Prologue
Mabel
Fear. A feeling that can overpower anyone in its path. It can consume and paralyze people, find their weaknesses and use them against them. Sadly, it's a feeling we carry with us on a daily basis, and our escape from it is many times inevitable.
Fear comes in many forms. You can be afraid of pretty much anything. From a simple fear of insects, to fearing people. It doesn't really have a limit.
Some people might even fear everything. It honestly depends on the individual.
Myself, I can't lie and say that I don't fear anything, because I do. I'm human too after all. My personal fear would be the dark.
Ever since I was little, I had a hard time staying alone in the dark. I even slept with a night light on. Growing up though, I started to get over it slowly. Probably, because I realized that it wasn't the dark alone that I feared, but what it contains.
After knowing that, my fear slowly started to fade. Sure, there's still times where I get scared, but it's nothing in comparison to when I was a little girl.
As long as you realize that there's nothing in it to harm you, the fear succumbs to you and vanishes.
The fear of the dark, along with other fears, are usually tricks of the mind.
If there's anything I've learned during my years of life, it's that the mind is mostly responsible for our dreams, nightmares, fears etc. It's way more powerful than what people give it credit for. Besides, we all know that it's not always possible to control it.
When I was younger, it was easier for me to get tricked and confused with different things. All because of my mind. I always found it hard to recognize what's true and what's fake. Growing up though, I slowly started to understand things better and I had a clearer vision and thoughts upon stuff.
Even now, as an adult, there are times where I get afraid, or where I let myself get tricked. Like it or not, it's inevitable. I don't think anyone will ever be able to control their mind. It's just the way nature works.
The only thing we can do, is having sense and logic. Before believing anything, we must doubt it first. That's the only way in my books, that we can use to avoid manipulation.
Now, I might not be afraid of the dark anymore, but I never thought I would be afraid of my reality. My everyday life. People. I never thought that I would be one of those people who worry and look over their shoulders 24/7, constantly hiding from something. Or rather, someone.
Present
"Mabel hurry up, we're going to be late! Don't make me come get you!" Alisha, my best friend, yelled from the living room.
"Jeez, relax I'm coming! Just let me get dressed woman!" I yelled back.
Talking about being extra impatient.
Alisha has been my best friend since high school, and we've been inseparable ever since. She has been both my rock and my safe place. I honestly don't know where I'd be today if it weren't for her.
We just fit together like a glove.
Currently, she's rushing me to get ready to go out clubbing, in order to celebrate me moving in to my very own apartment.
So far, I've been living with my mothers and have been working double jobs in order to make enough money, so I can move out.
Today was moving day, and Alisha is already nagging me to celebrate. Here's the thing though. I can never say no to Alisha. And I mean never.
She just has this way of making me agree to everything, that I'm starting to think it's some kind of witchcraft. I wouldn't be surprised if that turned out to be the case.
My dear best friend is capable of anything.
I am now standing in front of my closet, trying to decide on what to wear. I don't usually sweat over what I wear, but since Alisha is taking me out, I'm positive she'll have expectations of me.
Didn't take me long, until I decided on a dark green, silk mini skirt, a black lace top and my favorite black high boots.
Curling my short, raven hair, I added some red lipstick and mascara and headed out into the living room.
Let's pray I exceed Alisha's expectations. Because there's no way in hell I'm changing again.
Walking into the living room, I face an amazed Alisha, who's looking at me as if I've grown two heads.
"Girl, aren't you on fire tonight! You're drop dead gorgeous. Now I'm feeling insecure about my choice." She sighed.
I smiled at her compliment.
"Thank you darling, but I'll have you know, that you're a total smoke show yourself." I smirked at her, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.
"Yeah, right. You have to say that because you're my friend. We both know I pale in comparison to you." She said bitterly, looking down.
I hated when she downgraded herself. She was fucking beautiful and yet, there were times where she said stuff like this. What bugged me the most, was that she actually believed her words.
"Hey," I said, lifting her chin so she can face me.
"You are beautiful. Both inside and out, darling. You're a god damn influencer for god's sake, Alisha. Doesn't that say enough? You have no idea how many guys stare at you daily when we're out together. So please, I don't ever want to hear my best friend say such things about herself ever again." I scolded her.
