Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'8

"Do you like this one?" Lada asked, holding up a long-sleeved champagne-colored dress that shimmered under the store lights.

"It's beautiful. Just like the last three were," I said with a teasing smile.

Lada giggled. "I'm sorry if I'm boring you. I just need something perfect for tonight. My husband and I are going to the club."

I blinked. "I didn't know you were married."

"Almost three years now," she said, a soft smile crossing her face. Then, without missing a beat, she perked up. "Hey—you and Czar should come with us tonight."

I raised an eyebrow. "I highly doubt Czar would want to go to a club. And honestly... I'm not really a party girl."

"Come on! It'll be fun. You've been stuck in that giant house for days. Don't you want to feel... alive?"

She had a point.

I sighed. "I'll have to ask him."

She grinned, flipping through hangers. "He won't say no to you."

~*~

Back at the house, I walked straight to Czar's room and knocked.

When he opened the door, he looked... uncharacteristically relaxed. He wore a plain white t-shirt and gray sweats, his hair tousled and sleep still clouding his ocean-blue eyes.

"Sorry to bother you," I said, shifting my weight.

"It's fine," he said, voice still rough from sleep. "What is it?"

"Well, Lada and I went shopping—"

He cut me off, his expression tightening. "You left without telling me?"

I cringed. "She kind of dragged me along. I didn't have time to say anything."

He sighed and rubbed his temples. "Just... don't let it happen again."

"It won't. I promise." I cleared my throat. "Also... Lada invited us to the club tonight. With her husband."

He turned and walked back into the room. "Not interested."

I stepped in after him. "Come on. It'll be fun."

He sat on the edge of his bed and looked up at me. "No, it won't. Something always goes wrong when I go out with Lada. And Anderi shows up. Uninvited. Every. Time."

I laughed. "Still, we deserve a night out. You never want to do anything fun."

His eyes lingered on me before he finally sighed. "Fine. But we're not staying out all night."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I exclaimed and darted forward to hug him.

He raised his hands like a shield. "No."

I stopped short and grinned, then backed off and made my way to my room, practically skipping.

Once inside, I sat on the edge of my bed and stared at my phone. Missed calls from my mom flashed across the screen. Guilt flooded me.

I pressed her name.

She answered on the third ring. "Zariah?"

"Hi, Mom," I whispered as tears filled my eyes.

"Zariah—we miss you," she said, her voice breaking.

"I miss you too," I laughed softly.

"When will you visit?"

I paused. "I don't know yet."

A long silence followed. "Is he... treating you right?"

I smiled faintly. "He is. He's distant, but not cruel. He's... complicated."

"Well, if you're happy... maybe what your father did wasn't all bad."

The smile dropped from my face. "I'll never forgive him. He had no right."

I ended the call before she could say more and dropped the phone beside me.

The truth was... I would forgive my dad. Someday. But not today.

Wanting to forget it all, I headed for the shower. I took my time, scrubbing away the lingering emotions. I even washed my hair, letting the hot water work its magic. Afterward, I wrapped myself in a towel, applied leave-in conditioner, and went through my wash-n-go routine.

I dressed in a bold red strapless mini dress that hugged my curves. It wasn't my usual style—but tonight was about taking risks. I paired it with black pumps, a light touch of makeup, and a cloud of perfume.

When I headed to the living room, I found Czar sitting on the couch—with Anderi.

"Anderi," I greeted. "What are you doing here?"

"Clubbing, of course," he smirked.

I looked at Czar, who silently mouthed, Told you.

I snorted. "Well, if everyone's ready, Lada's probably already waiting."

As they stood, Czar peeled off his hoodie and handed it to me.

I looked at him, confused. "What's this for?"

"Cover up."

Typical.

~*~

We arrived at the club, and I could feel the eyes on me. Czar's hoodie hung over me like a shapeless sack. Lada stood near the bar with a man who must've been her husband.

She waved excitedly, then embraced me in a warm hug.

She stepped back, scowling at my outfit. "What are you wearing?"

"Czar made me."

"Screw him," she said, yanking the hoodie off. "You look like a baddie."

Czar shot her a death glare. She rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand.

"Come dance!"

I laughed as she pulled me to the floor. The bass thumped, and we danced until I forgot my own name. For the first time in ages, I felt... free.

Eventually, we staggered off to the bar.

"What can I get you ladies?" the bartender asked, eyes lingering too long on me.

"Two Sex on the Beaches," Lada snapped, clearly annoyed.

"Creep," she muttered, turning to me.

"Where are the guys?"

"Probably doing something dumb. Who needs 'em anyway?"

"You're right."

Our drinks arrived, and we downed them in seconds before heading back to the dance floor.

We swayed, spun, and laughed—until I felt someone press against my back.

I turned, startled.

A stranger.

"Dance with me," he growled, grabbing my wrist.

"Hey! Let her go!" Lada shouted, shoving him.

But he didn't let go. His eyes were wild—something was wrong.

I yanked, but he was too strong.

The room began to spin.

"Lada..." I murmured, everything turning to static.

And then—darkness.

~

I'm so sorry for the late update guys! But I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to comment, vote, follow, and share. Until next time my lovelies.