All Rights Reserved

Chapter 1 - The Water

Alexandria Doukas' POV

"Make sure you let loose tonight."

A wry smile crossed my face at my best friend who was glaring insistently at me. "Aren't you supposed to make sure that nothing gets out of control?" I asked dryly as I tugged at my hair a little self consciously as we walked along the pathway leading into a club.

"Pfft." Kat waved her hand dismissively as I trailed behind her a touch warily. "Who cares about that? I'm getting married in four months!" She levelled a stern expression towards me, "I don't care. You're to have fun tonight. It's my first bachelorette party."

At that, I rolled my eyes. "Kat, you planned four bachelorette parties."

"So?"

I sighed and shook my head, a smile forming on my face at the indignant look on my best friend's face. "Nothing. It's just I'm not that much of a partier. Especially at a club," I said deadpanned as Kat passed something to the bouncer with a wink who immediately let us in, much to the dismay of those who were queuing.

"Oh lighten up, Lex!" Kat whirled around and hooked an arm with mine, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're single!" She eyed my outfit critically, "You should've worn the skirt I laid out for you. You would definitely be hooked up with."

At that, I made a face before crossing my arms defensively. "I like my jeans."

Said skirt was about two inches below my arse and there was no way in hell I would wear something like that. It totally went against my conservative sensibilities. Instead, I stuck to my reliable jeans that I paired with a sparkly black top and some comfortable wedges.

Kat wrinkled her nose before tilting her head critically. "At least you still look hot," she smirked before tugging me in. Already, I could hear the loud music, the beat vibrating against the walls and inwardly, I accepted being the responsible one tonight.

I didn't mind being the responsible one, it was something I was familiar with, something that was in my comfort zone and I hardly stepped out of it. And that was the way I liked it.

"Lex," Kat started, her dark eyes firm, which was a far cry from her playful and carefree demeanour and I paused, knowing that whatever she wanted to say was serious and heartfelt.

"I'm glad that you've finally decided to move on," she began softly and I glanced away, not wanting to see the look of sympathy on her face. "I know that deciding to move on and actually doing so is quite different but you'll be able to do it. I know you will."

I pressed my lips together. Trevor Henderson was always a topic that I didn't appreciate coming up. The fact that I was twenty-four and still hung up on the guy despite him never acknowledging my existence still stung.

"I'm just incredibly happy for you that you've decided to move on," she smiled and squeezed my hands reassuringly.

Swallowing hard at that, I willed the ache in my heart to just go away for once. "Yeah," I whispered, eyes avoiding Kat's knowing ones before forcing a tight smile on my face.

"Enough about me," I tugged on Kat's elbow, leading her further into the club. "Tonight's about you, so let's go get you some drinks," I ordered sternly and Kat threw her head back and laughed.

Already, I could see appreciative glances thrown her way and once again, I was glad that my brother had found someone as amazing as her.

"Alright, drinks!" Kat cheered loudly before dragging me towards the bar.

* * *

Two hours later, I was regretting letting Kat ever touch alcohol. Again.

It wasn't as if she was a violent drunk. She was the drunk that said too much. This involved spewing crap and giving way too many details about her sex life with her fiancé which was to my distaste, my brother.

No matter how close we were, I never wanted to know what she and my brother, Raphael got up to during their date nights.

"I want anoother drink," she slurred, head dropping to the back of the chair as she rubbed her face tiredly.

"Maybe you should stop," I suggested hopefully while mentally counting the number of our friends in the vicinity. All three of them were girls that we had met during college during our first year and we had formed a solid bond. Once I was done, I let out a sigh of relief. All three of them were at most a few metres away; nowhere too far where I couldn't reach if anything were to go wrong.

"NO!" Kat shouted abruptly, head perking up and levelled a glare in my direction. "Maybe youu should go to the bar nowwww," she slurred and I grimaced.

Mentally, I began shaking my head. Kat was so going to regret drinking this much tomorrow morning. "What do you want?" I questioned patiently.

