by Alexia Praks
“Let me go or I’ll scream,” Alex said through gritted teeth.
Kyle moved closer, his grasp around her wrist tighten, hurting her. “Go on. Do it,” he said, his eyes cold. “No one will hear. The music is too loud.”
Alex couldn’t stand one more second in his presence. She hit his chest and wiggled her wrist. But Kyle only tightened his hold on her, laughing.
“Come here and give me a kiss,” he chuckled, wrapping his other hand around her neck and pulling her towards him.
His lips were inches from hers. He was about to make passionate kiss to her when Alex clawed his face with her fingers hard as she shoved him back.
“Bitch!” he swore.
Alex managed to pull herself free as he struggled to compose himself. She slapped him hard on the face for good measure and then ran away towards the crowd of dancers.
“Shit!” Kyle swore again, going after her. People were looking at them curiously, but Kyle wasn’t paying them any attention. He was furious that Alex had disfigured his handsome face.
Alex suddenly found herself surrounded with people. She glanced behind her. Her stomach knotted when she saw Kyle coming after her, an intense determination look in his cold eyes.
She bit her lip and hoped like hell that she was able to find the girls. Only the dance floor was very big and there was people everywhere – squeezing, hitting and shoving her about. The air was hot and tight plus the smell of mixed perfumes and sweat caused her stomach to turn over. That feeling of nausea came again, taking control of her consciousness. She felt sick.
“Kelly, where are you?” she muttered, her heart pounding away in tune with the music.
She was lost in the jungle of people, who were dancing and screaming. The disco light above her flicked this way and that, here and there, making her losing her bearing and sense of direction. She twisted around in her spot, wondering which way she should go. Then she glimpsed Kyle who was getting closer to her, growling.
She panicked and rushed off, begging her way through the throng of people. She breathed a sigh of relief once she was out off the dance floor. Heart still pounding furiously, she glimpsed the double door – the exit – and headed that way.
Across the quiet, dimly lit corridor, she ran – at least she thought she was running. She was hoping that there was a lady’s room somewhere so that could go in and hide. Only her world seemed to be getting slower and slower, as if time itself was slowing down. She glanced behind her, saw the hazy figure of Kyle reaching for her, and then her hand was caught.
“Let go,” she said weakly as if she had no strength left. Her mind threatened to black out any moment now. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t control her body.
Kyle laughed as he pulled her to him. “Have enough yet?”
Alex tried. God, how she tried to keep herself alert, but it was to no avail. “Let go,” she managed to weakly say.
Kyle ignored her and moved his head toward her. “You’re going to be mine tonight, Alexandra,” he said.
“No,” Alex whispered, shaking her head.
“Oh yes, sweetheart,” he said, his lips near hers. He was going to savour every moment of it, he thought, an exciting thrill rushing through his body. He gently touched his lips to her. Suddenly he felt himself yanked backward and then a hard fist smacked on his jaw like a tone of brick.
He fell to the floor, his lips bleeding.
“Get your dirty hands off her!” Jayden growled. He pulled Alex into his arms, searching her face. He knew instantly that she was too pale and her eyes were sunken and lifeless, like she had been drugged.
Holy shit! He clenched his jaw, turning to glare at Kyle who was busy pulling himself up.
“What the hell did you do to her?” he shouted.
“What do you think?” Kyle chuckled. “Hey, she agreed to it.” He wiped the blood from his lip. “Damn, Jay, your fist is still as hard as ever. You know, bro, can’t help it. She’s attracted to me. Can’t keep her hands off me. Man, I tell you that girl knows how to flirt. ”
“You bastard!” Jay growled. “Alex would never be interested in the likes of you. You drugged her. You spiked her drinks?”
“What’s going on?” Kelly shouted from the other side of the corridor, rushing toward them. “Jay?” She glanced at Kyle and frowned. “Alex? Are you all right?” she asked, touching the girl’s face.
