RAPHEAL

The music blasting from the club reached as far as two streets, where my driver had parked to grab some pills for me. From the loudness, I figured my destination would be very full.

Shortly after, as I casually slided through my ipad, my driver returned and handed me the substance which was delivered for my use. If I wanted to have fun tonight, then I needed to be out of reality. I tossed some of it into my electronic crusher, my eyes still fixated on the iPad.

On the screen was the famous Delanxy's page, a new next generation diva who has been the recent talk of the town. Not only was she stunning with a perfect body, she was also very affluent and the netizens were already shipping the both of us together. I had never been interested in online gossip, until my mom came visiting today, still bringing her to my table.

Apparently, her family had just taken over the crypto market and were killing the stakes. Turns out she was a close pal of her dad and they both didn't hesitate to fix a private meeting for the both of us.

In her words, I needed to move on with my life.

And I was nowhere ready for that.

As I scrolled through the page, I couldn't help but actually see the reason why they talked about us. She was just the kind of woman I needed. Unlike my ex-wife who had nothing to offer, ending up with Delanxy would definitely boost my business and also broaden my retrospectives in the mafia chain.

"Boss." The driver called, jolting me from my thoughts. "We are here."

Dropping the iPad on the chair, I transferred my crushed substance into a cigarette wrap and carefully sealed it, checked for my gun then brushed myself up, and headed into the club. To avoid being seen, I went straight to the private elevator that led directly to the top suite, which I had reserved for the whole night. From the sofa upstairs, where I sat waiting for my blind date, I observed the flock of people downstairs, who were having 'fun'.

Alcohols.

Cocaine.

Orgy parties.

Typical club life in Ropp.

Ruben suddenly approached me with urgency in his stride.

"Sir, Miss Cromwell appears to be running late." He announced, to my distaste. "She had to attend an emergency meeting and she sent her apologies."

The thought made anger rush through me. Standing to my feet, I sorted Ruben's shoulder with a fake smile.

"I might as well keep myself busy."

"Okay boss." he replied with a slight bow.

I made my way to the bar downstairs, with plans of drowning myself in one or two drinks. As I slipped into an empty stool, the bartender flashed me a warm smile. He has been one of my favorites since the beginning of 'Wild and Wide'.

"The usual." I requested, as soon as he made a greeting sign at me. He nodded immediately and set to work. Only he knew how I preferred it, sharp enough to burn but smooth enough to numb.

While waiting for my drink, I tried to scan the environs for a prey when my eyes fell on something more interesting.

The distance between us wasn't much, but her presence was impossible to ignore. Double coloured eyes, high ponytail and a face that screamed trouble in nice wrapping. One glance at her and she was already looking at me. Not with the normal flirty looks I always got, it felt more like she was observing me, lazily tracing the rim of her glass with her adorned fingers.

My head tilted to get a better look when the bartender dropped my drink before me. As I picked it, a soft skin brushed mine and threw me into a traunce I wanted to forget.

Memories of Yuanita.

It happened in a fast blink and the next thing I knew, I was frantically searching the crowd for the cause of that static force that just breezed me. I could swear there was a strange shift in the air, but I couldn't find the source. It was gone with the wind. Slowly, panic crept in and guilt laddened my thinking. I felt my lungs burn and my chest tighten with a piercing pain. My fist clasping around the glass, I emptied the contents of the drink into my mouth, and immediately ordered another shot. Whatever that was, it sure did trigger my nemesis.

RAPHEAL

I don't know how much time had passed, but I had taken a certain amount of shots that made my vision hazy and legs wobbly. Despite that, it wasn't enough to drown my thoughts around what had just happened tonight.

Sometimes, it only takes a few seconds for your day to be ruined.

Not like I ever had any good days.

Twirling my glass in between my fingers, a wrap of cigarette lounged between my lips, I gestured to the bartender for another bottle of alcohol. Just then, a woman in red slipped into the empty still beside me.

Her cologne, rich and expensive, filled the whole room. The crimson satin of her dress kissed her body, its asymmetric hem teasing a flash of leg. Diamonds caught the low club lights at her throat, ears, wrist, and on that enormous ring while her black hair was swept high, a few tendrils softening her sharp elegance.

Smoky eyes, burgundy lips, straight teeth, she was flawless. Even sitting, her diamond-encrusted stilettos clicked softly, a subtle punctuation of power.

"You come here often?" She asked, pulling me from my unforeseen traunce.

"When I need to." I replied coldly, struggling to steady myself. "Took you long enough to finally arrive. How'd the 'emergency' meeting go?"

The sarcasm in my tone couldn't be missed.

And I didn't care.

The server placed a drink before her, which she took a small slip from.

"I guess long enough for you to nearly knock yourself out with cocktails."

I shrugged. "I guess."

Despite the loudness of the room, silence fell on us. I didn't know about her but my mind was too preoccupied by the thoughts of the stranger that bumped into me. I didn't dwell on strangers yet, I drank my liquids without tasting them.

Delanxy cleared her throat, breaking the silence between us.

"Why don't I make it up to you?" She offered, finally locking her gaze in mine.

If there was one truth, the cameras sure didn't do enough justice to her looks and poise.

