Prologue

“Bradley Miller!” I shrieked, gaining everyone's attention. And by everyone that includes his so-called friends and his posse which consisted of a good amount of brainless, narcissistic, and A-class b*ches.

“You and I were over.” I declared with all the dignity I could muster. 

Suddenly a maddening laugh left his mouth as he looked at me mockingly.

“I know you, Elle. Soon you'll come begging me to take you back.” He boasted, a smug look on his face.

As I shoved the door open I could still hear their hushed whispers that follow.

“That’s Bradley’s girlfriend? Yuck! He could do better than that piece of rag.” Snickers

“Can’t blame him for looking for another. The girl was a complete definition of trash.” Sneers

“She’s a total psycho, attacking Brad and Stephanie like that.” I could feel the amusement on his friends' mocking stares as I rushed down the stairs in haste, desperation propelling me forward into the shadows of the University’s deserted streets. But their taunting laughs still followed me as I forced myself to run faster. 

I blink back the tears as I fled from the house where I caught my boyfriend swapping spit on some blonde bimbo. Yet for some reason, I’m the one who felt embarrassed. 

I felt pathetic and miserable as I ran far from their judging eyes and taunting smiles.

I should have known better when Brad suddenly become distant and cold towards me after an argument because I refused to ask my parents for a monthly allowance in addition to the four-year scholarship program that was sponsored to him by my parents.

Shameless as*h*le

Silly me, believing that I finally found the person who would stay with me through thick and thin. 

I was wrong.

The unforgiving crisp night air was a welcome reminder that winter would be in short few weeks. I just have to endure it before I could escape everyone’s prying eyes on the winter break.

I couldn’t even begin to understand how their mind works. Brad’s justification for what he did meant nothing.  Because no matter how convincing he looked the way he said that the kiss was nothing or that girl Stephanie was just a friend, I can’t erase the image of them kissing on my head and the hurt I felt knowing that I matter less to him than his friends as he chose to be with them on the day of our anniversary.

The saddest part of it was nobody knows or cares about how much I’m hurting inside.

As I run aimlessly I was also looking for refuge—a place where I won’t be alone with my thoughts eating me alive. 

I looked around on the last block of houses inside the University until I heard a faint sound of bass coming from an old house not so far.

 I squared my shoulders as approach the imposing entrance of the old Victorian beauty. 

‘This is it.’ I thought to myself.

I blew out a breath as I knocked on the door. For a minute I stood there, pouring all my anger in every pounding at the old wood.

No one answered the door for a long while, feeling defeated I started to turn around but before I could take a step away from the imposing house the large door swung opened, revealing a drunk guy, who could barely stand.

“Babe,” He slurred, his body heavily leaning on the door.

“I'm not your babe,” I mumbled as I ducked under his arm that was holding the door open and let myself in.

The house was huge, decked with expensive-looking paintings and ornaments. I looked around in wonder as l navigate on the bustling house, ducking and leaning away from the swaying bodies into what seems the kitchen. Surprisingly the kitchen only had a few people lounging, minding their own business. They didn’t even bat an eye when I opened the cooler and took out four bottles of beer.

After closing the cooler I walked back into the main foyer, looking for the stairs. From the looks of it, the second floor was off-limits but then the occupants of the house were probably somewhere around entertaining their friends.

As I climbed up the stairs, a rush of thrill slithered through my veins. 

‘I’m breaking the rules!’ I internally shrieked.

The second floor was bathed with darkness, giving an impression that it was empty. Then, I started checking the doors. The first door was locked so was the second, third and fourth. I might be breaking the rules but I didn’t gain the ability how to pick a lock so I continue looking for an open room. On the last door, I hesitated, what if I get caught? What would I do?

I shook my head, mentally erasing the horrid thoughts in my mind.

Then I turned the doorknob. I almost scream in happiness and shock when it finally opened. I hastily open it wider as I enter the room. 

The room was clean but the bed was unmade giving an impression that someone was occupying the bed before I came.

‘He was probably downstairs with his friends.’ I thought to myself.

I roamed my eyes around the room just to be sure. It's empty and the bonus part was there’s a balcony inside. I immediately locked the door, a necessary precaution.

The moment I slide the balcony’s glass door, the crisp but refreshing cold night air rushed inside. I closed my eyes and just breath. Suddenly I felt much better.

High with intent to get drunk I automatically went to business, I slid my back on the wall before I slumped down on the floor, looking at the vast blackness ahead.

And so I drank my stolen beers. I drank until the bottles were emptier than I felt. Until I can no longer remember the anger and hurt I felt inside. 

After the beer was gone, I stand on my cold, numb feet, slightly swaying. But before my fingers could touch and lean on the metal railings. Someone had grabbed me from behind, hissing something on my ear. 

I fought with all my might, trashing and screaming, but the stranger never let go.

Strangely I felt safe in his arms enough to finally let myself succumbed to his comforting embrace. Before I drifted to sleep, a thought came over me.

While wallowing in anger and hurt I realized that I truly found refuge in this house because there’s not a moment that I was alone. Someone was with me, on this balcony, on this very night that I felt I'm at my lowest. 

•••

I was on a bed.

A bed that's not mine. I thought, trying to remember the events that lead me into an unfamiliar room.