Jayden was so angry that he let go of Alex. Kelly quickly took hold of the unconscious girl as she watched her brother, his hands fisted, marching towards Kyle. Before Kyle could back away, Jayden smashed Kyle on the nose. Kyle fell back again, landing on the floor, his nose bleeding severely. Jayden grabbed Kyle by the shirt collar, shoved him up and thrust him against the wall.
“You bastard!” he gritted out. “You’re going to pay for this.”
“Shit, Jayden,” Kyle snapped. “She’s only a girl.”
“She’s my girl,” Jay growled. “Don’t you ever touch her again!”
BAM! A fist landed against Kyle’s stomach. Kyle groaned. All he saw was blackness and felt the deep pain about his stomach.
“Jay, stop it!” Kelly shouted.
Jayden tightened his grip about Kyle’s collar, wanting to do more damage.
“Jay! That’s enough!” Kelly said.
Jay didn’t think it was enough. He wanted to beat Kyle senseless, but he knew he couldn’t. It would solve nothing beating Kyle senseless. Right now he needed to get Alex home.
Slowly and reluctantly, he released his grip on Kyle’s collar and stepped back. “Stay away from Alex,” he said coldly. Kyle knew it was his chance. He grabbed Jay by the shoulder, shoved him round and his fist smashed on Jay’s face.
Jay was thrown to one side.
“Jayden!” Kelly shouted in respond, her voice quivering with fear.
Jay gritted his teeth and glared at Kyle. He shook his head and fisted his hand tighter. He marched forward and gave Kyle a hard blow on the right side of face. He grabbed the man and gave him another hard blow to the stomach with is knee.
“Jay, Alex is getting cold!” Kelly shouted.
Jayden heard his sister and glanced back. He saw Kelly begging him with her eyes. He turned back to Kyle and said, “You’re not worth it.” He shoved Kyle back against the wall, and the man slide down in pain.
Jayden took Alex into his arms. “I’m taking her home. You go back and enjoy your night.”
As he passed Kyle, he said, “Don’t push yourself, Kyle. I can do much more damage than break your pretty nose.”
Kyle got the hint as he struggled up and headed towards the men’s bathroom.
“Will you be all right?” Kelly asked at the stairs. “I’ll tell the girls and we can quit the night.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s your Hen’s Night. Go and enjoy yourself. You know Alex will be fine with me.” He glanced down at the unconscious girl in his arms. She looked so damn young and innocent that the thought of what Kyle had intended to do to her caused a new found anger to rise in his chest. He simply wanted to smash Kyle’s face again.
“I know that. You love her, right?” she asked, her eyes intense on his face.
Jayden stared straight back at his sister, his eyes never wavered. “Hell yeah. I love her.”
Kelly smiled. “And Sarah?”
“She’s gone, Kelly. Over and done with. Now go and enjoy your final night of freedom.”
She laughed. “You drive safely, Jay.”
“Will do,” he said, heading towards the door. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she shouted after him.
Down at the parking lot, Jay put Alex into the front seat of the convertible and drove out. He kept glancing at her on their way home, to make sure that she was comfortable and that the drugs didn’t do further harm to her.
At home Maggie opened the door for him, her eyes wide in shocked surprise as she saw him carrying the unconscious, pale Alex in.
“What happened?” she asked.
“Nothi
ng,” Jayden said and headed up the stairs with a ‘no more question’ look on his face.
In the bedroom, he gently laid Alex on the bed and then undressed her. With only her underwear on, he sponge-bathed her body with a cool wet towel and then dressed her again in her pyjama. After brushing his teeth and showering himself, he put himself between the sheets beside her, pulling her into his arms.
She was stoned cold. Poor Alex. And he blamed himself for not taking care of her properly. He couldn’t believe Kyle had done this to Alex, spiking her drink and intended to rape her. This was by far the most disgusting thing Kyle had ever done. Taking Sarah from him was fine because it had been Sarah’s choice, but intending to hurt Alex was an entirely different story. He had still believed for a while that he and Kyle could still be friends, if somewhat a distant one. That was why he was still talking to the man. But after what had happened tonight he knew he and Kyle were sworn enemies now.
