Chapter 2 Shatter Me

ROXANNE'S P.O.V

The drive was a full hour, and I checked my time before getting out of the car. Twenty-eight minutes past ten. I swallowed hard, then got out, my chest heaving. The place was lit up, and I could see a neon sign above the place.

Dirty Dreams followed by the illustration of a pole dancer. I bit down on my lips before I slowly walked to the entrance.

"ID," said one of the guards at the door.

I sighed and turned to him. "I just need to check something inside."

"You can't enter without an ID."

I nodded. "Can I enter with a police man?"

His brows furrowed, and he turned to the other.

"I am turning twenty-six soon, and even if I wasn't, I am not here for any of the business that apparently goes on here."

They went silent for a long minute before they finally opened the door for me and let me in. I slowly walked into the place. The music was loud, and the place was dim, but from the blue and red lights, I could see some scantily dressed women pole dancing on stage, with men throwing money at them.

I felt bile rise up my throat, and I hoped to God that Damien wasn't really here. That the call was some stupid prank. That I had driven all the way here for nothing.

"You look lost."

I turned swiftly, and a woman wearing a long gown with slits on both sides was staring back at me. She had a small smile and long hair, and I swallowed, taking a small step back.

"I am looking for someone."

Her eyes dropped to my hand, and she smiled at the massive diamond ring that I was still wearing. I had planned on taking it off tomorrow morning before the ceremony. I hoped I wouldn't have to take it off tonight itself.

"You are not the first, darling. Do you see him down there?"

I turned, my eyes scanning the screaming men. "No," I said, turning back to her. "If what I heard is true, he wouldn't be here."

She gave a small chuckle. "So he is getting down already. Want my help?"

"Why are you helping me?"

"Trust issues, huh? I do understand. But I oversee this place, and I am not looking for trouble. I will help you find your fiancé, but you need to take the drama outside. I am being kind."

I nodded slowly. I would lie if I say I don't resent her for being the one to mobilize these girls. But these girls do not owe me any sort of loyalty. Damien does, and I hope he is out there staying true to the vows he had so religiously written.

"Thank you," I managed to say, and her smile returned.

"Come with me."

I hesitated for a bit as she walked away. I still had time. I could still pretend none of this happened. I could go on like I hadn't received that call. My wedding tomorrow could still be held.

I swallowed again, shaking my head. If the truth was going to shatter me, then it would.

I immediately followed her, running a little to catch up to her. We went around the dancing stage to a quieter hallway that held a total of ten rooms on each side.

"If he isn't in one of these rooms, then he isn't here."

I nodded, my chest heaving. Please. Please let him not be in any of these rooms.

She walked to the first, then opened it and stepped in. There were four men sitting around and three women serving them wine while they giggled and laughed.

Damien wasn't there.

She closed the door and led me to the second. A man and a woman. The man wasn't Damien.

It was the same with the third, fourth, fifth rooms, and I could feel myself calming down and at the same time growing even more apprehensive. We still had five more rooms, and it made me nervous.

We got to the fifth room, and it was completely empty. The sixth, seventh, and eighth were empty, too.

She gave a small laugh. "You might need to buy the man a rose for not trusting him."

At this point, relief was starting to wash over me already, and I smiled, my hand coming to my chest. She laughed at the gesture, then shook her head as she led me to the ninth room.

There was only one woman in it, and she was lying in bed, her eyes closed. My eyes fell on the phone next to her, and for some reason, it felt weird. I noticed how the music from the stage was louder in the rooms from five downwards because the building was a full circle.

This room was particularly loud, just like how it had been over the phone. Come to think of it, if she had been outside, there wouldn't be sounds of moaning or the door I had heard. She would have to be yelling in order for me to hear her above the music, but she hadn't really been yelling over the phone.

I hated how well the dots connected, and I slowly turned towards the last room. My heart sank, and my eyes immediately filled with tears.

I couldn't wait for the mistress to lead me to the tenth room, and I immediately walked to it, wrapping my hand around the door knob in a death grip.

I blinked, tears running down my cheeks, my body shaking lightly.

"You think he is in there?"

I turned to her, my lips parting. "I hope he isn't," I managed to say, but at this point, I knew it was nothing but blind hope. I was too scared of getting my heart broken.

I turned back to the door and slowly opened it, then stepped in, my chest heaving.

The first person I saw was my very own brother. He was passed out on the floor, a few bottles of beer laid out around him.

A tear dropped to the floor and shattered into pieces, just like my heart.

"I am sorry," the mistress said behind me, but I could barely hear her.

My eyes fell on the bed, and right there, in the middle of underwear, bodily fluids, and three women, was the man I was going to get married to in a few hours.