She hugged me back tightly.
"That was very sweet of you to say, Mal. You're right. I shouldn't put myself down like that. It's just that sometimes, my insecurities get the best of me." She explained.
I nodded. "I understand that better than anyone. Trust me. But I'll let you in on something. The key to all of this, is to love yourself for who you are and stop comparing it to others. Surely there might be more pleasant looking people, but that doesn't mean that you're one of the last ones."
"Thank you, Mal. I love you." She smiled.
"I love you more idiot. Now, let's go. We have a show to give out." I claimed and guided her out.
"Hey, what was the club's name again?" I asked her as we were driving.
"Oh, right. It's Vixen," she replied, looking the directions on her phone.
I chuckled.
"Vixen? It sounds like a strip club," I claimed.
I didn't mean to be stereotypical, but most strip clubs are named like that. You can't blame me.
"Are you serious, Mabel? It's not even that slutty." Alisha rolled her eyes.
"Oh, come on. You have to admit it is a little slutty." I gave her an amused look.
I loved teasing her. Her face was always priceless.
"Ugh, I'm not doing this with you right now. Just drive with your mouth shut please." She sighed.
"I will shut it, but I need you to tell me if I'm taking the right route." I sent her my angelic smile.
She shook her head.
"You're impossible, you know that? Keep going straight, and then turn left. It should be right around the corner," she instructed.
"Thanks, Ali. I love you too," I let out a little laugh.
"Shut up and drive." She scolded, trying to contain her own laughter, but failing miserably.
A couple minutes later, we finally arrived and I found a good parking spot right next to Vixen.
Entering the club, we spotted a nice booth in the far corner of the club, conveniently close to the bar.
"I'll go grab us drinks. What do you desire?" I asked Alisha, who was busy taking pictures of the club.
"A Sex on the Beach for me please." She replied.
"You don't like to waste time, do you?" I teased her.
She smirked. "You know me. Besides, we're here to get lit,"
I laughed. "Be right back."
"Hey, love. What can I get for you tonight?" The bartender asked as I reached the bar.
"Hey, a Sex on the Beach and a Margarita please." I replied with a smile.
"Coming right up beautiful." He smiled.
Finally, a bartender who's friendly and not a creep.
"Are you new here? I don't recall seeing you around here before," he asked, while decorating the drinks.
"Oh, yeah. It's actually my first time here. I came with my best friend tonight." I said.
"I thought so. I would've remembered a beautiful girl like you." He claimed.
I could feel my cheeks heating up at his compliment.
"Thanks, that's really sweet of you. How long have you worked here?" I inquired curiously.
"No problem, love. As for what you asked, I've been bartending for the last two years. I'm Xander by the way," he introduced, extending his hand.
"That's really cool and you look like you know what you're doing. I'm Mabel. Nice to meet you." I replied, shaking his hand.
"Thanks, I've actually grown to love what I do. It works like therapy for me. Mabel, huh? That's an unique name. Is there any story behind it?" He asked with a smile.
"To be honest, no. The only thing that might be interesting is that as a word alone, it means lovable and dear. My mom is very invested in rare names, so I guess it was fated."
Xander smiled. "Well, I think your mom made an excellent choice. It suits you perfectly."
Now I was blushing like crazy.
"Thank you. I already like you." I replied.
"Feeling is mutual. You've definitely piqued my interest." He gave me a little smirk.
"As much fun as this has been, I'm afraid I must get back to my friend. She'll kill me if I make her wait longer." I said with an apologetic smile.
"No, don't apologize. I totally understand. Go have fun you two. I'll see you later." He waved me off.
"I'll be coming for a refill!" I yelled over the music.
"I'll hold you to that!" He yelled back and waved at me soldier style.
A/N: Dear readers, this is my first time in writing a dark romance book, and I hope it turns out well. I'm trying my best to write it as best as possible, and I truly hope you enjoy it. In case you're wondering about my other two stories, yes, they will be continued. His Obsession is a project I'm working on simultaneously with Under His Wing and The Red Dahlia. All stories will be updated as frequently as possible. Thank you for supporting me :)
Kisses,
Evangeline.
