CH 4 | Sarah!

I stopped outside the club, which was in full swing it usually peaked at this time of the night. I hesitated before heading inside wondering if this was such a good idea.

But, I so badly needed a distraction from all the agonizing emotions that were eating me from the inside. And drowning my sorrows in alcohol seemed to be my best option for now!

With that, I strode into the club and made my way through the bustling crowd, while shoving away the faint discomfort in my chest that rose to my throat. 

I turned to the bartender quickly as I don't want to remember as I climbed up on the stool pushing the memories of Dom and I in this place deep down into the gaping hole that used to be my heart, "Can I get a Cosmo, double on the rocks?" I questioned the rugged and toned man who was wiping down the bar.

He nodded and worked his magic as he flipped the bottles behind him pouring them in a glass, shaking it over his shoulder. He finally slid the cherry colored drink under my nose and the alcohol made my nose scrunch. 

Ignoring the strong smell I removed the orange swirl from the liquid and downed it in one gulp feeling the liquid burn my throat and spread a warmth I welcomed throughout my body. "Can I get another?" I asked the bartender who raised one of his bushy eyebrow at me. 

His eyes analyzed me for a couple of seconds as if he was trying to remember where he had seen me, and they widened when recognition hit him. 

He had seen me with Dom. I'm certain of it as it wasn’t hard to see how much I cared for the prick as I was stuck by his side for two freaking years. Stupidly, I had plunged head over heels in love with the Campus Prince, only to get rejected by him in the end! How ironic!

Without objection, the bartender slid another to me, and before I realized it, I had drunk 6 Cosmo’s. My body felt light like I was walking on clouds, and the heartbreak was now replaced by a numb feeling. 

My head buzzed, and I felt the room tilt. My nose felt numb and nausea threatened to rise up in my stomach. I knew I had reached my limit, and I dropped the empty glass onto the bar with a thud.

But my thoughts again lingered on the one man my whole world revolved around, Dominic.

I shook my head and closed my eyes, trying to get a grip on myself, but the pesky tears weren't leaving me as they leaked from the corners of my eyes, upsetting me even more than I already was. 

That was when it hit me, I had just had the worst birthday in history. 

However, as I'm sulking in my misery, a rough voice broke through the alcohol-induced haze, "Hey, Sarah!” I swallowed the lump in my throat and lifted my head, while my alcohol-clouded eyes struggled to get a glimpse of the source of the voice, yet my attempts to recognize him failed.

Seeing my dumb expression, he chuckled a little and muttered, "I'm Hayden."

"Oh." I mouthed absent-mindedly as I had no idea why he seemed familiar as he settled onto the seat beside me. And I was way too lost in my shit to get into it with a stranger.

But in the next second, it struck me that he called my name, and I narrowed my hazel eyes on his tall frame, and queried, "do you know me?"

He nodded while a slight smirk was dancing on his face and replied softly, "We go to the same university, and we study the same major."

I raised my eyebrows and glanced at him, taking in his expressions while contemplating on what he said was the truth or not.

But nonetheless, what did I care even if it wasn't true? With that, I just hummed and chose to remain silent as I had no interest in prolonging the conversation.

Although he appeared like a nice guy, I wasn't in the mood to appreciate his handsome features since I was done with men. After all, I had been forced to face such a cruel reality by the one man I gave my heart to!

So, I don't even have the slightest interest in getting to know this man, who seems to be trying hard to make small talk with me. 

In the next second, he asked, his voice filled with concern, while his stormy grey eyes turned so gentle, "what happened, Sarah? You look so down today!"

I squinted my eyes, unsure whether I'm hearing things right because of liquor, but replied rather sassily, slurring lightly, "it's none of your business, Hayden!"

The moment his name escaped my lips, a wide grin spread across his face, and he looked like a perfect gentleman, unlike my Dom.

"Wait! Where did that come from?" I muttered under my breath and shook my head while a sarcastic chuckle escaped my lips as if I had gone crazy, "My Dom? Fuck this!" I chided myself inwardly and cursed the bastard for breaking my heart, "Go to hell Dom!"

To my utter disappointment, it seemed Hayden had heard my swearing and knitted his brows, his lips pursed together, and he looked as if he was in deep thoughts and asked suddenly catching me off guard, "did Dominic do something to you?"

"Holy Shit! So he really is in my major." I mentally quoted because there was no way he could have known who I was talking about otherwise. 

Instantly, I became cautious as Dom had a lot of enemies. Of course, being rich and a campus prince had its perks!

However, what lured me into his trap despite knowing he was a playboy was because he appeared as if he stopped his frivolous ways once he and I had grew close and I foolishly believed he felt for me, what I felt for him!

I was with him for love, but what was he with me for? To fuck me whenever he seen fit?

It was only later as I got to know Dom I had found out how many women he had slept with, even while we were together. 

As soon as I had found out anger coursed through my insides and I demanded Dom be honest with me and tell me the truth, but what he said back then made me shut my mouth since we weren’t officially a couple!

To be precise, we had no label! 

Could I be any more stupid?” I ended up like this because of Dominic's bullshit! That fucking prick!" I gritted my teeth as my face turned red in rage. "How dare he use me and throw me away as if I'm nothing but trash?" I muttered, my words slurring as the effects of alcohol had kicked in.

Hayden seemed to notice my trance and shook my shoulder when I blinked my eyes and eyed him with furrowed brows.

My hazel eyes tried to focus on his expressions but were failing miserably, yet I heard his words, as his tone had become sharp, "Relax, Sarah. I'm not one of them!"

"Good to know," I said, and in the next second, I began falling.

But Hayden placed his hand below my cheek instantly and prevented me from hitting the bar.

He pulled me towards him and cooed in my ear, "you are safe with me, Sarah. Close your eyes and sleep."

I heard his words faintly but even though I wanted to open my eyes, I couldn't as everything blackened!

I felt my head resting on his warm embrace, and I snuggled up thinking it was Dom, as images of Dom taking care of me when I was drunk clouded my drunken mind.

A silly smile danced on my lips, and I muttered, "my Dom!"

I had done it again!! 

I felt a hand on my back, caressing me gently and smoothing the frowns on my forehead.

"This time, I'll fight for you, Sarah!" I heard someone mutter, but I was too clouded and lost in my slumber to open my eyes and see what is happening around me.

However, I felt a piercing glare boring through me and I nestled closer into the warm embrace as the familiar sensation of heat lingered on my skin.

...