Chapter 8: Monitor Him

Five Months Later...

Alice was alone in the room studying for an upcoming test, when a thought came to mind. It was about Adam. How he would always defend her against bullies in highschool. Being her Fairytale highschool boyfriend, she had always wanted that to continue. It was a dream come true when she got a scholarship and an admission to study at Columbia University. The same school as him. Even though she’d choose it. It was their dream university. But right now, Adam seems to be a different person. He won’t even reply to her messages. It’s funny how destiny plays its tricks on humans.

Off minded, Alice sighed coldly and a wet spot appeared on the page she was staring at.

“Don’t tell me you’re still on Adam’s issue. What are you thinking?”

“No... Nothing, I’m not thinking. Something just entered my eyes.” Alice replied coolly, wiping the corner of her eyes with her index finger.

“Just take care and move on from the past if that’s what will make you happy, okay?” Jane advised. “Stop beating yourself up on something that isn’t worth it!”

“Okay.” she replied flatly.

“Good.” Jane nodded and gasped, walking out of the room.

Alice still didn’t look up. She was getting fed up with the feelings that kept on fondling on her mind. Her hand split between the scatted brown hair out of her face, to the back as she sniffed. She gazed across the room and her eyes and nose were all red and swollen.

“You won’t understand, Jane. It’s impossible to forget Adam. I need to do something.”

Alice closed her book. A dark look hovered in her eyes as she stared at nothingness.

Later that day, It was almost dusk. The drive to the club wasn’t long. Fifteen to twenty minutes at most. Alice dressed in a black, leathered short-dress with a turtleneck. She also had a black ankle-boots on with her brown hair loose against her straight shoulders.

After dropping from the yellow taxi, Alice unzipped her tiny handbag and handed the driver her transport fare. She watched him zoom away into the busy streets of Greenwich village before turning her gaze. Studying the exterior of the club, there was a huge neon light sign above the door that read ‘Tera Blues’.

They made the facade of the club with red bricks and black paint. The place was very gothic, chic and reek of trouble. Taking a deep breath, Hazel stepped in. A little nervous. She knew she would find him here. Her brown eyes strolled through the empty seats. Some customers were having free hotdogs, beer and whiskey, with jazz playing in the background.

“Is Roman here?” She asked an enormous man she met by the entrance. Although he was thrice her size, she had muttered enough courage to face him.

“Yes, follow me.” His guttural voice replied Alice without turning to her. She followed him with an encouraging smile.

When they reached the front door, the guard let them in without saying a word. It was surprising to her. Raising her gaze, Alice’s eyes met Roman seated on a couch in the dark corner of the room. He pressed the burning cigarette on his hand into an expensive looking, creamy saucer immediately. It was the first time she’d caught him smoking. Alice raised an eyebrow, amazed at how she finally got to meet him here, away from his friends.

“Thank you.” Alice told the huge guy as he walked away. Leaving the both of them. Once he left, Ronan took a firm of her arm, dragging her towards the bar in annoyance. “What are you doing here?”

The dimly lit room too mesmerized Alice. It was uncrowded than she’d expected, only the disco ball rolling above the empty dance floor and the two bartenders.

“I know you come here every Friday night because you deal drugs, so cut the pretense!” She raised at him sharply in a whisper, but her whisper was loud enough to attract others.

“What do you want?”

“I know Adam is my only way to visit Dubai, even though I love him more than my studies. I just want you to help me monitor him. Whoever he likes or chats with, I need to know. I need to know and be sure that he’s not seeing someone else!”

An exasperated sigh escaped Roman, and he rolled his gaze at her, looking around.

“Nobody must be around him!”

“Sorry.” Roman cut her off. “I thought he has broken up with you?”

“What do you mean by that?” Alice rolled her eyes at him.

“What Adam usually says at home is that you’re his past. He refers to you as his ex!”

“Don’t mind him. I’m not his past.” Alice defended. “It’s a normal thing to have arguments when dating. Adam and I still chat, it’s not like we don’t. I’m sure my boyfriend is still into me.” she said convincingly while she leaved on the bartender’s table behind her. “I know with time, we’ll be back. Even in marriages, couple fights and get back together.”

“Okay, if you say so. I’ll agree that you really love him that much, but why would I monitor him? I’m not jobless, you see. I am a very busy person. And right now, you’re disturbing me at my workplace. It’s not enough that you spied on me, tracing me here. You had the guts to come in here, stalking me to do what... Put an eye on Adam? Because I’m what? A serpent?”

“No, it’s not like that.” She tried to smile, but the look on Roman’s face said otherwise. His directness disconcerted her as she looked away from Roman, then back to him again. Nibbling softly on her lower lip. “Don’t misunderstand me, please. You’re helping me here, you’re doing me a favour. I’ll pay you.”

“Now you’re talking the language I understand.”

A smile ripped against her fair round face, hoping he’d agree when Roman grabbed her. More closely this time. He took hold of her slim body with his arms that gripped her hard, pulling her close as if no one was there.

“Roman, no!” Alice pushed away from him. “Not this way. I’ll pay you in cash.” She said, catching her breath.

“Why don’t you date me? I’m very much single, you know?” Roman whispered with his long, hard fingers at her nape. He pulled her face up to meet his, but she pushed her tiny body out of his grip.

“You know that’s not possible.” Alice smiled. “Okay, let’s do it like this. I’ll transfer some money to you immediately o get back to my apartment. Just $1000.”

Roman jolted in surprise. It shocked him because Alice never spends. Her friends normally do the spending. Meanwhile, it was the money she’d collected from Hazel.

“When you complete the job, I’ll give you more.” She added.

“Consider it done.” Roman grinned a sexy smirk in acceptance.

“Good. Here’s my card.” She handed it to Ronan and gave him a soft peck on the cheek before leaving. His eyes blazed with fire while his mouth blew an air kiss in the direction.

Roman watched Alice leave with lustful eyes as she stepped out. He was going to invest the money in drugs and gambling.