A Night Out

While still dancing and thinking about the man who had just walked into the bar, I felt the guy I was grinding against starting to get a little too handsy. His hands clumsily wandered towards my waist, then my butt, and soon he was trying to slip his fingers inside my dress. 

I swatted at his hands, but he didn't stop. Frustrated, I decided to leave the dance floor, but he grabbed me and pulled me back.

I was too drunk and uncoordinated to fight him off effectively. As I pushed him away, telling him to leave me alone, 

“Let go of me…..let me go.“ 

His hands continued their unwanted exploration. The music was too loud and everyone around us was lost in their own world, and no one seemed to notice or care.

Just as his hand began to gain entrance into my dress, rising higher and higher, dread filled me. I struggled to push him away. Suddenly, I heard a fierce growl. 

"Stay away from her! She said no."

The man was shoved away from me, and I looked towards my rescuer. The voice sounded familiar, and as he stepped closer, I recognized him. It was my father-in-law, Emerson. Eric's father. The most gorgeous man I had ever seen.

He led me away from the dancefloor and took me to a VIP table. With a concerned look on his face, he asked, 

“Mina, are you all right? What are you doing here all alone? Where’s Eric?”

“I’m fine. I’m okay, really,” I replied, though my words felt hollow.

“Why are you in this state? Why are you so drunk? Does Eric know you’re here? I should call him.” About to take his phone.

“No, please don’t. Please don’t call him.”

“What’s going on between the two of you? Did you fight?.”

“I really don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“Okay, well, are you sure you’re okay though?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for being my hero,” I said with a smile, trying to be as flirty as I could manage. 

He smiled back. “Okay, let me get you some water.”

“Oh no, let’s just drink. Let’s continue drinking. I want to have whatever you are having”

“I don’t think you’re in a state to handle more alcohol,” he said, calling for the server who brought both of us bottles of water. 

He watched me take a sip and there was something in his eyes that I couldn’t quite place. When I looked back and smiled, he avoided eye contact and shook his head

There was something about him that had always called out to me. Although he was in his forties, he was in great shape. 

I had to admit, I had always had a sort of crush on him. And since his wife had been out of the picture for years, I realized that maybe I should use this situation to get my revenge on Eric. He slept with my sister…how would it feel if I did the same with his father?

I wondered what it would be like if I started dating him and eventually married him. If we got married, I’d become Eric’s stepmother. Oh, the irony. I’d have so much authority over him. Eric and I both work for his family's company. His father is the owner of the company. And as his wife, I would also become an owner of the company and probably his boss. 

It would be the ultimate revenge.

“You are very handsome,” I said, my voice tinged with flirtation. “ Are you seeing anyone?“

He looked at me with concern. “I think you’re too drunk. It’s time I take you home. Come on.”

He helped me up from my seat and started guiding me outside the club with a hand on my back.

When we got inside the car, he helped me in, and then fastened my seatbelt, making me jiggle. He kept shaking his head, clearly amused, but I was too drunk to care. He got into the driver’s seat, and just before he started the car, he turned to me and said, 

"What is this about? I've never seen you like this…drunk, acting this way. What's going on? Did you have a fight with Eric?"

“Eric is cheating on me,” I said, my voice flat as I stared ahead.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, I didn’t expect that."

“Neither did I,” I replied, laughing bitterly. “But the last thing I want to think about is him.”

“I’m so sorry. I just want you to know that I’m here if you need to talk or anything.”

“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind, but since you’re already here, maybe you can help me with something else.”

“Something else? Like what?” he asked cautiously as I traced my hand over his jacket.

 There was something about the way he carried himself, the way he dressed. not trying to look young, but not old either. He was just perfectly in the middle, so captivating.

“Stop it, Mina. You’re not thinking straight,” he said firmly.

“Maybe tonight I’m thinking straighter than I ever have in my entire life.”

“Okay, that’s enough. I’m taking you home now,” he said, starting the car and heading out of the parking lot.

“No, you can’t take me there. I’m not going back,” I protested.

“Why? Where should I take you? Do you want me to take you to your parents’ house?”

“My parents’ house?” I echoed, my mind flashing to Rita and her pregnancy, and my parents. “No, that’s the last place I want to be. Just get me a hotel or something.”

He takes me to a nearby hotel, and as he checks me in, I sit in the lobby, feeling the room spin slightly. When he's done, he hands me the keycard. 

"Here," he says, "can you make it up there?"

"I'm so woozy, I don't think I can do it by myself," I reply, feeling a bit helpless.

He sighs, takes my hand, and leads me towards the elevator. We go up, and when we reach the room, he opens the door and I step inside, but he lingers at the entrance, hesitating.

"Come on, come in," I say, trying to sound reassuring.