The Secret Billionaire

Chapter 3

ERIS

I finished applying the last coat of mascara and looked in the mirror. I am not one to wear makeup daily, but Stacy said we are going to a new club in town, and I wanted to make an effort for once.
I only had ten minutes to get my dress on before she arrived. I chose a lovely tight-fitting black dress, red heels, and minimal jewelry. I looked at myself and smiled. It had been a while since I dressed up to go out. I felt good. I got the message from Stacy, and I went downstairs.
"Wow, Eris, you look amazing!" She exclaimed as I got into her car.
"Thank you, so do you," I smiled. "All of you as well," I said to the rest of her friends. They smiled but didn't say anything. Awkward.
"Time to get fucked up tonight!" Stacy yelled.
I shook my head and sighed. I hope I made the right decision to tag along. I looked out the window the entire way over there. Her friends were pregaming in the background, and I was trying to calm down my nerves. Panic began to set in when the club came into view. There was a long line circling it, and traffic was crazy.
"Stacy, how long is the wait time to get in? Look at this line,"
"I know someone who got us on the list. It's a new club, so everyone wants to get in," One of her friends explained. Stacy pulled up to the valet right in front. We got down, and they took her car. Fancy.
"This is fancy," Another one of her friends commented. That's what I just said! I saw the people in line staring at us. Some of them were glaring at us, and others, well, let's say they were starting their night early.
"Wait till you see the inside. Come on!" She linked her arm with mine, and we made our way in.
She guided me through the sweaty crowd and entered a private booth. The music was blasting so loud I could barely hear Stacy trying to explain something. Many people danced in the middle, grinding against each other as if their life depended on it.
"Wow, do you know the owner or something?" I yelled over the music.
"Or something," Stacy's friend laughed. I felt terrible for not knowing their names, but I'm pretty sure they don't like me, or I won't see them again. So, oh well.
They brought us a round of shots, and we all took them. I winced as the burning sensation went down my throat.
"No wasting time; let's go dance!" Stacy yelled and got me out of the booth. Aww, we had just sat down.
I wasn't much of a dancer, but the vodka boosted my confidence. She handed me another shot, and I took it. I felt a guy wrap his arm around me from behind, and I smiled at him. We danced for a few songs together, and I told him I would take a break.
I went to the booth to catch my breath, and Stacy came with more vodka. I'm definitely going to feel this in the morning. She yelled and went back on the dance floor. She was not kidding about not wasting time. I didn't stay in the booth for long. As soon as I took my first step, I bumped into someone.
"Sorry," I laughed and looked up. My smile faded as soon as I saw who it was.
"Eris?" He looked the same. He looked good-a little blurry.
"Darius?" My ex-boyfriend, first love, first kiss, first everything.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Can't you see I'm here to have fun!" I lost my balance, and he caught me.
"How much have you had to drink?"
"Only three shots. The night just started!" I began to dance, and he smiled.
"Dance with me," He grabbed my hand, but I pulled it away.
"What happened to your girlfriend? Remember? The one you cheated on me with?" He ran his hand through his hair and looked down at me.
"She was a mistake. You are the one for me, baby," He stepped forward and grabbed my face.
I can feel his breath on my lips. He slowly pulled me onto the dance floor, and we began to dance together. The chemistry was still there. My feelings for him never went away. We dated for four years before he cheated on me some months ago. Sentiments like that don't go away quickly, especially if he hurt me.
He pulled me closer to him as our bodies moved in sync. He looked down at me with so much passion in his eyes. I don't know if it was the alcohol or how he looked at me, but something made me want to caress his face. I reached up and connected our lips. It was like sparks flying between us. I pulled back, and he smiled at me. We danced, drank, and enjoyed our night.
In one of the songs, I was dancing with my back pressed against his chest. I looked up and made eye contact with the one person I didn't expect to see tonight. He was sitting there with a girl dancing on his lap. He ignored her, and his eyes were fixed on us. He was upset, and I could see the tight grip on his glass. He moved the girl off his lap and stood up. Shit. I turned to look at Darius, and he became worried.
"Are you okay?"
"No, I feel sick. We have to go now," He nodded and linked his arm around my waist. He led me out of the crowd, and I stopped.
"Wait, I have to tell Stacy I'm leaving," I pulled away from him.
"Don't worry. I'll text her. Let's get you home safe," He pulled me close when someone passed by me. I looked up at him, and he moved my hair out of my face. "Let's go,"
He got me into his car and began to pull out of the valet stop. I saw the mystery stranger walk out of the club and look at the car just as it sped away.
"Where are we going?" I slurred out.
"I'm taking you home. You've had enough for tonight,"
"But today was party night. The day I was supposed to go out and not stay home alone like I always do," I pouted.
"I'll stay with you if you want,"
I turned to look at him, but his eyes were fixed on the road.
"You're so pretty," I laughed.
"You're pretty," He turned to smile at me quickly before he looked back onto the road.
The rest of the drive was a blur. We made it to my building, and I was laughing the whole way up for no reason. I would've fallen if it weren't for him holding me up. He sat me on the couch and brought me water.
"Wait, please don't leave. I don't want to be alone anymore," I grabbed his hand, and he sat next to me. I laid my head on his shoulder and smiled.
"I miss you," I pouted. "Why would you cheat on me?"
"Let's not talk about that right now. Why don't you get some rest?" He kissed my forehead, and I felt the butterflies in my stomach. Nope, I think I might throw up.