Chapter 4 Mistaken

KINSLEY POV

People were unaware of her actual relationship with her parents behind closed doors.

They would always look at me scornfully, questioning every decision I made since they believed I always had a motive behind my actions.

She had always attempted to gain their favor but eventually gave up. It's like she always has to compete in a competition where the winners are already set.

"Where are you going at this late hour?" Her father, drinking in the bar, noticed her as she passed.

"As if you care." She responded without looking at him, which infuriated her father even more.

"How dare you answer me like that!" In her peripheral vision, she noticed her father standing up. He was agitated, and nothing was new anyway.

She stood there in silence, waiting to see what would happen next. Her father appears in front of her in an instant.

"I am your father; all this luxury you enjoy is because of me!" And this is how you pay me back?" He grasped my chin, and I had no choice but to stare into his raging eyes, shooting daggers at me.

In her mind, she wanna tell him, "As if I haven't worked for what I have now." but she doesn't wanna provoke him more. It won't just do her any good.

I still find it difficult to get past how my Dad looks at me after all these years, despite the actions I've shown them and the accomplishments I've taken home. It's as if my existence disgusts him.

"Until when will you be able to blame me, Dad?" I asked him in a nearly calm tone.

"For as long as I'm still breathing." And with that, he released my chin forcefully, causing me to almost fall on the floor.

I couldn't contain my tears. I stood there crying quietly, feeling the wounds that never seemed to heal.

I've tried to be a good daughter to gain their approval. I tried to be the best at everything I did, but their minds were already closed.

Those encounters are why she likes to stay in her condo more than their home.

It was almost midnight when she headed to her favorite club just a few meters away in her condo after the conversation with her father to drown her feelings with booze and find solace in someone's presence.

The employees in the club already know her as she's a regular. The bartender saw her from afar, waved at her, and then prepared her drink.

"The usual." The waiter smiled while sliding her the Sazerac.

She'd lost count of how many shots she'd been taking already, already drunk and dizzy, when someone sat beside her.

"Hey gorgeous," The lady wink at her with a smirk.

She looked at the lady. Dressed in a casual yet chic ensemble, she embodies effortless style. Her hair falls in gentle waves, catching the ambient light and adding a touch of golden warmth to her appearance. Hmm, not bad.

She gives her a warm smile that welcomes anyone wanting to join her world for a while.

Without glancing at the bartender, she said, "Give the lady whatever she wants; it's on me." While still eyeing the lady before her, thinking ahead of an adventurous night she might have with her.

"Sex on the beach, please." The lady while biting her lower lip. I like that, sexy.

"Nice choice, you might want it later without the 'on the beach'". She told her flirtatiously, who would resist my charm anyway?

"You're fast!" The lady answered her while licking her upper lip and looking at me seductively.

"Are you perhaps alone, Miss?" she inquired. Better to be safe than sorry.

"Call me Bec, and yes, I am." She grinned and asked me, "Enjoying the night?"

"Yes, I am, Especially now that I've met you." She boldly rubs Bec's thigh as if indicating something more.

Bec leaned in closer, crossing the distance between them. Her breasts gently touched my shoulder as she aimed for my ears.

"Wanna go somewhere fun?" Her lips lingered for a bit, giving hot breaths before she moved farther.

This was undoubtedly what she'd been looking for tonight, men and women tried to get her attention earlier, but they weren't just my type, and she wasn't drunk enough to have fun yet.

"Perhaps my place?" she grabbed Bec's hand and laced her fingers with mine. She was in a hurry to fulfill some urges.

"Perfect!" Bec smiled at her flirtatiously while licking her upper lip.

After she settled her bill, she stood up and grabbed Bec's hand in a hurry without even looking at her. Her strides are long and quick despite the dizziness she has felt.

NORTH POV

She was thinking of celebrating the successful deal she had last week with the collaboration with the Jordan brand, owned by Nike. She didn't have time to celebrate it before because of her hectic schedule, so now is the perfect time to paint the town red.

When she was about to text Cristina, her phone rang, speaking of the devil.

"You up for any adventure tonight?" Mea asked her directly with enthusiasm in her voice. They usually skip the greetings part and directly talk about why they've called.

"Adventure? You mean like the spontaneous kind?" She asked while she was busy preparing to leave the office.

"Yup, other friends wanna join too, and we're thinking of bar hopping, checking out different spots, and mixing things up, ya know," Cristina answered.

"Sounds great! Where were you thinking of heading first?" By now, she's already walking to the elevator.

"Good! In Hop-In downtown, I've heard they have some killer cocktails." I can already hear the excitement in Cristina's voice.

"Okay, I'm heading home now, and I'll just meet you there in an hour." She went inside the elevator now reserved for the executives.

"Oh wow, no convincing now? That's fast!" Cristina sounded surprised.

"I'm up for a party, so yeah!" She said while laughing.

"Having a late celebration for the collab with Nike?" Cristina grinned.

"You really know me well." Ohh how she appreciates this girl even more.

"Of course, that's what are best friends are for, right?" She replied to me happily.

"You bet!" She's already on her way down now.

"Okay, see you, Northy girl." Cristina laughed joyfully before hanging up.

She's not a party girl, just like she is not a fan of big events. Still, occasionally, she would go clubbing with her friends when she wanted to celebrate something or when she felt like it.

On the other hand, Cristina loves partying and meeting new people in those rendezvous.

They went to Hop-In, then headed to the rooftop bar with the city view. Then they eventually decided to try the cozy bar below with live music.

They're in the fourth bar, The Hideout, and perhaps the last, as everyone starts to feel the alcohol they've consumed earlier.

The energy never drops as the night continues. The club is like a breathing creature, each heartbeat resonating with the joy, escape, and bond it provides to those who enter.

She is a living work of art in the heart of the dance floor's wildness, a Dior-clad beauty in the club night's fun, and a testament to fashion's ability to transform the ordinary into the remarkable. The dress comes to life as she dances, flowing to the beat of the music and showing enticing snippets of her legs through a daring slit. The hemline's asymmetry provides a dash of modern flair while maintaining Dior's traditional elegance in a beautiful balance.

She could feel her losing grip on the world as she continued to take shots and dance with her friends.

Cristina excused herself earlier to use the bathroom, but since then, she hasn't been back; knowing her, for sure, she was already enjoying someone's company and probably headed somewhere.

She felt the urge to use the bathroom, so she excused herself and headed to the bathroom, walking sluggishly. She tried to freshen up to help with the dizziness that she was feeling, but it became worst, her face numb now.

As she returned to their table and passed by the bar counter, someone with a soft and delicate hand grabbed her in a hurry, a fleeting touch that sent a jolt of surprise in her. Without the energy of resistance, she let the stranger's solid hold direct her feet as they moved among the writhing bodies.

She momentarily lost her bearings as they abruptly left the noisy club and entered the quieter outdoors, the heavy music slowly fading as they took more steps. The stranger's grip on her hand was powerful yet soft, a reassuring anchor in the unexpected exit.

She couldn't think straight in her drunken state but submitted to what was happening around her.