3. Lose Faith

The red and green lights blind my eyes as I stand in the middle of the Cielo club. The knee-length dress that’s hugging my body which I put on after so much debate seems nothing close to the revealing dresses the other girls are wearing tonight here. 

I’m not a person who likes fancy clubs and partying. I have never been to one. Worcester didn’t have many clubs that I knew or to be honest, I wasn’t interested in that kind of social activity. I’ve heard and seen too much news about all those girls who get drugged and used upon in these types of activities which made me completely stay out of it.

Scarlet reassured me that it just happens to only twenty percent of the girls and in her experience, she has never come across such an event. But somehow I had agreed to go with Scarlet on the one condition that we must head back if I didn’t feel comfortable.

Needless to say, as soon as I step inside the club I forget about all my worries and just let my body take over instead of my mind for once. But I still kept an eye on whoever approached me and made polite rejections if I got a bad vibe from those people. So here I am dancing to the electric music that is put up by the professional DJs. I must admit that it did take my mind off of everything and let loose for a solid hour and a half.

I excuse myself from Scarlet and head to the bar to quench my dry throat which was difficult to acquire when you’re practically being crushed between the people on the dance floor. I order sparkling water and then decide to indulge in my phone to take a break.

“Didn’t peg you to order sparkling water when you dance like that on the floor.” I raise my head to look at the owner of the voice and cringe when I see how close Andrew’s face was to me. The thick smell of alcohol hits my nose which makes me scrunch my nose even further and lean back a bit.

Yes, Andrew is also here with us despite my protest. When I and Scarlet planned on coming here Andrew insisted that he will tag along so that there would be a male to keep an eye on those who try to attack us. Scarlet swooned over that but little did she know that it was her boyfriend that needs to be kept an eye on.

“You look beautiful tonight, cupcake” I watched his eyes scan me from head to toe and I made a face in disgust.  

“Where is Scarlet? Aren’t you supposed to be with her?” I ignore his flirty remark. 

“You don’t have to worry about her at all. She is good by herself.” I ignored him again and the double meaning with which he spoke and decided to go back to the dance floor to get Scarlet so that we can head back home. It’s already been two hours since we came here and my body is feeling pretty tired after the intense dancing that I did. If jumping and swaying your hips is called dancing then that’s exactly what I’m talking about.

But as soon as I stood up from the barstool, I was caged between the bar table and Andrew’s arm.

“Move” I gritted out angrily, my fist clenched at my sides. He smirked lazily, stepping closer. 

“Why are you being so difficult, cupcake? We can have a good time together” he said shamelessly. 

“Step back before I slap you” I threatened. He is tempting me to harm him. 

“Geez,” he chuckled and stepped back. I quickly pushed him away making him stumble on his heels and walked away, my jaw clenched.

After much resistance from Scarlet, I somehow managed to get her out of the bar and into the cab that we have currently hailed to reach our apartment since we didn’t have a car, even if we did I don’t think it would have been useful since both Scarlet and Andrew are quite drunk to drive it. 

Scarlet passed out during the ride home but still kept on mumbling some incoherent words that were difficult to comprehend. Andrew was still keeping up and giving us glances from the passenger seat and I ignored him completely. I wanted nothing more than to slap that jerk’s face. Scarlet needs to break up with this guy. I’ll make her realize how bad he is for her. But I must come with a plan to present it to her or else she will brush me off like before.

He told me that he would leave after getting Scarlet in the apartment and tucking her in bed but something told me that he was planning to do more than just tucking her in so I warned him that he should leave at once. 

I help Andrew in placing Scarlet on the bed and make her comfortable. I remove her high heels and make sure that I leave a glass of water and some medications for her headache which will be much needed when she wakes up. I notice that Andrew has been quiet the entire time and was lost in some thoughts sitting on the corner of the bed. 

“You can leave now. It’s getting late and I want to lock the doors” I tell him without looking at him and I intended to sound rude so he knows not to argue with me. He kisses Scarlet’s forehead but what made me rebuke was the look that he was giving me as if he was intending it to be me. It made me sick to the stomach.

“Alright. Have a goodnight cupcake” he says in his sultry voice when he comes near me which makes me want to puke. I hear the front door close and sigh in relief before exiting Scar’s room. 

