Chapter 34: Chapter 34

The beat thrumming through the air felt liberating as Sophia lost herself in its rhythm. She swung her arms in the air, the alcohol in the solo cup she held spilling at every thrust of her arm.

Lennox. Lennox. Lennox. The name never left her head even though she'd tried to drown him out with alcohol as soon as she'd arrived, when that didn't work, she switched to dancing him out of her system.

Someone grabbed her arm, halting her moves. Sophia turned to see Ivan smiling at her.

"I've been looking for you all night. I thought you didn't come".

Sophia grinned, the smile not quite soothing the ache in her chest. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world. Your party was just what I needed to unwind".

"I'm glad that you're having fun," he said, then hesitated, glancing around at the others who seemed a little lost in their world. He leaned closer, making alarm bells shoot off like crazy in Sophia alcohol fuddled brain.

"Hey, I have a surprise for you, will you come with me for a moment. Please" he said, acting all cute and Sophia nodded, letting him guide her through the crowds as she stumbled after him. They bumped into Tzuyu on their way up the stairs who just stared at them as if they were up to no good, a smile on her lips as she stepped past them...

"What was that for" Sophia murmured more to herself than to Ivan and it was only when he tugged her along that she remembered that he'd been taking her somewhere.

Sophia shook her head to clear the fog that seemed to be blurring her view as she tried to think back to how many shots of strong drink she'd had but she came up blank.

Sophia stumbled into the room and jumped when the door slammed shut behind her. Sophia whirled to face Ivan in the almost darkened room. Ivan flicked the switch and the room lighted up like the sky, stars flickering in every corner. Sophia gasped, staring at the art. It was beautiful and awe-inspiring.

"Wow, this is so cool. Did you do all these" Sophia asked turning to face Ivan?

He nodded. "Do you like it? I've been working on this for a month" he asked, his voice a low whisper.

"it's perfect." She said, her eyes fixed on the different twinkling lights until she swayed on her feet. Ivan caught hold of her, his fingers gripping her waist tightly as he stared at her unblinkingly.

"I don't feel good... I think I had way too much to drink" she said, her eyes widening as Ivan leaned closer to kiss her. Sophia shoved at him, her gaze sharpening at the rush of adrenaline.

"What the fuck? Are you drunk? what the hell is wrong with you Ivan". Look the room is awesome and I appreciate your hard work but that doesn't mean you have the right to get handy with me".

Ivan stared at her with a pained expression. "Why not. I've loved you for such a long time, and you're not dating anyone at the moment right. Why don't you give us a chance".

Sophia rolled her eyes, even tho the action almost gave her a banging headache. "There is no us to give a chance so stop being delusional and it's not your bloody business if I am single. I'm disappointed Ivan, I thought you were better than this but I was wrong, it was my bad for assuming" she got out and walked towards the door, turning the handle when he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back sharply. Sophia winced, a yelp escaping her lips as she stumbled to her feet and fell. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the impact but the soft item she bounced on was not the ground.

Sophia forced her eyes open and tried to seat up, but Ivan came over to her, grabbed her arms over her head, and pinned them to the bed. Sophia blinked, surprised. "Ivan, what the hell. What are you doing".

"I didn't want to do this. Can't you just love me, Sophia, huh. I've loved you for such a long time but you'll never see me as a man would you"

"That is not the point Ivan... Can you just let go of me and we'll talk this out" she gasped out after struggling to fight his hold that didn't yield one bit.

"No. I'm sure you will never give me a chance after this. I've watched you for a long time Sophia, so I know all your habits now... This is my only chance to ever be close to you" he said and kissed her, his tongue immediately probing her lips and forcing his way in. Sophia bit down on his tongue, causing him to yelp out. Ivan raised his hand and she clenched her eyes waiting for the hit. A pained groan reached her ears, forcing her to open her eyes, and they went wide in surprise as she saw Lennox flinging Ivan off her into a corner.

Lennox looked almost looked feral as he approached Ivan. The first few punches were a blur, but the sickening crunch of Ivan's bones had Sophia rushing to stop him and when she succeeded in getting him to stop, the anger mixed with concern in his face had her laboring to breathe.

Lennox grabbed hold of her hand, practically dragging her out of the room, down the flight of stairs, past the crowds milling around and having a great time-who wouldn't have been aware that something horrible was going on just above them, then out of the house into the street. The wind blowing made Sophia feel sober and she wrenched her hands away from him, remembering that he was the reason why she'd even attended Ivan's party in the first place. If only he'd just talked to her like a fucking human being after waking up in her house.

"What are you doing here. I thought you were avoiding me".

Lennox inhaled, his fingers dragging through his dark hair as he seethed. "Let's go. Get in the car, it's going to rain soon" he said gesturing to the cloudy sky and the distant rumbling of thunder.

Sophia crossed her arms, her chest heaving as she tried to get rid of how hurt she'd gotten due to his flippant attitude. "I'm not leaving. I'm going back to the party".

Lennox whipped to face her so fast, it gave her whiplash and If looks could kill, she'd have been dead with the way he stared at her.

"You want to go back to the party where you were almost sexually assaulted?" He asked incredulously.

Sophia yelled her answer because she was burning up inside. "Nothing like that was going to happen because I was handling it, and what's it to you if he tried to rape me. Stop acting like you care about me when Melissa is all you ever fucking think about and she's not even alive anymore. I make one stupid mistake and you start avoiding me like as if I'd committed a crime by kissing you, you wouldn't even look at me damn it, so don't come here acting like a prince charming who'd save me from all my woes" she said, tears trailing down her cheek. Lennox growled, grabbing and jerking her closer until they were nose to nose.

Sophia's heart stopped, then hammered as he stared at her lips. He dragged his gaze onto her face, a silent request in his eyes. Sophia nodded, feeling as if she'd catch on fire if he didn't close the distance between them.

She exhaled as he kissed her tentatively, then all of a sudden, everything turned hot and feral just like his demeanor had been earlier. He devoured her lips, his tongue darting to taste hers and everything felt warm, and electric as little sparks traveled from where they were connected and spread all through her skin.

Sophia held him tighter, never wanting to let go as she allowed him to take control, knowing that wherever he took her was a place she wanted to be so much she ached. She found solace in the heat of his mouth and as he drew closer against her as if he couldn't get enough, she knew she was lost forever.