Chapter 2

Melissa My jaw dropped the moment I saw Helena's nudes in his phone. I glanced at the text for a second and just lowered the phone after confirming that this had been going on for months. I grasped for air ‘cause it feels as though there’s not enough air to breathe. I have never once imagined this type of hurt. Everything I’ve believed about love came crashing and as the door creaked, I lowered his phone down to the bed. I quickly wipe the tears from my eyes and use my hands to gently dry my face. “Babe.” He was standing a few miles away and a small smile stretched on his face. “Do you want to tell me anything?” “No,” I replied hastily. It is something that happens unconsciously when I’m nervous. I expect him to notice my demeanor, to ask if there’s something bothering me but all he says is, “Right.” He gave a nod. A fucking nod. “Well, I better run along. I just wanted to check in.” He lowered his stance to get his phone and turned to leave. Check-in??? Fucking kill me. I lack the courage to speak, the strength to even say a word so he leaves.. like that, without noticing anything. This is the man I’ve been dating for the past 1 year and two months. I know I won’t make It out of this alive if I don’t at least get something stronger than me. I run my hands through my air and drop to the floor in tears. *********** It’s fucking 1 am and even though I’ve taken more than five shots of vodka, I still felt the urge to get more wasted. I am surrounded by empty vodka glasses. I am pretty drunk but that’s the exact thing I aimed for. I raised one hand to cover my mouth and I dragged back the stool. “Ourgh.. one more fuck.. fucking vodka,” I hiccupped and raised my hands to signal the barman. “You are wasted,” he said and turned away but I stopped him. “Just one more!” I swallow hard and rub my heavy eyes . There’s a lot going on in my head and the only way to feel light and escape them is by this.. getting wasted. When the barman finally slid a shot of vodka to me, I smiled sheepishly and lifted it to my lips. “You think I can get a shower in there?” I asked not sure where I was pointing. He cocked an eyebrow and turned away without a response. “Motherfucking asshole,” I cussed under my breath. I asked him a question and he fucking ignored me like I wasn’t just saying something reasonable. The red strobe light and the music all join hands in giving the rest of the partygoers a good show. There were so many people on the dance floor and even though there were a few others like me—not dancing, the place was still lit with a bunch of bodies dancing. I was still looking around with the vodka in one hand and my left hand clutching my purse when I felt a hand yank me to the side. “You are so sexy,” he whispered. “How much for a night?” It took a moment to regain my balance but I was still all over the place so I paused before looking at him. “Get away from me.” He smirked and his eyes roved to me, looking at me with lust in his eyes. I tried to push him away but I realized he was the one with the grip and I was only moving in circles. His eyebrow arched in such a way that made me swallow hard. I tried to step back but he held my wrist even tighter. Fuck, I can’t think clearly. “You’re hurting me,” I complained and tried to wriggle but he leaned in closer with his fingers stroking my neckline as he attempted to kiss me. I shut my eyes and flinch at this strange man’s audacity, He’s scary but while I tilt my head and wait, I don’t feel him anymore. Instead, I hear another voice. “Get away from my girlfriend.” I growl and turn to catch a glimpse of him; He looked dangerously powerful and the only light in the room came from the strobe light, highlighting the angles of his face. I swallowed hard and tried to get a balance but he was quick to pull me closer and grab me with a supporting hand. I was barely an inch away and I could smell his cologne. For a moment, I forgot what was happening. “You heard me,” he said again, this time with a scowl and a low stern voice. “Right,” the man blurted. “She’s sexy though.” Maybe if he was really my boyfriend then he’d have felt triggered but he doesn’t respond to the man as he walks away. “Are you okay?” he asked me but I was too startled to think of a response to that. “Girlfriend?” I finally reiterated. “Are you also trying to fuck me? Well, you better walk away cause I’m not fucking you even though you smell good. I mean, I may consider it but not right now.. I’m too messy to remember what an orgasm would feel like and--” His hands helped me to the bar stool and he took the empty glasses away. “How much have you had to drink?” I hiccuped before I tossed him a sidelong glance. He’s older—way older and I can tell by just looking at him. I blink so hard at the thoughts of an older man taking me home and touching me in ways my body— “Do you want to though?” I asked and a series of hiccups followed before I was able to form another sentence. “I know. You look at me as though you want to tear my clothes and have me.” His eyes turned to me. “I find that insulting,” he said. “I don’t go around sexualizing drunk girls, Miss.” He turned to face me and at that moment, the lights came on highlighting his face. Fuck. “Wait,” I hiccuped. “I know you—“ He stared at me longer and I swallowed hard. My boyfriend’s father.