on his handsome face. He didn't even throw a glance at me even when he obviously felt my stares. Somehow, it made me uncomfortable. My head bowed a little and I gathered some strength to talk to him. "T--Thanks."

He just gave me a nod, an annoyed one before he drank the last of his whisky. When he got up, he pulled out a few more bills then placed it under his glass before walking away. I couldn't help but feel bad. Did I ruin his mood? Probably. 

Maybe everyone was right. It was a bad idea to come here after all. I didn't even know which drink to pick so what was I thinking?

Letting out the heaviness off my chest, I drank the blue drink in front of me. I winced when I tasted the bitter taste of the alcohol. How the hell did everybody loved alcohol when it tasted so bad?

I was putting it back on the counter when my heart felt something strange. When I noticed the group of men sitting on one of the tables near the bar area, I realized that they were all staring at me with lust in their eyes.

I jumped off my seat and stormed outside. Big John looked at me as if he was wondering how the hell did I get in. I picked up my pace and ran towards my car. When I realized I left my keys inside, I cursed another stupid cursed.

I doubted if I would be lucky enough to get in again. When I saw the guys exiting Tifler's, my  flight or fight instinct took over. I put on my hoodie and walked towards the taxi bay.

It was too late when I realized it was a bad idea. The area was dark and rain was too heavy for anyone to see nor hear my scream when an unfamiliar van stopped in front of me. A couple of men grabbed me. One of them covered my mouth and nose with a piece of cloth while I was being dragged inside the van. 

I tried to fight h but the guy on my right threw a punch on my stomach. My vision went blurry and the air got stucked in my throat, making me unable to breathe properly. Was this what I was thinking about?

Tears formed in my eyes as fear clawed my heart. Was this the payment of my stubborness? Was my life about to be over? 

Was heaven listening to me earlier when I said I wish I could just disappear like my mother?

My eyes shut as pain consumed me. There was no use in fighting anymore. The van was moving too fast and my muscles felt too weak already. With the way they guys were talking, I realized there's no more coming home to dad to say my sorry.

I tried to stay awake but the chemical was taking away my consciousness. But just right before I drifted off into a painful slumber, I felt the van slammed against something. The door opened and I heard my abductors screamed as if their flesh were being torn apart.

Their plea for mercy was the last thing I remembered...

The next thing I knew, I was already laying in a king size bed. I was wearing nothing but a large shirt while a familiar man was sitting on the couch like a feral king...