Sweet Misery

Chapter one - a drink and a drive

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My body swayed along with the loud music in the club, my eyes was shut closed as I enjoyed the moment solely.

My hands moved with the rhythm of the song, sweat trickled down my bare back and numerous bodies hit mines.

I was drunk.

The alcohol was showing its magic on me, I couldn't feel anything except for peace. The heels I had worn were now making me uncomfortable. I just wanted to swing around without hurting my feet but it seemed impossible as of now.

My eyes froze when I saw the time, it was almost 2 am in the night and I had been drinking and dancing for more than three hours.

Yet I didn't feel tired of this fun.

My vision blurred as I sat down. There were so many people here, mostly men's. A strip show was going on in the corner of the club, I didn't care, I had to go home now.

It was already too late for me.

I searched for my phone in the small bag I owned and quickly found it. My tries to switch it on went to waste, the battery was drained and my phone was dead.

I shoved it back inside and then continued to look around. I didn't want to go...not just yet.

This place was crowded, sweaty bodies seemed to be everywhere; the music was so loud that I had this urge to go back into the crowd and dance again.

My eyes wandered off to the man who was standing in the corner, since the moment I stepped inside, he was just standing there till now. He didn't even move a muscle; he stood there and noticed everything going on.

He looked appealing to my drunken state.

I was quite far away from him so staring at him was no problem until he looked my way. I hurried away from his gaze and turned around, in shock.

I let out a small laugh and stood up. Unable to walk, I tripped countless times on three different people.

Once the cold air of Landow hit me, I let out a sigh. Wrapping my hands around my shoulders, I began to regret the decision of wearing a small black dress and getting now jacket along.

It was freezing here. The loud music of the club started to fade away as I walked further looking for a cab.

There weren't many people around, just a couple of men's standing and talking. There were no girls around, I felt a little unsafe, and being in this state anyone could do anything with me.

I started to swing my hand everywhere and practised my karate skills with the air in case someone tried to do anything, I was preparing myself.

During this 'preparation' I tripped on a parked car and fell down. My knees scraped the rocky pavement and I groaned in pain.

Get yourself together, Wendy.

I got up again this time with sizzling pain on my forehead. I saw a blur yellow car approaching me, knowing it was cab; I ran towards the road and plunged my hand into the air.

Before I knew it swished across me, turning my smile into a frown. I am never getting home like this. I needed to call my friend but my phone was dead and I was too shy and scared to borrow it from someone.

A black sports car stopped in front of me, my head throbbed as I looked at it. I didn't make any assumptions about who it may be in the car or what they wanted.

The windows were tinted so I wasn't able to see who was in there until the person walked out of the car.

"Get in, " the unknown man ordered, I frowned my eyebrows at his statement. It was the same man from the club; who was standing in the corner for hours without doing anything.

Except for this time, he was wearing a black leather jacket.

Slamming the car door closed, he rushed towards me.

"Woah, Woah!" I took a step back as he came in front of me.

My hands signalled him to go away but he didn't instead he grabbed my hand and dragged me to the car.

"Rape, " I screamed as he opened the front car door for me, I wasn't going to anywhere with the person. What if he is a serial killer?

What if he wants to kill me or rape me?

I tried to get attention from the few group of men behind me but they just glanced and looked away like they didn't even care if someone was kidnapping a girl.

I tried to struggle with the man's grip but he held my hand like he was never going to leave it.

"I am not going to rape you, " he whispered in my ear as he pushed me inside the car.

The car was pretty warm compared to the weather outside, the atmosphere inside eased the pain in my head but I got more worried about what the future held.

My eyes were captured by the thick, pulsating veins scattered around his hand.

I looked at them with shook while he struggled with pushing my legs into the car.

"Damn, that's so hot!" I exclaimed, using my other hand to touch them but before I could even lay a finger on him he left my hand and then slammed the door shut on my face.

That's when I came to the realization that I was inside his car, I was kidnapped and my phone wasn't working and also I was drunk.

"What's your address?" he questioned while putting his seat belt on and driving away from the club.

I no longer had the energy to protest and eyes were dropping down.

"See; let me explain it to you." I stopped, trying to catch my breath.

"My parents hate me and if I got kidnapped they wouldn't give a shit, they wouldn't even give you a penny instead they would be grateful that I left." I continued, using my hands to express my words.

Not even once he looked at me instead his eyes were too focused on the road. I jumped in the car seat trying to make myself comfortable but as soon as my head hit the roof; I screamed.

"Your car is so tiny, " I said, rubbing my head softly.

"What's your address?" he asked again, this time more angrily.