“Glad you’re finally awake. Here,” A gruff voice sounded beside me. 

I immediately opened my eyes, ready to attack. But instead of gun or knife, as my overactive imagination assumed, he handed me a sealed bottle of water. 

“Drink this.” I frown, reluctantly accepting the offered water. 

Then, I remember everything. Brad kissing someone at his friend’s party. Brad disregarded the fact that it’s our anniversary and that I booked a reservation at his favorite restaurant. Me, running away after I slapped him hard. Breaking up with him in front of his friends, completely humiliating myself. And then the party I gatecrashed where I stole the four bottles of beer that knocked me down into oblivion.

The guy probably interpreted my silence and frown into something because he then said, “Don’t worry that’s from my fridge.” Yes, because any innocent-looking drinks downstairs are most probably spiked. 

Yay.

“Hi, I'm Elizabeth and you are?” There's no point in asking the generic, cliché questions frequently used on chick flick since I perfectly remember everything.

But instead of answering, he stands on his feet and took out his keys.

“Where do you live? Come on, I'll drive you.” I shook my head, no.  

“I’ll just get call a cab.” His gaze swept over my messy hair, tear steak face, rumpled pajamas, traveling down to my dirty feet. 

Based on my look, he probably thought that I don't have money for a cab. Which was so true. But I would never tell him that.

In response, I also study his face. He’s good-looking in a boy next door standard—boyish lopsided smile, thick black hair. I leaned closer to him to get a clear view of the color of his eyes certain that he could smell the beer on my breath.

I leaned away, ashamed of myself.

“Can I tell you a secret?” The guy was shocked at my sudden question. I can’t blame him, as the silence stretched between us the thoughts running in my head were slowly zapping the life out of me.

He tilted his head to the side, staring at me. 

“Okay, let’s hear it.”

I blew out a breath, looking away from him. This is not me but for the first time, I felt like confiding in someone—someone unfamiliar, someone who just listens without judging me. 

And besides, he already saw me at my worst, saw me broke down—screaming, shouting, and cursing Brad into h*ll.

What more I could hide? Yes! Nothing. 

“I caught my boyfriend kissing a girl.” I started, fidgeting. 

He nodded his head understandingly, urging me to continue.

“Okay and?” He prompted when I stayed mum.

“And he just laughed at my face.” A sneer painted my face as I recounted the scene. I saw the guy lowered his gaze like he was deep in his thoughts. He probably found my heartbreak boring but for the first time in years, I felt I've been freed from an invisible cage. 

“He said that the kiss doesn’t mean anything. But it does mean everything!”

“He would never be the first guy that would hurt you. The world is full of those kinds of people.” He shrugged his shoulders, finally looking away from my nonetheless delirious self.

“Shhh! I know that. The thing is, it’s our first anniversary and he ruined it.” I mumbled, hiding my face in my hands.

“I’ll make it up to you. How about we meet tomorrow? What do you say?”

“Like a break-up celebratory meal,” I asked in which he smiled while nodding his head, lighting up his face even in the dim lighting in his room. 

“Do you like Mexican foods?” He asked.

“Love them,” I said growing excited.

“What about coffee?”

“No freaking way! You’ve just ticked all the boxes. It’s a date then.” I blurted out without a thought, surprising myself.

“Date?”

“Yes, date.”

“But you’ve just broken up with your boyfriend.”

“I was devastated. Don’t get me wrong but I don’t think I love him. I think I’m just in love with the idea of being in love.” I felt hurt. Yes. I felt humiliated, of course. But I don’t feel like it’s the end of the world. 

“But you barely know me.”

“That’s the first reason why we should date. The second is you love Mexican and coffee, my two favorites. Of course, that’s a plus.”

“Aren’t you scared that I would hurt you?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because,” I said smiling.

“I should go, my best friend is probably in our apartment right now,” I said getting up from his bed.

“I'll drive you.”

“I'll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” I chirped, grabbing his phone from his hand to enter my number before kissing him on the cheek.

He was frozen on the spot, so when I opened the door I didn’t bother asking him to escort me out; instead, I bounded down with a spring on my steps.

The party has quieted down saved for a few men huddled together maniacally laughing at something.

Then one of them spotted me making my way to the door. 

“Hey! Do you need a ride? Looks like you have a rough night.” I pasted a stiff smile on my face before politely declining. 

“No thanks. The cab should be outside by now.” I lied. 

The truth was I forgot to call a cab before going down. Maybe I should go back upstairs, call a cab and wait for it to arrive before going back down again.

‘Yes, that’s it.’ I thought as I started towards the stairs. But before I could move further a sweet-smelling cloth was shoved on my nose. 

I tried breaking free from their strong grip but it’s a losing battle. Little by little I was robbed of my consciousness. Then I felt a slight pinched on my arm and a shout from a familiar voice.

Gustavo

I drifted for a while but when I regain some of my consciousness, I heard another familiar voice beside me while its warm hand was gently caressing my face.

“You’ll get the justice you deserve Elizabeth and swear I’ll protect you with everything I have.” The whisper tickled in my ear as I drifted between sleep and consciousness.

A single thought in my head.

‘Damn, I forgot to ask his name.’