Chapter 2

Latia POV

I look at myself in the mirror once again, checking my outfit. I had put on a pink lace tank top with blue skinny jeans and a skinny saddle. I turn left and right to check myself for the last time before I walk out.

Feeling satisfied, I grab my tote bag and walk out of my room, down to the living room, where I meet with a glaring Casendra, my one and only best friend. “Hey Cassy, I am sorry,” I said. She didn't utter a word; she just stood there with her arm crossed over her chest.

Oh no. I am so done today. She is so freaking angry. Again, I walked towards her with a nervous smile and just stood in front of her. "You are late again, freaking 20 minutes.” She finally opened her mouth but still had the glare. Oh, and the glare she gives, it gives me a chill sometimes. Also, she is among those people who follow time, like punctuality, unlike me.

"Yes, I know I am so sorry. I won't be late next time.” I apologized and made puppy eyes, and on seeing that, she just let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. ”Come on, let's go. Also, you have been saying that ever since we were in college, but I hardly see you next time.” She mumbled the last part, but I heard it clearly.

I clung my arm around her before nodding my head. “So which mall are we handing to?" I asked as we walked out of my house.

Yes, my house. I live alone in this two-story house with two bedrooms, one kitchen, and a living room. It's the perfect house for myself, and yes, the best part of the house is the backyard, my lawn, which has a small garden, and I love that area. My grandparents presented it to me on my 23rd birthday, and I am so overwhelmed by their gesture.

I refused at first the idea of living here by myself, but my grandma was like, You might need some space for some fun time. I was dumbstruck because I got what she meant by fun time, but nonetheless she got a point. I refused at first the idea of living here by myself, but my grandma was like,"You might need some space for some fun time." I was dumbstruck because I got what she meant by "fun time," but nonetheless she got a point there. Yes, I need some space for myself, not for anything she was referring to, but just for myself.

I got in Casendra's car, and we drove off to the mall. About 10 minutes later, I finally open my mouth to tell her about the encounter with those blue orbs, no, Mr. Greek God,"Cassy, you know, last Thursday, I met… I met a Greek God walking in the shop,” I told her excitedly. She raised her eyebrow with a smirk. "A Greek God, spill it out, girl, everything. I want every little detail,” she said as she kept her eyes on the road.

I turned my body towards her, settling myself comfortably before starting,"Okay, you see, I was cleaning the waste, and then boom, a Greek God entered through the door of my flower shop; he was about 6 ft tall…” I was interrupted by her,"Yeah, half of your height,” she chuckled. I smacked her arm, “Ouch, sorry, go on,” and she gestured with her hand for me to continue.

"Okay, so like he has this broad shoulder and sexy perfect jaw, I also think… I do not think, I am damn sure that he has a perfect body as well since his feature said it all, he also has perfect lips too, and his hair, oh God, I wish I could run my hand through those black hair,” I narrated, and Cassie let out a chuckle. “Oh, so my dear best friend finally found someone who interests her, uuuhooo,” she hooted and lifted up her right hand.

“Yeah, and you know what the best part is?"

"What? "

"His eyes, his gorgeous blue eyes, I love those," I said dreamily. “His blue eyes?? "she asked.

I nodded, “Yes, his blue eyes that move my heart away and when those eyes meet my eyes, my heart got accelerated... like thub thubthub," Cassy began to laugh,"You and your thub thub heartbeat," she said in mid of her laugh.

I let out a laugh too. “Yes, but seriously, when he looked at me, something exploded inside me, and I couldn't help myself from stealing a glance at him every time." I said truthfully,"I wish I could meet him again."

"You will, Latia, and finally you found someone who seems to interest you,” she assures me,"but now we have to go shopping and then to the club,” she reminds me, and then we drive away.

30 minutes or so later, we reached the mall and began to go through every shop. I brought myself two pairs of straight-cut jeans, three tank tops, a two-piece sexy satin night dress, and an oversize tee-shirt.

I was looking around the dress section when my eyes landed on a beautiful white knee-length flowy dress. I took it and was admiring myself when I heard Cassy's voice say,"Try it," I turned around to see an excited Casendra. "What?" I asked with my wide eyes.

"Try it, though I know it will look good on you, she said with a smile. I look at her and then at the dress, debating whether to try it or not. “But Cassy, you know right?” I was held in the midsection when she came and squeezed my shoulder. "Latia, no one will look at you or judge you, and I am here for you. I will kick anybody ass off who tries to say and look down at your beauty,” she said. I scrunched my face over her words before I walked inside the trail room, but not before letting out a,"Yeah yeah yeah yeah.”