Why did he want my address so he could kill me and then deposit or mail my body there?

"Don't kidnap me please, " I begged, slapping my both palms together in front of him.

I immediately bought my hands down when his jaw clenched with anger.

"I am not kidnapping you; I am asking you for your address so I can send you home." He said, clearing everything I had wrong about him.

My lips turned into a pout as he said those words.

"So you are not kidnapping me? I wanted to be kidnapped by such a beautiful guy." I cried, placing my elbows on his thighs and looking at him.

He stopped his car in the corner of the road; I had no idea where he stopped or where we were at this moment.

His hands softly pushed my elbows away from him, in doubt I looked up at him. What? He did not want me to touch him?

"Don't touch me little girl and tell me your address?" he stated while pushing me back on the seat and locking the seat belt on my body.

I grabbed both of his hands and shoved them back to him in anger.

"You also don't touch me, " I said, curving my lips into a creepy smile. He nodded and I continued, "I live in 72 Whitchurch Road, please drop me a little far away...driver." Folding my hands across my chest, I sat back.

"I am not your driver, " he whispered while the car started to move on the empty road. His hands were pressed firmly on the steering wheel. Oh god, those hands are going to be the death of me.

"Then why did you pick me up from the club? I don't know who you are neither you are kidnapping me so that basically makes you my driver." I explained, my eyes started to feel heavy and the position I was sitting in was annoying. I needed a pillow to sleep on.

"I was just trying to keep you safe from some people. Who comes alone in a club, with such dressing and leaves drunk knowing this town is full of rapists and murderers." He said.

"Brother, I am already very safe." I yawned not knowing what I just said or called him.

Once I was finished, he turned to me with shock all over his face.

"I am not your brother!" he yelled, his voice was so thick and dominating.

I let out a small laugh before dropping my head on his shoulder. I was so tired and I just needed some sleep.

"Then be my daddy, " I murmured before falling into a deep, slumber sleep.

I am sure by morning I wouldn't remember all this

* * *

"Wendy, wake up." I heard a tiny squeak from the corner of my room. Some little girl's hands reached to my legs and she started shaking them, trying to wake me up.

The throbbing sensation in my head was endless. I opened my eyes to the blazing sunlight and Bella.

Her seven-year-old body jumped over my legs and onto my bed. She crawled over my chest and pulled my hair.

"Ouch, Bella, stop!" I screamed as she continued. "I am awake, you can stop now." I pushed her tiny hands away from my hair and pulled myself together under the sheets.

My eyes widen in shock when my fingers met my naked stomach. Why was I naked?

"Shit!" I exclaimed as the bits and pieces of last night started to collect in my head. What happened?

How did he drop me to my home without waking me up? Did he rape me? Did he remove my clothes?

"Bella, what happened last night?" I asked my young sister hoping for some answers because if my parents saw me coming in the house with that guy they would beat the crap out of me.

But from what it seemed everything was calm and no one had asked any questions about last night...yet.

"Where were mom and dad last night?" I questioned, getting up from the bed with the blanket wrapped around my naked body. I walked to the closet and pulled out some clothes.

"Don't you know, they had night shift yesterday and possibly today also." I sighed as she spoke, thank god they weren't home.

But who would open the door for me? Alex?

"Was Alex awake last night?" I asked Bella while wearing a pair of pyjamas and rushing back to her wanting to know everything that happened last night.

"No, Alex was asleep." Confusion rose up in her eyes as I continued with my questions.

If it wasn't Alex then who would let me in at 3 o'clock? Drunk? With a man?

"I opened the door last night if you are wondering. You were sleeping on someone's arms. The man who got you inside the house was super hot. Who was he? Your boyfriend? I thought you never dated but if you are in a relationship with him, I am happy because he was so cute." She explained, dragging the last few words.

"I have no idea who was he. Did you get his name? Because I didn't, I met him somewhere outside last night and he dropped me home because it was getting late. I didn't know when I had fallen asleep on him." I confessed, drinking the glass of water placed beside my bed.

After changing into a pair of clothes, I went back to Bella and sat down with her. I wanted to know every detail.

"Yes, he said his name was Marco."

"Then what happened? I mean you let him in the house?" I asked.

She nodded her head. If she said this all to Alex or my parents then I would be toast.

"Yes, he was so cute so I had to let him in." I rolled my eyes at those words; I no longer even remember how he looked like.

The only thing I remember was his veiny hands and his prominent jawline; apart from that I had no picture of him in my head.

"Then?"

"Then he asked me whether you lived in this house or not, I told him yes, you are my sister. He carried you to your room silently and then after ten minutes of chit-chat with me he left." Bella said.

