Noah's POV

I wrapped the warm, thick towel around my damp hair and the other towel around my body. I walked out from the bathroom and over to my closet.

I grabbed a pair of underwear and a bra from one of my drawers, I snagged a gray Calvin Klein top and a pair of gray sweatpants. I dropped the towel from around my body making the hair on my arms stand up from the sudden cool air.

I tugged my shirt on over my towel and shimmied on the sweatpants, I pulled on some socks and walked out from my closet.

The last thing I wanted to do was even look at Braxton after all that went down last night. I didn't want to be under the same roof, better yet be in the same vicinity as him.

I shook off the thought and walked over to my bedside where my phone was charging. I unplugged it making my screen light up with nothing except a game notification. 

I tucked my phone in my waistband and grabbed my book that laid beside it. I walked out from my room and down the stairs just to hear silence. Braxton wasn't even here.

I laid my book on the island and walked through the kitchen. I grabbed the box of Captain Crunch from the top of the refrigerator, the milk from the fridge, and a bowl from the cabinet. I snagged a spoon from the drawer and held it between my lips.

I poured my milk over my cereal and stirred it around with my spoon, I laid my phone on the counter and I slid my book towards me. I opened it to where my bookmark held my spot then I took a bite of my cereal.

I was almost finished with my cereal when the front door opened, I glanced over at the door to see Braxton walk in with Talon right behind him. I looked back down at my book to avoid any eye contact with either one of them.

"Good morning, Noah," I heard Talon speak first, I gave him a slight nod not looking up from my book. Braxton didn't utter a word as he walked towards me. I kept my eyes glued to my book to act as if I didn't notice, but it didn't stop my heart beat from speeding up when his presence came behind me.

I chewed at my bottom lip as I attempted to slow down my heart beat and ignore his presence.

"I was going to demand an apology from you for last night, but I decided against it," he finally spoke, I was taken back at his audacity and resisted the urge to scoff. "You'll just make it up to me."

I scoffed anyway with a chuckle before I spoke. "How do you propose I'm going to do that?" He came closer where his body rubbed against mine.

"There will be people here later tonight to get you ready for tonight," he replied, his hand crept into the waistband of my sweatpants. "You're going to be on your best behavior."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I shot back, he leaned closer till his lips grazed my ear.

"You don't want to upset me more than you already have," he said, his thumb caressed my side. He suddenly grabbed my jaw with a stiff grip and tightly grasped my side. "You can have your attitude all you want, but you're going to do what I say or I promise you," he leaned next to my ear as I clenched my jaw in his grip. "I will make you regret ever being born." He pulled away from me and I shot daggers his way.

"I already regret being born," I shot back, a smirk formed on his lips. He turned walking away and my gaze moved to Talon, he sent me a sympathetic look and then turned away also.

*

My plan of just locking myself in my room was ruined when Braxton got one of his goons to watch over me. He stood by my door staring forward not uttering a word.

I put the finishing touches on my makeup before I glanced over at my outfit for tonight. I then looked over at the guy standing by my door.

"Can you stand outside while I get dressed?" I asked, he didn't even blink or flinch in response to my question. I sighed and walked over to my bed where my dress laid.

I stepped into my heels and shook out my curls, I ran my finger over my bottom lip smoothing out my lip gloss. My phone ding on my bed with a flash and I found it buried under my comforter.

I saw Braxton's contact flash across my screen, I rolled my eyes at his choice of contact name.

Come downstairs, princess 👑. -Fiancé 💎

This fake son of a biscuit.

I grabbed a silver handbag from my closet shelf and tucked my phone in it. I looked over at the still guy at the door and walked over to him.

"Can we go?" I asked, he didn't look at me as he turned and opened the door. I walked past him and he followed me down the stairs.

I walked through the lobby and the door greeter opened the door once I reached him. I saw a black SUV parked out front with Braxton leaned up against it. He was dressed in a black and white tuxedo that made my heart beat speed up a bit.

A smirk stretched across his face when he spotted me walking out, he pushed himself up and walked towards me.

He took ahold of my hand and twirled me around examining my outfit. "Beautiful as always." I was taken back at his compliment, but covered my confusion with a smile.

"Thank you," I replied softly looking at the sidewalk, he intertwined his hand with mine and pulled me to the SUV.

When he opened the passenger door I realized why he was acting nice to me. There was two couples in the backseat joining us on our ride.

I started to climbed in first till I was pulled back by Braxton. He climbed in and then pulled me up on his lap.

Braxton closed the door and the driver pulled off, the couples were having small conversations while I watched out of the window.

Braxton was pecking at my neck as I watched out the window. He kissed my ear making me shiver which made him laugh.

