CHAPTER TWO

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ Attempted rape. Nothing too heavy but If it bothers you, do not read past the asterisks. A very brief summary will be in the Author's thought just for you. I hope you enjoy reading‼️‼️‼️

Isabella descended the stairs to the party below, hand-in-hand with María, both looking stunning in their satin gowns. From the landing, Isabella and María gazed out at the vibrant party scene: the dance floor pulsed with energy as bodies swayed to the music's rhythm. Strobe lights flashed, casting a kaleidoscope of colors. Somewhere, the sharp clink of glasses punctuated the murmur of laughter and competing conversations.

Tarot reading spots were tucked away in cozy nooks, mystics interpreting cards for curious guests. Ping-pong tables were in full swing, laughter and competition filling the air.

The atmosphere was nothing but electric, with a DJ spinning tracks that kept the crowd enthralled. The bar served creative cocktails and a troupe of strippers performed a sultry routine, their movements fluid and captivating. 

Isabella's eyes sparkled as she took in the scenes and more. "This is exactly what I needed — a night to let loose."

María's ear-to-ear smile matched Isabella's as she also observed the party's dynamics. "Well, tonight, we're just girls having fun, aren't we?" she teased, nudging Isabella.

Yes. Tonight, I'm just...a girl. And I'm going to wring this moment dry. 

"Let's party!" 

"You look gorgeous, María!" 

"María, omg, this party is lit!" 

"I'm having so much fun, thanks for inviting me, María!" 

As they waltzed through the party, heading straight for the bar, Isabella ignored the fact that most people called out to María but not her. The least she got was a nod or polite smile of acknowledgement, and the most a thank you for the invitation.

Most of the people here were their compañero de universidad. (college classmates/schoolmates)

Of course, everyone knew her — hard not to with the reputation her family had — but she had only ever interacted with a few and even that had been thanks to school assignments, group projects and clubs. María was really the only friend she had from college and even that was almost taken away. 

I would have another friend if he had not stubbornly stuck to that rule. Phew. I bet he's the kind that has never broken a rule in his life. Well. Until... his dad maybe. 

She shook her head as if chasing the thoughts jumbling in it away and tossed back the first shot that was handed to her, reaching for the next. 

No thinking of any of that. Tonight, I'm going to be just a girl celebrating her birthday — no choking expectations to live up to and no caution. No ifs and maybes. 

Isabella gulped another shot, allowing the music to wash over her, her body swaying gently side to side. And then the music changed: 

🎶All the single ladies(all the single ladies)

All the single ladies(all the...)🎶

Isabella's eyes turned the size of a soccer ball. "Oh my gosh. That's our song!" With one big gulp she set her glass down on the counter and turned to María, who a guy was flirting heavily with. Without any warning, she grabbed her by the wrist and towards the dance floor. María let her, giggling along with her. 

🎶Up in the club(club), we just broke up(up)

I'm...🎶

"I'm doin' my own lil' thing!" They sang loudly along, bending over by the waist and swinging their hair sexily as they came back up. They invaded each other's space, rocking each other. "I'm up on him(him), he's up on me(me)...." 

They danced together, song after song. Jumping. Swaying. Twerking. Rocking. Yelling on the top of their voices. 

"I'm going to take a few more shots!" Isabella yelled to María over the loud music. "You coming?!" 

María shook her head and continued to dance. Isabella weaved her way through the dancing bodies, doing her best not to trip over. She wasn't really a big drinker but the line blurred with each shot, and she welcomed the blur. 

"The... the strongest that you have," she slurred to the bartender, doing a little dance to the music. The bartender slid over a glass of some weird looking substance. She squinted at it and then at the bartender. He smiled at her. 

"Just two glasses of that and you would be on the moon." 

She grinned. Grabbing the glass, she drank down the content in two gulps. "Ahh!" She slid the glass back over and swayed on her feet. "Oh shit! This works!" 

A corner of the bartender's lips tugged up. "Told ya! A second?" 

Isabella's head bobbed up and down quickly, her grin still wide. She chug down the second glass once it was placed in front of her and sucked in a breath at the warmth that spread through her. 

She felt so — Free. 

Leaning across the counter, she grabbed the bartender by the collar of his uniform and placed a kiss on his cheek. "I ... I will... make sure to have... marry... María pay you extra."

"Gracias, señorita." (Thank you, miss)

With a giggle, Isabella turned away from the bar. She scanned the room. 

"Strip!" someone yelled—half tease, half challenge — bringing Isabella's attention to the stripping pole. Her gaze caught on the metallic pole glittering under the strobe lights.

Something in her chest cracked open.

She was no pole dancer—barely even a drinker—but the drink she had shimmered in her veins like gasoline.

Screw it.

She stalked forward, heels clicking like punctuation marks. As she reached the pole, she spun around it and tossed a sultry smirk over her shoulder.

Let them watch. For the first time since college, she didn't care who did. 

Leaning on the pole, she tipped her head back and ran her fingers from her neck down to her plunging neckline. She sent a subtle, alluring smile to the men gathered around and stretched out further her already exposed leg, shadows of her lacy lingerie showing. A corner of her lips tugged up at the hoots and whistles of approval. She twisted around the pole, moving her waist seductively as she did so. 

Her back on the pole once again, she slowly went down, her legs spreading out to the sides as she did so. The cheers spurred her on. She dropped to all fours, prowled to the stage's edge, stopping before a man. He was handsome and from the way his shirt hugged his arms and chest, Isabella knew he had a good physique too. 

Her tongue darted out, running slowly over her lips, her gaze fixed on his. 

"Like what you see?" 

She watched his eyes trail down to her breast which was exposed in the position she was in. His eyes came up to meet hers, a sly grin spreading out on his face. 

