Whispered promises

Chapter 35

I smiled, observing the lighthearted scene before me. Allison's laughter filled the air as she celebrated yet another victory over Lydia in their intense game of pool. The playful banter between the two friends was infectious, and I found myself chuckling along with them. Taking a sip of my bourbon, I decided to join in on the fun and walked over to the pool table.

"Your turn," Lydia said, gesturing towards me. "Bet her. She's won eleven games already."
"Oh, I will," I replied confidently, earning a playful nudge from Allison. "Yeah, right," she teased as I began racking the balls into the middle.

The game progressed, and it remained a close match. Eventually, luck favored Allison as the final ball rebounded off the top pocket, securing her another win. Lydia couldn't believe it, bursting into laughter. "No... no way. I refuse to believe you just won again," Lydia chuckled, her amusement evident. Allison and "what can I say I'm a pro " Allison said with a huge smile . I joined in her laughter, reveling in the moment. It was during these carefree instances that I almost managed to forget the burden of suffering and pain that I carried within me.

As I made my way to the bar, I decided to fetch a few drinks for Lydia and Allison. With a fake ID in hand, I ordered their drinks, my mind temporarily focused on the task at hand. However, my eyes soon caught sight of an unsettling scene unfolding.

A guy was attempting to lay his hands on Allison, and my protective instincts surged to the surface. Without a second thought, she pushed him away, questioning his actions.
"What are you doing ?" She questioned towards the guy who was smiling, who didn't have good intentions . Anger ignited within me, like wild fire and I swiftly moved towards the guy, grabbing him from behind in a choke hold and covering his mouth, forcefully separating him from Allison and away from Lydia .

She immediately recognized the rage in my gaze and tried to defuse the situation. "Hey, hey, woah, Katrina ," she called out urgently as I propelled the guy out of the bar, his body colliding with the door as it swung open. He stumbled across the gravel outside as I quickly locked the door .

"Katrina, open the door!" Allison's and Lydia's voices broke through from the other side, trapped within the bar. The guy regained his footing and threw a punch at me. Instinctively, I blocked his strike and retaliated, my anger consuming me. I punched him in the face, propelling him forcefully into the wall, my grip tightening around his throat.

"You do exactly what I tell you to do. You go out there and apologize, or I'll kill you. Got it?" I threatened, my anger pulsating through every fiber of my being. Shoving him forward towards the bar door, I unlocked it, granting him an opportunity to comply.

"I'm really, really sorry," the guy groaned in pain as I held his arm behind his back tightly , his apology forced, before Allison grabbed hold of me, "stop it " she ordered towards me. The guy left, and Allison took control, leading me aside with Lydia as we reentered the bar. "What?" I demanded, puzzled by Allison's reaction.

"What was that?" she asked, her voice filled with concern and confusion. I narrowed my eyes, trying to comprehend her words. "What do you mean? He put his hands on you. What did you expect me to do?" I countered, my voice laced with frustration. "Don't pretend this has anything to do with me!" Allison declared, her frustration matching mine. "That's not the first time I've seen you lose it like that," she observed, her gaze piercing through me.

"What are we doing? Let's get out of here. I'm fine," I explained, failing to comprehend why she was upset. "You're not," Lydia interjected, standing beside Allison, her voice filled with concern. I literally felt like I was getting grilled out for nothing . "Im fine Jesus " I said towards the two . "You are not fine!" Allison's voice resonated with anger and worry.