The new man

Lilly's POV

“Hello,” I said as I took a step back from the mysterious handsome stranger. His blue eyes held mine, never leaving for a moment. A familiar warmth spread all over my body.

“Were you running away from something?” he asked. His voice was deep and smooth.

I glanced back at Jake who was clutching a wine glass tightly. His jaw was taut, eyes fixed on us. Smiling, I turned back to the handsome stranger.

“Not particularly,” I said. “Sorry for bumping into you.”

He shook his head. “It’s alright. I’m glad you did, because I was doomed to spend the evening alone. Would you like to join me? Your friend can join too.”

“Sure,” I said. “Why not?”

“Good,” he said. “Let’s find a table.”

We made our way back into the bar. I could feel Jake’s eyes on me the whole time. He had probably wanted to threaten me, but now I was out of reach. When I turned to glance at him, I saw him walking towards us with a furious and determined look on his face. He was out for war, it seemed. Just as I was about to nudge Leah, a camera woman burst through the door and started taking pictures of Jake immediately. Within seconds, security had grabbed the woman.

Jake whispered something to another security personnel before disappearing. I blushed when I realised I had been standing in the middle of the rows of tables, staring at Jake. Everything was now staring at me including Leah and the handsome stranger who had already sat at a booth in the corner. Picking up what was left of my dignity, I went towards him.

“Jake Rylland, right.” The man said. “All the girls in this city are crazy about him. I get that he’s one of the most eligible bachelors, but try to put into consideration the feelings of the rest of us regular guys. You were so obvious but it’s alright. I understand.”

I laughed, shaking my head. He thought I was head over heels in love with Jake, a totally ridiculous idea. Like I would fall for arrogant and entitled men like Jake who thought they owned the whole world.

“I actually hate him,” I said.

“Where you running away from him when you bumped into him?” handsome stranger asked. “Is he pursuing you?”

Leah and I both laughed. “You come up with the craziest ideas. I’m a journalist. I recently wrote an expose' on Jake and it went viral. Since I exposed his secrets, he threatened me. I wrote about that too and it came out to day. I always come to this bar and he has never been here. I knew he was here for only one thing, me. That’s why I was running out, to avoid confrontation. When it comes to writing, things are easy for me but when it comes to speaking, not so much. I’m not very articulate and I didn’t want a verbal altercation with the man who hates me. He could even slap me and get away with it.”

“He did seem to be holding in a lot of anger,” Leah said. “If you’re not careful, the man will kill you, Lilly. You can’t die because of a mere news story.”

“Wow, being a journalist does seem really interesting,” the stranger said as a server placed our drinks on the table.

“It can be very dangerous, especially when you mess with the wrong people.” Leah said before taking the first sip of her white wine.

“Who are the wrong people?”

“Criminals and the very rich.”

“Wow, oh I’m Ian, by the way. What are your names?”

“Leah.”

“Lilith,” I said

“Like the she-devil?”

I chuckled. We never talk about how some parents ruin their children’s lives with the names they give. 

“I can see why Jake is wary of you,” Ian commented.

“You speak like you know him.”

“I’ve heard of him, definitely. But I don’t know much about him. You guys have told me enough to make that conclusion. I work at a construction company and we work all day. There’s no time for celebrity gossip. When we sit down at break time, we talk about sports, politics and women. Some billionaires come up, but mostly the older ones not these spoiled young ones who inherited all their wealth and soft life.”

Ian seemed really interesting. He stared at me in a way that made me feel like I was the most beautiful woman in the world. We continued to converse about everyday issues. At some point, Leah left the table and went to sit somewhere else giving us some privacy. I became so much more comfortable with him when she was gone. At first, I had been worried over which of us he actually wanted to get to know more. When I realised it was me, I made myself much more interesting.

I learned that Ian did not live in the city but came occasionally to visit his family. He was an only child so had a huge responsibility with the emotional needs of his parents. Seeing a guy talk so passionately about his family made me instantly like him. He also had a great sense of humour, and we had a great time making fun of the people around us and billionaires like Jake.

Three hours later, I was ready to go home and rest.

“It’s been a really great evening,” Ian said. “Thank God for Jake who led you to me.”

“I agree. I have had so much fun too. I thought it would be regular evening, but it has been spectacular. I wish you weren’t leaving in a week’s time. We would have so much fun together.”

I looked around but did not see Leah. She had last been seen at the counter. Fishing out my phone from the purse, I dialled her number. After a few rings, she picked up.

“Heyyy” she slurred.

“Where are you, Leah?”

“Uhhh? Where am I?  Where am I, Jake.”

“Jake?” I stood up and hurried to the counter. “Tell me where you are and I’ll come immediately.” I turned to the bartender. “Where is my friend, she has short dark hair and was here a few minutes ago.”

“Stop shouting,” Leah said. “I’m outside in Jake’s car. I might end puke on it but he says he’ll kill me if I do.”

I ran out while Ian followed. We hurried to the parking lot where I found Jake casually leaning on his car.

“You bastard. Where is my friend?”

“Inside the car,” Jake said, calmly.

“Open the door.”

“She entered willingly”

“She is drunk,” I countered. “I swear if you have taken advantage of her in any way, I will ruin you, Jake Rylland.”

“What if I don’t?”

“You’ll have to deal with me,” Ian stepped forward. “Open the door now.”

“No.”

Suddenly, Ian punched him, missing the nose, but delivering punch to cheek. Jake titled his head. Grinning evilly, he charged at Ian.