I take off the killer heels that I borrowed from Scarlet and was about to head upstairs to my room when I was pulled back into a hard chest. I recognize the stinking smell of alcohol and turn to face him ready to snap.

“What the hell are you doing here again? I told you to leave.” I narrow my eyes at him when I see his eyes getting darker as he takes in my body. I feel disgusted and wanted to cover myself but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of my reaction. 

“Well I was indeed planning on leaving but I released how stupid I would be to leave such a beautiful girl to be alone by herself. I’m here to give you some company” He adds seductively and I was seriously seconds away from punching his disgusted face.

“I don’t want your company, now or ever. Get out of here before you regret this.” I tell him sharply. 

“I don’t think I’m ever gonna regret doing something to you, sweetheart” I shivered in disgust.

"Over my dead body," I growled. 

"Oh, come on! Don't be shy. Just one time" he pouted, taking a step forward. "No," I said sternly, taking a step backward as well to keep a safe distance from him. Each step I took backward, my heart was pounding harder.

Suddenly, he caged me between him and the wall, holding my wrist above the head. Then, out of blue, he crashed his lips onto mine. As I was about to push him away we suddenly heard a voice which made Andrew still and pull away as if he was burnt by me.

"Karolia! Andrew!" We jumped apart and stared at the person in front of us.

Scarlet!

She looked tired and disoriented standing in the middle of the dimly lit hallway. But her eyes are wide as she watches us. Andrew grew tense and started to fidget in his position.

"What the hell were you doing," she asked us, mostly directed towards me. Huh?

"Scarlet it's not what you think," I said with wide eyes.

"Oh yeah?" she asked me angrily.

"Don't deny the fact that you enjoyed it very well, Karolia. You were begging me, didn’t you?" Andrew said, making me choke on my saliva. The hell!

"What? I didn't beg you for anything. Y-You- liar" I yelled at him. "Scarlet, I swear I didn't do –

"Just stop it, Karrie," She said, hurt evident in my voice.

"But he's lying -" she raised her hand, silencing me.

"Just stop making excuses Karrie. He never lies to me," she said and I stared at her in disbelief.

"So you believe him over me? You’re saying that I'm a whore. That I begged him to kiss me?" I asked her, anger boiling in my veins. How dare she! She looked down, not meeting my gaze and I staggered back, my heart slowly breaking again. 

She kept silent and gazed at Andrew who went close to her and held her hands. She didn’t protest and I saw the slight discrete smirk that Andrew threw my way which made me understand that the plates are turned here and there is nothing I could do to make her understand. 

 "I should've known," I mumbled, as a tear rolled down my cheeks. She doesn't trust me.

"Where are you going?" Scarlet asked as I walked away from the living room.

"Away from this place. I don't wish to stay with a person who doesn't trust me." I finally yelled at her, tears falling down my cheeks uncontrollably. She widened her eyes and shook her head.

"You don't have any other place to stay -"

"I'll survive. If I can survive without my parents this far, I can survive this as well. But let me tell you something Scarlet, I’m not angry at you, I just pity you for not realizing what’s happening around you. Don’t make yourself a fool by being with him. He is not what you think he is and I’m sure you’ll find it out sooner. And the day you find out you are going to regret all of this." I said, unable to control anymore.

I turned around and ran upstairs to my room and packed my bags as fast as I could, making sure to take all my necessities and Mom’s diary that was under my pillow.  I took deep breaths to control my tears. I couldn't believe she did this to me. She didn't even try to hear the reason. She blindly believed that asshole. It hurts to know that she doesn’t trust me enough. She is my best friend. I know our relationship wasn't that deep since she moved to New York at the age of 14. But this .....

I know I'm doing this in an impulse but trust me even if I had time to think through this I wouldn’t want to stay here after what happened especially with her doubtful eyes and that cunning boyfriend of hers. It's more hurtful than her throwing me out.

I walked to the living room to see Scarlet sobbing hysterically in Andrew's chest. I walked down, trying to keep my face void of any emotions. 

"Karolia, don't do this," Scarlet whispered. I ignored her and continued walking with thoughts running through my head. What should I do now? Where should I stay? I don't know anyone in New York except for Scarlet and Grecia. I know I don't have a place to stay at this time of the night and it would be a bad idea to leave this place. But my pride wasn't allowing me to stay at this hell hole anymore.