Chapter 16: Chapter 16

I haven't been picking Cameron’s calls since what happened. I was still finding it hard to believe that the retch of a man would stoop low to sleep with my Bestie.

I knew right from the time that he didn't have any feelings for me but even at that, he shouldn't have done it. I felt angry, wretched and repulsed at everyone. Since yesterday I came back from school, I've been laying in my room locked away, not in the mood to speak with anyone, not even my sister who called me last night probably to reiterate to me what she kept saying every other day. __I couldn't take care of myself.

Maybe she was actually right. Maybe I can't fit into this turbulence called adulthood. I seem to be rolling about in the roller coaster of delusion called expectations. How could I have ever thought that a man of that calibre and carriage would want to stay loyal to me considering he was paying me to be his so-called pet?

I feel so worthless and stupid for doing this. I know money is cool for me. He has been providing for all my needs without any hitches. But still, my heart won't stop breaking each time I think about him and Mandy. They can have each other for all I care. It has all been an illusion after all. I have always seen the envy in Mandy’s eyes each time I had something to myself. She wouldn't stop throwing side remarks on how the boys in school liked me more than her.

Even though I often waved off the comments, inside I knew she was jealous. But this, this was the height of it. I hate her so much and I wouldn't want to do anything with a bitch like her. A man snatcher! Slutty whore!

I would never have done that to her. I have caught the lusty stares Samuel, has been throwing my direction but I never encouraged him because I knew first, he was Cameron’s son and secondly, my besties’ beau. So to me, as much as he drools over me, he is out of bounds. But she, she wouldn't do that for me instead, she sneaks into my man's arms and lay on her filthy legs open for him to fuck. I tossed on the bed for the hundredth time unable to catch any sleep. Making up my mind that my laying on the bed was useless, I stood and went to freshen up so I could hit the club. The night is young maybe meeting someone to chat with at the club would compel to me forget about all the chaos going on in my head.

I came out and sampled some dresses before settling for a velvet red short gown. I didn't want to come off too slutty or too dreary too. I applied some makeup especially my gloss to plump my lips and give them a cheery glow. Picking my bag and keys, I left the house and made it to my car in the garage before, jumping in and zooming off. Which club would I pop in now? I raked my head for eligible clubs around I could hike in and out, that wouldn't be far from home.

I recalled going to this club close by and made up my mind to drop off there. Remember no too much drinking. Just go in catch some fun and speed back home to catch a baby sleep. I recited to myself. When I entered the club, the place reeked of grimy bodies and too much booze. I felt like puking out everything I've had. No way, what the fuck happened in here today?. I made to go in but caught the attention of one of the men from the last time I came here, that tried to lay his ugly stinking hands on me.

That did it. I swung around and made my way to the car. This place is not for me. I don't know what happened in there, but with the way the place is looking, my safety is a mirage. I climbed into my car and left still cracking my thoughts on where next to go. I drove into the city and found myself in front of one of the new clubs that they just launched recently. Maybe I should try them out. They couldn't be that bad. I picked up my bag and left the car hoping not to find the same scene from the first club. I just wanted some peace. I know it's ironic thinking I would find peace and serenity in a club, but I know what I mean. I just needed to be far from everything that was haunting me. I sat in the bar and ordered a simple beetroot cocktail. No getting drunk in a new club where I don't know anyone and lay myself out there for someone to take advantage of.

No way.

I was facing the stage and watched as the girls danced on the poles with the skimpy wears that did little to nothing in concealing their nudity. This place is nice, I mused. I sipped my cocktail and bit into the cucumber that was clamped on it. A man was walking toward me. I rolled my eyes hoping he was just going to pass to the bar and not pay any notice to me. He did pass but not without stripping me with his eyes. I was still concentrating on the strippers. A particular girl rolled her body to the ground like an artificial snake and wriggled to the face of a man sitting in front of her. He tapped her arse before laying some dollar note in between her cleavage. Slutty men!

