Chapter 9

Alexandra walked closely behind Aurora as they stepped into the club not wanting to lose sight of her. The interior view overwhelmed her and she almost had a sensory overload from all the things she was feeling at that moment. The music was very loud and the beats thumped hard making her skin vibrate. The dim flashing light casted dark shadows on the faces of the people dancing in the club. This was her first time entering inside a club before. She had always seen one from afar and it had been on her highschool bucket list to go to a club. She felt her inner child squeal from delight that she had finally crossed that off.

Micheal excused himself and made his way into the club getting lost in the swarm of people. Aurora held Alexandra's hand as she led her towards the crowd to the bar. "Two glasses of fruity fizz please" Aurora said to the bartender as she settled into her seat. Alexandra looked around enjoying the view around her.

Leaning towards Aurora,she said loudly, "I'm glad you made me come here"

"You're welcome, Alex"

The dance floor was filled with dancing forms, the pulsator flashing shifting patterns on the dance floor. The thick scent of sweat mixed with alcohol filled the air. Alexandra bopped her head to the bass of the music that thumped through her body like a second heartbeat.

"This club is amazing, is this how it is everywhere?" She asked Aurora, raising her voice so that Aurora could hear her over the loud music.

The bartender returned later with their drink, two glasses which were slightly filled with a lemon colorful liquid and a slice of lemon on the rim of the glass.

"One for me and one for you" Aurora said as she handed over a glass to Alexandra.

Alexandra took a sip from her drink and licked her lips in surprise. Her eyes widening slightly from the fizzy tart flavor of the drink on her taste buds.

The girls quickly downed their drinks for a little liquid confidence. They ordered another round of drinks but this time they asked for shots instead.

After paying for their drink, Aurora led Alexandra onto the dance floor. They managed to find a spot that wasn't too crowded. The people moved their body to the beats of the music in a carefree way. Alexandra loosened up, dancing and laughing as they danced.

They shouted and laughed anytime a song they knew came in moving their body in perfect sync. They danced with a few guys who asked for a dance as the night went on. Alexandra was high from excitement as the people around her looked like a blur of color.

———

After their wild dancing session, they both made their way to the bar to catch their breath to avoid passing out. Alexandra leaned her head on the counter to hold herself, the excitement and buzz of the alcohol still in her system.

Aurora leaned over and said something in Alexandra's ear which made her burst out in laughter,the sound of her laughter blending with the music. Aurora excused herself for a moment to use the restroom.

Alexandra sat by herself waiting for Aurora to return. From where she sat she could see Micheal talking with a guy just a few steps away from her. The bartender approached her holding a drink in hand. "Hey,that man over there ordered this for you" he said with a bored expression on his face as he placed the drink in front of her.

Alexandra turned towards the direction that the bartender had pointed, her eyes trying to make out the silhouette of the man but the light was too dim making it difficult to discern his features.

She contemplated accepting a drink from someone she didn't know but decided to take a sip while thinking what was the worst that could happen. The sweet taste of the liquid rolled down her throat as she took slow sips.

She turned to look at the man when she noticed him coming closer to her. As he got closer the light shone on his face. Alexandra's eyes widened as she saw his face. It was the stranger she had helped in the Alley.

"You..." she breathed out, shocked that he was here.

Luca took a seat in front of Alexandra,on the one that Aurora was seated on a few minutes ago. He stared at her with a dark expression on his face. "You know, it's dangerous to accept drinks from people you don't know, especially ones that weren't closed," he said in a serious tone before offering her a charming smile to ease the tension.

Alexandra felt like a little kid that was being reprimanded. She knew that it was a smart thing to do. "I'm pretty sure no one has the time to drug anyone, everyone seems so happy"

Luca shook his head at her words,his gaze fixed inertly on her. " You have no idea. There are plenty of creeps here waiting for an opportunity" he said before taking a sip from his glass. "It's better to be safe than sorry, just like it's not safe to bring a stranger to your house"

Alexandra looked at him, defiance shining in her eyes. " I was just being helpful. I couldn't just leave an injured person when I can at least try to help," she said in a blunt voice.

Luca stared at her silently with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Ummm, thank you for the money from the other day" Alexandra finally said after an awkwardly long silence. "That was a lot of money, more than I make in a month" She continued mentally facepalming herself for saying that last part.

"I didn't give you free money, I just paid for your phone which I ruined" he said, raising an eyebrow at her as he found her amusing.

———

Somewhere in the dark crowded club,a figure stood in the dark watching Luca as he talked to Alexandra. The man's sharp eyes watched him intently with a dark expression.

"I promise to ruin your life and bring you down, Luca" the man muttered under his breath as he continued to watch Luca. "... even if it's the last thing I do"

The man raised his glass to his lips and took a long, deliberate sip, a smile making its way up his lips.