"Scotch. The strongest you have," said Arianna Quinn as she sat down in front of the bartender.
She was still wearing her office outfit—a knee-length skirt and a tight white blouse that clung to her figure, unintentionally making her look seductive. Her long blonde hair fell in loose waves down her back, slightly messy. A pair of black high heels, the same ones she wore to work, completed her look.
Tonight wasn't about looking good. Arianna just needed alcohol.
Earlier that day, she had been rejected by three different companies. Not one gave her a proper chance. And if that wasn't enough, she'd also received an eviction notice from her landlord—months of unpaid rent finally catching up to her.
"Here's your scotch, miss," the bartender said, sliding a clear crystal glass toward her, the amber liquid swirling over a few ice cubes.
"Thanks," Arianna replied shortly, downing it in one swift motion.
The empty glass felt like a reflection of her life—cold and hollow.
"Another one," she said, pushing the glass back.
"Sure thing," the bartender responded with a faint smile before quickly refilling the glass.
Arianna didn't know her. Despite having been to this club a few times before, they'd never spoken. But she liked this particular bartender—quiet, discreet, no unnecessary questions. Not like the usual flirty guys or nosy staff who tried to pry into your story.
This woman just focused on the drinks, her hands moving expertly with each pour. Arianna found it oddly calming to watch her work.
"Thanks," she muttered again as the second drink was handed to her.
"Anytime," the bartender replied, giving her a quick wink before turning to serve another customer who was crying mid-conversation.
Arianna didn't care to know what the woman was crying about. She had her own problems—big enough to drown in.
Her second glass was now empty. But the pain in her chest still lingered.
Arianna's second glass was now empty, yet the weight she carried in her chest and mind remained just as heavy. She glanced into her wallet—it still held enough for a few more drinks.
"One more glass," she said softly to the bartender.
"Alright. With extra ice?" the bartender replied with a quick nod, already refilling her drink with practiced ease.
Arianna gave a faint smile but said nothing more. She watched the amber liquid swirl as it was poured, the clink of ice echoing in the dim lighting of the club. Without hesitation, she took the glass in hand and sipped. Then drank again. And again.
She didn't know how many more glasses followed. Her sense of time blurred, her surroundings melted into soft colors and muffled voices. Her mind, which had been drowning in worries, began to float in a haze of scotch. The sharp edges of her problems dulled. The ache in her chest became bearable. Almost.
"Mo...re..." Arianna mumbled, her voice almost inaudible as she slid the empty glass forward.
The bartender hesitated, glancing at her drooping posture. Arianna could no longer keep her head up. Her arms lay limp on the bar top, and she finally rested her cheek on its cool surface. The chill of the marble met the heat of her flushed skin.
"You've had too much, miss," the bartender said gently. "Is there anyone I can call for you? It's not safe for you to drive."
Arianna barely moved. She wasn't used to drinking this much. She wasn't used to feeling so powerless either.
"You're not going to serve me another one?" she asked, slurring slightly.
"I'm just worried about you," the bartender replied in a low voice, kind but firm.
Arianna understood. Slowly, she reached into her purse and pulled out the remaining contents of her wallet. She hesitated, then stopped herself. What was she even trying to do?
"…Toilet?" she mumbled next. She had used the restroom here many times before, but now she couldn't recall where it was. Her mind was too foggy.
"Straight ahead, then left," the bartender directed her.
"Thanks," she muttered as she tried to stand, her legs wobbling beneath her. She began to stagger forward.
"Hey, gorgeous! Need a hand?" a man's voice called out, followed by crude laughter.
Arianna ignored it. She didn't have the energy to respond, nor the focus. Her vision swam. She couldn't tell how many voices there were—two, maybe three. She could feel their eyes on her. Then footsteps. Someone was following her. Multiple someones, perhaps.
Panic rose in her chest, but her body wouldn't cooperate. She stumbled ahead, reaching blindly until her hand finally touched a door handle. Without thinking, she pushed it open and slipped inside, closing it behind her with a shaky breath.
She blinked several times. The bathroom was bright and bustling—thankfully, the women's room. Inside, groups of women in glittering dresses and heavy makeup laughed and adjusted their looks in front of mirrors. Safe.
The men wouldn't follow her in here.
After relieving herself, Arianna splashed cold water on her face. It helped… slightly. At least she didn't feel like she would collapse anymore. Still, the alcohol clung to her system like fog in the morning. Heavy. Cloudy.
She exited the bathroom and immediately frowned. The hallway looked unfamiliar, and the path back to the main club seemed to have vanished. She muttered a quiet curse under her breath. Her steps were uneven, her mind spinning. She wandered in confusion until she saw a set of double doors guarded by two large men.
"Finally," she breathed with a grin, assuming this was the exit. After all, she'd seen doors like these guarded at every club she'd visited. Security always stood near the front.
The guards said nothing and allowed her to pass. The moment the door shut behind her, she heard the unmistakable sound of a lock clicking into place.
Then she realized—this wasn't the exit.
It was a private VIP room.
Standing inside was a tall, broad-shouldered man with piercing sky-blue eyes and platinum hair that shimmered under the golden glow of the chandelier. His gaze locked onto her the moment she stepped in, intense and unreadable.
"What took you so long?" he asked, his voice deep and commanding.
"I... I think I'm in the wrong room," Arianna stammered, her mind struggling to process what was happening.
"There's no need to explain," he said coolly.
He took a step forward.
The man then grabbed Arianna's hand and roughly slammed her onto the sofa.
"What are you doing?"
Arianna's brain only started working when the man was already on top of her.
"Let go of me! This is a mistake! I shouldn't be here!" Arianna screamed, struggling. But the man didn't listen. He brought his face closer, and the scent of alcohol wafted from his breath. He was clearly drunk.
"I love this kind of scenario; it turns me on even more. Scream, tell me you don't want this, struggle as much as you can," he said, grabbing Arianna's wrists above her head and locking them there.
"No! This is a complete mistake!"
Arianna cried.
However, the man had already crushed her lips roughly and passionately, giving her no chance to speak again. He now held both of Arianna's wrists with one hand, while his other hand nimbly unbuttoned her shirt.
"Office attire. I like it. I'll give you a big tip," he said between gasps.
"Please don't! Let me go, sir! You've got the wrong man!" Arianna cried. She was really crying now, but the man was smiling, enjoying it all.
He quickly unhooked her bra and then passionately enjoyed her breasts.
"No! Let me go!" Arianna cried.
Arianna's head was dizzy from the alcohol. She wanted to struggle, to escape, but she was powerless. He was too strong and her head was too dizzy.
"Please, sir... Ja..."
Arianna's words were cut off when the man suddenly lifted her to a standing position and quickly untied her short skirt, causing it to fall to the floor. He then roughly grabbed Arianna's hair and forced her to bend over with her back to him. Arianna had to hold onto the back of the sofa with both hands to maintain her balance.
Behind the sofa was a large mirror, and Arianna could see herself, now completely naked, and the shirtless man.
"No! Please don't!" Arianna cried as the man approached her behind.
Too late, Arianna yanked him back. She could see his muscles rippling as he moved his body. Arianna couldn't do anything. Tears escaped her eyes and fell down her soft cheeks.
.
.
To be continued