Chapter 5

As they drove towards the club, the city lights blurred past them. Elena leaned her head against the window, her mind still occupied with the turmoil of emotions she had experienced earlier. Rosa gave her a reassuring smile and reached over to hold her hand, offering comfort in the silence.

Arriving at the club, they parked the car and stepped out onto the bustling streets. The thumping music and colorful lights enveloped them as they made their way inside. 

Inside the club, the music thumped loudly, filling the air with an electrifying energy. Elena and Rosa found a spot on the dance floor, moving to the rhythm of the music. With every dance move and laughter they shared, Elena felt a sense of release, leaving her troubles behind, at least for a little while.

As the music thumped loudly on the dance floor, Elena leaned closer to Rosa, trying to make herself heard above the noise. "I want to get a glass of wine," she said, her voice slightly raised.

Rosa leaned in, still struggling to hear. "What?" she shouted back.

"I want to get a glass of wine!" Elena repeated, this time projecting her voice louder.

Understanding her friend's request, Rosa nodded with a smile, gesturing towards the bar. "Sure, let's go!"

They maneuvered through the crowd, dancing along the way, until they reached the bar. Elena felt a surge of excitement as she looked at the colorful array of drinks displayed on the shelves.

"What do you want?" Rosa asked, scanning the drink menu.

"I'll have a glass of vodka," Elena replied, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Rosa placed the order, "Two shots of vodka, please."

The bartender swiftly prepared their drinks, the rich aroma of wine filling the air. He slid the shots towards them, and the two friends clinked their glasses together.

"Cheers to new beginnings," Elena said with a hint of determination in her voice.

Rosa raised her glass, mirroring Elena's actions. "To new beginnings and reclaiming control of your life!"

They both gulped down the wine, feeling the warmth spreading through their bodies. The taste of the wine was both comforting and invigorating, fueling their spirits for the night ahead.

"Hey, girl, I'd like to use the restroom for a minute," Rosa said as age stood up from where she sat. "Don't get drunk, Elena. I'll be back in a jiffy."

"Sure, go ahead. I'm not a kid," Elena smiled as she watched Rosa walk off towards the restroom.

As Rosa excused herself to use the restroom, Elena remained at the bar, feeling the effects of the shots she had downed in quick succession. Not thinking clearly, she ordered three more shots, intending to numb her emotions further. The alcohol quickly took its toll, and Elena's inhibitions loosened and she began to feel drunk as the alcohol took its toll.

As she started on her fourth glass, Elena's movements became unsteady. She stood up from her seat and stumbled onto the dance floor, dancing and wriggling her waist carelessly. Her judgment clouded by alcohol, she seemed unaware of the attention she was attracting.

Amidst the flashing lights and pulsating beats, a man in his early thirties approached Elena. He was tall and had a rugged charm about him, with short dark hair and a faint stubble on his chiseled jawline. He wore a fitted black leather jacket over a casual white t-shirt, giving him a confident and edgy appearance. His dark hair was neatly styled, and he had a cocky grin that seemed to suggest he was used to getting what he wanted.

Without any invitation, he wrapped his arm possessively around Elena's waist. Startled by his sudden intrusion, Elena tried to resist, but the alcohol left her too disoriented to put up much of a fight. She felt trapped and vulnerable, struggling to understand the situation. Her movements became more erratic as she danced with the stranger, her judgment clouded by the alcohol.

Meanwhile, Rosa returned to the bar and noticed that Elena was no longer there. Panic set in as she dialed Elena's number, only to find that it was switched off. Fear gnawed at her as she frantically searched for her friend throughout the club.

Finally, Rosa spotted Elena at a dark corner, entangled, and struggling with the stranger's unwelcome advances. Her heart raced with both worry and anger. She quickly made her way towards them and firmly pulled her friend away from the man's grip.

"Let go of her!" Rosa demanded, her voice filled with determination.

The man smirked, seemingly undeterred by Rosa's intervention. "She's having a good time. Back off," he retorted.

Rosa's patience wore thin, and she wasn't going to let this man take advantage of her intoxicated friend. In a swift move, she slapped the man across the face. "She's clearly drunk, and she didn't ask for your attention. Back off!"

The man recoiled from the slap, but Rosa didn't wait for his reaction. She grabbed Elena's hand and without another word, she guided her friend out of the club, leaving the stranger behind.

