Chapter ten : Everly

Today was really not my day. First I was made to come here, then Noah was full on his flirting mode and now this. I looked up and found myself looking into those familiar brown eyes, "I'll take it from here." He smiled and then pulled me behind himself. I peeked from behind him and saw the man had come to a stop. "Step aside." He yelled, "she's a thief."

"You have got it wrong. She is with me." Adler said.

"Wrong? Step aside. She is mine–" the man's words were cut off when he was thrown on the ground, Adler on top, his hand at the man's neck. It all happened so fast and now the man was starting to turn blue, "Let him go," I pulled at Adler's arm, "Adler please let him go." I tightened my grip around his arm and he finally he released him. The man gasped for air and scampered away from him. "Scram," Adler said his voice laced with danger. The man didn't take a second glance and ran away.

Adler was still breathing heavily, "Hey," he turned to look at me and the rage in his eyes withdrew itself, "Are you hurt?" I shook my head.

"Thank you," I said as he picked up and gave me my phone. "Guess you'll have to buy a new one," he said looking down at the screen which now had a spider web crack starting from one corner. I tried turning it on and thankfully it did, "it still works," I smiled and looked up at him, only to find him looking at me intently. His ringing phone broke his eye contact and he stepped away to take the call and my eyes took the chance to linger on him. He was in a pair of dark jeans, a white T-shirt and a light grey jacket, with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows giving way to his muscular arms.

When he turned around I straightened myself and stood to my full height, like it made any difference. "Thank you for helping me out. I think I should get going," I told him.

"Wait, there's something I want to ask. What exactly were you doing moving around the car?"

Okay, he did look like a person I could reason with so I guessed there was no harm telling him the truth, "You see that car over there," I pointed at the white beauty which stole my heart, "That is an Aston Martin DB11, it's one of my favourite cars. I dream of having one someday. I was walking around the parking lot when I caught a glimpse of it and couldn't stop myself to check it out. I just clicked some pictures, I swear nothing more."

"You want a ride?"

"Huh?" I looked at him thinking he was joking but he was dead serious.

"You want to ride it?" He said again and moved to stand beside the beauty.

"How?" Great Everly what a sensible question.

"How? It's mine. I can give you a ride if you want that is." He shrugged.

Looks like my mind and eyes were actually playing tricks on me today. I was already on the top of the moon when I got to see the beauty but now the man in front of me was actually offering me a ride. I mean was all of it really true? I looked at the car in front, with its white colour and black accents it stood out. It screamed luxury and not to mention money, things I couldn't afford now. Looking up at Adler I soon realized that the car really wasn't meant for me, his aura spoke nothing but power. He could sit in it without feeling out of place but it would not be the same for me. I let my gaze linger at the car for a moment before turning to him, "I think I'll pass. But thank you anyway." I smiled.

Something crossed his face, disappointment maybe, but I really couldn't make it out. "You sure?"

I nodded, determined with my decision. I bid him goodbye and headed back to the club.

Inside I made my way back to my sitting place, looking around I saw no one of the group I came with. Even the people at the bar with me were gone. Did they seriously leave me? I wasn't even interested coming here in first place, it was just because earlier today I found out taht one of my highschool batch mates, Scarlet was here for the competition too. She showed up at my motel and then dragged me here with her group of friends which included Noah, he was the only one I knew except Scarlet, and now they left me. As I scanned the area I found no trace of her or anyone else. I looked up my phone and winced looking at the crack. I tried calling her but the phone has a mood of its own. I tried a few times before it finally gave up and shut down. I sighed inwardly, it was already ten and motel was a good hour away from here. I needed to find a taxi now to get back there in time.

"Everly," I turned around at my name and saw Noah standing behind me. "Where were you? We've looking for you everywhere." He put his hands on my shoulders.

"I thought you guys already left." I said.

"Oh no how could we leave you behind. Come let's go. Everyone's waiting." He said and turned around, I followed him suit.

He walked deeper into the club until we reached a corridor. The corridor was covered with a red carpet and had several rooms on either sides. "Where exactly are they?" I asked and stopped in my tracks, this was starting to feel fishy.

"Oh they're just down the hall." Noah turned to look at me.

"I think I'll just leave on my own. Okay? Tell them I'm sorry for leaving alone." I turned and started to walk away swiftly, wanting to get out of the club.

I felt a tight grip at my arm and I was swung around, "You're not going anywhere. You're coming with me." Noah smirked looking down at me.

"What are you talking about? Let go of my arm." I tried to jerk away from his grip but it was unexpectedly strong. At my response he just laughed a humourless laugh and shook his head, "I've had enough of your attitude," he started pulling at me. I planted my feet on the carpet putting in every effort to resist him.

"You're not going to give up. Are you?" He smirked and then used his other hand to grab my other arm and pushed me against the wall.

He pinned my hands above my head and held them there by my wrists. I started kicking violently, not aiming for anything in particular. He easily blocked away the blows by placing his legs between mine and holding them in place. I started shouting but that was short lived too when his other hand came to cover my mouth. I was completely immobilised and every time I tried to move, his grips only tightened but I still continued shouting, hoping to draw any kind of attention. "You are one heck of a work." His eyes traveled down my body making me cringe, "Do you have any idea how hard it was to convince everyone that you already left? And now here you are messing up everything."

Tears stung in my eyes, I could not let this happen again. I could not give up and I had to fight. I started moving around, putting in every ounce of my energy. I started twisting my head to loosen his grip at my mouth and he finally removed it, I started shouting at the top of my lungs and moving around more vigorously. "No one will be able to hear you over the music out there. Shout as much as you like because I know how to shut your fucking mouth." With those words he reached in his pocket and dug out a syringe. My eyes widened in horror, oh no was it really the end. No I promised myself not to give up and I will keep that promise to myself.

He brought the syringe near my neck and taking the opportunity I turned my face and bit his hand so hard that I tasted his blood in my mouth. "Fuck," he grunted and his grip loosened for a second which was enough for me. I broke my hands free from his grip and pushed him with all my might, he stumbled back a few steps but regained his balance. I made a run toward the exit of the corridor. My hands and feet were numb and I was barely able to feel them but I had to go on, the only way now to escape was to get mixed up in the crowd.