Chapter 2

May

I left Ben's place, feeling utterly lost and confused. The shock of his betrayal still hung heavily over me, and I couldn't bring myself to return to my house where I'd definitely get questions from my twin and from my mom. They've been asking about who is been sneaking out to see and yesterday I'd finally told them I'd introduce him on my birthday. Well that ship has sunk, and if I go home looking as lost as I feel they'd know something happened and I honestly wasn't in the mood to deal with that.

And I couldn't go to Patricia's apartment when I spent the other half of my time. I knew she wasn't the nicest friend but she was still my friend. I really didn't see this coming.

Instead, I wandered the city streets aimlessly until I stumbled upon a dimly lit bar.

The noise and bustling from the inside attracted me. I have never been to a bar as I'm underage but I knew what it was for, I knew I could go in there and I'd forget everything that had just happened.

The Bouncer steps aside for a second and I knew it was now or never.

I didn't even think twice and I snuck in.

I barely noticed the surroundings as I ran in, and I slam straight into another Bouncer but with how horrible I felt and looked, I'm sure I'd pass for older because he didn't even bat an eye at me.

The bar was a refuge from the tumult of my thoughts. Inside, the soft hum of conversations and the clinking of glasses provided a backdrop for my racing mind.

I took a seat at the corner of the bar, nursing a single glass of wine as I wallowed in self-pity and shame. The pain of Ben's betrayal weighed down on me, and it felt like my world had crumbled. And Patricia. That snake. How could she do this to me. I trusted her. I trusted him also. I feel the eyes flooding my eyes, preparing to drop at any moment. I am not going to cry. I am not going to cry. I repeat the sentence as a mantra. They don't deserve my tears.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts and trying so hard not cry, the bartender, a middle-aged man with a friendly face, approached me. He placed a second drink in front of me, and I looked up, startled. "I didn't order this," I said.

The bartender smiled and nodded toward the VIP section above. "It's from a man up there," he explained. "He asked me to deliver it to you." He pointed to the mysterious sender.

I turned to look in the direction the bartender had indicated. My vision was slightly blurred from the wine, but I could make out a silhouette. The stranger looked oddly familiar, but my buzzed mind couldn't quite place him. I felt a mix of curiosity and gratitude, so I raised my glass in thanks and turned my attention away.

The bartender left, and I was alone again for a brief moment, pondering the mysterious gesture. I wondered who this man was and why he had sent me a drink. My heartache still lingered, but that single act of kindness had momentarily brightened my mood and stopped the dam of floods about to escape.

Just as I was lost in thought, I felt a close presence beside me. I turned my head and was taken aback. The stranger who had sent the drink was now standing there, a striking figure. He was incredibly handsome, with black ebony hair and piercing bright blue eyes. Standing over six feet tall with broad shoulders, he exuded an air of confidence and mystery dressed in a suit. Okay, I've never been to a bar before but I don't think anyone wears a suit to one. And it is definitely not like the suit our history teacher wears to school every monday, from the looks of it, his is a tailored one.

"Hello," he said, his voice deep and smooth.

I couldn't help but be drawn to him, despite the recent heartbreak that still stung. I looked up at him, my own eyes filled with a mixture of emotions. "Hi," I replied, my voice tinged with curiosity.

"Can I?" He points to the empty seat beside me.

"Sure." Though I wasn't in the mood for conversation.

"I saw you from over there and I couldn't help but come to the rescue of that lonely wine glass." His voice deep. That's the second time I'm bringing up how deep his voice is, I have a thing for deep voice.

"Your voice is so deeppp." That was supposed to be a thought but my buzzed mind said that out loud.

"Thank you?" His brows lift.

"Sure. Talk to me." Anything to take my mind of Ben and Patricia.

"You have been on that glass for close to an hour."

I chuckle despite myself," What are you?, the alcohol police?"

"You could say that. You are drunk?"

" Pshhh. No, I'm not. I've had just this glass."

" I know that. Is this your first time taking alcohol? "

" Ohhhh. How did you know?" I hiccup.

" It is obvious. And I have had my eyes on you from the moment you stepped in here."

" Ohhhh. Huh, like a stalker?" I had no idea why I whispered.

He chuckled, " More like an admirer. There's something about you, I just can not seem to place it. "

I squealed, "Same here! There's something about you I can't place." He looked familiar.

"So what has got drinking for the first time? " His blue eyes piercing.

My mood sour as I remembered what I'd witnessed about an hour ago. "Oh. It's a funny story actually."

"I have more than enough time to listen."

"I caught my boyfriend cheating on me with my best friend."

He is quite for a second, clearly not expecting that. "His loss."

"Wait, What?" No apology or sympathy?.

"Yes, his loss. It is obvious you are a wonderful person. You are kind and smart and beautiful. His loss. " He shrugged, like it's not a big deal that he said all that to someone he just met.

"I appreciate the compliment but you don't need to lie to make me feel better."

" I never lie." His brows dipped in confusion.

"What makes you so sure I'm all of those things you mentioned? "

"Simple. I told you already, I had my eyes on you from the moment you stepped in. I noticed you helping that drunk girl who almost slipped, you ordered just a glass of alcohol because it's your first time, that's smart. I am not blind and you are very beautiful. I meant what I said. I never lie." His deep voice lets out a growl at the last sentence.

I felt myself cream down there. Fuck. that was sexy. The most beautiful thing I've ever heard. My nipples pebbles and I swallow a moan.

I smiled, "Thank you." I use my right hand to coyly pull my hair behind my ears. His huge warm hand grab mine. " You never have to thank me for anything." I freeze as I inhale. He smells so good. A doze of sandalwood with a hint of sweat. My throat suddenly feels parched. My eyes snag on his lips and I can't look away. They look so soft, so inviting. And hot. And so kissable. And a crazy idea hits me. Maybe it's the alcohol or something else but at the moment I didn't care. Ben never made me feel this hot and sexy, this is powerful and addictive.

"Would it be okay if I kissed you on the lips?" I wet my lips at the thought. Now, the old me would never think such and and definitely not say it out. But the old me. She is a Boss who does whatever she wants.

The kissable lips curl in amusement, "Have at it Princess."