HIS POV

       I turn around in bed, expecting my arm to fall over the beautiful woman from last night, Erika. However, I am greeted by a cold emptiness. My eyes flutter open as I perk up.

"Erika?" I call out but no answer and I frown.

The clanking of pans coming from outside causes my smile to return. I slip on my briefs and rush out of the room. The sweet scent of freshly made pancakes fills my nostrils.

"I thought you le—Oh, shit!" A loud shriek accompanies my panicked cussing. I rush into my room and throw on a pair of sweatpants and gray t-shirt. With an embarrassed look on my face I walk back outside. "El, I am so sorry. I thought you were still on vacation."

The strawberry blonde turns to face me. I notice her cheeks are a dark shade of red and she does not dare to look me in the eyes.

"It is alright," she assures. Her forest green eyes finally look up to face me. "Would you like some pancakes?"

       "Sure," I say hesitantly as I take a seat at the island-counter.

       Eloise Ports is a twenty-one-year-old business journalism student and my roommate. She is a sweet girl and very fun to be around. We share a sibling-like relationship hence why I let her live with me.

       "You didn't happen to see um, someone leave early this morning?" I ask as she sets down a plate of pancakes in front of me.

       Eloise gives me a knowing look. "I arrived twenty-minutes ago. Your someone must have left before I arrived."

Disappointment washes over me. I sink into my seat with a heavy sigh. I was hoping to spend more time with Erika. She surely helped me get over my depressed-mood last night and I craved more of her. It is as if I was struck by a spell. The feeling of her lips against mine was utter bliss and I want more.

"So, I am guessing you are doing better if you had another girl over?" Eloise asks, almost in a bitter tone. However, I brush it off. She is probably mad I let a stranger into our apartment.

       "Mhmm," I hum as I stare at the door. A slight shiver travels down my spine as the memories from last night flash through my mind.

       I have to find her. I need her.

***

I walk into the loud club. Crazy in Love is playing loudly as the people dance to the beat. I let my eyes wonder around hoping to find Erika.

I am close to giving up when I notice a familiar face. The bartender from last night stood behind the counter pouring drinks for a group of girls. Erika and him seemed to know each other so maybe he knows something. I push through the crowd until I reach the bar.

"I'll be with you in a moment," he states, his gaze on the bills in his hands. He finally looks up and it is clear he recognizes me. "Oh, hey pretty boy. What can I get you tonight?"

"I need your help," I say urgently.

"Oo-okay," his eyebrows scrunch together. "How can I help you?"

"You know the girl I was with last night, right?" I ask and Derek nods in a hesitant manner.

"Yeah, Samantha," he replies and this time I am the one with a dumbfounded expression. He seems to notice my confusion and his eyes widen. "Sorry, I am thinking of another girl." He chuckles nervously.

I narrow my eyes at him not fully buying his statement. I simply brush off his comment and focus on my initial mission.

"Her name is Erika," I remind.

"Oh, yeah-h-h," he gives me yet another nervous chuckle and I roll my eyes.

"Do you know where I can find her?"

       "I don't really know her like that," he clarifies. "I just see her around the club and we talk whenever she visits."

       "Oh," my face morphs into that of a lost-puppy.

       The bartender purses his lips together to the side as he taps his chin. "But," he adds and I look up at him. "I do know she tends to go M.I.A for two weeks and then returns. So, you may wanna come back in two weeks time to find her."

       Two weeks.

       It is a long wait, but it is better than never seeing her again. I nod and follow his advice.

       I allow a span of two weeks pass before finding myself at the club once again. I walk around hoping to find her this time. As I take a sip of my brown liquor, my eyes land on a couple near the second-floor mezzanine. The girl looks down, laughing as she pushes her reddish-brown hair back. Erika.

       I immediately let my feet lead me to her. Not once do I take my eyes off of her and perv standing close to her, way too close. I stop on my tracks as I watch him pull her close and she does not push him away. My skin begins to boil as he nestles his face into her neck. I clench my fists together from the anger rising inside me. She slides her hand down his back to his back pocket and my eyes widen at the scene in front of me. She slips his wallet out without him even noticing and places it into her knee-high leather boots.

       What.

       The.

       Fuck.

Author's Note
Hola my lovelies! So, a bit of a late update. I have the chapters written but my very forgettable self always forgets to upload them on time (aka Fridays). I promise you I will try my best to get the next few chapters uploaded on their due date. But anywho... Brian found what Samantha was really up to. What do you think he'll do next? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and any predictions you may have. I'll see you next week with another update (pinky promise). Stay safe, stay healthy, stay awesome!
Xoxo, Liz 💋💋💋