"Hey," he whispered, I looked over at him and he reached into his jacket. He pulled out a flask making my eyes widen a bit.

"It's just orange juice," he whispered, I glanced down at the flask and took it from his fingers.

I unscrewed the top and the aroma that escaped smelled like juice, but also another scent smelled. I put the tip against my bottom lip and then tipped it back, I swallowed the cold beverage burning my throat. I took it away and covered my mouth, I was about to cough till Braxton gripped my thigh.

"What happened to it being orange juice?" I snapped in a whisper, he smirked making me roll my eyes.

"It is orange juice, just mixed with vodka," he whispered, he winked at me and I bit my tongue. I screwed the cap back on and cleared my throat with a cough.

Braxton was kissing my shoulder when we slowed down to a stop, I could see bright lights flashing through the tinted windows.

The driver opened the door for us to climb out and Braxton slid out from under me. He stepped out and smoothed out his suit.

He held his hand out towards me and I laid my hand on to his, I stepped out from the SUV and looked up at the bright lights.

I saw Black Diamond lit up in bright lights flashing at the entrance. Women paraded around in dresses that made mine look modest. I looked over to the other couples and saw how they held on to their companions elbows.

I followed their action and Braxton walked forward leading me towards the entrance. Multiple conversations surrounded me, sounds of slot machines filled my ears, and people cheering blanketed me.

"You brought me to a casino?" I spoke quietly as I took in my surroundings. He didn't answer my question making me roll my eyes at his rudeness.

I saw the multiple tables that people were playing poker or rolling dice to win money. Braxton walked over to a table where a man was shuffling the playing cards.

"You should get a drink," Braxton suggested, but it was more like an order. The man got up from his seat and walked away without a word.

No wonder he's so arrogant, he's got fear installed in almost everyone.

Braxton sat down in the chair pulling it up to the table, I just stood beside him as he laid his bet on the table. My eyes were roaming around while the dealer dealt the cards out.

I noticed the girls that were accompanying the other gamblers were checking out Braxton. If Braxton can have fun, so can I.

I snaked my arm around his neck and ran my fingers through his dark hair. I moved his leg so I could sit on his lap, he moved his arm around me and I kissed his neck.

I glanced over at the girls with a taunting smirk making them roll their eyes or shoot me glares. I sipped on my flask wishing the game would end sometime soon.

I suddenly heard loud voices coming from a far side of the room, I looked over to see what was the commotion was about.

"Anybody else want to lose their money?" A man spoke challenging the men that stood around the table.

Something caught my eye–well more like someone caught my eye. My eyes squinted examining one of the men that stood at the table. I'd recognize that neck tattoo of a spade card anywhere.

I stood up from Braxton's lap and headed over towards the table. I heard Braxton call from behind me, but I ignored him as I kept walking.

"Deal me in," I ordered once I reached the playing table, the guy looked at me and laughed.

"This isn't Old Maid, sweetheart," he spoke, I tossed a roll of money on the table and looked at him.

"I put in a thousand," I said, he licked his bottom lip and looked up at me.

"Deal her in," he said not breaking eye contact from me, I pulled the chair up to the table and sat down. I glanced over to the side where my dad sat, he looked over at me, but his expression never changed. I don't even think he recognized me.

I picked up my deck of cards once the dealer finished passing them out, I sorted through them and then looked back up.

I could tell the guy at the head of the table was getting indignant at how smoothly I was winning.

"You can't be that good," he finally snapped at me, I chuckled and pushed some chips in.

"I've known how to play poker since I was 8, learned blackjack and spades when I was 9," I said looking back up at him. "I basically lived in a casino until I was old enough to stay home alone." I laid down my cards not even breaking eye contact. "Straight."

"That's a rock you got on your finger," he said gesturing to my engagement ring. I chuckled looking down at the diamond, I twisted it around my finger.

"Yeah, I guess every seventeen year old hopes to be engaged before she even graduates," I said with sarcasm dripping from my tongue. "I guess I can thank my dad for that." I pushed myself up from the table and stormed out from the casino.

"Grey," I heard Braxton call from behind me, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I pretended not to hear him. "Don't act like you didn't hear me." I didn't say anything as I looked over at him.

"Just get the car," I said through my teeth, he stared down at me for a moment before he pulled his phone out.

The SUV pulled up in front of us and Braxton walked around to the drivers side. He slipped him some money before the driver stepped out of the vehicle.

I climbed into the passenger seat and shut the door behind me. I tossed my purse in the back and crossed my arms across my chest.

We away from all the bright lights before Braxton finally spoke. "Are you not going to tell me what that was all about?" I reached over towards the radio and turned up the music. Braxton let out an angry breath, but kept quiet as he continued driving.

