Chapter 2 COLLIDE WITH A STRANGER

KATRINA's P O V

‘‘Woah! Slow down there, Katrina…’’ Tina, my roommate said as she tried to snatch the glass of vodka away from my hand, but before her grabby hands slid it out of reach, I tossed it back. It was maybe my fifth or sixth shot? ‘‘I can’t believe Cohen did that to you. I’m going to kill him!’’

My eyes watered as the hot liquid burned its way down my throat like the last four rounds did.

Four? I don’t think so… I’ve lost count of how many shots I’ve actually taken since I came here. I slammed the glass down onto the wooden table, and fanned myself as I let out a small sigh of relief as my throat grew accustomed to the change.

Because Cohen did not approve of my drinking, I was never given the opportunity to try it; hence, even a single glass of red wine is likely to render me unconscious.

I paid no attention to Tina's outburst, and the fact that she kept casting me sneaky glances made me feel a bit irritated. Worried glances actually. But I understood her though. She was just concerned about me.

‘‘I am to blame for this...’’ I blinked my tears several times until Tina’s fair complexion and sleek brown hair came into focus, feeling the effects of alcohol starting to take hold already. ‘‘It’s completely my fault that my husband is doing this to me…’’

‘‘It’s not your fault, Katrina…’’ my friend's stern tone suddenly became more soothing, and with a sigh, she reached out and squeezed my shoulder. ‘‘It was never your fault. Cohen Dawson is just a fucking tosser and doesn’t deserve the precious tears you've been shedding for him!’’

I said nothing. Instead, I couldn't help but fix my gaze on her.

''Cohen is an idiot for not knowing that you became a surrogate in order to generate money because his company has experienced financial difficulties!’’ she exclaimed, but her voice was swallowed by the loud music blasting in the air. ‘‘Besides, you are the only one who had given birth to the child, and you never had sexual relations with the husband of the woman who hired you!’’

I gave a sarcastic grin and downed another shot, and then another, and another, until I noticed that my head had begun to spin, and as I looked around the bar, I could feel my vision becoming blurry.

This bar was absolutely packed, with flashing, colourful disco lights illuminating the whole space. Most people were pressed against each other on the dance floor, and almost every seat at the bar we were seated was taken.

‘‘He’s not stupid…’’ I slurred my words, and then I started to laugh at myself for defending my cheating husband. ‘‘He has no idea what I’ve done. I am the one who is stupid here for not telling him the whole truth. If he found out that I had been a surrogate for other people, he would never accept me back as his wife...''

‘‘Katrina…’’ her hand which had been holding my shoulder slipped to mine and squeezed it. ‘‘You have to be strong, okay. But if I were you, I won’t come back to him anymore. He’s treating you like a rag, and you don’t deserve this at all!’’

I heaved a sigh, squeezing her hand back. I don’t want to think about Cohen or the betrayal threatening to well in my chest again, but I couldn’t help it. I love him. I love my husband very much. That’s why I sacrificed myself for him.

I diverted my gaze and absorbed the atmosphere of the club while savoring the euphoric floatation caused by the alcohol. The bass of the music sent vibrations through me, sending me floating even higher. If it weren't for Tina's hand gripping mine, I probably would have fully lost consciousness by now.

But when she felt the buzzing of her phone inside her purse, she carefully let go of my hand and checked to see who was calling her. ‘‘I'm sorry, but I have to take this…’’

‘‘Okay…'' I nodded. ‘‘Another shot of vodka, please!’’ I yelled at the good-looking guy over the loud music, who was working behind the bar, who I had noticed to be looking at me up and down, as if I were a snack that he was going to consume later.

‘‘No more alcohol, please…’’ Tina said, waving her finger in front of my face, and then proceeded to signal the guy behind the counter not to give me anything. ‘‘Wait for me here, I’ll be right back…’’ And then she turned to the bartender again. ‘‘Don’t let her go somewhere else, or go with anyone, okay?’’

As soon as Tina was on the way to the exit, her petite but voluptuous figure lost in the crowd of sweaty bodies grinding on each other, I dropped my head on my arm that was resting on the table.

‘‘Why was this happening to me? Why do I have to go through this kind of problem?’’ I murmured to myself, and then I felt fresh tears started to well up in my eyes, until they rolled down the side of my face like waterfalls. ‘‘The only reason I did that was to save my husband's company. And if it weren't for me, maybe his business would be bankrupt by now. Why?’’ I started sobbing. ‘‘Why me?’’

Several beats of the pounding music come and go, but Tina hasn’t come back yet. She said that I have to wait for her here, but I need to use the restroom.

I stumbled out of my seat, and that’s when I heard the bartender calling me. ‘‘Miss, where are you going? Miss!’’

I paid him no attention, and made a beeline for the restroom, wresting my way through the throng of sweaty, writhing bodies on the dance floor. I opened a wooden door at the end of the hallway, and as soon as I stepped inside, I was collided with a stranger.

‘‘Hey!’’ After he had me caught in his arms, I glanced up at him with a drunken glare and tried to get away, but he tightened his hold on me. ‘‘Let me go, stranger…''

‘‘You’re drunk…’’ he said, and I giggled.

Because his body was pressed against mine, I was hit with the most unearthly sensation I've ever had, and a wave of heat broke out across my skin.

I shook my head. It must be the alcohol screwing with my body’s chemistry.

‘‘What are you doing here in the ladies’ restroom?’’ I asked, my eyes wandering around, but I was unable to make out the faces of the people inside. My vision was still blurry. But I could feel that their eyes were on me.

‘‘This is the men’s room…’’ he groaned, pulling me closer to him.

His smell infused my senses—it was a mix of musk cologne, and a hint of the woods after it rained. He smells so, so good…

‘‘A men’s restroom…?’’ my pupils dilated. ‘‘I… I’m sorry…’’

I could feel the shame and embarrassment turning my face bright crimson. I lowered my gaze, letting my hair curtain my face and my eyes accidentally focused on his trousers. That was when I found it unzipped.

‘‘Y-your zipper…’’ I giggled again, thanks to numerous shots of vodka, the familiar shackles of inhibition were nowhere to be found as I reached down to inch up his zipper, but my hand slid to that hard thing between his thighs. ‘‘Oh, I’m sorry…’’

‘‘Hey, woman! What the fuck are you doing?’’ he harshly released me, and I could feel my whole body heated all over, but before I could defend myself, I had that dizzy feeling again, and I could feel my body getting weaker.

This was not only because of the alcohol that I had consumed, but also because I had only eaten a hamburger for the entire day, in addition for both my body and my brain from being so exhausted.

And before I could feel my body hit the hard floor as I passed out, two strong arms caught me, and carried me out of the restroom.