His To Save

10) Taking care of myself

     The lights flashed in multiple colors, casting beautiful shades on the people beneath them.
They flashed to the beats the DJ was playing, increasing the hype as the bodies swayed around energetically.

    On the higher platform, at a table by the wall, sat a man. He placed an unlit cigarette between his lips and relaxed on his seat. Under the dim red light, he cast his eyes on the lower floor where the 'common' people occupied.

        "Boss?" Another male called halting by the man's side. He bent over with his open palms, offering a lighter.

  He stretched out his hand to pick the lighter, but stopped suddenly when his eyes caught his prey.

She was sitting by the counter, busy ordering a drink. Her black hair cascaded down her back, as if it wanted to disappear on the black dress she wore.

    "Finally." Jack mumbled before picking up the lighter.
A wicked grin spread on his lips while the end of the cigarette now resting between his fingers came to life in a bright circle.

He puffed in gently, then out...releasing a small cloud of smoke that floated into the air.

   It had been a few days since he last saw her. He knew she'd be coming to the club, and so opted to hide in the shadows and watch her to his heart's satisfaction.

     
Annie ordered a glass of margarita. She just wanted to be out tonight and get tipsy a little. But not too drunk, or it'd turn into a disaster. She was still to forget what she did in Jack's office the other day.

    The music was not too loud, but the people around her were dancing too wildly.
Had it been a good idea choosing to drink on the lower level? Well, at least she could keep a low profile here.

Annie took a sip of her drink, while her eyes observed her surrounding.

   She spotted at least five of her guards, two in formal suits and three in casual wear. They had blended in so naturally that it'd be impossible for an outsider to tell them apart.

It was according to the rules, and for the safety of the leader. Subordinates had to survey the area, clear out any potential threats.
   For this exact reason, Jack had only brought one guard so as not to alert Annie's people.

        "Hello gorgeous." A manly voice greeted before he helped himself on the stool next to Annie.

  For the first ten seconds, the female ignored his presence completely.

  "Does the pretty lady need company?"

Annie spared him a glance, taking in his entire appearance-from his golden hair, to the little scar on his arm. The steady white light from above the counter made vision more clearer here than any other part of the club.

   "No." She answered, in a flat tone.

Taken aback by the rejection, the stranger chuckled. "Is it money?"

Annie said nothing. She just sipped her margarita and dropped her eyes on her phone to busy herself.

   Her idea of fun wasn't entertaining strangers, especially this cocky type.

   The bartender came around, a wide plastic smile glued on her red painted lips.
  When her eyes fell on the man sitting to Annie's left side, they gained a bright spark.

     "Mr Wheather. What may I get you today?"

   Mr Wheather? Annie echoed in her head.

"A margarita."

   The bartender gazed to the side at Annie, noting that he had ordered the same drink
It was an attempt to impress her.

     "Right away."

Under Annie's low gaze, the employee rushed to the other side of the counter where their mixologist was busy doing his work.

   "May I know the name of this humble gorgeous-"

   "Will you please, fuck off?"

Neo Wheather frowned. How could a female looking as plain as she did dare reject him? His insides started steaming almost immediately, and the urge to slap her rose to his throat like bile.

   Neo chuckled, hiding his irritation. But Annie could read every part of him, from his clenched jaw, to his folded fist.

    He was a violent man. That, Annie could tell from his reaction to her words.

She put her phone down next to the margarita glass, feeling a bit excited. If he wanted to fight, she could as well give him a good one.
     "What? Do you expect every woman you come across to throw herself at you just because you have a little cash?"

   His real feelings surfaced when he let the angry frown corrupt his face. "Do you have any idea who-"

     "I don't care boy. If you value your life, walk away this, fucking, second." Annie threatened, adding an evil smirk at the end of her words.
She obviously knew the bastard would not back down without trying to show his dominance. And she was counting on him to try and initiate a fight.

     Neo dashed off his stool, boring through Annie with his furious scowl.

  
   "Don't push your luck too far you slut. You should be grateful that someone as wealthy as me has laid eyes on you."

  That word...slut. It stabbed the deepest and darkest part of her heart.
Nobody had ever insulted her like that in her entire life.

     "What did you just call me?"
Her voice was cold, impatient and had an underlying murderous speck.

Hearing her crossed tone, Neo felt a rush of dominance. To him, she was just a helpless female like any other, meant to worship men like him.

   He took the bait, leaned down and closer to Annie ear to whisper, "I said you're a slu-"

Her hand jerked up and struck his throat in one fierce move.

  Neo immediately choked, his windpipes had been attacked, leaving his throat in what felt like flames dancing in there. He grabbed his neck as he choked. His feet backed unconsciously, moving him away from the danger. But Annie wasn't done with him yet.

     Before he could calm his burning throat, Annie was already off her stool, a proud smirk plastered on her face.
She gave him little time to prepare for her next attack and went in for it.

   Not minding that she was in a pair of high heels, the female grabbed Neo's arm and pulled, using it as her anchor to swing her way up on him till her thighs now caged his neck.

She had done this attack countless time that it became a part of her. It was useful against unarmed men, suffocating them till they lost consciousness.

Frightened and shocked gasps overtook the music still playing as the people backed off from the counter. Suddenly, the entire club was brought to a standstill as they watched a six foot make being overpowered by a five foot three female.

   He struggled to get her off his shoulders, to get her thighs off his neck. But Annie's signature attack left little room for the prey to escape.

    Due to Neo's height, his footing became unstable real fast.
She knew she had to jump off of him before he fell or she'd suffer a fatal blow as well.

  As Neo choked and turned around helplessly, someone from the crowd stepped in and hit the back of Neo's knee.

The giant lost balance and fell on his knee, his face pink, with veins visible to the eye.
   
   "Scum!" Annie hissed breathless as she pushed his unconscious face to the floor.

Feeling victorious, the female ran fingers through her hair, making sure it was still in place. Once her appearance was in order, she turned around, ready to leave the damned club.

   But she froze in place when her eyes took in the crowd staring in astonishment.
Most importantly, the man that stood out from the crowd.

Donned in a dark blue suit, Jack looked priceless.
There was something in his eyes, like sparks of concern and pride.