Chapter Three
Upon returning to the apartment, I arrive into a dark room, the lights are off and the curtains are drawn closed. I see a figure of a person standing in the dark and then suddenly Kate, Mia and Ethan jump out of the darkness screaming "HAPPY BIRTHDAY."
"Gees guys, I'm not five anymore" I said.
Later that afternoon, Ethan walks into the living room while Kate, Mia and I are relaxing on the couch.
"I have some bad news," Ethan says with a grim frown, "I have to go into work for a bit."
"I can meet you guys out later though."
"That's alright," says Kate looking with a sly grin at Mia.
"I have to get going, I'll be back tonight."
As he turns away into the other room, Mia runs over to say good bye to Ethan.
At the dance club with Kate and Mia. We sat having drinks at one of the tables to the side of the dance floor.
"I think my brother is going to be out tonight," says Mia "I'll see if he wants to meet up."
She looks down at her phone and is writing a message. This will be interesting, I wondering what her brother is like; I've already heard great things about him. He seems to be the pride of her family.
"Let's go dance and get some more drinks," Kate exclaims.
Time flies when your have fun dancing. The group of us take a break by the bar to rest our poor feet to get more drinks. It looks like tonight we aren't going to be taking easy on the booze after all.
Soon enough Mia grabs a man that is walking in our direction. She introduces both me and Kate to Elliot. He stood there with a sticking pose of confidence and distinction. His eyes have been criss-crossing the bar as we approach him and they soon meet those of Kate. There attraction radiated passion immediately. He was clearly taken back by Kate's beauty. Slightly acknowledging me out of kindness and so I don't take any offence. None was taken as these feelings of attraction that Kate has towards Elliot, are not the same from me. He is a pleasant guy with blond hair and dashing good looks, yet they aren't enough to capture my desire.
Oh Miss Katherine Kavanagh, seeing you glow with attraction leaves a warmth of happiness within me.
Struggling to take his attention off of Kate's shimmering eyes, Elliot whispers a small secret to his younger sister Mia who is equally taken back by Kate and Elliot's attraction for each other. Her response is grave and sadness fills her expression. She gives Elliot a long look of displeasure at the message that he had just entrusted her with.
Both me and Kate watch quizzically and wonder what such a secret can turn Mia's positive mood into something that is completely out of character for her.
Kate pips up, "what's the matter Mia."
"Oh it is nothing really."
Elliot trying to sound agreeably towards Kate spills the beans "I have to go a meet up with my brother."
"I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks and I am worried about him."
This is news; Mia failed to acknowledge the existence of another brother. Something smells fishy here. As we stood talking, I see Ethan approach us wrapping his hands around Mia's waist to her surprised excitement.
Our group decides to rejoin the dance floor. I slip away to go to the bathroom, trying to avoid the awkward position of being a third wheel.
Coming back to the dance floor with another new drink, I am feeling good. I can't see anyone and so I just go in a dance with the packed group of people and I dance like no one is watching.
What seemed like an eternity, Kate comes and pulls me away from some guys that I was intoxicated making out with. She pulls me into her arms and swirls me around dramatically. She equally as drunk as I am explains that she lost Mia and Ethan and that Elliot had to go do something or she can't quite remember.
"We should probably get going, it is really late," I said yelling over the music.
The illogical idea of the night besides drink way too much was to walk home from the club that was all the way downtown. We both were not particularly dressed for any sort of long walks and wearing heals does not add to the comfort level. As we begin our journey back, both me and Kate have a very emotional heart to heart, the alcohol was speaking and we spill our guts to each other.
"So Kate what are your feelings of Mister Grey," I ask.
"Oh, I can't explain it," she says dramatically, "it is so unbelievable how I feel about him."
Stumbling down the sidewalk we walk block by block in shear pain. I can feel my feet throbbing. This isn't good. Slowly as we get closer to the apartment, I notice a large crowd surrounding a shop. Oh this is that store I was in earlier, they are having their party.
I drag a very drunk Kate into the store behind me. Looking around, it was interesting the different people, some looked normal and others where exceptionally out of the ordinary characters.
"I had no idea Ana," says mortified as she looks around "you never told me."
"It's not like that," I said "I was shopping and I accidentally came in, they said they hold parties here."
"Riiiight," she says squinting one eye.
As wee looked around Kate and I joked around. Kate picked up a black riding whip. I slightly bend forward and stick my butt out. Covering my mouth with my hand, Kate smacks me hard on the back end with the whip.
"Oh my," I say giggling.
After about ten minutes of this, Kate and I decide that it is probably time to leave. As we turn toward the door, a tall young man with dark hair approaches use. He instantly establishes eye contact with me with a fervent gaze.
"Hello," he says.
"My name is Jose Rodriquez," he says introducing himself.
"Hi," I say quietly, "I am Ana and this is Kate."
Both of us look at each other, knowingly that we probably shouldn't be here, it would probably be best that we don't lead him on.
