A week passed since she first started working at V.K. It was… Not what she expected. Mr. Kingsley was rude and strict. Often, he would respond to her with a word, maybe two, and when he did speak with her, it was ordering her around. She understood he was her boss, but did he not just… Talk? Was he incapable of having an actual conversation? 

Being near him, it was like she was suffocating. The air was always heavy, as if she could grab a knife and cut through it. He radiated someone who was an alpha male, and it made her want to gag. But at the same time, she was drawn to him. He was mysterious. An enigma she was curious about. 

It was currently Friday, 9pm. Gina had invited her out to a new club that just opened, claiming that it was a big deal. Normally Catherine would deny the request, but thought a good night out of drinking would be fun. She couldn’t remember the last time she went out and had a good time. Hell, the last time she was drunk was in freshman year. 

Gina had borrowed her a skimpy black dress. It clung tightly to her body, its straps were thin and the neckline was heart-shaped, showing off her cleavage and ending mid thigh. She wore black heels for the occasion and even curled her hair. She wore a dark shade of red lipstick, applied winged eyeliner, and a generous amount of black mascara. When she stared at herself in the mirror, she didn’t recognize herself. She looked like a different person - someone who was ready and eager to have a good time. Something she wasn’t familiar with, but excited her at the same time. 

When Gina and her boyfriend, Kevin, arrived, she parked the car and they called a cab to drive them to the club. 

***

The line was huge. Catherine never anticipated there to be so many people wanting to get into this specific night club. 

“We’re never going to get in,” Catherine said, slightly pouting. By the time it was their turn in line, it would be morning and closing.  

“One of the bouncers is a regular at my work. He’s the one who suggested we come here tonight.”

Following her best friend, they made their way past the line. Catherine felt oddly exhilarated when people glanced their way, wondering why they were making their way to the front. 

"Blair," Gina greeted one of the bouncers. He was tall and muscular, with broad arms crossed intimidatingly over his chest.

He cracked a smile, grinning as he stepped out of the way. "Glad you could make it, Gina! I see you brought friends."

"Yes, my boyfriend Kevin, and my best friend Catherine."

"It's a pleasure to meet y'all," Blair said, "Come in. Enjoy yourselves."

Catherine felt puny as she walked by him. He was a good two heads taller than her, perhaps more. When they got inside, she was overcome with anxiousness. Lights of blue, red and green flashed in patterns, music was booming, the bass of it felt like small vibrations throughout her body. People were scattered everywhere. Some were on the dance floor, dancing seductively or just having fun. Others were at the multiple bars, drinking. Along the sides of the walls were platforms, where booths were. People sat there, drinking and laughing. Ahead of them was a staircase that split into two, going left and right, leading to a balcony. Catherine couldn't tell what was up there, but assumed more tables and bars were located there. 

"This is…" Catherine let out a breath, unsure how to describe it, "This is crazy!"

Gina let out a laugh and grabbed onto her hand, dragging her and her boyfriend to one of the bars.

"Three shots of hot damn!" 

Hot damn? Catherine had no idea what that was, "What kind of shot is that?"

"Whiskey, rum, vodka-"

"Hold on, already? Why not start with something lighter."

Gina gave her a look, "Come on. We came out here for a good time, we might as well start off with something a little more crazy. Next, we take tequila shots!"

Catherine groaned, but grabbed onto the shot glass. She stared at the contents in it, before lifting it to her lips. She took the drink in one large swig, and set the cup down. Immediately her body buzzed with warmth, and she was pleasantly surprised that it didn't taste as horrible as she thought it would. Perhaps she could have another… 

"Three tequila shots and another round of hot damn!" Gina said, sitting on the bar stool. 

Catherine did the same, and held out her hand. The bartender put a pinch of salt on each of their hands and placed three slices of limes beside the shot glass. 

Following what Gina and Kevin did, Catherine licked off the salt, took the shot, and bit into the lime. This shot made her gag, and caused her to shudder. It tasted bitter  and like fermented fruit. Tequila was not something she enjoyed at all. 

Immediately after, they took another shot. The warmth in her body grew, and she started to feel a tad fuzzy. She wasn't used to drinking at all, and knew if she continued to down shots, she would no doubt get intoxicated too quickly. 

"Cathy," Gina whispered, leaning in closer to her, "Don't look, but in the bar beside ours there's been a very handsome man staring at you since we sat down."

"What? Who?" Catherine asked, glancing to her right. There was a man sitting with a couple other people who she didn't recognize. He was staring right at her, and she immediately glanced away. What did he want? Why was he staring at her? 

"I said don't look! Ah, too late." Gina shook her head, "I think we should buy him a drink and see if he comes over here.

"What? No!" Catherine replied, shaking her head quickly, "Why would we want him to come here?"

"Perhaps you need someone to dance with," Kevin chimed in, resting his chin on his hand, "Don't you want to have a good time, Cathy? I'll make sure to jump in if he gets too touchy-feely with you."

"Ugh, Kevs," Catherine groaned, frowning. The man she looked up to as an older brother simply grinned, "I guess… What kind of drink should we get him?"

Gina turned to the bartender, "Get that handsome man over there whatever he wants to drink, on us. The one with light brown hair."

The bartender nodded his head, and went over to the man.

Catherine refused to look over when the bartender came back, and wished that the chair or floor was swallow her up and make her disappear.

"He would like to buy you a drink," The bartender said, "Any of your choosing."

"What? Really? Um, just vodka and orange juice then. I need something other than a shot."

When Catherine looked over at Gina, her friend was wiggling her eyebrows at her, "He's coming over here."

Catherine froze and her heart skipped a beat, nervousness consuming her, "Don't you dare say that. He isn't-"

"Hello there," A deep, flirty voice said, causing her to stop talking. She was so uncomfortable, she wanted to leave. Why did he have to come over to where they were sitting? Why couldn't he just stay where he was and admire her from afar?

Squeezing her eyes shut, attempting to gather the nerve to look over her shoulder, Catherine swallowed thickly, biting her lower lip as she turned to him.