Chapter two
My arm burned in pain and I jerked it away as I stared at the guy, taken back by the fact that he had become aggressive with me. "What is wrong with you?" I asked him in a low and cold tone. "Are you some kind of psychopath?"
He seemed like he was already regretting what he had just done. He took a step back and sighed. "I'm—I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"You're damn right," I replied without missing a beat.
He swallowed and nodded slowly, flashing me a forced smile. "You know what? Do whatever you want. I only wanted to help you." He turned, and I watched him walk back to the bar.
Should I follow him? I wanted to but at the same time, I felt like he was just playing with my emotions. And I really did not have it in me to play the game he was playing right now.
I continued to watch him, he sat at the bar and started talking to the bartender. In a few seconds, a drink was handed to him and he did not even hesitate. He gulped half of the glass down and from the expression on his face, I could tell that it was a strong drink.
I peeled my eyes off and glanced around. Everyone seemed to be in their own world, having the time of their lives. And here I was, stuck in my head and filled with so many heavy emotions that I did not know what to do with them.
I looked back at Daniel and he now sipping the rest of his drink and making a point to not look my way. I can't believe that I was about to do this but I released a sigh and then started walking towards him.
I sat next to him and then ordered a drink for myself. I was already tipsy and this was probably not a good idea but at this point, if I wanted to listen to the guy, I would need to be more than buzzed.
The bartender handed me my drink and I took it from his hand, bringing the glass close to my lips before doing what Daniel had done. I gulped half of the glass and the liquor burned my throat as it slid down.
I felt like fire was coming from my nostrils and I immediately placed the rest of the drink down before looking at the guy who had seemed to be watching me. "Do you still want to help me?" I asked in a monotone.
He stared for a few seconds and then scoffed faintly before turning fully to me. "Do you want my help?"
I wet my lips and closed my eyes for a few seconds as I tried to allow the alcohol to do its work. I could feel the buzz getting worse. Then I opened them and locked eyes with him. "Yes, I want your help. Now tell me, why do you think that CEO Damion was the one who killed my boyfriend?"
"I don't think that, Claire. I know it. Do you think that his success is because he's such a good businessman? He's a monster, and your boyfriend was not the only victim of his evil." An emotion flashed in his eyes and I could not tell whether it was sadness or regret, but I knew that it reflected something that I was familiar with.
He had lost someone too. I had not told me that but I just knew it. I could feel it, the look in his eyes also was a dead giveaway.
"Who did you lose?" I could not help but ask.
"It's none of your business. This is not about me but you."
I chuckled without humor. "If you want me to trust you, you better start talking."
He swallowed hard and I watched his Adam's apple go up and down in a quick motion. "Please don't make this as if we're in therapy. Just let me help you. I don't f*ck with all that sharing feelings bullsh*t." He scoffed before taking a long sip of his drink and looking back at me.
But how then was I supposed to trust him? I only knew his name, but nothing about him.
"Claire, stop overthinking it. What's the worst that could happen if you accept my help?" He added when I had not said anything. "Make the guy pay, he needs to pay."
I sighed and brought the glass to my lips. The edge was cold on my lips. I parted them and drank the rest of the drink in one go and damn, it burned. I then placed the empty glass on the counter and looked back at the guy.
"Okay," I replied while nodding. "F*ck it, let's make Damion Kingston pay." I shrugged. "If you're right about him, then I want him to suffer like how I've suffered for the last few months. I want him to taste the pain that I have had every single day waking up to an empty bed."
Daniel smiled, nodding as he took in my words. "That's my girl." He smirked. "Let's make that f*cker pay!" He suddenly shouted the words as he raised his glass almost as if he was giving a toast. "Whoo! F*ck yes!" He laughed freely.
I could not help but chuckle a bit too. I was drunk, I could feel it. Yet, I ordered one more glass of whiskey. When it came, I did not even hesitate, I took a big gulp of the burning liquid. I was so lightheaded and I knew that I was not far from puking anytime soon.
"Claire, I have one of the best plans ever!" He continued, his words slurred due to the fact that he was a bit drunk. "Damion won't know what'd hit him. He would never be the same after what we're about to do to him." He laughed like a madman.
I laughed too but mostly because I was drunk, but deep inside, anxiety clawed at me.