I retrieved my eyes and turned to face the bar. I met with a glimpse of the face of the man who was seated at the bar, taking something brownish in his glass. I ignored him and continued taking my drink. To divert my attention to something and forget every presence at the club, I brought out my phone to check on my messages. I gulped aloud at seeing the number of messages I had, most of which came from Cameron and Samuel. I rolled my eyes. He is begging after what he did. He can kiss my ass. Instantly, I replied to a message from my sis and apologized for not picking her calls.

I hope this satisfies her. I would hate her bugging me with more calls like I'm some fucken big baby. Having no other relevant message to respond to, I placed my phone back and resumed taking my cocktail. “Hey, beautiful” I was dragged out of my thought by a familiar voice to my left. I turned to look at Samuel but didn't give him any glimmer so as not to encourage him to stay close to me.

I looked away my mood becoming soured at his presence. What is wrong with these rich dudes? Do they not ever know when to stop?

“I would like to be by myself Samuel” I sneered at him not caring if he got offended.

“But you can't be that way, my love” he came closer and caged me into his arms, his hands going to both sides of my stool. I inhaled his familiar Woody Allen scent and bucked away in revolt.

“Back off Samuel, I'm not in the mood” I was getting pissed at his attitude. Can't I come to the pub and have some respite without anyone familiar barging in to rain on my parade?.

“Okay, who ruffled your shoulders? My Dad?” I scoffed but didn't say a word. “That answers it. What did he do? I went by the house and he seemed agitated too. He wouldn't talk to me, just mulling around disgruntled like a deprived prick” Good for him. “Talk to me Val, you are making me scared__”

“There is nothing to be talked about Samuel. I just want to be left alone. Is that too much to ask?” I glared at him. I became more pissed when I saw the taunting smirk on his face.

I averted my gaze and noticed the man that has been sitting close to me, paid his bill, and walked off. Maybe it was because of us he left. Perhaps just like me, he was having a rough day and came here to unwind but now Samuel has caused him to leave. “Samuel whatever is going on through your skull, you just have to unload it. I and your father, are just friends. Nothing more and definitely nothing else will bring us together” I said the last part mostly to reassure myself.

“That's a good thing to hear from you Val. You don't know how much that means to me. Then we can have a chance isn't it?” I was beginning to think he has gone crazy. He is so silly. Why would he think that I would do anything with him? I don't feel anything for him like I do___ Scratch it girl, don't go flattering yourself. We have no feelings for anyone. At least not now or anytime soon for that matter. It's strictly money.

I took a long sip and chanced a sneak at him when I noticed he wasn't talking. He walked to my right and dragged the stool the man vacated close to me and sat down. He ordered something strong and joined in my pity party. “You know I like you, Val. And you know very well my Dad would never dishonour the vow he made it my mother. Now, that is weird and I find it hard to believe he wouldn't but still, he won't marry you. All he is doing with you is temporary and very soon it would cease and he would move on to his next victim. Why don't you give us a chance so we can be together?” I knew everything he was saying were all right. I knew my position with his father was just temporary but it still hurts hearing him say it. And hurt even more that he thinks I would want to stay with him.

“Samuel, you are in a relationship with my__with Mandy and still, you are asking me out. What does that make you? A priest?” He was still, for some time. I could tell I hit a nerve. The lech. His deceptive eyes twitched, his mind probably working to produce an excuse he would feed me to get between my legs.

“You think because I'm with your father, I'm an idiot? You can easily wiggle your way in and use me right? Now listen here Samuel, I don't care if your father gets rid of me or not, If he marries me or not, or if what we have or had is temporary or not. I would stick to the bargain. And if I were you, I would try to work on my loyal strings. Cheers” I tipped my empty cocktail glass at him, before bringing it down smack faced on the counter, my eyes never leaving his abashed ones.

I stood and dropped some dollar notes on the countertop before picking up my bag and leaving the club. He has ruined it, so maybe I would just go home and binge myself to sleep. The guy was such a clone. I wonder how many times he would have to try before he would stop. I used to like him at first and thought he was reasonable but from what happened this night, it's obvious he is nothing but a lascivious scumbag just like his father.

I sat in my car for some time trying to steady my heartbeat that was growing ragged due to how angry I felt. After a while, I turned on my ignition and made my way out of the club to the confines of my dreary apartment. Tuning in my radio to my favorite song, tomorrow we try again.