As they reached the outside, Rosa opened the car door and gently helped Elena into the passenger seat. Elena was still disoriented from the encounter and the effects of the alcohol.

Once they were back in Rosa's apartment, she made sure Elena was comfortable and safe before sitting down beside her. "I'm sorry that happened, Elena," Rosa said softly, her voice filled with concern. "I should have been there when you needed me."

Elena, now a bit sober but still feeling shaken, looked at her friend with gratitude. "Thank you, Rosa. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't find me."

Rosa smiled warmly, wrapping her arm around Elena in a comforting embrace. "You're my best friend, and I'll always be there for you, no matter what. Let's make sure tonight doesn't ruin you, okay?"

Elena nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I promise, Rosa. I won't let my dad's selfish decision ruin my life. Thank you for looking out for me."

"Sure. Now get some sleep."

Rosa made sure Elena was comfortable and safe before tucking her into bed. She watched over her friend with a sense of relief, seeing Elena slowly drifting off to sleep.

"You're safe now, Elena," Rosa whispered softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her friend's forehead. "Sleep well."

Elena mumbled a drowsy response, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion. "Thank you, Rosa. You're the best."

With a warm smile, Rosa sat down on the edge of the bed, keeping a watchful eye on her friend as she settled into slumber. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a bedside lamp creating a serene atmosphere.

As Elena's breathing steadied and her body relaxed, Rosa couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She was proud of herself for being there for Elena and protecting her when she needed it the most. 

With a sigh, Rosa decided to slip under the covers and lay down beside Elena. It wasn't something she had planned, but the events of the night had left her feeling emotionally drained. She wanted to be close to her friend, to offer her warmth and reassurance.

As Rosa settled in beside Elena, she could feel her own body and mind calming down. The rhythmic sound of Elena's breathing lulled her into a sense of peace. The closeness they shared felt natural and comforting, like two pieces of a puzzle fitting perfectly together. Soon, Rosa drifted off into the abyss of unconsciousness.

****

As the morning light filtered into the room, Elena slowly opened her eyes, only to be greeted by a pounding headache. Memories of the previous night's events rushed back, causing her heart to sink. She sat up in bed, rubbing her temples, trying to shake off the lingering effects of the alcohol.

Feeling the need to freshen up, Elena got up and made her way to the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to alleviate the headache and clear her mind. After a few moments, she felt a bit more alert and returned to her nightstand to pick up her phone.

Switching on her phone, Elena was met with an overwhelming flood of messages. Her heart sank further as she saw 32 texts from her dad and 17 from her step-sisters. She knew their intentions were never about her happiness or well-being; they only wanted to use her as a bargaining chip to advance their own interests.

"They never cared about me," Elena whispered to herself, tears welling up in her eyes. "All they want is to sell me off to Liam."

As she scrolled through the messages, her heart sank further. She didn't feel any warmth or concern from them; it was all about control and compliance.

Feeling a mix of frustration and sadness, Elena scrolled through the messages, not sure if she should reply to any of them. Before she could decide, her phone started ringing. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she wanted to answer, but after the third ring, she picked up the call.

The voice on the other end sent a chill down her spine – It was Liam, her arrogant and heartless boss, and soon-to-be husband.

"Hey, Ms. Corper, don't forget you have work today," Liam said in an indifferent tone.

Elena couldn't believe the callousness in his voice. Despite everything that had happened the previous day, he seemed unfazed, only concerned about her presence at work.

His nonchalance towards her emotions and the ordeal she had been through left her speechless.

"I expect you to be at the office on time," Liam said, his tone devoid of any empathy.

Elena took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Liam, you can't just treat me like this. What my dad did... it's not fair to me," she finally managed to say, her voice wavering with a mix of frustration and vulnerability.

"Your family made a business arrangement, and you have to abide by it," he replied dismissively. "I don't have time for your emotional dramas."

Hearing those words only intensified Elena's feelings of anger and helplessness. She couldn't believe the callousness of the man who was not only her boss but also the one she was being forced to marry.

"You have no idea what it feels like to have your life decided for you, do you?" Elena retorted, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Liam scoffed. "That's not my concern. Just be at the office on time."

With those heartless words, he hung up, leaving Elena feeling hollow and defeated.