"Stop the car," I finally spoke up, I looked over at Braxton and he scoffed. "Stop the car before I throw myself out of it." He bit his lip before he eased over to the side of the road. He put it in park and looked over at me.

"What's your problem?" He snapped at me, I climbed over to the drivers side and opened the door.

"Get out, I'm driving," I demanded, he scoffed with a laugh before he looked down at me. "I will drive sitting on your lap if I have to."

"You're really testing my patience," he said through his teeth, I didn't look away from his glare before he climbed out. I plopped down in the drivers seat and moved the seat up.

Braxton shut the passenger door and I put the car in drive, I turned the wheel sharp as I did a U-turn. I sped off down the road in the opposite direction.

Braxton stayed quiet the entire ride till I reached a restaurant. "If you were hungry, you've could've just said so." I put the car in park and looked over at him.

"You can leave or stay here, I don't really care what you do," I replied before I climbed out from the drivers seat. I heard Braxton call my name, but I ignored him and kept walking.

I walked into the restaurant and my eyes moved around the room till they stopped on a certain group. I walked up to the guys that were cheering about a football game that was playing on the TV.

I reached up and touched one of the guys shoulders making him turn around to look at me. His smile faltered when he looked over and saw me.

"What are you doing here?" He asked making me look down at my fingers. "You're doing a real good job at proving my point." His eyes moved down observing my outfit.

"Wasn't exactly my choice," I answered him in a low voice feeling the looks coming from his football buddies. "I saw my dad tonight."

"Why should I care?" He shot at me, I looked up at him and glanced over at the other guys. "Nice ring by the way." I chewed at my bottom lip and turned away from him.

I walked out from the restaurant over to where the SUV was still parked. I climbed into the passenger seat and slumped back.

"Anymore demands, my princess?" Braxton asked sarcastically, I stared out of the car window not answering his question. He put the vehicle in reverse and backed out from the parking space.

Once we got back to the complex, I didn't hesitate to get out and head inside. I left Braxton behind as I skipped two steps at a time till I reached our floor.

I got to the apartment before I realized I didn't even have a key, Braxton walked as slow as he could to the door. He finally got it unlocked and I followed behind him inside, I walked past him and headed up the stairs.

I was stripping from my dress before I even reached my bedroom door. I tossed it to the side and grabbed my outfit from earlier.

I was pulling on my pants when I felt the pang in my chest, I pushed it back and walked over to the window. I climbed in my window sill and stared out at the dark sky. The only light was from buildings or street lights.

A knock came across my door, but my gaze didn't move from the dark sky. Braxton's voice sounded once he opened my door. "I don't know what your problem is, but I'm not putting up with it."

"If you want to go ahead and take your anger out on me," I replied, I looked over at him blankly. "Be my guest." His eyes narrowed into slits as he walked closer to me.

"What's your problem?" He asked once he reached me. "I thought you were enjoying yourself." I looked away from his gaze and bit the inside of my cheek. "Grey, don't piss me off more than you already have."

"I saw my dad at the casino," I spoke quickly, Braxton fell silent and I chuckled. "Don't worry, he didn't even recognize me." I swung my legs over and sat on the edge of the window sill. "Nolan was the only person that I had left that actually loved and cared for me. All I wanted was for him to hug me and tell me everything was going to be okay."

My voice cracked once okay left my lips, I put my hand over my mouth and looked down. "It's your fault my life that already sucked, sucks even more now."

"Are you done?" He asked lazily, I shot daggers at him, but they didn't phase him a bit. "Look, you can tell your sob story to Talon tomorrow." He grabbed my arm pulling me down from the window sill and then out from the room.

Once we reached the living room he pushed me on to the couch, he walked over to the kitchen and I pulled my knees up to my chest. A few minutes passed before he appeared again in the living room.

He sat down two wine glasses–one with wine, the other with milk. He sat a book down next to the two glasses and then plopped down next to me. He blew out smoke from the blunt he just took a hit from.

"Come on," he said grabbing my arm again pulling me towards him. He pecked my neck a couple times before he took another hit from his blunt. I hesitated before I laid against his chest, I grabbed my glass from the table and took a sip from it.

Braxton's fingertips trailed over the skin on my lower back till his hand crept in my pants. I stiffened at the action, but eased myself when his hand cupped my butt cheek.

"You want to read?" Braxton asked me as I let out a yawn.

"Is it okay if I fall asleep right here?" I asked while I cuddled more in to his chest. I moved my leg up and closed my eyes. "Good night."

"Dream about me," he said as I started dozing off.

"You wish," I said droopy before I let the tiredness take over me.

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🖖❤️
-PDU