Chapter 2 Chap One

• My life used to be simple. I had a mother who constantly warned me to be careful, especially at night. But I’m a girl who loves to party. Clubs and nightlife are my passion. My friends often say that a party isn’t complete without me.
• Because of this, my mother always panics when she finds out I’m out clubbing. I know she’s just worried, but I’ve always thought she was overreacting. I grew up without a father—Mom said he died before I was born, and we visit his grave every year on the anniversary of his death. Now that I’ve turned 18, I can go clubbing without having to fake my age or use fake ID cards.
• “This is fun!” Celine, my friend since junior high, exclaimed. She’s the one who introduced me to clubbing. But unlike me, she disappears whenever she finds her target for the night. Everyone knows what she’s up to—whether it’s in her car, a restroom, or a VIP room, she’s hooking up with her flavor of the night.
• “Yeah!” I laughed, dancing to the booming music that filled the club. The rhythm had my heart racing, and I couldn’t help but feel exhilarated.
• Celine and I danced together, moving wildly until our dancing became more sensual. Men around us were staring with lust in their eyes. I know I’m sexy and hot, though I have to admit, Celine’s curves are more pronounced than mine.
• “Let’s do the dirty hump!” Celine whispered. I nodded eagerly, and we began the dirty dance, the crowd cheering us on. I laughed as I watched Celine dance seductively. Then, she suddenly disappeared from the dance floor—probably whisked away by someone, and knowing Celine, she’ll hook up with him no matter who he is.
• I decided to head back to the bar and ordered a glass of tequila. I was tipsy, but still aware of what I was doing.
• “Hi, miss!” someone said as he sat beside me. I glanced at him—he was handsome, the kind of guy who could play a villain in a story.
• “Hi!” I replied, taking a sip of my drink. I noticed the lustful gleam in his eyes as he watched me drink. I smiled at him.
• “You’re so sexy. Can I know your name?” he asked, leaning closer to my ear. His breath tickled me, and I smirked. I’m not like Celine who hooks up with every guy she meets, but I can flirt a little.
• “It’s Solitaire,” I whispered back, deliberately breathing on his ear so he could feel me. His hand found its way to my small waist, and I wondered if I was drunk.
• “Your name suits you,” he whispered huskily. Solitaire is my middle name—I always use it when a guy asks for my name because I don’t want to give them my real one.
• “What about you?” I asked seductively in his ear. He started kissing my ear, his warm lips trailing down my jawline.
• “Tristan,” he whispered, now busy kissing my neck. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation. His hands wandered down to my thighs and slipped under my short skirt. I let him, knowing no one could see us in the crowded, dimly lit club.
• “You’re so hot…” he moaned against my neck. I let out a small sigh, allowing him to touch me, as it made me feel good. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him hungrily. He was surprised at first but soon returned my kisses with equal fervor, one hand massaging my thigh while the other caressed my chest under my clothes.
• When I felt his hand move lower, I immediately pulled away from the kiss. Tristan looked at me, confused.
• “Is something wrong?” he asked. No, you can’t touch me there.
• “I’m leaving,” I said without looking back at him. I walked quickly, the cold night air hitting me as I reached the parking lot. I searched for my car—or rather, my mom’s car. But then I felt it again.
• This wasn’t the first time, but it always creeped me out. Every night, I feel like someone is watching me. I know my mom is worried about me, but whenever this happens, I can’t help but wonder—does she know someone’s after me?
• I don’t know. I haven’t told her because I know it would only make her worry more, and she’d probably never let me out again. But this feeling of being watched…it’s unsettling and it bothers me.
• I looked around the empty parking lot, but I was alone. I quickened my pace and found the car. I fumbled for the keys in my bag, and once I had them, I started the car immediately. I glanced around again, searching for whoever might be watching me, but saw no one.
• As I drove, I replayed the night in my mind. I had fun partying and making out with Tristan. He wasn’t the only one I kissed that night, but I didn’t want to go any further. I’m not like Celine, who craves sex.
• Speaking of Celine, I needed to text her that I was heading home. I was typing on my phone when my car screeched to a stop! I blinked twice and looked ahead. A huge rock was blocking the road—probably fallen from the mountain. This road is near the mountainside, so it’s not unusual, but…was I imagining it?
• I hadn’t pressed the brakes, so…how did my car stop on its own? It felt like someone had pulled it back to make it stop.
• I quickly turned around to check the back of the car…but there was no one there.
• What the hell just happened?