Kate seems to have disappeared leaving me to talk with Jose for a few minutes.
He asks if I participate in BDSM and keeping true to my lie, I say "Yes I do."
What is this about Ana? Do you have a death wish?
"I have a partner and we are looking for a third person to participate with."
Trying to sound flattering, "You would be perfect, would you be interested."
Holy shit Ana, this is just too wild for you.
"Umm, I'll think about it."
"Okay, this is my number if you are still interested," he says with a grin and turns to leave.
Not in my life time I thought. I better go find Kate; I would hate to lose her to this group of people.
There she is, she is pressing questions upon a man in a black Speedo and a mask on his head. She is arguing with him about some obscure fact. He looks like he isn't too thrilled with her.
Ana to the rescue.
Quickly we make our way out the door as fast as we can.
Walking down the street, I feel Kate pulling me off to the side to hide around the corner so that she isn't noticed by someone.
"What is it," I say.
"Look, it's Elliot."
I briefly tip my head around the side and I see him sitting with someone, who has there back turned to us. They are on the patio of the bar. Kate takes a deep breath and turns around the corner where she manoeuvres her way around the patio barrier. Plopping herself down next to Elliot.
Elliot is momentarily lost with confusing, not knowing who it is. But when he realizes that it is Kate, he beams a smile across his face.
"How are you guys tonight," he says.
"We are fantastic," she says all breathy.
Kate keep it together. He can probably smell the alcohol on you. This isn't going to end well.
Although something tells me Kate is perfectly fine with it.
As I slowly approach the table with a exhausted stagger and I great Elliot.
"Hello Ana," he says still looking at Kate in the corner of his eye.
"What happened to Mia," he asks.
"I think she disappeared with Ethan earlier."
"Oh ya," he says questioning.
"I should introduce you girls to my younger brother," he says directing his had to the man across the table "Christian."
I look down at the brooding man that sits not a foot from where I am standing. He turns his head with grace and I look into a pair of dark grey eyes.
Oh, it's him.
He is Mia's brother! This is the dangerous looking man that I haven't been able to remove from my mind for the past day and a half. Crap. There must be some sort of issues that stand between him and his family, knowing the little things such as Mia ignoring to mention him as her brother.
"Hello," I squeak.
Elliot introduces us, "this is Ana" pointing towards me, "and this is Kate" he says wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
"You look familiar," trying to sound ignorant of my knowledge. I definitely do recognize this person.
He lets out a small smile slide across his lips. My legs quiver, he already has me under his spell.
Looking at his face, that black eye he has is barely noticeable. Maybe it is the lighting. I decide that it is for the better not to bring it up in fear that he'll completely shut down again like the last time.
Elliot gestures to me to sit down and I slowly lower my self to the seat next to Christian. Feeling that I can barely contain my nervousness, I sit still not moving a muscle again. What is it that I can't control my nerves in the presence of this man? We have barely spoken a word to each other and yet I feel like my soul is drawn near his. It is something that I have never felt before.
While we sat, Christian stayed silent barely speaking a word to anyone. What is his problem; I've never met someone so withdrawn before.
"How has your night been so far," Elliot asks quickly looking at me and then back to stare at Kate.
"Fun," I say tiredly.
"Oh you wouldn't believe where Ana dragged me," Kate blabbers.
Oh no, I bury my head into my hands. Kate. Please don't. I can't handle this embarrassment.
"She brought me to a BDMS shop!" she beams.
Both men turn their heads in my direction, giving me a raised eyebrow.
"You know, Ana is into that sort of thing," she says giggling.
"It's not like that, I don't do that sort of thing," denying her accusations, I hold my head in my hands out of embarrassment.
After having all these drinks, I need to go empty my bladder and give my nerves a short break.
"I'll be right back," looking knowingly at Kate and Elliot that I'll probably lose her tonight to him.
As I walk in the direction of the restroom. I shake my hands to relieve the stress that has been built up inside of me.
After finishing up in the restroom, I look deep into the mirror. I still look pretty good considering how late it is and how much I have had to drink.
Upon returning to the table, I soon come to the realization that Kate and Elliot have left. Christian is standing facing the other way where he slowly slipping his leather jacket up his long muscular arms. I stand drooling slightly. Ana, where are you manners!
After I come back to reality, panic begins to set in. I walk over and I ask nervously.
"umm, do you know where Kate went," questioning Christian.
"I think she went home with Elliot," Christian says in an impassive tone.
Immediately I try to call her, to no luck her phone doesn't pick up. Oh no she has the keys to the apartment, if I can't find her; I will be sleeping on the street. I attempt to call Ethan, who also doesn't pick up. I believe Kate mention that he went back to his apartment which is on the other side of town.
Standing there in a distraught state, the idea of me sleeping on the streets keeps spinning through my mind and then I look up to Christian who was looking down at me with his intense grey eyes.