Chapter 4 Little Fiasco in the Club

EMERALD

Sitting on my bed, crying myself to sleep would be akin to letting Gabriel win. He'd still be controlling my life. He isn't worthy of that.

With the bonus I got today, from the employee of the month award, I choose one of those overpriced nightclubs. Those classy ones for rich people. Luvian, to be precise.

One of the top in the city. Not that I know so much about New York. Luvian is one of the few places introduced to me by Alicia.

We usually go to Luvian once in a while. The number of times I can count with my fingers. Only the few times we decide to spoil ourselves and imagine what mingling with millionaires and billionaires would feel like. Well, tonight is one of those nights.

We're seated at one of the few counters that have seats for customers. That was my suggestion so we could be closer to the stock.

"One, two, three..." We gulp down our shots in unison and slam the empty glasses on the counter, scrunching our faces. Yeah, that's what a shot of scotch does to us. Someone once told me, the best way to handle scotch is to sip it slowly, savoring the flavor. I don't think I have that kind of patience now.

Oh, and that someone was Gabriel, which is why I'd rather have my throat burned than take his advice.

"So," Alicia begins. "Your life is in danger? Should I get you a bodyguard?" She jokes. It's barely been five minutes since I narrated the events of my day to her.

"What if they're empty threats for me to leave her man, which I just did."

Did I make a rash decision? Of course not. He lied to me. His actions cost my job. I should cut him off before this becomes one of those on-and-off toxic relationships.

"Well, then I have a better suggestion."

I raise a brow in interest.

"Let's kill Gabriel," she says without blinking. Like it's an option. Sounds like a fantastic idea, but I can do better with my life than serve jail time because of an asshole.

"Get me five shots of tequila," a deep, sultry voice captures my attention before I respond to Alicia's suggestion.

I immediately make a quick turn to capture the owner of that sexy voice that's hard to ignore.

My eyes meet a pair of sexy ones. Just like his voice.

And...did he just come straight from a modeling agency? Everything about this guy is hot. I can't tear my eyes away from him. Goodness, I'd buy any product advertised by him.

He has very admirable lashes, and bushy brows-typical of most men-but that doesn't make him look like any common man. It makes him hotter. The loose strand of hair hanging on the forehead is another highlight to his killer look. The rest of his brown hair makes my hand itch for a touch. He must be using men's most expensive hair product there is. Or is it natural?

He's in a button-up white shirt, although the first three buttons from the top are open, giving a tip of his chest. Damn! My eyes linger on his chest, then his broad shoulders. How...how does one manage to look like this?

"That will be twenty thousand dollars." His voice startles me. It takes a few seconds to realize he's not talking to the bartender. Goodness, I must have stared at that beautiful art for more than it is appropriate.

"What?" I ask, confused. Last I checked, I wasn't the bartender. Whatever this guy is smoking, I'd love to have some. In fact, make that double.

"You've been staring at me like you want to eat me alive, which is why I'm charging you. Are you a cannibal or something?" He asks with a frown.

"Something," I flash a fake smile. The initial frown on his face is replaced with a smile.

Fake or real, he should do that often. It's like I've seen a ray of sunshine in the dark. A smile so beautiful, with the ability to pull me out of my distress. I'd choose to watch that for the whole night.

However, this time I'm careful enough not to get charged for staring at him for too long.

Wait, what kind of assholery was that? And did he just call me a cannibal?

"Get over yourself," I roll my eyes, my smile now replaced with a frown. But I can't get over your looks.

I turn to the silent, Alicia, ignoring him.

"I should get over myself? You're the one who wants to eat me alive." He scoffs. "Thank goodness I don't have a crazy girlfriend," he adds. This time, it feels like he's gotten closer to me, even though I gave him my back.

The last part catches my attention. I won't lie. Partly because I'm wondering if that statement means he has a girlfriend who's not crazy or doesn't have a girlfriend at all.

I think my insanity has taken a turn. Why am I concerned about such?

And why would he randomly talk about a crazy girlfriend?

Uhm...

"What?" I turn to give him my attention.

"I said, thank goodness, I don't have a crazy girlfriend," he clarifies.

Before I probe, he turns to the bartender.

"Make that fifteen shots, for the ladies. Especially this one." He points a chin at me, which I find insulting.

"She's had a crappier day than mine. She needs it a lot."

The last statement is said with his eyes boring into mine. There's something about that gaze... But right now I'm concerned about the words coming off the lips.

I'm confused for a few seconds. I turn to give Alicia a slight glance. She responds with raised brows. Then I turn back to the hot Adonis standing before me.

"Do we know each other?" I ask.

"Not until today. You're the home-wrecking girl from the restaurant. How is your skin, by the way? I hope it didn't get burned. It would be a shame for such charming skin..."

"Asshole," I hiss, gritting my teeth. I came to have fun. Not to be reminded of what my life has become. He responds with an annoying smirk.

One plus one... He must have witnessed the scandal earlier. It sickens me that he's judging from the fence. And why do I care about what he thinks?

"Does it hurt to mind your business, asshole?" I speak out, as I feel the anger rising beneath my veins. Is it the fact that a guy can look handsome but have a lot of trash coming off his mouth, or am I so upset from the events of the day that even the slightest provocation triggers my fury?

"Don't crucify me," He raises his hands. "I was just a spectator of a girls' drama."

"Unbelievable!" I narrow my eyes angrily.

Girls drama?

What did I expect from a random stranger in a club, anyway?

"Note to self; Unless you want your skin marinated with soup, do not sleep with someone else's partner." He leans so close that his alluring scent hits my nose. I can't complain, it's intoxicating. I want to sniff him closer. I'm almost lost in his scent when my mind suddenly registers his words.

I don't know how things happen so fast, because one minute, I'm staring at the man, and the next minute, I'm using my hands to splash two shots of tequila on his white shirt.

"Damn!" He snarls. I'm not sleeping with anyone I shouldn't, yet I'm getting almost the same punishment?"

However, offense is the last expression he has. But there's something mischievous about that grin. Are we in the same reality?

"Do you know the repercussions of what you've done?" He asks. I think I've had enough threats for the day.

"Are you going to have me arrested?" I shrug.

Alicia holds my hand. The bartender, on the other hand, has her eyes wide open, staring at the situation in awe. Makes me wonder, isn't she used to tougher situations in the club?

"I like you," the Adonis who's turned into an asshole, smiles.

Is he being serious?

"What's there to like about staining your shirt?" I ask.

"I'll spare you because your day has been bad enough. You're the luckiest person in the club," he points out.

Who does he think he is?