Forbidden: Love and Lies

Anna

I scanned the job section for new positions on my laptop. As a supply teacher, I am normally in high demand, but after my last position, I became picky about where I went. Being bullied by 15-year-olds in the class you are teaching was not fun. I applied for a temporary position that is close by, so waiting for the reply is stressing me out. My phone rings and I smile when I see that my best friend is calling.

“Babe, come on out with us tonight; it will relax you.” Fiona hums down the phone at me.

“I’m not sure; I’ve got to be careful with my money.” One thing for sure, I don’t enjoy sponging off her, but she is persuasive, especially if it means cheering me up.

“Look, you know I’m good for cash; maybe you will meet the man of your dreams.” She giggles as she blows kisses down the phone to me.

“Ugh, I hate you.” I laugh as she knows she has won me over.

Three hours later, I am sitting on the bus heading into the city center to meet her. Fiona’s generous spirit shines through as she helps me out whenever I’m feeling low. She has a rich father, although he spoils her by buying her things like her apartment to live in. Fi works to keep herself busy more than anything; she is a people person.

We arranged to meet at the Mad House; the music and laughter thrum so loudly that people outside are enjoying it. The line to get in backs along the wall of the building, and I can’t see her.

As I pull at the hem of my dark blue, body-hugging dress, the gentle breeze plays with my dirty blonde hair. Fi says blue always highlights the sparkle in my blue eyes.

“There you are.” Her voice came from behind me. “Damn it, I thought the line wouldn’t be so long.” She pouts.

With arms linked, we wait in the queue, the gentle buzz of surrounding voices filling the air with an excited hum.

“Did you hear about that gang shooting yesterday?” She is all for the gossip.

“It makes me nervous sometimes how close they are. Have they ever shot a normal person?” Sometimes I think it is why the schools are so bad. Kids think they can be aggressive, be the next gang leader.

“Not that I know of. How many times have we gone out and never seen trouble?” She makes a point.

“That is because you are the trouble,” I laugh, and she puts her hands up.

“Oh, please cuff me, officer.” She sticks her tongue out and we both crease up in a fit of giggles.

We finally make it to the front after half an hour, and the entrance is almost within reach. Two doormen stand checking bags and patting guys down. Security is high; the last thing they want is a shooting inside the place.

“Ladies,” the doorman on the right gives us the once-over.

“He is fit!” Fi says it loud enough so he can hear as we pass him.

“I bet he gets all the girls trying to get into his pants.” I grin and he winks.

When we enter the place, it literally blows my eardrums. The place pulsates with the thunderous beat of the music, and the floor vibrates with the energy of the dancers.

“What are you having?” Fi shouts at me as we make our way to the bar.

“Get a beer and a load of shots.” I giggle knowing that she would.

We hog the end of the bar until we get served; might as well save the trips back and forth, just do it in one trip. With a tray in hand, two beers and it full of vodka shots, we were in for a night of fun.

Two hours later, I’m on the dance floor again and lost in the music. Hands come around my waist and a body presses up against me. I turn to face who is grinding themselves on my behind.

I can’t be sure if it is the drink making him look sexy, but his blue eyes dance in the lights of the club. He has brown curls which fall over his eyes when he tips his head forward. Yes, he is sexy, or my eyes say he is.

“What’s your name, beautiful?” Or at least that’s what I think he says.

“Anna,” I grind myself up against him.

“Bradley,” he kisses my neck and his hands wander to my breasts. It is obvious from the hardness pressing against me that he wants more.

I spin in his arms, and his lips come down on mine. He sticks his tongue in my mouth and rolls it around whilst moaning. I kiss him back, but he is a sloppy kisser, and it puts me off him. I break the kiss and start dancing again. The penetrating beats and music mixed with the lyrics thumping out, I lose myself dancing again. His hands lock around my waist, and I search the dance floor for Fi.

“I’m going to get a drink,” I say to Bradley.

He follows me to the bar. The way he stands behind me, I’m sure he thinks he is going to get lucky tonight. Ugh, how do I get rid of him? There is another cute guy at the bar, and I give him a smile.

Perhaps I shouldn’t drink anymore?

“I found you!” Fi slides up to me, pushing the guy who’d been clinging to me away.

“Get rid of him,” I slurred into her ear.

“What’s that? You think the guy at the bar there is really cute?” She winks and I could literally die.

“Very subtle.” I laugh. “Two sambucas,” I call the barman.

We clink glasses and I glance over to the cute guy, then down the shot without taking my eyes off him. He makes his way over, and I nudge Fi. Up close now, I’m not so sure.

“Dean,” he introduced himself. “Two gorgeous ladies out with no boyfriends?” He greedily looks at us both.

“Fi, and this is my very single girlfriend, Anna.” She gives me a shove in his direction.

“Well, Anna, can I get you another drink?” He seems okay, and I’m out here to get drunk and meet a guy.

“Sure, same again.”

He nods and leans forward to order the drinks. Our words flow, lips meet, and feet glide together in a sexy dance. The guy from earlier is gone, at least. He was too drunk and too sloppy.

Fi is dancing with a new guy and she grabs my arm. “I’m going to head out soon,” she winks.

“Okay, don’t be too naughty.” I laugh as she disappears off with the guy.

“Would you like to come back to mine?” Dean asks with hope in his eyes.

“Would you be cool if I could have your number? I’d rather get to know you first. Say we meet and go out for coffee or something first.” I hold out my phone.

“Sure, we are both drunk.” He put his number in my phone.

“Thanks,” I check it and save the number.

“Call me,” he leans in and kisses me.

“I will,” I say, as he walks away, and then I call a cab.

The cool night air hit me as I exited the club. The doorman from earlier on checks that I am okay as I wobble on my feet. I gave him a wave and stood waiting for my cab.

I’m nodding off in the cab by the time I get home. I pay him, and once inside, I’m glad to get my shoes off. With a groan and a stumble, I grab some water and make my way to bed.

When I wake up, I rub my eyes and wonder what time it is. I reach over to my phone and look at it. I hadn’t put it on charge last night, and it is nearly dead.

Eight in the morning is too early, especially when I’ve been drinking. I plug it in and then shut my eyes again. On waking up again later, I feel better but hungry. I take a shower and wash my hair, then put my comfy clothes on. With my phone fully charged now, I go through to my kitchen to make some food.

I hug the warm coffee cup and flick through my phone. I’d taken some pictures of both Fi and me. Okay, so she will wake up next to some guy, whilst I turned mine down. I like to get to know a guy before I sleep with him. Dean’s image comes back to me. He was all right, and he seemed like a gentleman. I brought up his number and sent him a text.

Anna: I had a fun night at the club with you. Do you want to meet up for coffee and get to know each other better?

I sit and have my breakfast and coffee. Still no answer. Did he like me? Or is he avoiding me? Just when I think he is ignoring me, or even has given me the wrong number, my phone pings back with a message.

Who is this?

Okay, so are you brushing me off then? I sent him one back.

Anna: Anna, from last night. Or were you too drunk to remember?

Send me your picture.

“Wow, is this so you can see what I look like when you aren’t drunk? What if my picture isn’t what you expect?” I mutter to myself. Do I send him a picture?

Anna: I hope I don’t disappoint you?

I must be stupid to send him my picture. Is he shallow and needs to make sure before he agrees to have coffee with me? Each passing moment has me questioning him.

He was stupid not to give you the right number; you are beautiful.

My heart thumps harder in my chest. He was never going to hook up with me. I guess my turning him down did it. Fuck! Who did I just send my picture to?