She seemed happy like she found her boyfriend or what. He's probably a hundred years older than her.

"So did you say mommy about this? Or Alex?" I questioned.

Alex was my big brother, he's just a year older than me and he acts like he is my Dad.

"No, I gave Marco a pinky promise that I wouldn't say anything about last night to anyone if he would take me on a date to a Marshmallow store." she blushed as she spoke.

I blinked my eyes looking at my seven-year-old sister who was going to go on a date with a thirty-year-old man who almost tried to kidnap me.

I no longer had words or questions left instead I was shocked.

How could that man be nice to my sister? He wasn't even nice to me...well half of the time he wasn't.

"Okay...when are you going on this date?" I pressed my forehead trying to swallow everything she had just said.

How could my sister be like that?? I never went on dates and she is just seven and she already got a date.

"I don't know he told me that he will come to my school this week and pick me up and take me on a date." She smiled, her eyes went down and her cheeks turned red with embarrassment or so what I thought.

"Okay, run along, I have to get ready and go to work, " I ordered as I looked around for my phone which still seemed to be dead.

My eyes wandered off to the clock beside my bed, it struck 4 pm and I needed to be at work half an hour ago. Whose idea was to get drunk on a weekday....alone?

As I plugged my phone into the charging socket, I noticed a piece of paper laying flat on the floor.

I picked it up and opened it.

* * *

I hope you are doing fine by the time you read this letter and if you have a hangover please take some medicine. You passed out on me, while I did make it clear not to touch me-'

"What rubbish? Don't touch me blah blah, " I groaned, he was so hard to resist and how could I not touch him. In the first place, he picked me up when I was completely capable to go home myself and then he continued to remove my clothes and touch me without my permission. I should be writing this letter and rubbing it on his face to not touch me. Manwhore

'-that made me really mad. I helped you out because I knew you were going to be harmed if you were alone. Also, I apologize for removing your clothes. They were dirty and you seemed pretty uncomfortable in them. A few questions ring in my mind about your body but I will ask them next time-'

At this point, I knew he had seen the marks on my body. How could I let him? I had never let anyone see them, how could he?

'Also, I had a little conversation with your sister. I hope you don't mind, I may have to fulfil my promise with her so she doesn't tell your parents about last. I really tried to wake you up but you didn't. I'm sorry if I had caused any trouble, take care. Goodbye, Marco.'

Once I was done with reading the letter, I sighed. All my confusions were cleared out, he didn't rape me neither kidnapped me; he was just trying to help me like a normal stranger would. I cleared my mind about last night and shoved the letter into my bag and wished that I would never see him again.

"Fuck!" I screamed as I looked at the time, today was my last day at work for sure. My boss wouldn't stand me being late for a second and now an hour late would drive him crazy.

I changed my clothes once again, having no time to shower, I grabbed a perfume and sprayed it on myself couple times. Looking at the reflection in the mirror, I noticed a bruise on my chest. My eyes squinted as I studied it carefully. Hickey?

I haven't made out with anyone in years, how I could possibly get a hickey on my chest...unless that stranger did something but as the letter said, he didn't do anything. I touched it, hoping there would be some pain but I didn't feel anything.

I rolled my eyes away after that and covered it up quickly as possible. Probably fell on something hard.

I walked out of my room and went down the stairs to be only welcomed by my big brother, Alex. He looked at me from up to down very carefully.

"Weren't you supposed to be at work an hour ago?" he had a suspicious tone. I looked away from his gazing eyes and walked to the main door; he followed me and probably expected me to answer his question.

"Yeah, I overslept, " I said.

He grabbed my hand and turned me around; an angry scowl was settled on his face.

"Make sure that never happens again. I had to drop and pick Bella from school when you clearly know that's your job. Be careful next time, I won't be very forgiving." He yelled and once he was done, he pushed me, and my back slammed into the main door. I clutched my purse tightly and walked out, ignoring whatever he just said.

The weather was calmer today than last night. I walked quietly towards the café I worked at. It wasn't very far away from my house but also not very nearby. It took me 15 minutes before I reached the café.

Opening the door of the café, the bells at the top started to ring, capturing the attention of few workers. I gulped the lump in my throat. I was scared, this was my fourth job in this month, and my parents would kill me if I ought to get fired.

My life was at a very high stake.

"You are late!" I shivered as I heard his voice ringing through the thin air. I closed my eyes and hoped that he wouldn't fire me.

"I am so sor-"

"You are fired!" he didn't wait for me to finish my apology; instead he just fired me straight away.

