Room 17

Ivy's POV

“Please, place your order now” Erica smiled at the men in front of her.

Two men. Sitting down for hours without ordering anything.

One of them smirked, running his hands through Erica's arm, making her flinch.

My fists clenched from where I sat as I watched.

The other slowly moved his hands to her butts as he grabbed it softly, making Erica wince, her face twitching in terror.

“How can a waitress be so beautiful?” he laughed.

I stood up, not able to take it in anymore. My heels clicked across the marble floor before I stopped in front of the man.

Whack!

A slap on his face.

“Ahhhh! What the hell?!” His face widened as he stood up, staring at me in anger.

“Ivy, stop!” Erica hissed, her face getting twisted in panic, but I was already out of control.

“Damn. Who the hell is this bitch?!” The first man snarled, raising his hand to strike me, but I caught it mid-air, twisting his hand to the back like I had always watched in movies.

“Arghh! Let go! It fucking hurts!” He screamed, his voice cracking.

People in the bar watched, their gazes feeding on the drama like it was a show.

“Oh, does it hurt?” I snapped, twisting his arms harder, watching as he squirmed in pain before finally releasing him.

Both of them stared in anger, their gazes laced with fear.

“You could have left quietly if you didn't have money for drinks, you broke bastards!” I yelled, gritting my teeth.

“What? Who said we can't afford our drinks?!” One of them pointed a finger at me, wanting to pick a fight.

I didn't flinch, didn't run, instead, I moved closer to him.

“Well, can you?” My gaze was darkened, eyes cascading over them in disgust.

“Hey, hey. Let's just leave” The first man said, dragging the second bastard out of the bar.

Erica turned to me, her eyes still widened in terror.

“Are you insane? You can't provoke customers like that! It's dangerous” she said.

I scoffed. “Oh, until they rip your dress apart and fuck you right in front of these people here?”

Gasps rent the air, and that's when I realized how loud my voice was.

Erica's gaze darkened, anger evident in her eyes. “Be careful what you say, Ivy” she whispered.

“I'm sorry” I apologized, but she stormed back to her desk.

I sighed, a lump forming in my throat.

That was when I noticed eyes boring into me from the back.

My breath caught as my gaze landed on him.

Godly.

His sharp jawline, pointed nose, and rounded lips. Everything about him was breathtaking.

He stared intently until I turned, heading back to Erica's desk.

“Drinks tonight?” Erica asked, her voice now softened.

That took my gaze away from the man, making me nod to Erica with a smile.

“Sure”

Erica works at a bar, while I had lied to my parents that she works in a clinic.

They wouldn't entertain the idea of my visiting her if I told them the truth about where she works.

Simply put, my parents don't like Erica, not one bit.

Moments later, my gaze darted to where the man was sitting, but he was gone, making my gaze narrow.

“You look lost, Ivy. You searching for something?” Erica asked, bringing me out of my trance.

“No, I'm fine” I forced a smile.

Hours later, Erica was done.

Nightclubbing? My parents wouldn't support it, but I would make sure they don't find out.

We stood in front of the club, my eyes widening at the place Erica had managed to make a reservation.

“V's Glamour?” My eyes widened. “How did you even get us in?” I asked, lips parting in disbelief.

A VIP clubhouse for only the first-class businessmen.

“Connections, baby. We party all night” she whispered, her voice dripping with sexiness.

Together, we stepped in, taking our reserved seats. But it had only been less than a minute when Erica stood up, hands landing on my shoulder.

“Hey…. I'll be back” My eyes trailed her as she moved over to a guy, taking her seat in front of him.

I sipped vodka when heat rushed to the back of my neck. The weight of a man’s gaze on me. I had noticed seconds after I entered, but just didn't pay much attention to it.

I turned, gaze landing on the man.

My eyes widened, heart slamming against my ribs.

The man from earlier.

Heavens! He stalked me! He followed me here all the way from the bar.

My gaze darted to Erica in terror, wanting to call for help, but she was no longer sitting where I saw her.

I swallowed hard, returning my gaze to the man.

He stared, like the world would end if he didn't.

He took a sip from his wine, his gaze still not leaving me.

Goosebumps crawled through my skin as I forced myself to take my gaze away from him.

My hands trembled, my thoughts spiralling.

Who was this man?

Was it a coincidence that he was here too?

Questions ran through my head like exam questions that needed to be solved, but I couldn't find answers to them.

Seconds later, a waitress came to me, dropping a card on my table.

She said, “Room 17. He said not to be late”

Before I could process her words, she was gone.

I picked the card up, my gaze darting to where the ogling man sat earlier. He was no longer there, making it clear that he sent that.

Again, my heart slammed against my ribs. Now he's calling for me? Like he owns me?

Room 17.  Walking into the room would be so stupid. I didn't know this man, but I could tell he was dangerous just from his looks.

The room wasn't for me to venture into, I knew. But what could I do when my legs were pulled by invincible strings, walking me down the hallway to the rooms?

I stood in front of Room No. 17, slowly creaking the door open.

My eyes roamed the room, but I found no one, then someone grabbed my arm from behind.

My eyes widened in terror as I resisted, but he wasn't letting me go.

“Let go of me!” I screamed, turning around to face him but he pinned me to the wall immediately.

“You came, sweetheart” His voice was dark, dangerous.

I gulped, heart clenching as I knew the stalker bastard had lured me in.