Chapter 3

Chapter Three 

Aphrodite 

"There they are!" Phoebe exclaimed as we walked towards Bianca and Khloe, who were sitting on the bar stools, sipping their drinks and flirting with some guys.

"Hey, Phoebe. You looked great and sexy," Khloe whispered the last part with a smirk. The redhead was dressed in a black net gown that reached up to her hips and completely exposed her cleavage.

“Why, thank you!” Phoebe responded in a fake British accent. 

"Aphrodite, you look stunning!" Bianca exclaimed. Her wide-eyed expression made me feel exposed, like she could see right through me. I tried to ignore the curious stares of the men and the jealous look in Khloe's eyes.

"Goodness, I guess the Virgin Mary decided to come out to play," Khloe said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I couldn't help but feel a little put off by her comment. I knew she was used to being the center of attention, and that she probably resented me for taking some of the spotlight.

I tried to ignore Khloe's comment, turning my attention back to Bianca. "Thanks B," I said, giving her a small smile. As I did, I caught sight of Phoebe and Khloe arguing. 

Deciding to put the tension behind me, I approached the bar. "Hello, beautiful," the bartender said, leaning towards me. "What can I get you?"

I had barely opened my mouth to respond when another voice cut in. "I'll take a whiskey, neat."

I turned to see a man standing next to me, flashing me a smile. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the unwanted attention. I just wanted a drink and to enjoy a night out.

I tried to brush off the annoyance and turned to the bartender. "Hi," I said with a small smile. "I'll have a..."

But before I could finish my sentence, another voice cut in. "She'll have a margarita," the voice said, and I turned to see a man behind me, looking smug. My smile faltered. This was the last thing I wanted right now.

"No thanks," I said firmly. I turned to the bartender, hoping to put an end to the interruption. "Do you have any recommendations?" I asked. 

The bartender nodded, his small smile turning into a grin. "I'd recommend the mojito," he said, gesturing to the cocktail menu. "It's fresh and fruity, perfect for a warm summer night like this."

I considered his suggestion, grateful for the return to normalcy. "I'll have two of those," I said, and the bartender set to work making my drink.

Luke, the bartender, handed me my drink, and I paid for it before turning to leave. I tried my best to ignore the men who were still catcalling and wolf-whistling at me. I walked over to Phoebe, handing her one of the drinks. "Thanks, girl!" she exclaimed, winking at me. She turned her attention back to the handsome man she'd been talking to, who was now leaning in close to her, clearly enamored.

I settled onto the stool nearest to me, sipping the drink slowly. The lime and rum flavors mixed together, creating a sharp, refreshing taste. The music was pumping through my veins, and my body began to sway to the beat. All around me, people were dancing, kissing, and grinding against each other. It was a dizzying scene, filled with energy and passion. I felt a strange sense of exhilaration, watching the room spin with life.

As I watched the partygoers around me, I began to feel restless. The music was pumping through my veins, and my body ached to move. I set my half-finished drink on the bar, and headed to the dance floor. Bianca was already there, moving to the music with abandon. I joined her, and we danced together, laughing and smiling at each other. It felt freeing to let loose and just enjoy the moment.

Suddenly, the music shifted from a fast-paced beat to a slow, sensual melody. I couldn't help but move to the slow groove, twisting and turning my body to the rhythm. Bianca was shouting encouragement, egging me on, and I felt a surge of confidence. It was as if I were the only person on the dance floor, and the music was made just for me. I was lost in the moment, until I looked up and caught the gaze of someone in the VVIP section. It was as if time had stopped, and the only two people in the room were me and that person.

I had the strange sense that he was staring right at me. A shiver ran down my spine, and I could feel my body tense up. There was something dangerous about this man, though I couldn't put my finger on what it was.

"What's up?" Bianca asked elbowing me at the side, breaking my train of thought.

I turned to her, giving a small smile. "Nothing much. Just having fun."

"Are you sure?" she asked. "You were dancing like a goddess! If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought you were the goddess Aphrodite herself!" She said it with such wide-eyed wonder, like a child gazing upon a star.

 "What if I was?"