"Please, Mr Clark, I am sorry. Don't fire me, " I cried, strolling behind him as he walked away from the customers and into the kitchen.

"Wendy, please leave and go wherever you came from. You are no longer working here." Mr Clark cleared himself out; I opened my mouth to say something but immediately closed it. There is nothing I could possibly do.

My heartfelt shattered, this was my only hope to survive with my parents. I dragged the bottom lip into my mouth and walked outside the café. I had nowhere to go; I couldn't go home now especially when Alex watched me leaving late.

My parents would be home anytime and it was impossible for me to go now. I began to regret last night, why was I such a fool!

I shouldn't have gone to that club and wasted every last penny I had left, I should've just slept instead.

I pulled my phone out and dialled the only person's number I could ask advice and help from.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Bruce, my only friend responded. He always did.

"I am fucked, " I screamed as I walked down the park, it was almost 6 pm now. The sun was going down and it was getting darker by every second.

"Why, what happened?" He questioned with worry in his voice.

"Can you meet me right now, as soon as possible?" I asked. I needed to be with someone, I couldn't be alone.

"Of course, where are you at?" I gave him the address of the park. We usually came here so there was no need to explain much.

Bruce had been my friend since childhood, he is turning twenty-two next month, and we have been hanging out for more than ten years. Our friendship goes way back. He knows everything about me and so I do.

This stress was killing me. I was scared for the future; would my parents kick me out because I no longer had a job?

Bruce was here very quickly, in no time he was in front of me with his bike and a smirk rubbed on his face. I laughed as he posed for me before crashing into a hug.

"Why is Wendy sad?" He pouted as he sat beside me, we watched the kids in silence. How beautiful being a child was, at least you don't have to worry about work or live in the fear of being dumped by your parents.

"I went to this club last night, " I started from the beginning. I couldn't hide anything from Bruce, he was my best friend.

"Which club and you didn't invite me?" he cried as he pulled out a cigarette from his jeans.

"I wanted to be alone for a little while. Anyways, it's the club in the corner of the town, where you had strictly prohibited me from going. So that's why I went alone." He choked as I finished explaining.

"You went alone? You know how dangerous it is? That place is full of rotten gangsters and wicked people. You could have been murdered by now!" he got up from the stool we were sitting on and yelled at me.

"Calm down, I am still alive and well." I laughed, dragging him back beside me.

"And there weren't any wicked people. It was so great, no one disturbed me well until the end-" I continued to explain him everything about last night, he carefully listened to me and didn't speak or yell back this time.

Bruce knew about this place more than I did, he has had business with dangerous people but is still unharmed and safe.

By the time I was finished, his cigarette got over and he burned it. His face seemed like someone just gave him a shock.

"So long story short, you went to this club, got drunk, met a guy who dropped you home and undressed you and then you got fired and now you are crying because you got fired?" he repeated, I nodded as sadness washed over my face.

"You should be more worried about the guy who dropped you off!" he exclaimed.

"Why?"

"He could be a dangerous person; you don't even know what was his name or number!" Bruce said, well he had a point, he could be a dangerous person but he wasn't my concern, not that I am going to see him again anytime soon....unless Bella goes on a little date with him.

"He promised Bella that he would take her to a date if she didn't say anything to my parents about last night, " I whispered, thinking about all the bad things that could possibly happen to Bella if she went along with a guy. Why didn't I think about that before?

"WhatjQuery214035940072030736525_1531232882767" he screamed. "She is just seven years old, are you out of your mind to let your sister go on a date with an old creepy man?" he continued.

"I will go with her?"

"Yes, you should!"

"What about my work, Bruce?" I sobbed as I snuggled with him in the corner of the park. It was dark now; the parents were rushing away with their kids. They all knew the dangers of this town.

"I will do something about it; let me talk to some people. You will get a job by the end of this week." He promised. I looked down in misery.

"Don't be sad, " he whispered, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug.

"What about my parents, what if they throw me out? I can't stay out. You know what happened the last time I was out right?" The vicious memories of those days ran into my head, it was awful, I tried to push it away as much as I could but now everything is coming back again.

"Don't worry Wendy, last time I wasn't here but this I am. I will make sure no one ever harms you, I promise that." He words seemed promising but I couldn't really trust him.

"Let's get this all off your head." He got up and dragged me up, my bottom was sore from sitting in one position for hours now.

"Where are we going?" I questioned as he walked towards his bike. He wrapped the helmet around my head and then sat down.

"My apartment, we'll watch movies and do stuff so you can get your mind of this." He announced. I wrapped my hands around his waist and held on tightly, I knew his ways of driving a bike.

Sometimes I wonder who even gave him the license.