Tainted

Selcouth

Selcouth | unfamiliar, rare, strange, and yet marvelous
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Ariadne
Just as we reached the top of the stairs, we were introduced with a whole private section. One that was filled with just over thirty people, and I only recognized one. Bella.

She was rather preoccupied with a dark haired man as they practically swallowed each other whole. She sat on his lap with her tongue down his throat. The rest were either chatting or receiving questionable lap dances by women who barely had anything on. Strippers.

I look at Mila who didn't seem to be the least bit surprised by this image, she was completely unfazed. It seemed that she also spotted Bella because that's exactly where she was headed, regardless of Bella's other priorities at the moment. I follow along like a stray puppy, which made me feel pathetic.

"Get a room" Mila snorts before taking a seat next to the man who immediately looked up, his eyes following her. Bella made no move to acknowledge Mila though, and it wasn't until the man pushed her off that she saw me standing behind them.

"Oh, she came." Bella says through gritted teeth as she gives Mila a weird look, one that Mila doesn't return. I stood there confused, wasn't she the one to tell me to come?

The man moved his attention from Mila to me. He gazed in my direction, carefully observing me as if I was fresh meat he was getting ready to devour. "She is?" He asked Bella, not once looking away from me.

"The birthday girl," she quirks a brow, "remember I told you about her." Folding her arms across her chest she joins in to observe me, her face twisting in disgust at what she saw.

"I'm Matteo." The man says, putting his hand out for me to shake while giving me a small smile, in which I return as I extend my hand out. "Forgive me for my inhospitality, I wasn't expecting anyone that looked good." He heaves, and I didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or be offended. I furrow my brows before bringing my hand back to my side.

"Ariadne, and thanks? I guess. That seems very backhanded, what gave you that perception?" I was letting my curiosity get the best of me, but I didn't care. I wanted to know who or what made him think of me otherwise.

He gives Bella a side eye before taking a step closer to me, "not important. Let's get you a drink, yeah?" He doesn't wait for me to protest. Instead he places his hand to the small of my back, practically pulling me to follow him to the bar located a few feet away.

"I- um, I've never had alcohol before." I admit to him just as we reach the bar. He doesn't pay much attention to my confession though, for he goes ahead and pulls out a bar stool for me to sit on.

"Sit" he orders, his long tattooed finger pointing towards the stool. I purse my lips before doing as told. I look around, hoping Bella or Mila might have followed behind. They weren't, and I frown at the thought of having to fend for myself in a place that they told me to come to. Not that I could blame them, after all it was my decision to come here. However, I was under the impression that they would stick by me at least for a bit until I was situated.

"Get me four vodka shots," Matteo tells the bartender before taking a seat right next to me and positioning himself so that his legs were facing me. "No alcohol ever?" He finally asks, referring to my confession. I shake my head slowly, "you've never even dipped your pinky in some wine?" Again I shake my head, as a small laugh escapes my lips when I realize how silly I probably sound.