He stroked his fingers through Alex’s hair and then kissed her forehead.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he murmured. “I’m sorry I couldn’t keep take good care of you.” Then he closed his eyes, drifting off into a slumber.
***
KELLY JUST COULDN’T believe what a disaster her Hens Night had been. Dinner and clubbing had been fun, but after that everything had gone downhill. She just couldn’t believe Kyle would do such a thing. What a bastard that guy was. She was debating whether to tell her parents about the incident once she had gotten home when she saw Britney stalking in through the door of the club. Great, she thought, another one to make her night even worse.
She realised something wasn’t right the moment Britney headed towards Kyle who was sitting on the other side of the bar, drinking some very strong booze and nursing his injuries. Odd, she thought, she had never seen Kyle coming into the bar. She had been sure that she and the girls had entered this place as soon as Jayden had taken Alex away and that Kyle had rushed off to the bathroom to clean his wounds. Perhaps, she through, Kyle hadn’t seen them here when he had come in?
Holy Shit! Britney was kissing Kyle?
Something was definitely wrong all right. She turned to Stephanie and whispered, “Look.”
Stephanie glanced in that direction and swore under her breath. “Holy shit! I can’t believe this.”
“Neither can I. I bet something is up.”
“Let’s find out,” Stephanie suggested.
“Yeah,” Kelly agreed. “Girls?” She turned to her friends. “Stephanie and I have a business to sort out. You all enjoy yourself, all right?”
“Sure thing,” the girls cheered back.
Kelly and Stephanie stood up, arranged their short skirts properly and toddled their ways in their three inches heels towards the booth on the other side of the bar. Once they were near enough, they slid onto a booth behind Kyle and Britney, listening intensely.
“Sweetheart, what happen?” They heard Britney asked.
“Can’t you see? That bastard Jayden destroyed my face? I can’t believe this. It’s your fault, Britney. You planned this damn thing.”
“Me? Well, yes, but Jayden weren’t supposed to come in and ruin everything. You were supposed to take that stupid bitch somewhere and do what you want to do with her. Takes photos on your cell and all that stuff then send them to Jayden and make him see. But...”
“I can’t believe this. I was so close. She was such a feisty little thing. She could have do me real damage if it wasn’t for the drug I slip in her drink when that waiter was going past.”
“Darling?” Britney moaned, “I promised to make it up to you. I’m so sorry. We’ll have to find another way to get that bitch away from Jayden.”
“Ugh! I don’t want to think about it, Britney. Right now I need my bed and you in it with me.”
Kelly and Stephanie quickly turned away to hide their faces as Kyle roughly dragged Britney past them. Once they were sure they hadn’t been spotted and the two people gone, Kelly gritted her teeth and said, “I can’t believe what I’ve just heard.”
“Neither can I,” Stephanie commented. “What a bitch that Britney is. I just couldn’t believe it.”
“We’ll have to tell Jayden and my parents,” Kelly said, nodding her head.
“Agreed,” Stephanie echoed.
***
DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND
MARY ST. CLAIRE picked up her wine glass and took a sip, licking her lips afterwards. Gosh, she thought, as she stared at the hunky accountant sitting opposite her. She could tell by the way he was gazing at her that he was really into her. Maybe tonight he’d join her bed. An excitement thrill rushed in her body and she laughed out loud.
“Share the joke,” Hale said, reaching his hand out to touch hers.
Mary grinned. “I was just thinking about how handsome you are. I can’t believe you’re still single.”
He chuckled. “Well, I have been dating many times. Just that you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met, and I’m stoked. Can’t believe you’re still single either. And wanted to come out with me.”
“Aw. You’re so sweet.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
Over at the door of SAN Café, Ruby William, Nikita Buchanan and Isabella Robertson came through. A hunky waiter greeted them as the girls began the process of taking their scarfs and gloves off.
“Table for three, thanks,” Ruby said.
“Of course. This way,” the young waiter said, leading them to a table behind Mary and her date.
“I’m so excited for Alex,” Nikita said as they took their seats. “Just couldn’t believe the lab actually paid for her to go to a conference in New York City. Could you believe it? Now I wish I did Medical Lab Science.”
