001

ARI’s POV

Cold rage spun through me at the sight I was witnessing.

I'd just gone to the restroom for a break. It had been less than 10 freaking minutes since I left.

Yet now, Jonathan, my boyfriend, was openly flirting with the waitress on our seat, ogling her while she accepted his advances.

He was cheating on me so openly, and on my birthday dinner no less.

I'd seen the flirtatious messages on his phone on occasion, heard his apologies time and time again, but this?

This was the last straw. I was done.

I strutted back to the table, receiving their startled looks. Jonathan looked stricken as if he'd forgotten I existed.

“Baby-” I cut him off before he could say anything more. Staring at the number on the napkin, no doubt from the blonde waitress a bitter smirk crawled up my lips.

“We're done.” I snapped. Grabbing my purse I stormed out of the restaurant, meeting the cold evening air.

I didn't bother carrying a car here because he was driving me. Now I was left to walk the streets alone in heels.

The streets were empty at this time, leaving the sound of my footsteps to accompany me. I pulled off the hairpin, letting my hair flow freely around my face.

I could care less about the makeup or the dress I wore digging into my skin right now. All I needed was to leave.

Yet after several minutes of non-stop walking, I stopped against a nearby lamppost. The emotions filled me to the brim. I felt too much.

Angry. Tired. Heartbroken.

‘Why did I ever trust him?’

I knew the reason for that. From the first time I met him he had the suave of a confident detective and was flirtatious. That should have been the first red flag.

I was naive. Somehow I'd fallen for him and let him take me out on a date. I'd dated him for the past one and a half years. Where had that gotten me now?

Knowing that I'd have to see him again at work in the Police headquarters was the worst thing. It served me right for dating a coworker no less.

I couldn't take it anymore. Swiping my phone open, I tapped on the contact of my best friend. I didn't want to be alone tonight.

“Hey, Kaelie?” I spoke as soon as the call was answered, a twinge of desperation seeping out of me.

“What's wrong?” my best friend asked.

“I…I can't tell you over the phone. Can you come and pick me up?”

There came a sigh from the call before she spoke.

“I'm sorry babe. I'm still busy with work right now. Can we talk later?”

My heart fell instantly.

“Wait,” I sniffed, shaking my head, “Just forget about that. Can you come over tonight? I can't stay alone I just broke up with Jo-”

BEEP.

The sharp noise cut me off. I looked up to see that the call had ended,

I felt numb and hollow. Weakly dropping my phone.

Today was my birthday, yet I was alone. The only people I had were Jonathan and Kaelie, who had been my friend since childhood, and right now they were both gone.

There were no other friends to call. I barely socialized out of work and my life revolves around my duties.

A bitter laugh left me. The sadness inside me flared into hot anger and irritation.

‘Fuck it,’ I thought, ordering a cab to take me straight to the nearest bar.

Tonight was already a wreck, at least I'll have some fun at the end of it. I'd face the consequences later.

….

My mind was in a blurry haze as I danced across the swirly lights. How many drinks did I take? 7? 10? It was a lot.

‘For a tough cop like you, you sure are a lightweight,’ Jonathan's voice came up in my head, making me frown.

“Shut up,” I snapped. I didn't want to hear him. That lying cheating basta-.

“Hey!” A voice called my attention. I squinted past the lights to find a man frowning right in my face.

“You're disturbing our patrons, you have to leave.”

“Isn't this a club?” I frowned, stabbing my finger into him, “It's free for all. l dance wherever I want!”

“Not on the stage!”

Other murmurs filled my ears. I turned to the direction where others were standing and sitting, no doubt the patrons of said clubs. There was an angry look on their faces,

“It's my birthday. You should be lucky I'm giving y'all a free show!” I shouted.

“Miss, I'm going to have to make you leave-”

“Let her be,” a deep voice cut him off from behind me, its warning clear. It sent pleasant shivers down my spine.

“B-but sir”

“Did I stutter?”

I could have sworn the place had gone quiet, and the man in front of me looked afraid. Stumbling back, I collided with something hard and warm. A large arm wrapped around my waist. It definitely wasn't a wall.

I looked up to find a face on mine. It looked…familiar, but I couldn't place it. Who was he?

“I apologize for the disturbance cara” the words wrapped around me, “you can continue as you'd like.”

“No, I think I'm done here.” I said, barely able to think. His arm was still wrapped around me. It felt so good.

As if he read my mind, he didn't let go, instead leading me to a lounge area. I felt more sober instantly, looking over him

“You look tired,” Mystery man commented ,

“Heartbroken more like,” I huffed rolling my eyes.

“Hmm?” He smiled wider

“Why do you look so happy after I told you what just happened? Are you making fun of me?” I asked, offended and annoyed.

“I'm not happy with what you've been through,” he says, shaking his head.

“I'm happy that the unlucky bastard that dumped you lost the freaking lottery.” He said. I chuckled, any annoyance gone and replaced with the same good sensation.

We flirted through the night and before I knew it I was gravitating towards him, pulling closer and closer.

“I'm not in the mood for anything tame tonight. I want…danger.” I whispered hotly and I swore his eyes went darker.

“Is that what you want? Danger?” He leaned in, something wicked in his eyes. The heat and craving in my belly was unbearable.

‘Fuck it,’ I thought, dragging him down to meet my lips. Sparks and heat blew up inside me. I was completely engrossed. As I was swept up in his embrace, my mind went blank.

….

‘Mmm.’ I squinted against the lights. My head was pounding and my body ached, but the sheets around me felt so soft.

Wait… this wasn't my bed.

I sat up hurriedly. I was in a luxurious room that was definitely not mine, completely naked. It didn't take much to link my blurry memories to this.

I turned to the side where my mystery one night stand lay asleep. He seemed so strangely familiar yet I didn't know why.

Had I met him before this?

A sharp noise startled me. I realized it was my phone ringing. Quickly locating it, I stiffened. It was Aaron, the head of the police precinct and my boss.

“Sir?” I answered,

“Where are you right now? You've been dispatched!”

‘What?’ I grew alert instantly.

“We received Intel that there's another gunfight happening on 12th Terra Street. We need all hands on deck there. Get there at once!”.

“Yes sir.” I ended the call. My heart was racing with anticipation. I needed to leave as soon as possible.

Careful to not wake him up I quickly dressed, picking up my purse before running out of the room. I rushed out of the hotel, taking a cab to my home.

I'd never been so reckless as to do this. Last night was a dream but I was back to reality.

It would never happen again.