It Was Him

CHAPTER 8

RONAN

Present

I tipped my head back, closing my eyes as I took a sip from my drink. The alcohol slowly, burning my insides.

I let out a deep sigh, feeling like a fish out of water in this crowded bar.

I'd be good, exploring the city on my own. But my friend Liyash, had insisted on bringing me here, promising a night of fun and excitement.
But all I'm enjoying is sitting at the bar, staring down at my drink. It's been ten minutes since we entered and Leo went away to chat with some of his friends.

The loud noise of music echoed all around. I glanced around and found women in tight clothes staring at me with lustful expressions.

I rolled my eyes away, uninterested in their advances. A half smile curled up my lip as I heard low gasps and saw their mortified expressions out of the corner of my eye.

I sipped my drink again in an attempt to settle my nerves.
I arrived in India a few days back and am still- settling. Liyash is one of my old friends who has been living here since birth. While I was born in India and brought up in Italy with my mom and my stepfather.

She died a few months ago and my stepfather was an addict who left me and her when I had my last year of high school going. He and I were never close. There has always been a rift between us.

I decided to come back to India to fulfill my mom's last wish and also, there was no reason for me to stay back in Italy too.

I was searching for a fresh start. I reached out to Liyash, hoping he could help me settle into my new life. Despite our distant relationship, he was kind enough to offer me a place to stay until I moved into my apartment.

It was not challenging for me to score a job as a chief surgeon at a busy medical hospital with my background ‌in surgery and a foreign degree.
I took the last sip of my drink before ordering a third glass.

As I scanned the area, my eyes settled upon a woman standing at the entrance across the bar, her eyes drifting around with uncertainty.

I saw a hint of nervousness and excitement in her eyes as she tucked her dark brown, wavy hair, behind her ears and smoothed the fabric of her dark green dress on her thighs.

I continued to look at her face as her full lips curled up into a half but captivating smile.

She shifted herself towards her friends, allowing me a perfect view of her beautiful curves, a well-defined silhouette in that deep back dress that made her look like a greek goddess.

I watched her walk to the right, towards the other bar. Her smile still seemed hesitant but still irresistible and somewhere, a small part of me wanted to go behind her, grab her waist and kiss that little fear out of her.

"Someone caught our Italian's eye, huh?" Liyash's voice brought me back.
He sat in front of me and took a sip of my drink from the bar top, which I ordered. His eyes searching around the bar, for that girl.

"No one." I said, looking behind to find that girl in the green dress not in my sight, anymore.
"Oh come on, tell me, I may help you get her number or something." He said, with a playful smile.

"Thanks but nope. I don't want any woman in my life right now. It would only serve as a hindrance." I replied.
"Let's go and meet your friends." I stood up, straightening my jacket, walking towards the stairs that lead to the VIP area above.

We reached the balcony that was a separate level of the club located above the main dance floor.
Leo led me through a dark alley towards a cozy chamber which had charcoal tiles below, with walls painted blood- red adorned with expensive artwork, and dim lighting. The music was still loud, but not as chaotic as the main dance floor below.