Chapter 2: Noah

“Noah!” I heard my name getting called from a distance. It was my mom’s voice.

“Noah! I love you, son!" Then I heard my dad’s voice, it was my first time hearing him say those words. 

“Another round of Whiskey?” I opened my eyes to the sound of loud music and the bartender offering me another round. I simply nodded, I was back to reality. 

“I don’t think this shit works on you man. This shit ain’t water you know” I glanced at the bartender as he poured me another round. 

“Got tired of our girls I see?” He added.

I go to the same ol’ place, drink the same ol’ shit, and meet the same ol’ women. Of course, it’s tiring.

“Piss off, Tom,” I replied. He shook his head in disbelief. I wasn’t in any mood to be respectful. 

“Can I get a glass of water, please? Thank you.” I glanced at the woman who sat next to me. She had long black wavy hair, which complimented her brown almond-shaped eyes, pointed nose, and thin lips. She wasn’t wearing a flashy dress or heavy makeup. 

Her uneasiness shows that she’s not used to this kind of environment. She’s not my regular type of woman but she’s new. I like new.

“What are you doing?! Let go of me!” She exclaimed irritably. I turned to see her resisting a guy who was grabbing her by the waist.

And without thinking, I stood up and punched him. The guy landed on the floor with his mouth bleeding.

"What the fuck! Who the hell do you think you are!?" I turned to the girl and signaled her to play along.

 “Do now this guy, babe?" I used my usual playboy tone

 "N-no" She answered obediently. 

"You heard that? Touch my girl again, and you're gonna pay the fucking price." It wasn't long before security pulled the guy towards the exit. I faced the woman behind me whose knees were trembling and taken aback 

I held her by the shoulder when she almost lost her footing and assisted her to take a seat. She muttered, "T-thank you".

"Are you with someone?" I said casually then sat on the barstool next to hers. She began roaming her eyes trying to find someone but failed. 

"I was. But I...I can't seem to get a hold of her. I'm about to leave anyway, I'll...Uhm..inform her later." She gathered herself and gave me a shy smile after. 

I tried making a conversation with her, to distract her. After a while, we decided to get out of here.

“I see you found yourself a good distraction?” I heard the bartender whisper, loud enough for me to hear. 

A Distraction huh? Right, that’s all there is to it. 

We headed out together walking slowly as the alcohol was starting to get flushed out of our system. 

Erin’s P.O.V. 

"So, what's your plan for the rest of the night?" I asked while we were walking "Nothing much. Just hoping to get your number" He winked at me and smiled. 

"You don't even know my name yet." We laughed when he realized we still don't know each other's names. 

"Then, what's your name?" He asked directly 

I stood in front of him causing him to stop then I stretched out my arm, and just when he was about to reach for my hand I took it back and introduced myself as 

"I'm..not that easy." 

He laughed and was very amused by the looks of it. I started walking again. "No names huh? Fine." He added as I turned my back. 

" It's better off this way." I winked back at him and walked towards the convenience store. "I'm guessing you like games huh? Fine. I'll play with you" he mumbled but I barely heard it. 

"What?" 

"Nothing." He followed me to the beverages section. 

"So Miss Not-that-easy, how 'bout you, what's your plan for tonight?" 

"Go home and get drunk while watching Jetflix" I took 2 boxes of beer, a bottle of wine, and a bag of chips. And then we went straight to the counter. 

"Mind if I join you?" He asked as he stared intently into my eyes. 

"I don't know.." I replied cautiously. 

"Don't worry, I won't bite." He smirked at me, paid for the food, and went out with my beer and stuff. I was left dumbfounded.

We were almost near my apartment building. Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into me - conversing with a stranger. But, pushing through with whatever is going on feels right all of a sudden. 

Though I have priorities and not to mention - problems, just standing beside him feels light. "Do you live nearby?" He suddenly asked. 

"Yup, you see that building beside the skyscraper?" We stopped as I pointed at a random building. 

"Yeah? That's where you live?" 

"No. I just wanted to know if you see them." 

We were already in front of my apartment building. I laughed hard when I saw that dumb-founded look on his face. 

I went towards the entrance of the building while he followed 

We're now standing in front of the elevator waiting for it to open. 

He stared at me with a playful smirk on his face. Something tells me that I don't know what I got myself into and that I should've probably standstill without a word " Game on, babe" 

His words gave me shivers down my spine. As the elevator opened, we pushed ourselves in without a word along with a few people. I pressed my floor number and stood silent next to Mr. Smiley-pants. 

The elevator stopped at the 10th floor and dropped off a few people, leaving both of us alone. 

As the elevator door closed, Mr. Smiley-pants pinned me on the elevator wall. Drowning me again with his eyes and his face near mine. I gulped out of nervousness but I can't let him see his effect on me. 

"Let's play a game shall we?" He smirked at me again and continued, "Truth or dare." 

He caressed my cheek lightly with his fingers, sending a thousand sparks enough to make my face pop red. The drink he must've been drinking is starting to kick in. 

"You can't hold your liquor can you?" I asked with a straight face 

"I'm not drunk." He then backed away. 

I gathered myself, "If you say so. I'll go first. Truth or dare?" 

He answered Truth. We reached the 30th floor and started walking down the corridor.

"What's your motive for tagging along?" I asked him. He smiled bitterly before answering "A distraction." 

I stared at him intently. He must be going through a rough patch. How ironic, I've been trying to avoid distractions while he's looking for some... 

"Truth or dare." He then asked 

I answered truth, 

"Are you flirting with me?" He teased me with a playful smile on his face. What an ass just when I was feeling a bit of remorse for him. 

I gave him a stern look. He shrugged his shoulders and innocently replied, “What? I might be receiving the wrong signals.”

I paused realizing the situation we were in, Am I...Flirting?

“Maybe…” I mumbled

We reached the door to my apartment when I noticed him staring at me intently with his eyes showing a hint of desire and lips curled up forming a gentle smile.

I can't help but think that I dug my own grave, but Nathalie's right maybe I do need to live a little. 

He walked slowly towards me and cupped my face with his hands as I looked up at him while I held my breath. 

He whispered, 

"I'll take it.." 

Then he kissed me.