I placed the dress over the mirror and began to strip off. I saw my scars on my ribs and my waist, and the longest scar mark was on my left leg, which started from my thigh to my shin. I still remember the night.

Flashback

She placed the tip of the knife on my thigh and pressed it inside, draining blood from my thigh. "You like that, you bitch,” I screamed out as she pressed the knife further inside my thigh.

"Please plea...."I let out another scream as she dragged the knife from my thigh to my knee,"You bitch because of you; it's all because of you. She let out a laugh before going further down till my shin. I cried and pleaded for her to stop, but she never did. And continue to drag the knife down, cutting my leg open.

Flashback end…

I shook my head and wiped my tears. She is not coming back, Latia, she is not coming back, I said to myself, letting out a deep sigh.

I put on the white knee-length dress and admired myself. I was kind of feeling uneasy with my scars, but I sucked them in all inside before walking out. As I came out, Casendra showed me a thumbs up and blew a whistle: "Girl, you look sexy as hell; if I were a guy, I would have taken you right here.” My eyes grew wide and my cheeks felt hot when she said that.

"Shh… Cassy, what are you saying? And lower your voice; everybody is staring at us.” I scolded her, and my face was heating up. She let out a loud laugh again.

I shook my head and rushed inside the dressing room.

After doing a bit more shopping, Cassy reminded me that we were going to the club. I was uneasy to go, but when she told me that it was one of her elder brothers clubs and I didn't know which one since she has two brothers, I met the second brother but not the eldest one. Cassy told me that her oldest brother doesn't stay at home and he is quiet busy, more of a workaholic, and above all, she said that he stays at his own house and hardly visits his parents.

"Which brother?" I ask as I get dressed. I put on my white bodycon dress that reaches till my mid-shin and has a slit on the right side that reaches just above my knee. I tied the straps on my back before slipping on a white heel.

"My oldest brother is in town right now; he just came back last week and told me that he might come by at the club tonight," she answered me as she put on her make-up.

"Oldest brother..."

"Yes, did you look him up on the net? Wait, wait, you forgot.” I nodded.

I shook my head and said,"I knew you would since you are a workaholic just like my oldest brother.” I threw daggers on her back with my eyes. As if I am a workaholic.

"Yes, sorry, I forgot to check, but it's better to meet him in person than check him on the net, and FYI, I am not a workaholic; I just forget about the time sometimes when I start working, but it's not like I don't rest or enjoy myself," I replied as I applied my eyeliner.

"Yes, yes, true, you're done."

"Yes,"

"Let's go then and shake those sexy ass of yours," she shouted, pulling my hand and rushing out.

-----------------------------------

As we got inside the club, loud music began to draw in my ears. I walked in with Cassendra and went straight to the bar. As the bar tender saw Cassendra, he greeted her,"Hey Cas, long time no see.”

"Yeah, how have you been? All good."

"Yes, everything is well,” he replied.

She looked around the corners and then up to the VIP room. She kept her eyes there for a while before averting back to the man behind the bar. "Did my brother come?” she asked.

"Yes, the boss is here with his friends, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Portman. The boss was not in a good mood tonight,” he said.

"Hmmm... Okay.” Cassie nodded. I placed my hand on her shoulder. She turned towards me and gave me a smile. "You okay?” I asked since she seemed to be sad after hearing about her brother.

"Yes,” she replied, placing her hand over mine. We smile at each other until we hear the bar Guy ask,"Okay, so what can I get for both of you?"

"Martini for both of us." Cassy ordered.

"Right up,” he said before making our drinks.

I looked around the dance floor and saw people dancing, grinding, and kissing, but not eating each other's faces. Ewwww. I turn back to the bar, waiting for my drink.

Our drink was ready, and then in one shot, Cassendra gulped everything in. She let out a groan as she gulped down the liquid inside.

I smiled at her scrunched face and said,"You should slow down, you know,” she shook her head, “its better to take it all in one go. Now is your turn," she said, grinning at me.

I looked at her, and she nodded her head, telling me to go for it. I raised my glass to my mouth and gulped everything inside; my throat was burning because of the strong liquid.

"That's my girl. Now let's dance before we go for another shot. She pulled me onto the dance floor. We dance together, and I dance like a crazy person, moving my hips and body at the same time and jumping.

As I danced, I began to loosen myself and start enjoying the beat of the music. I heard Cassy say that she would come now, but I didn't care as I was enjoying dancing alone. And as I was dancing, I felt a pair of hands on my waist. I leaned my back further onto that person and snuck my hands over his neck before moving my body. I felt the grip get tighter on my waist, and he bit on my ear lightly. I let out a soft moan. I left his hot breath on my ear, and then my eyes flew open when I heard the deep, manly, husky voice.

"Beautiful…”