Dark Layers Volume 2: Dark Layers (5 page)

"Do you mind Derek?" I shout over the music - I let my deflection go.
Lummox!

Derek is dancing with a stunning Brazilian looking girl; she's dressed in a tight little pink dress and her hair is so damn curly and falls all over her back - she's gorgeous. I know he will not be hurt by my absence. He smiles with raised eyebrows; he dances them up and down. I blow him a kiss - knowing his dirty sexual agenda.

Cast and I go straight to the VIP area and I now notice how tipsy I am - holy crap! The room looks like fairy dust is falling where the dramatic lights dance all around. The music is electric. It courses through my veins with a thumping rhythm. I feel great - finally!

Cast seats himself in a VIP booth. It's not very private but I'm thankful - my motives regarding my virginity are safe tonight. The VIP area is separated by a steel barred walk way. The dance floor is
right
next to us. The seats are crisp white leather. Huh - Elijah springs to mind - they must be related - I gasp as I register every damn piece of furniture is bloody leather!

Cast pats the empty space next to him, hinting for me to take my place. I smile and get seated, grateful for the temporary rest off of my feet - heels really should not be a fashion must for women.

"Anile, I must say, you are a very, very attractive woman."

I flush at his compliment, "thank you Cast. That's a very nice thing to say."

"It's true. You must have men falling at your feet. Your posture is impeccable and the way your facial expressions come across to the world are enthralling."

His attention to detail shocks me. My mouth is wide open. I should not judge people on first appearances. I thought he was just a bus boy, lying about owning this place and working the club, but I somehow feel a 'punked' moment coming into this scene. I do not really know how to answer him so I think another flume of champagne is in order to make me brave - and that it does. The bubbles go down nicely as my confidence rises.

"You are also very nice to look at Cast; being easy on the eye is always appealing to me." I smile, giving him a sneaky side glance.

"I think I am going to enjoy having you around." He smiles.

"What?" I mutter while frowning.

I'm sure someone has said those exact words to me? I shake them free from my mind as the memory pangs at my chest -
Elijah.

He strokes my naked arm with his feather light fingers, ignoring my less than elegant pronoun.

"Your skin is illuminating and beautiful Anile." He whispers.

Okay, that's enough of his cheesiness!

"And you are trying too hard." I joke as I get to my feet. I am in no mood for another one-hundred and eighty pound Bastard thinking he can take what he wants from me by whispering sweet nothings into my ear.

"Where are you going?" He asks stunned. His beautiful face is now full of frown lines.

"To find someone worth the chase." I mutter leaning towards him.

I turn on my heel and leave, proud and chuffed. I click my way back to the bar feeling good - all these compliments really are going to my head.
No, that is the drink, stupid!

I order a large cocktail - one more will not hurt. While I sip the freshly poured Sex on the Beach - relishing in the sweet orgasmic flavour - I stand watching everyone dance and make-out in public. My thoughts annoyingly return to sex. How long will I be a bloody virgin? Maybe I should ask Derek to rectify the problem - I don't want to hold on to it anymore. I jump when I think of my best friend - Derek, I need to find him, he's probably worried sick about me!

After ten minutes of searching the toilets, the dance floor and even outside, I give up, knowing exactly where he is - Skank! I mutter mentally, knowing he is seeing to that girl.

Upon giving up on everyone, I accept my lonely fate and take my place on the dance floor. I close my eyes and dance away to the enchanting sound of Mariah Carey - Beautiful. The song fills my ears with a sense of passion - all hope isn't lost - I giggle. At least I can get some kind of passion in my life - even if it is only from music!

Within no time at all, I feel gentle hands slide around my waist. My eyes shoot open to see Cast eyeing me with a 'sorry' expression. Wow, his eyes are so damn blue, and sexy! He's one beautiful man. His touch sadly does nothing for me though - will I ever get the static feeling of lust from anyone other than Elijah? I frown unknowingly.

"Can we start again? I obviously underestimated you Anile." He asks, leaning in on me.

I smile while bowing my head. Maybe I can just have some fun with him.

"What the hell is this?" I hear someone shout from behind us.

I don't need to see who it is. I know exactly who it is - how can I forget! I quickly turn - mirroring Casts' quick reaction - to see Elijah, simmering almost to the point of exploding. Holy shit! I turn back around so I'm not facing him - his gaze is so damn intense! I try to make a quick getaway.

Luckily I make it to the back of the crowd - alone. Peering back, I try to catch a glimpse of what's going on. I can see Elijah and Cast arguing with one another. I cannot hear them because the music is too loud but you do not have to be an expert to read their body language. They are both pointing fingers, gritted teeth; Elijah is thrashing his hand all around. I swallow hard, feeling extremely guilty, knowing this is all my fault.
No it is not! He doesn't own you!
No, he bloody doesn't own me!

I continue walking to the back of the club - I need to find Derek and get the hell out of here. A thought springs to mind - how the hell does Elijah know I'm here? That damn security guard! I know it was him. What the fuck is wrong with these men?

I continue my search for Derek - pissed off. I again search the toilets, the smoking area and every VIP booth but I still cannot find him. I'll try to call him. When I pull my phone free from my silver beaded clutch bag, I see ten missed calls; six from my father and four from Elijah. I shake my head at them both, knowing I will never break free from these controlling dominant Bastards!

Derek does not answer his phone. He has obviously left. I decide to do the same. It's his own fault for not telling me where he was going.

While I make my way around the crowd of people - hoping to avoid the devil himself - my pinch of luck fails me. Elijah comes up from behind me, screaming.

"Anile - stop. Stop now! I am warning you!"

I try to ignore him but he screams at the security guards, "stop her!"

"Ugh!" I huff.

