Chapter 39: Chapter 39
SARAH
Ryan and Madison seemed to have a lot in common and were engaged in lively conversation from the moment we sat down at one of the tables. While I chatted with Suzy and enjoyed my delicious fruit cocktail, I decided to leave Madison and Ryan to their conversation and returned to the dance floor, as a famous DJ was about to start their show on the main stage of the club.
I encountered the same man who had bought me a drink earlier that night, and we exchanged smiles in recognition.
"I was looking for you," he said.
"I... was with my friends," I replied somewhat awkwardly.
"I'm Lorenzo Fiori," he introduced himself, extending a hand in a polite greeting. "And you? What's your name?"
I was torn about continuing with this stranger; after all, the club wasn't a completely neutral place, and I still wasn't entirely free to do as I pleased.
"Rachel. My name is Rachel."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a wave of regret wash over me, but I didn't back down.
"Can I buy you another drink, Rachel?"
"Why not?" I joked, feeling a bit lightheaded.
As the night went on, I continued to dance, chat, and have fun with Lorenzo. He showed an interest in getting to know more about me, but I evaded all personal questions. Despite that, Lucas's presence provided a pleasant distraction from my problems and worries.
However, over time, things started to blur, and dizziness made me wish I were back near Ryan and Madison. I remembered what happened to Rachel at this very club, and when Lorenzo went off to get more drinks, I decided to simply escape from him. As I quickly turned to head back upstairs to the club, I accidentally bumped into someone. When I looked up to see who it was, I realized it was just Ryan, and I let out a relieved sigh.
"I've been looking for you," he said, looking concerned.
"I'm not feeling too well, Ryan," I confessed immediately.
He gave me an appraising look, making a funny face, and I ended up laughing at the expression on his face.
"Looks like we have two intoxicated girls now," he commented, leaving me puzzled.
"Who are these girls?" I asked, smiling.
"Come on," he said, holding my hand. "I'll take you and Madison home."
When Ryan mentioned that he would drop us off at home, I assumed it would be at Madison's apartment, as that was our plan. However, it wasn't until the car stopped in front of the building where Kael's penthouse was located that I finally realized where we were. I wasn't going to make a fuss about it.
"Do you want to stay here and go to your place tomorrow, Madison?" I suggested.
I figured she might not feel comfortable being alone in the car with a stranger, considering she hadn't known Ryan until that night. However, as I looked at Madison more closely, even in the dim light of the car, I noticed that she was turning red, looking like a ripe tomato, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter. I wasn't exactly sure what I was laughing at, but I found Madison's expression really amusing.
"I think I'd better accompany you up to the apartment," Ryan suggested, looking at me with concern.
"I can make it to my apartment, you goofball!" I protested, opening the car door and getting out.
As soon as my feet touched the ground and I felt like my legs were made of jelly, I seriously considered turning back, but I made a tremendous effort and stood firm.
"Are you okay there?" Ryan asked, leaning out of the car window.
"I'm fine!" I said, even though I didn't quite feel that way.
Ryan seemed convinced, and we said our goodbyes, but he only drove off once he saw me enter the building's lobby and be safe inside the elegant building.
"Ma'am, are you feeling alright?" the doorman asked, seeming unsure.
"I'm fine!" I assured, raising my hands as if to prove it.
"If you'd like, I can accompany you to the penthouse," he insisted.
"That's not necessary!" I said with all the conviction I could muster.
Without waiting for a response, I headed for the elevator, which was open, seemingly waiting for me.
"Good boy!" I said, giving a light tap to the metal.
With some effort, I pressed the button for the top floor and managed to reach the penthouse. Upon opening the door and stepping inside the apartment, I celebrated with a little dance, feeling so happy about something I didn't even know what it was.
"I see the party was a blast," I heard Kael say, clearly angry.
"Oh!" I exclaimed, clutching my heart in shock.
Hearing Kael's voice echoing in the apartment, my heart raced, and my whole body tensed. I hadn't expected to find him there, and the surprise left me frightened and trembling. What was he doing there?
Kael walked toward me with a stern expression, his eyes fixed on me. I felt cornered and vulnerable in the face of his imposing presence. I tried to gather the courage to speak, but my voice faltered.
Kael
Seeing Sarah enter the apartment, doing a strange dance and celebrating something, I was certain she was drunk. I deduced that the party had been lively and commented on it aloud, which seemed to startle her greatly.
"Oh!" Sarah exclaimed, looking at me as if I were some sort of apparition.
"Why didn't you answer my calls or messages?" I asked without beating around the bush.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, appearing confused.
"It's my apartment. I have every right to be here," I replied curtly. "And you should be here too."
"How was I supposed to know you were waiting for me?"
"If you had answered my calls instead of blocking me, you would have known," I let my irritation show with just that sentence.
Sarah's stance quickly changed, and it was as if all the alcohol she had probably consumed had left her bloodstream. She stood upright and soon pointed her finger at me.
"You spend days ignoring me, and when you decide you want to see me, without even bothering to let me know you were coming, you expected me to be at your beck and call, like a pet dog?" she snapped, visibly furious.
"That's exactly what I expected, yes," I wouldn't mince words to express my own anger either. "After all, I'm paying a high price to have your body, and the least you should do is be available to me."