Chapter 1

"You need to dance!" Riri shouted over the loud music. "It'll make you feel better!" Her words were meant to comfort me, but they made me feel even more out of place. I wasn't very confident about how I danced, but Riri was.

Riri had always been very outgoing and enjoyed being around people. She loved going to parties and meeting new people. Her attitude was what drew me to her, and we had been friends for almost five years. We met before college and clicked instantly. She became my go-to person for everything, and we hung out and talked all the time.

Today, graduation was finally upon us and we could finally start our lives. It had been a long journey but it was all worth it. We finally made it!

Today, graduation was finally upon us, and we were ready to celebrate. Riri had decided we should go clubbing, which I thought was a good idea. But after one drink, I was already feeling tipsy while Riri remained unfazed.

"Come on, Anisha! The music's great!" Riri called, looking stunning in her black bodycon dress that emphasized her hourglass figure.

I laughed as Riri's hips swayed in a not-so-seductive way, trying to crack me up. But some people around us found it amusing, and she knew how to get me going.

I eventually joined her on the dance floor, raising my arms and letting loose. It was a lively and warm atmosphere, and I felt so good. I danced like nobody was watching, whipping my hair around and spinning in circles. We might have gained some strange looks from people, but I didn't care. Who said something about getting the right moves and synchronizing with music? No! Nothing like that! I was laughing. Riri was laughing. I stopped dancing for a second, only to dance in the next beat like a weird zombie, which Riri had also mimicked. We burst out laughing.

"I need another drink!" I said, pointing to my throat.

"Me too!" Riri giggled. "I love your dance, always."

"I learned from the best," I chuckled.

Riri ordered Scotch on the rocks, but I reminded her that we needed to stay hydrated and asked for water. 

"You've had enough, Ri. Let's have water." I reminded her, but she just waved her hand in the air and giggled again.

"You know me. I can handle it, but you-" she winked at me, "darlin' have some water. I can't carry you to the car. You're too heavy."

I then surprised her by ordering a Michter's rye double on the rocks, which she found shocking. Her eyes almost left the sockets, before laughing like a drain. "and another one!"

"You're serious? You don't drink!"

"I am now. You're a good influence." I smirked at the feigned shock on her face.

"Well, I sure am. Just don't blame me for your sweet hangover."

"I won't. Let's drown a few more shots tonight and feel the effects tomorrow." I told her as I picked up the shot glass and drank its contents, only to shudder from its taste, and I coughed.

Riri was laughing at me. "Did you forget you haven't had that alcohol before? You've had mild drinks, not whiskey. You're supposed to kind of sip it, but hold your breath. It's hot and prickly when it touches your mouth. But trust me, there's sweetness in it, honey."

"My gums are tingling...and something's hot in my throat!"

"Very normal!" she laughed. "Do you want more?"

I nodded eagerly, wiping the corners of my mouth. No matter how much I might like to think otherwise, tomorrow is going to be a tough day. So, why not make the most of the night?

I could feel our mood was in full swing. Riri looked drunk but was not. She still looked in full control of herself. I laughed internally. Maybe that was what I wanted to see. She must be drunk already.

As we continued to drink, I lost count of how many shots I had. I started to feel nauseous and lightheaded, and the lights and music became overwhelming. 

The lights were flashing and the music was blaring. My eyes searched for Riri in the crowd. She said she'd be quick in the bathroom, but she was there, talking to a man.

He was tall and...and angry.

Oops. Perhaps it's time to go home.

"Hey!" I staggered as my hand waved to get their attention. Riri looked like she wanted to be anywhere but in front of me. "That's my friend you're scaring, old man." I pointed at him. I knew I was slurring my words, but I did not care. I couldn't see his face clearly because of the lights.

I gasped when Riri pulled me to her side, "An, behave."

I was drunk, but she was my friend. "Are you okay? We can go home now, Ri. I think...I think we've had enough." I closed my eyes. "No fighting in the bar, remember?" I whispered to her. "Who...who is this?" I turned to the man, but he was gone. "That's what I thought. I...I scared him." I laughed. That old man wouldn't wanna mess with me.

"I'm dead, An...Oh, I'm so dead." She said, but I couldn't tell if she was nervous.

"No, you're not, but we will be if we don't go home now. He might come back." My eyes were closing. They were getting heavier every second. "Oh, Ri. My head...I think...I'm going to sleep."

**

I slowly opened my eyes and immediately regretted it as a throbbing pain pounded in my skull. Groaning, I turned to my side and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, realizing that I had a terrible hangover. Where was my friend Riri? The pain in my body and head reminded me of last night's attempt to celebrate our success.

Groaning internally, I made a slow beeline to the bathroom, but I stopped in my tracks as I looked around the unfamiliar bedroom. 

Taking a deep breath and trying not to panic, I checked the walls, the bed, and the bathroom door. This was not my place! And it was gorgeous. But where on earth was Riri?

I rushed into the bathroom, did my business, and washed my face before noticing a new toothbrush. I wondered who had changed me last night. Was it Riri? Or was she too drunk to take care of me? The questions flooded my mind, but I forced myself not to panic. I was in someone else's house!

I found some clothes in one of the closets and walked out of the bedroom, admiring the impressive design and modern structure that blended perfectly with nature. The huge window showed the beauty of a big lawn and green trees.

The smell of bacon led me to the kitchen, where Riri startled me as she came out. "Riri, you scared me!" I exclaimed.

"I'm sorry. I just knew you were near. How's your sleep? Did you sleep well?" she asked as she led me to the table.

Confused, I looked at her and asked, "Who is he?"

The man was cooking, and his back was facing us, but I could see the stark contrast of his skin against the white cotton shirt he was wearing. "First, sit down, eat, and I will explain everything," Riri replied.

The man finally turned, holding up a plate with the beacon I had been smelling earlier. "Have some soup before you eat the beacon and egg." His voice was as deep as the dark color of his eyes. I hesitated for a moment before taking the plate from him. "Don't worry. It's not poisoned."

My stomach growled. "It's not what I thought." I managed to say, hoping he didn't hear my stomach complain. My eyes still followed him as he rounded the table and sat across from me. I turned to Riri. "Is he your boyfriend?" I said in a whisper tone as I narrowed my eyes at her. "You've been keeping secrets from me, Ri."

She chuckled. " I suggest you eat first, An. There's soup and fruit. How do you feel?"

I sighed as I began to eat. "Tired, but I don't regret it," I replied, giving her a wink. But when I looked at the man across from me, his eyes were darker, and it made me uncomfortable for some reason. The food in my mouth wouldn't go down my throat. He was staring too much.

Noticing the half glass of OJ at the center of the table, I took a drink, assuming it was Riri's. It helped me swallow better, and I loved the taste. "I drank your juice if you don't mind," I told her.

Riri suppressed a smile. "It's actually his OJ," she pointed out, nodding toward the man.

"Oh..." I met his dark eyes. "Sorry," I said, embarrassed, before clearing my throat and placing the glass back on the table where it was easy for him to reach it. And instantly regretted that silly move. You drank from it. He won't drink from the same glass anymore, Anisha! "No, I mean, I will get you another-"

But he took it before I could!

I watched him drink as he watched my reaction as if he was enjoying it.

"I am thirsty, too."