Kat tapped her manicured finger against her chin though she miscalculated the distance and was tapping her neck instead. "Another shot, no! Make it fiveeee!"

I strongly resisted the urge to raise a skeptical eyebrow before forcing a bright smile on my face. "Alright, well, please stay here while I get your shots," I coaxed patronisingly and Kat nodded happily, a bright smile on her face and I resisted the urge to just drag her home.

It was her bachelorette party after all. Well, it was a bachelorette party, of sorts. But we all knew that it was just an excuse for her to head out to drink.

Making my way across the club to get to the bar was a challenge in itself. Avoiding groping hands was as easy as robbing a bank.

When I finally made my way to the bar, I clutched my hands against the raised edge, resting my feet that were encased in pretty wedges. Though I wasn't one for extravagant shopping like my best friend, I didn't mind spending on shoes.
Basically, they were my weakness.

"A glass of water please," I ordered before pausing to turn around to look for the other three girls who were so utterly wasted that I couldn't believe it. "Nevermind," I turned back to the bartender. "Make it four."

The bartender nodded and began pouring the much-needed water and I drummed my fingers silently against the marble countertop.

Suddenly, a body settled beside me and I tensed, I really didn't need a drunk dude hitting on me tonight. Especially when I had to look after four shitfaced drunks who needed water shoved down their throats.

"Water?"

A deep voice questioned skeptically and I could feel my face heating up. Getting water at a club did seem a little out there, it didn't matter that it wasn't for me but for my friends, but I could feel my face flushing.

Thanking the fates that the club was terribly lit and that no one could see the bright blush on my face, I looked up with wide eyes to see him.

Him, being the man who was raising an eyebrow at the four glasses of water in front of me. Him who had a face of a god. Him, who had the features that any model would kill for and it was literally unfair that he had a form that suited that face.

He looked a little older than I was, but the warmth in his eyes made me pause at the sharp rebuttal I had already prepared mentally.

He had curly brown hair that was shorn close to his head, giving him a rather dashing and clean cut look. Overall, he had a rather charming disposition that didn't make me want to leave immediately.

Resting his forearms on the counter top of the bar, I could tell that he was fit. The sleeves of his black dress shirt was a little form fitting, highlighting his biceps and leanly muscled form and I almost bit my lip at that.

Kat was the only one that knew I had a thing for guys who dressed smartly and were leanly muscled.

And I still wondered at why I allow myself to drink around her.

A slow smirk began to form on his lips and once more I could feel myself heating up when I realised that I had been staring at him for what seemed like hours.

God, could I get any more embarrassing?

Suddenly remembering the question, I straightened my back and tilted my chin defensively. Was ordering water at a club a crime? "What's wrong with water?" I frowned.

A smile curved onto his lips and I could feel myself faltering at that. His smile wasn't lecherous nor did it make me feel uncomfortable, and I could tell that it was utterly sincere.

"There's nothing wrong with that, of course. I'm just mildly curious as to why a gorgeous woman like yourself is getting water instead of having fun with the rest?"

Bristling at that and trying not to appear embarrassed or anything akin to that, I glanced away from his piercing eyes, not wanting them to see through me. "Maybe," I began as I picked up a glass of water, "I would like to stay clear-headed when there are people like you around me."

Instead of getting offended like I thought he would, the man grinned, flashing me a peek at a row of pearly white teeth and immediately, I wanted to tug at myself or at my clothes, conscious as to how I appeared to others, especially him.

"That's wise of you."

He inched slightly towards me and I fought against the instinct to take a step back. Not in fear or intimidation but because I was afraid that I would lose my nerves around him. I wasn't afraid of him, I was just wary of what I would do or say if he got too close. It was safe to say I was the type who rambled on and on when I was nervous or out of my depths.

"Do elaborate on what kind of person you think I am," he picked up his glass and took a casual sip before tilting his head, eyes narrowing at me. It felt like he was trying to figure me out and I didn't like that. Exposed was the word that came to mind.