I scammed her carefully, trying to read her mind. "How'd you do that?"

A sneer smirk crossed her lips. One that screamed ulterior motives.

"It's a secret." She teased, which didn't in any way seem funny to me. "But first, we have to get out of here. It's too degrading for people in our class." Her eyes grazed the room in a disgusting manner.

Without waiting for my response, she rose to her feet and began making her way to the private lounge. Just then, someone bumped into a bartender from behind her. The tray tilted and its red liquid spilled across her dress. In that moment, silence fell around us and the haze in my vision cleared.

"Ohh God!!" The bartender gasped and began wiping her with a servette. "I'm really sorry ma'am.."

She tried to remedy her dress, but her chances were dashed when Delanxy threw a hard slap across her face. Sharp enough that heads turned and whispers started.

"Do you have any idea how much this costs?!" she demanded.

"I'm really sorry ma'am.. I can get you a new dress if it's too.."

Delanxy cut her off with a bitter scoff. "What makes you think your cheap salary can afford this?"

"Huhhh?!" Her voice had risen in a condescending manner.

My jaw tightened, because she was losing composure. I walked up to her and slightly held her shoulders.

"That's enough." I said quietly, leaning down to her ear. "You sure don't want to end up on the news tomorrow."

Her furrowed brows relaxed and her muscles flexed under my grip.

"Let's get you sorted out." I said to her, and calmly guided her to the bathroom. While she went in, I waited outside.

At that moment...

There's this thing called dejavu... where you feel like you've lived this moment before, although it's your first time being in it.

Her double coloured eyes locked mine in place. So lost I didn't know when we had locked breaths until her skin brushed mine.

Then the memories came again.

In blur fragments.

Instinctively, I grabbed her wrist. The contact was brief but electric. She stared at my wrist, before meeting my eyes and I just..

I couldn't look away.

She didn't speak. But every subtle tilt of her head, slight arch of her brow and the way she let her hand linger in mine, were enough expressions.

"Are you alright?"

Her voice felt intoxicating.

"No." I murmured. "Not after what you just did to me."

"Excuse me?" Her voice was steady but my vision was flickering.

"Let go." She demanded with a firm voice.

I couldn't trace what it was, but my reactions were sloppy. My mind screamed control and I wanted to pull away. I tried. But the inch between us shattered every sheer dominance I had.

I pulled her close and a gasp escaped her red lips, while her sweet scent filled my nostrils. Her body velvet in my arms, I took notice of the chained rose tattoo on her bosom and her intriguing necklace.

"What are you doing?!" She flipped with furrowed brows.

Ignoring her shriek, I gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"The question should be... what are you doing to me?"

"I don't understand." She retorted. "You are the one holding me against my will and YET you are the victim?"

It didn't make sense.

To anyone else.

And to me.

Yet, it was something I couldn't ignore.

It was a calculated symphony of temptation and danger.

Fuck this!!

Reality had turned to an imagination as I touched my lips on her. Just one taste and I knew I was never going to recover. She pulled at me aggressively, mumbling words into my mouth but I seized the chance to savour her the more. The smoky feel of vodka, coconut flavour blended well with my cocktail, until another strange taste creeped in before the hurt that followed.

My brain finally processed and when I tried to pull away, she kissed me back. The shock made me pause for a split while but the sync of her lips quickly dissolved it and slowly, my brain became clouded with the moment. I circled her hips in a tight grip, tracing her hip tattoo with my thumb. With the way our tongues danced, blood had never tasted so good.

She pulled away and locked eyes with me. For a split while, her eyes gleamed red.

"Do you have a room?" She asked, filled with desire.

Placing my right hand under her knees and the other around her neck, I lifted her frail figure and headed to my private suite. As soon as the door slammed behind us, I crashed her on the vanity table and gripped her throat. Her lips curled into a smile before taking mine again. Her hands travelled from my hair to my back with a slow pace as I ripped her top apart. She traced the hem on my shirt, undid its button and rubbed my bare back. Her touch was like fire on my skin. It burnt me yet it calmed me. The moment was so intense I began losing breath.

"Wait.." I muffled and pulled away.

"Are you okay?"

I wanted to speak but my throat suddenly ran dry. It felt like a tight rope was being squeezed around my neck. My fist clenched the table and I collapsed to the floor. Blurry images of Yuanita filled my head again, followed by the nightmares. The light suddenly started flickering, and with each darkness, I saw figures with scornful gazes.

"Help...me.." I managed to mutter, hoping the strange lady with me would offer some help.

But something stranger happened.

When the light came on, she was seated at the vanity table, smoking like I wasn't about to lose my life in her presence. Behind her, a dark shadow of wing stretched on the tall wall and she held a sword.

Fear gripped me and my blood froze. I retracted behind, frantically searching around for my phone before I remembered I had left it at the bar table. Gathering a little strength, I threw myself to the door and pulled the knob to open it but she was quicker. She dragged my body through the floor, pulled me back into the nightmare and shut the door behind me.

"Who are you?" I gagged while stuttering.

She crouched down and pinned her hand on my forehead.

"Your doom."

Her sweet yet mocking voice rang in my ears, as life slipped from me and the world burned into darkness.