“I’m so jealous,” Isa muttered, pouring them each a glass of water.
Mary straightened up and glanced behind her. She saw the three geeks who had used to go to her high school and glared in distaste. What an excellent place and time to bump into them, she thought, meaning exactly the opposite.
“Do you know them?” Hale asked curiously.
“Kind of,” she replied curtly.
Behind them Ruby said, “Did you get her email?”
“Yeah,” Niki replied.
“Me too,” Michelle put in. “She is so lucky. She said she has been to Central Park, the Museum, and not to mention Tiffany and Co. Can you believe it? Tiffany and Co!”
“I know, right?” Ruby commented. “I wish I could go to Tiffany and Co. Man! Would just love to see all the jewelleries.”
“Yeah. In your dream,” Niki chuckled.
“Hey, you never know,” Ruby retorted. “Remember I plan to do my big OE next year. Maybe I should put America in as one of them, even though it’s only for six weeks.”
“Oh yeah? And what about this hunky English guy you’re seeing?” Niki asked cheekily. Is that the whole reason why you’re going to do this big OE of yours? Huh?”
Ruby laughed. “Don’t be silly. He’s only a friend. He’s going to tour guide me when I’m in the UK.”
“Yeah right,” both Niki and Isa said in unison.
By this time, Mary was really pissed off with the girls. She couldn’t concentrate on being charming to Hale, and she really wanted them to go sit somewhere else. Or better yet go to another restaurant. But she was also itching to know what exactly they were talking about. Plain, geeky Alexandra had gone off to New York City for a conference? Surely not? She was only a Medical Lab Scientist doing routine blood test in the hospital. Nothing special about that. And she had been in Tiffany and Co? That was surely utterly ridiculous. No one would let her in. The door man would just take one look at her and tell her to bugger off.
She turned and said, “Hello, guys.” A fat, fake smile playing on her face.
There was stunned silent all around the table and then Ruby said, “Mary? Mary St. Clair?”
“Yeah,” Mary nodded, grinning. “So how have you all been? Haven’t seen you since the last year of high school
. Can’t remember when that was. Too long ago.”
“Yeah,” Isa muttered, frowning with suspicion at Mary.
“So like there’s always the four of you, right? Where’s Alex?”
The three girls glanced at one another.
“Just curious and all. How is she? Haven’t seen her at all,” Mary lied, leaning forward, her brows rising in question innocently.
Knowing the other two were refusing to talk to the very popular Mary, Ruby said, “She’s working in the hospital. Aren’t you a doctor there? Can’t believe you never saw her.”
“Yeah. Can’t believe it,” Niki added, her voice stating otherwise.
“Well, I’m busy. Patients to look after,” Mary made the excused. “So Alex?”
“Alex is good. She’s in New York City right now for a conference. She’s doing very well.” Ruby smiled, nodding her head with pride.
“Yes, she is doing very well,” Mary remarked sourly. She wanted to add, ‘for a plain geek’. But instead she asked, “So no boyfriends?”
At this statement the three friends looked at each other. Mary reached her hands out and touched Hale – to show that she wasn’t short of a boyfriend. “Good luck, aye? So Alex? No boyfriend, too?”
Ruby glared at Mary and snapped a ‘No’ at the woman.
Mary grinned, very much enjoying herself. “Have funs, guys,” she said, turning back to Hale and started kissing him on the lips.
The three girls looked at each other. “Disgusting,” Isa muttered under her breath.
*****
CHAPTER 22
ALEX FLUTTERED HER eyes open, staring up at the ceiling, her mind blank. She blinked. Where was she? Why was her body aching so much? Her head hurt like hell. It felt like a hammer was constantly banging on her skull. She searched her brain. Nothing. The harder she tried the more painful her headache become.
“Hey,” a voice said softly beside her. The warm breath fanning against her skin.
She turned to her right and came to face a gorgeous man, smiling brightly at her. His twinkling blue eyes were deep and intense, which caused her heart to flutter. Deep down she felt a thought she knew him all her life. Surely not though because for the life of her she couldn’t remember who he was.