Chapter 1
Above Auckland, the stars shimmered like scattered diamonds, mirroring the golden city lights below. The night pulsed with energy—alive, unapologetic, and restless.
In one of the city’s affluent neighborhoods, a young woman danced alone in her bedroom, music loud, spirit louder. Andra Anderson. Tomboy. Rule-breaker. Wild-hearted and free.
But freedom, as she knew it, was on borrowed time. Romance was the last thing on her mind—but it was already coming. Uninvited. Uncompromising. In the form of a man she didn’t know yet. A man sent not to woo her, but to rein her in.
High-end boyish sneakers hugged her feet. She wore loose blue jeans slung low on her hips and an oversized t-shirt that barely hinted at her slim frame. A white face cap, worn backward, crowned her long, center-parted hair. Her attractive oval face carried just a touch of makeup—dark eyeshadow that deepened her gaze into a sultry, smokey look.
As Andra danced, her movements pulsing with anticipation for the night ahead, the door creaked open. A young woman stepped in, dressed in soft pajamas, her hair tucked beneath a satin bonnet. Her eyes settled on Andra with unmistakable displeasure, the kind that needed no words to be understood.
“Hi, Molly.” Andra excitedly greeted the solemn-looking girl. “Did someone die, cousin?”
“Stop playing with me.” Molly chided. “You know very well that I am not happy about this outing of yours tonight.”
Andra rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.” She said.
“Andra, can’t you let this night be? Please?” Molly’s voice had changed to an imploring tone.
Andra froze mid-move, then turned with a teasing grin. “You don’t need to mother me,” she said lightly. “I’m not you, Miss Indoor Queen. So why not do what you do best—crawl into bed and keep pretending that’s what enjoying life means?” She gestured toward the large bed with a playful flick of her hand, emphasizing her point.
“Stubborn tomboy,” Molly mumbled as she ambled over to the bed, exhausted by Andra’s stubbornness.
“I heard that, Molly,” Andra said with hands akimbo as Molly flopped down on the bed and stared up at her. “I’m standing right here, so I heard you.”
“I know you heard that. You were meant to.”
Andra scoffed. “So why murmur?”
“To ascertain your level of consciousness.”
Andra was taken aback in an amused way. So chucked lightly. “I’m not drunk.” She clarified.
“Not yet, I know, judging by your seemingly intelligent argument.”
“Hey, stop with the big words, I’m the lawyer here.”
Molly let out a mocking laugh. “Lawyer on paper. A lawyer who will not go to law school and become certified.”
Andra laughed mockingly. “Keep talking. You’ll soon get tired.” She frowned, suddenly letting go of the laughter. “Anyway, your jibes can be sometimes annoying. But, seeing as the night is young and I am in a good mood, I won’t get bothered.”
“I know, right? But you do need my jibes sometimes.”
Andra rolled her eyes to indicate her indifference.
“Look, on a more serious note, the last time you went out, you know how angry your father was when he found out. And you promised that it won’t happen again. You even promised to stop with the tomboy outfits, didn’t you?”
“I did. So what?”
“Andra, there is no better time to stop than now.”
Andra laughed at her concern. “Oh, wow. Did you take my word for it? I cannot believe this.”
Molly stared at her incredulously and Andra shook her head in mock disappointment.
“Oh, Molly. You’ve known me long enough to see that I cannot do without a night of clubbing, partying, and drinking. Especially on Friday nights.”
Andra picked up the remote control and stopped the music. She wanted to drive her point home and needed all the silence she could get in the air right now. “In as much as you were dumb enough to believe my words to my father, I’ll still educate you, Molly. You see, promises are meant to be broken. And as for my dress sense, this is how I have chosen to dress. My father cannot stop me. No one can.”
“Hmm. You will be getting into trouble, Andra. And you know it. Your father sounded like he would take drastic action if you mess up again.”
“All my father would do is yell and threaten to disown me as usual. There is nothing new.”
Andra chuckled and Molly shrugged a shoulder resignedly. “Do as you wish as always.” She said.
“Thank you,” Andra replied, unfazed. “Now, please try and be nice. Why not tell me how I look?”
“You look good in whatever you wear,” Molly answered reluctantly, but her voice was heavy with sincerity. “My cousin is a fine girl. The only thing is, I wish you’ll be getting the attention of genuine guys in there who will take you seriously, instead of fake guys who have seen an I-don’t-care girl they can just have fun with and disappear.”
“There are responsible men in the club, sis.” Andra refuted.
“Whatever. But let’s get one thing straight. I will not have your back this time if anything goes wrong.”
“Oh, come on. You always say that. But we both know that you always do.”
“You wish this time around.”
Andra’s smile was wide with self-assurance, indicating her disbelief. “Look, I have to go.” She said and carried her crossbody purse, hanging it over her shoulder. “You don’t know what you’re missing.” She teased Molly. “Music, dance, men of all kinds and me, drinking, dancing, having fun. Oh, Molly.”
Andra danced seductively before Molly who remained unimpressed.
“And all your motivation is what will get you in trouble with your father.” She remarked.
“Trouble does not end, my dear. And life is too short to live without fun. Make noise before you go down because let’s face it. Everyone will eventually go down.” She threw her head back and laughed.
“You are impossible,” Molly remarked, displeased.
“Thanks for the compliment,” Andra responded, flaunting some more dance moves.
Annoyed, Molly shooed her away. Laughing, Andra exited the room and shut the door behind her to embrace the night and whatever it held in store for her.