Squirming slightly, I pushed a wayward lock of my hair behind my ear before looking down at my glasses of water. "I would rather not say."

Turning away from the man who was still scrutinising me, I glanced into the crowd of gyrating bodies, trying to see if the girls were where I last saw them and that included Kat who seemed to be clutching her head at the table I left her.

"Indulge me."

Forcing a tight smile on my face, I regarded him with an apologetic one. "I'm sorry, I've got to attend to my friends."

A small frown settled on his handsome features before it was gone as he flagged the bartender down and it wasn't a minute that passed before he handed a napkin with his number scribbled on it towards me.

"I'm Mikael."

I blinked. What was I supposed to do? No guy had really tried to pass me their numbers this directly before. "If you'll like, we can have dinner or anything you wish."

I could feel my jaw drop and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, "You're kidding."

Mikael - whose name really did suit him - grinned and I could feel how my heart seemed to stutter at how handsome he was when he did so. "No, I can assure you I'm not," he stated firmly.

"I-I can't," I stammered.

Surely someone like Mikael wouldn't be interested in someone like me. I was just plain sensible boring Lexi. Guys like Mikael would always be interested in girls that were livelier, more fun. Girls like Kat.

If you can't even attract Trevor in any way, what makes you so sure that you can even keep anyone's attention? Especially someone highly sought after like Mikael?

I bit my lip at my subconscious, knowing it to be true. "I'm sorry. Excuse me." With that, I turned to leave, face burning with shame and embarrassment at trying to be someone that I wasn't.

A hand on my arm stopped me and I looked up to see Mikael holding onto me. His hold was gentle but firm and even though I was wearing a blouse with long sleeves, I could feel the heat of his palm and it warmed me.

"Could I at least have your name?"

I chewed on my lower lip, mind racing to come up with a fake name. And of course, the name that came to my mind was Kat's.

"Katherine."

Inwardly, I just hoped that Kat wouldn't be too pissed off at me for using the English moniker of her name. She never did like it ever since she was in school. It was Katerina for her and that was that.

"Katherine," Mikael repeated doubtfully and I nodded convincingly.

"Katherine..." I paused trying to think of a believable surname. "Katherine Kolosova," I finished lamely before giving him another tight smile before making my way off.

At every step I took, I resisted taking another glance at Mikael and I could definitely feel the regret blooming in me for not accepting his number or his invite. But how could I? I wasn't the fun-loving type nor was I the interesting chatty sort that I tried to portray earlier.

Finally making my way back to the table, I set the tray of water down just as Kat raised her head up to look at me. "You're back!"

Raising an eyebrow at her enthusiasm, I handed her a glass of water, which she took with appreciation. That showed that she was slowly sobering up.

"Hey, what's this?"

I blinked. Kat was holding onto the napkin that Mikael had passed to me earlier, which I had thought that I rejected. Had he placed it on my tray when I wasn't looking?

What a sneak.

But I had to appreciate his eagerness for me to call him.

"Some random guy gave me his number," I replied nonchalantly as I slipped into the booth beside her.

Kat arched her brows and crossed her arms. "Well?"

"Well, what?" I frowned as I took a sip of water.

Kat rolled her eyes. "Are you going to take him up on his offer?"

"No, he's just some random drunk guy," I lied, looking down at my cup while tracing a finger on the edge.

Except he wasn't. Mikael wasn't drunk or anything. In fact, he seemed rather lucid and intelligent and he was rather charming.

"Oh, well, that's good then. If only he was your type, I would have forced you out with the guy," Kat sighed before standing up.

I bit my lip. No, it was just better for me to stay in my comfortable bubble.

* * *

A/N: Here is the first chapter! I hope you guys liked it. Also, I still haven't figured who to play Mikael or Lexi. I really did appreciate your suggestions though! 

Also, regarding Inkitt, I'm still ironing out details with them but I should be updating chapters there hopefully more than once a week? And Wattpad will be updated one day after Inkitt. My username there is cheryl_is_not_here :)