"Sin Duda!" (Without a doubt)

Isabella made a beckoning gesture and walked off the stage, not looking to see if he followed. The music had shifted again — bass heavy, hypnotic, almost predatory. Isabella was drawn to it like a moth to flame. She barely noticed when the handsome man from the stage stepped up behind her, his hand brushing her lower back as he leaned close.

"You're a wild one," he murmured, his breath hot against her ear.

Isabella tilted her head back with a sultry smile. She met his eyes and held it. "Maybe. But it's my birthday. So, I'm allowed to be."

Their bodies pressed close, moving as one. He matched her rhythm, his hands slowly sliding down to her hips, slipping in through the slit on her dress to touch skin. She rolled against him, shamelessly grinding, laughing breathlessly at the attention and heat.

"You dance like you don't care who's watching," he said. 

"Because I don't," she replied, spinning in his arms, one hand gripping his neck for balance.

Her foot faltered, just slightly, the alcohol beginning to betray her body.

A wave of nausea hit her like a slap. Her smile faltered.

"Whoa," she muttered, pressing a hand to her head. "I think I-"

"Need some air?" The guy asked quickly, his arm tightening around her waist.

Isabella nodded, her head spinning. "Bathroom," she mumbled.

"I'll take you."

******

Harry sat cross-legged at the bar, leisurely sipping from the glass of beer in his hand, his eyes trained on the dance floor — tracking movements like a sniper through a scope. He was clad in a crisp white shirt, with the first two buttons undone and a black pantaloons. His black leather shoe, meticulously polished, caught the lights in the room. 

His jaw tightened, his grip on the glass of beer becoming tighter. He dropped the glass on the bar counter, tapped twice on it and the bartender appeared immediately, filling it up. 

"Fiesta estúpida," he murmured. (Stupid party)

His phone rang just then, pulling his gaze from the dance floor. For a second. He connected the call, his eyes finding their way back to the dance floor. 

"Qué?" 

"Um. Don, there is a man escorting Señorita to the restroom, she seems...unstable. Should I follow?" (Miss)

Harry raked a hand through his thick mane of hair, stifling the hot rage that flashed through him. "Escorting? Are you dumb? Do you know what could be happening within this space of minutes you're wasting calling me?" 

"Lo siento, Capo. On it." (I'm sorry, boss)

The call disconnected and Harry put his phone away, the tip of his tongue clicking the roof of his mouth. "I've to tell them what to do every damn time. Fucking new kids." 

He glanced at the door to the restroom, his eyes lingering for a moment before retracting back to the dance floor. 

He will handle it.

The handsome guy from the strip pole led Isabella down the restroom hallway, past a group of drunk partiers sprawled on the floor. Isabella stumbled once and he caught her with both arms.

"Hey, easy," he said, his voice lowering to a murmur as they reached the bathroom door. "Come. Let's get you inside."

He ushered her in, flicking the lock behind them.

Isabella leaned over the sink, groaning. "Oh God. I-"

"You'll feel better soon," he whispered, stepping up behind her. "Let me help."

His hands touched her waist, too firm, too familiar. His hands trailed down and he squeezed her butts. She jerked away but he followed, pinning her between his chest and the sink.

"Don't," Isabella slurred, her voice panicked.

"Oh come on, baby. You were all over me out there — don't play shy now."

He leaned down and kissed her neck. He smelled of alcohol and smoke, the combination made her feel more nauseous. Isabella's skin prickled and she pushed against his chest, her eyes widening in panic when he didn't budge. The alcohol in her system made her a much easier prey. He grabbed her a hold of her hands with one of his, a satisfied grin splitting his face in two. 

"Ple...please..." Her heart pounded heavily, deafening. 

"Trust me, baby, you will love every bit of this," he grinned. He pulled down a strap of her dress, exposing her breast to him. 

Suddenly, a loud knock came against the door of the bathroom. Firm. "Open the door. Now."

The guy cursed under his breath. "What the hell?" The guy hesitated. Another knock came — louder this time. 

There was a pause, the silence heavy. 

And then someone slammed into the door, the sound reverberating through the empty restroom. The guy grunted, adjusted Isabella's dress quickly and unlocked the door. The door swung open and a guy dressed in all blacks stepped in. He had a harsh glare on his face and the guy with Isabella stepped back, hands up.

"She's drunk, man. I was just gonna help..."

"Save it," the man growled, moving toward Isabella. "I'm here to help, Señorita María sent me," he explained. 

Isabella's shoulders sagged with relief at the mention of María's name, the tension keeping her upright seeped from her and she leaned heavily on the new guy as he gently helped her out of the room. She winced as they reentered the room, the loud noise rang in her eyes and the lights hurt her eyes. She brought a hand up to rub the side of her head, feeling a slight throb there. 

"W... where are we going?" She asked as the guy led her away from the party towards the exit. 

"Home. Señorita María said to send you home, she will wrap things up with the party and join you as soon as she can." He fished out a phone from his pocket and scrolled to a chat while still keeping his hands around her. "Here. She sent me a message." 

Isabella tried to look at the screen but the light was too bright for her heavy eyes, and only added to the building headache at the side of her skull. She grunted her understanding and pushed the phone away from her. 

The moment Isabella was helped into the backseat by the knight in shining armor, she laid on it, her eyes closing. She moved around on the soft leather of the seat, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Once she did, she curled her hands together under her head, a contented sigh leaving her lips. 

The car's engine roared to life and her eyelids opened slightly. "Hungry... So so... Hun...," she murmured, eyelids dropping close slowly as the car began to move. Her body relaxed, a deep breath rushing out from her nostrils. The soft rise and fall of her chest was evidence that she had fallen completely asleep.