AYLA


    “Wow.” Hazel murmurs, watching me down another shot.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    I have never readily drunk this much alcohol. Its always her convincing me to let loose even if


    she is younger than me.


    “I should have known you were on a mission when you appeared wearing this dress.” She


    giggles, resting her elbow on the bar counter.


    The loud music thrums in my ears as I look down at my dress. I went to a boutique on my way


    here and chose this skin-tight red dress which is shoulderless and barely covers my b**t and


    barely keeps my breasts from spilling out.


    I had to look the part, all rebellious and ready to do something reckless. By the lustful looks I


    am receiving, I am sure it''s working on men.


    I pass a nervous smile to a blonde sitting in a VIP booth. He lifts his ss, his tongue running


    across his lips. Before I can call him over with a gesture, Hazel''s hands mp around my


    cheeks. She forces me to face her.


    “What?” I breathe, my voice bing a little slurry.


    “You are married, Babes. What are you doing?" She narrows her eyes on me.


    I scoff. “don’t remind me. This is no marriage. He doesn''t care if I go out and sleep with any


    man I want”


    Hazel''s eyes widen. “ I knew it! I knew there was something. Goddess! Did he ckmail you?


    Does he have something against you right now?”


    “Will you tell Mom and Dad if I tell you? ” I pout, reaching out for another bitter shot.


    “Of course, no.” Hazel blinks innocently.


    I down the shot, making up my mind to tell her the truth but I pause when my eyes meet a pair


    of familiar grey eyes. I m the empty ss on the counter and sigh.


    “Did you call him here?” I ask Hazel.


    “Who?” Hazel follows my line of sight and freezes when she spots Aaron walking towards us.


    “Oh Goddess, I only told him I am going out with you. I didn’t know he would follow us here.”


    Hazel squirms in her seat ufortably and shoots me a nervous nce.


    “A.” Aaron towers over Hazel and shoots me a re. “Good to see you are having fun with


    your friend after destroying our peace.”


    My nose scrunches. " Aaron Alvarez, you are my younger brother! Act your age."


    “How can I act my age when you act younger than me?” He says, and his re bes fiercer.


    “Oh, Goddess. “I drop from the stool and point a finger in his face. “I don’t want to do this right


    now.”


    Aaron sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. ” A. I am not here to fight. I just want to


    make sure you know there is always a way back. All you need is to tell us the truth and we will


    be there for you!


    “I told you the truth. I love Massimo Rossi I hiss, my hands trembling by my side.


    Aaron stares at me. I try to continue staring back, but my vision blurs as the alcohol takes its


    toll, and guilt swarms my being.


    I perch my butt back on the stool and drop my face in my hands.


    “This is not you, A. I know that. That''s why I won''t force you to tell me anything right this


    moment. But I want you to know that I am still here for you, just like Mom, Dad and our whole


    pack is. “I sense him getting closer before he ces a hand over my shoulder.


    My body stiffens. Aaron and I don’t have the usual sibling rivalry. He has always been acting


    older than his age, looking after me from a young age as if he is willing to protect me in the


    face of all threats at the expense of his life.


    This suffocated me before.


    It felt like the day he got to know that I was kidnapped and got scared in my dreams at night,


    his childhood ended and he became this mature version of himself who wanted to look after


    me.


    I should be the one doing the things he did for me, but I couldn''t. This makes me guilty. I stole


    his childhood and I can not return it no matter what I do.


    “If Rossi tries anything- ~ -you must tell us. Don''t keep it to yourself. And A- - -we are all


    waiting for you at home. Don''t keep us waiting for long. Don’t break Mom and Dad''s heart.”


    Aaron mumbles, squeezing my shoulder gently.


    “Ohe on! Stop giving her a lecture. Shoo away. Let us have some fun.” Hazel pushes him


    away and grabs my arm to drag me towards the dance floor.


    When we are away from Aaron, her smile drops and she apologizes. “Il am sorry, A. I really


    didn''t- --"


    “It''s fine. You go have fun with Aaron. I need to go to the restroom and I will be returning home


    after that. “I whisper, staggering towards the restroom.


    When I am finally out of Hazel and Aaron''s reach, I breathe a sigh of relief. My big n of


    attempting to go close to another man has failed terribly.


    I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Tears well in my eyes. This bright makeup, short dress,


    and staggering stance-this is not me.


    I sniffle, swallow my tears, and wash my face. I will be fine. It doesn’t matter that I am stuck


    right now. Soon, I will find a way to conquer all my problems.


    Tears start flowing down my eyes. The harder I tell myself it will all be fine, the more I


    remember that I have been telling this to myself my whole life, and yet, things have only


    gotten worse.


    I shake my head, and grab the side of the sink, trying to gulp down the lump in my throat.


    The door to the restroom opens, and two girls stroll inside. They pause when they see me cry


    and exchange an awkward nce.


    I sigh, wipe my cheeks, and rush out of the restroom before it gets any more embarassing for


    me.


    On my way, I find myself lost in the maze of corridors. My vision keeps blurring and my legs


    grow wobbly under my weight.


    Heaving a heavy breath, I halt in front of the men''s restroom. A few men sprint out and


    disappear into the other corner.


    I pick up my head, and through the crack of the closing door, see a weird view.