Revenge - English Version

Chapter 21 - Forbidden Temptation

ZAYN POV

The party is in full swing; everywhere I look, there's alcohol, drugs, smoke, and even couples getting busy on the more hidden sofas. It's the perfect night to let loose. The music's loud, women are everywhere, and best of all, no Alexa to annoy me. Tonight, Zayn Malik is back in the game. A night of nothing but booze and women, just like the old days. I miss those nights when I'd take more than one girl to bed every time I went out. I've been out of action for far too long. I could take advantage of Alexa, but lately... I just can't be bothered. Tonight, I'm making the most of it and forgetting everything for a few hours.

I look around and spot a blonde devouring me with her eyes. She smiles and shifts slightly, adjusting her neckline. She's interested. Well, so am I. I sit down on the sofa next to the lads, pulling her onto my lap.

- Hey, lads, - I greet them. Their eyes flick from me to the blonde, and I see Niall rolling his eyes.

- Your friends aren't very friendly, - she murmurs into my ear, starting to kiss my neck. I close my eyes, trying to get into it... but I feel nothing. Nothing. And that bothers me. This should be driving me mad, not leaving me indifferent. It's her problem. She's just not that good at what she's doing. I ignore her and glance around. Liam's trying to chat up a girl, while Harry and Niall watch him with mocking faces, clearly enjoying his failure.

- Hello, hello. - A female voice chirps beside me. I pull away from the kisses of... Matty? Maya? Mathilda? Doesn't matter. I push the blonde aside and look up. Kate is standing beside me, grinning in a tight red dress. Her hair is pulled back in a sleek ponytail, dark makeup, and lipstick matching the dress. But... wait. Wasn't she supposed to be with... oh no.

- Hey, - I reply, trying to hide my concern. If Kate's here, where the hell is Care? No, she wouldn't come. She hates parties. Kate wouldn't dare bring her... or would she? I really hope not.

- You look different, - Kate says, glancing at the blonde on my lap. I laugh and give the blonde's bum a firm squeeze. I know Kate's messing with me, though I could easily tell her she looks different too—she's turned into a really attractive woman. I can't help but smile at that thought. I'm genuinely happy for her; we were sad, lost teenagers, and it's good to see that each of us, in our own way, has found some direction in life.

- Yeah, I suppose... hey, Kate... hum, shouldn't you be with Care?

 -And who said I'm not? - She gives me a mischievous smile.

- Of course, you're not... as far as I know, Care's not here... - Her grin widens, and my eyes widen in response. 

No. 

- You wouldn't dare, - I stammer, unsure if I even want to believe it. But she just laughs and winks.

Oh, shit.

- You brought her here?! - I snap, furious. Kate laughs and starts swaying to the music. She's got to be joking. She had no right to bring her to a party like this - Where is she?

I scan the room, but I don't see anyone who even remotely looks like Caroline. Yet when I shoot Kate a pleading look, she points ahead. I see a girl with her back to me at the bar, in a tight black dress, and I turn back to Kate, confused. That's not Care.

- If you don't believe me, go see for yourself, - she says, teasing me. This has to be some kind of cruel joke. Care must've told her everything that happened, and now they're both having a laugh at my expense.

But curiosity gets the better of me, and I stand up, pushing the blonde off my lap a bit roughly. Even though that girl at the bar isn't Caroline, she's way more attractive than this one, so it's definitely more interesting to be at the bar than sitting here.