18 Deal for you
"I demand to see…"
"You aren't seeing anybody, Miss Brian, but if you really wanna go to jail, then we will definitely let you see a lawyer." The young inspector instantly interrupted her words of protest.
Elizabeth and the young inspector were at a standoff, both refusing to back down.
After a few minutes of staring at the young inspector, Elizabeth finally calmed down, she took in a deep breath and stared up at the ceiling before slowly backing away from the desk.
"What did I even expect?" She mumbled those same words she said months ago, those words that always forced her into accepting whatever situation she was in and never asking for anything more.
Her lips parted as unspoken words threatened to spill out, but she held them in and her lips tugged at the corners, turning into a small perfect smile.
The young inspector's brows furrowed in amazement when he saw her reaction but he quickly regained his expressionless face, "For your job well-done, an apartment would be given to you…your belongings would be handed over to you right outside the building."
Elizabeth's smile stretched even more, she dropped the badge on his desk and made a quick salute before leaving.
She never even bothered to meet Layla again since she was sure nothing would happen to her. Walking through the department's door, her perfectly practised smile broke as she watched the life she had meticulously built crumble down in the blink of an eye.
"Ma'am." A female sergeant called, holding luggages in her hands, "These are for you."
"Thank you." Elizabeth nodded with a smile, she took the address of the apartment she was given and rolled her luggages to the apartment that was just a few metres away from the police department.
Elizabeth waited till it was dark before leaving her new apartment again, she walked into the bustling street that was in contrast to the 'peaceful' town she had lived in for the past. She walked into the closest place where she could drown her sorrows.
The club was a sensory overload, a chaotic blend of lights, music, and bodies moving in rhythmic disarray. Strobe lights flickered in a riot of colors, casting fleeting, fragmented images upon the dance floor. The pounding bass thumped through the air, vibrating the very foundation of the building.
A haze of cigarette smoke and the scent of various perfumes and colognes hung in the air, creating an intoxicating atmosphere. People, dressed in a kaleidoscope of outfits, gyrated to the pulsating music, their movements synchronized with the hypnotic beats. Laughter and conversation mingled with the music, creating a constant buzz of energy.
The bar itself was a long, polished surface, where a skilled bartender deftly mixed drinks and poured shots. Bottles of liquor lined the shelves behind, illuminated to showcase their colorful labels. Customers leaned against the bar, clamoring for the bartender's attention, their voices raised to be heard over the music.
Flashing neon signs adorned the walls, advertising various drink specials and promotions. In one corner, a group of friends huddled around a table, clinking glasses and sharing animated stories. In another, a couple lost in each other's company swayed to a slower, more sensual rhythm.
Amidst the chaos, Elizabeth found a perch at the counter, a small oasis of calm. She watched the swirling vortex of activity with a mixture of awe and nostalgia, acutely aware of the contrast between this vibrant, chaotic world and the quiet life she had left behind. The club was a place of escape, a cacophonous sanctuary where she could drown out the weight of her circumstances, if only for a while.
She sat on a stand and let out a long sigh, she glanced at the bartender before yelling loud enough for him to hear, "Get me the strongest vodka you have!"
The bartender nodded and turned around to get her order. Elizabeth glanced at her ringing phone and groaned in annoyance before switching it off.
"Elyx vodka for me and a silver tequila for the pretty lady here." A voice said from the person beside Elizabeth but she ignored it, focusing only on the small bracelet on her hand, she still could not identify how the bracelet came about.
A shot glass was passed over to her by the bartender, "From the gentle man beside you, Miss."
She frowned slightly and finally lifted up her head, the person who was beside her hand a smile on his face, "Hello."
In the dimly lit bar, as Elizabeth finally turned her attention to the young man beside her, she couldn't help but notice his striking good looks. His features were undeniably handsome, with a chiseled jawline that accentuated his strong, angular face. His dark, neatly styled hair framed his forehead, allowing a few stray strands to fall gracefully across his face.
His eyes were a mesmerizing shade of deep black, intense and mysterious, gazing at her with a hint of curiosity and charm. A well-defined nose and perfectly symmetrical lips completed his captivating facial structure. It was a face that seemed almost too good to be true, and it held an air of confidence and allure.
As Elizabeth examined him, she couldn't deny the magnetic pull of his handsome features, which contrasted sharply with the chaotic and unfamiliar surroundings of the bar.
She shook her head and a small laugh escaped her lips, she couldn't believe that she was checking a guy out in a depressing moment like this, "I'm still human after all." She mumbled and glanced at the tequila in her hand.
"Thank you for the drink." She voiced out two words and gulped down the drink in one go.
"Do you still want your vodka, Miss?" The bartender asked with a polite smile.
"Hmn." Elizabeth nodded, "A bottle would be great."
As Elizabeth sat at the bar in the midst of the club's chaos, the pulsating music and chatter around her seemed to fade into the background. She stared absentmindedly at her drink, lost in her thoughts, when suddenly, a deep, resonant voice broke through the noise.
"Can I buy you another drink?"
The voice was like a warm, rich melody that gently caressed her ears. It carried an air of confidence and authority, yet it was laced with a soothing, almost hypnotic quality. Elizabeth's attention snapped away from her thoughts, and she turned her head to see the source of this captivating voice.
Standing beside her was a tall, well-dressed man with broad shoulders and a commanding presence. His eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and a faint smile played on his lips. It was a voice that could command attention and stir intrigue, making her heart skip a beat as she met his gaze.
"...? No, thanks." Elizabeth awkwardly voiced out a few words, she gave him a wary glare and turned back to the bartender.
"I have a deal for you, Miss Elizabeth…Brian." The voice came again, this time carrying her name in it. Elizabeth's eyes widened and she immediately turned towards him, her level of hostility at the max…
*****
Sorry, peeps
The last chapter was a repost, a mistake