Tonight is not going to plan. Before there is a big embarrassing scene I stop dead, knowing I have just about had enough of Elijah.

Cast thankfully tries to come to my rescue.

"Elijah, you don't own her! Leave her alone."

"If you do not fuck off, I will paint this fucking club with you!" Elijah warns, waving his hands around like a mad man and Cast gives up way too quickly.

This has gone too far. We cannot talk here, the music is too loud and I don't think I can manage grammatically correct words - I am absolutely drunk out of my mind and I need to go to bed.

"Elijah, you can take the lid off of your boiling pot head. I'm heading home." I snap.

I watch his mood dramatically change. He comes down from his vexed buzz. He's breathing steadily again. He comes right up to me and unexpectedly takes me by my waist. Oh, the static is still there. The longing, the desire, the desperation. - NO! I must nip this in the bud now! But before I even have a chance to tell him to piss off, he has a few things to say to Cast which catch my attention.

"If you come near her again I will fucking ruin you Castor! You know I have the power to do such things, so do not persist in your games!"

Castor? Oh my God - that's his brother. I break free of Elijah's grip. He's reluctant to let me go but I'm insistent.

"He is your brother isn't he?"

Elijah and Cast stand stupefied. They do not answer me.

"You lot are fucking crazy! Leave me alone, and I mean it." I finish, pointing a stern finger at them both.

I storm out of the club - reeling! As soon as the cold London air hits my lungs, the fuzziness of my brain kicks in and I know I need to sit down. I cross the road and take pride position on the curb, trying desperately to gather myself. I cross my arms and sink my head inside them.

"Anile." Elijah whispers soft.

"Elijah, please leave me alone." I beg.

"I am going nowhere Anile. I want to take you home."

I look up at him, taking mental inventory of his beautiful face. As I eye him from head to toe, I notice his clothes are getting more and more casual. He's wearing a dark grey hoodie with light blue tightly fitted jeans and bright white Nike Air Max trainers. His hair is tied back in a neat little ponytail, looking glossy and sharp. His dark features grip me - he has a little stubble and he looks good with it. My tummy tightens with uneasy knots. My entire body pricks - goose pimples, it's just goose pimples because it's cold - I try to tell myself but fail miserably. He smiles, noticing the profound effect he's having on me. I lick my lips and retreat back into the safety of my crossed arms. He sits next to me on the curb - I can sense him near me. I quickly peek up at him from the side. His legs are so long, and lean. He should never have to grace the curb.

He stays quiet and just observes me. I have to suffer breaking the ice. I cannot stand tension between us - especially not now! All I feel with him is sexual tension and now it's multiplied by one-thousand!

"When did billionaires start dressing like yobbos?" I joke, sitting up straight.

"I was relaxing at my house when I had a very disturbing phone call from someone, informing me that you are trashed in a club and with my God damn brother. So I am pretty sure you can guess how it affected me, Anile."

"I thought you were hosting a party tonight? You invited me to it the other day in your office."

"It's Thursday Anile, not Friday. And besides, that party has been cancelled due to… recent events." He replies deadpan.

Jesus I'm losing account of my days now, as well as my time!

I do not immediately answer him. I'm trying to sense which of his personalities are present tonight - but I'm too drunk for this. I stare and frown in sync, noticing I can see two of him - how ironic.

"Are you okay? You look out of it Anile." He says worried. His hands edge towards me but I narrow my eyes at him.

"I'm drunk, what do you expect? We cannot all be perfect Elijah." I joke, slurring all my words.

"Come, I am taking you home."

"You bloody well are not." I snap.

"Anile.... I will put you over my shoulder and carry you home if you do not obey me - let me give you a ride."

"You wouldn't dare."

He smiles at my dare looking deviant.

"Oh baby, I live for this - and who would stop me? You? Derek? No. Derek is not here and you must weigh all of one-hundred and ten pounds. Princess, I could lift you with my pinky. Now get your cute butt off of the dirty floor and let me take you home."

I motion my hand like 'who gives a crap' and try to get to my feet - I struggle, embarrassingly. He tries to help me. He aims to grab my waist. 

"Leave me Elijah. I can manage getting to my feet." I snap.

He doesn't listen. He swiftly picks me up and effortlessly throws me over his shoulder. He strolls off down the not so busy street with me.

"Elijah! Bloody put me down!" I scream, but he laughs at me. "Elijah, I will never speak to you ever again if you do not put me down!"

I shake my head at his ignorance, wondering if I should just give up as I bounce with his long strides.

"Oh my God!" Derek mouths as he appears from an alley with the pretty girl. He starts laughing his head off. "What is going on? What have you done Anile?" He continues his loud chants of laughter. He looks absolutely hammered. Elijah annoyingly stops in his tracks and starts laughing with him also. Okay, now I know I'm being 'punked'!

"What are you doing way up there?" Derek continues to joke.

I stupidly try to lean on my arm, using Elijah's shoulder as a platform.

"Chilling Derek; you know how I like a change of scenery." I snap sarcastically.

He starts to really belt out huge roaring laughs. I huff at his arrogance. What is it with the damn men in my life?

"I am assuming you are Aniles' partner in crime?" Elijah addresses Derek – no longer laughing - while he sets me on my feet.

"Thank fucking God!" I snap, clutching at my now aching tummy. I wobble a little but Elijah catches my arm and pulls me close. Hmmm, Elijah. He smells of normal Elijah; spicy and clean. His clothes are so soft - I rub my cheek against his chest.
Stop Anile!

"Yes father. How long am I grounded for?" Derek slurs, trying to be funny.

"Do not test me Derek. We are all available for some fun but I mean really, this has gone too far. She ended up in the VIP area with my damned brother!" Elijah snaps.

Knowing Cast is his brother still pools unhealthily around in my mind.