Chapter Ten
The weekend arrived with a heavy amount of rain. Aliannah loved the sound of rain against the window. Sometimes, she would be able to sit out on the balcony and enjoy the peace of the rain as her balcony was sheltered, being mid-way up the building. Today was not that day. The wind direction was hounding in towards her balcony, so her couch would have to suffice. She made a coffee, grabbed some biscuits and she settled on the couch under a cosy blanket with her book. This peace was refreshing from the madness since her return from Europe. Life had been consistently hectic.
She missed the calm of the Adriatic Sea. She would happily sit on the front deck of the Serenity for hours, just watching the sea glitter in the sun and the waves dance as they moved with the current. She closed her eyes and thought back to those sunny days. A glass of chilled white wine in her hand, the sun on her skin and some light-tempo music softly playing through the speakers. Ivan came over and rubbed sunscreen onto her shoulders. He was always so attentive to her. His arms wrapped around her body as he continued applying the sunscreen.
“I must make sure my darling does not burn; skin as beautiful as yours must be protected”, Ivan would say as he thoroughly rubbed in the cream and doubled over his pathways so as not to miss a single inch of Aliannah’s body.
There was something about his accent when he spoke, it would send electric waves through every nerve in Aliannah’s body, and his touch sent goose bumps racing across her skin. He kissed her softly before walking away back into the main saloon of the boat. Her vision rippled as day turned to night, and she walked through the main saloon looking for Ivan. She saw his back through the open office door, and she stopped herself from walking any further into the room when she saw what was happening. She could not believe he was doing this again. Why would he do this again? How could she be so stupid to trust him again? She turned away and ran.
Aliannah woke with a jolt and was breathless from her run. Her heart was racing so hard she could hear it in her ears. She was covered in sweat, and tears were streaming down her face. “It was just a dream. Aliannah, you are home. You are safe. He cannot hurt you anymore. It was just a dream!” she said to herself. She looked around to confirm she was indeed in her New York apartment and not Ivan’s boat.
She checked the time on her phone. It was 5 pm. How had she slept so much of the day away? Wow, that rain sure had an effect today. She noticed the rain had finally stopped, and it was just a dull October evening. She rang Michelle. “Hey Mich! You busy tonight? I’m in the mood to go dancing.”
“Hell yes, girl! I swing by yours at 9, and we can head to Zino’s together. Gavin’s on the door tonight, so he’s already there for prep work,” Michelle said, eager to get out. “You should invite Jasper, too! I’d love to meet him,” she added. Aliannah was hesitant. She still had not heard from Jasper since they kissed. She debated whether to tell Michelle or not.
“Sure, I’ll fire him a text and see if he’ll meet us there later,” The girls said their goodbyes and hung up the phone. Aliannah bit her lip as she tried to find the courage to text Jasper. Would she seem desperate? She hoped not. She did it.
Hey, Mich and I are heading to Zino’s later tonight. Want to meet us there later?
*Swoosh* off went the message to Jasper. Aliannah went for a long, hot, steamy lobster-inducing shower. She scrubbed the sweat from her dream off. She scrubbed away her nerves from texting Jasper after an entire week of silence. Aliannah was a new woman when she finally stepped out of the shower. She turned on some house music and started going through her wardrobe, looking for something to wear tonight. She settled on a gold strappy mini-dress. It complimented the tan she had from Croatia. A tan that was sadly beginning to fade, Aliannah picked out some simple black heels and a black bag to finish off her outfit.
When she picked up the heels, a box caught her attention. It was the box that contained the dress and necklace that Ivan had gifted her. “Not tonight,” she thought to herself. She checked her phone to see if Jasper had replied. There was nothing. She could tell it had been delivered, but he must either have read receipts switched off, or else he had not opened the message yet because the two ticks in the bottom corner of her message were still grey. She sighed as she sat to do her makeup. Maybe Jasper was too good to be true.
Aliannah was just adding some hairspray to finish off her hair when Michelle walked in. Aliannah screamed. “Jesus fucking Christ, Michelle, How did you get in? You just scared the hell out of me!”
Michelle laughed “I’m sorry I forgot to give back my key when I moved out. Anyway, I think it is best I keep my key for emergencies or something. Next time, I will have Harry make a formal here-ye style announcement upon my arrival.” She was clutching her sides trying to breathe from laughing so hard. Aliannah nodded in agreement. She knew she could trust Michelle to keep the key safe.
With one final look in the mirror, Aliannah was set. The girls posed together for a few photos before heading out. There was still no word from Jasper. Aliannah felt uneasy about this; maybe she had read too much into their notebook kiss, or maybe it was just simply a kiss with no emotions at all.
Gavin was at the door, as always, and let out a loud wolf whistle as Michelle and Aliannah stepped out of the cab. “Hi, Gavin,” the girls chanted as they walked over.
“Wow-wee look at these two beauties, ladies, you look jaw-dropping. I am going to have to hire extra clean-up crews for all those jaws.” Gavin was looking awe-struck at Michelle as he gestured to the long line of awaiting patrons. He pulled Michelle to him and gave her a dramatic swoop-drop kiss. “Boys hands off. This lady is mine,” He announced loudly to anyone who could hear. Michelle was glowing bright red as the line cheered for them. Gavin tapped her on the bum as she went into the club.
They downed their first drink and hit the dance floor. The theme tonight was ‘Old Skool Rave’. It was so busy. The girls danced with each other most of the night, and the occasional song or two with some handsome men came their way. Aliannah was dancing to a Scooter song when a man grabbed her hand and spun her into his chest. The air was knocked out of her. She looked up and saw those green eyes.
“Jasper,” she whispered as the air came back into her lungs. He smiled at her, led her out of the dance floor to the bar, and ordered drinks for them.
Aliannah didn’t know whether to be happy to see Jasper or to slap him for ghosting her all week. Jasper turned from the bar and handed her a vodka lemon. He spoke before she could. “I’m sorry, Aliannah, work just got so manic this week. I did not mean to ghost you; the week just ran away from me.” She didn’t know what to say. She could see the guilt and intention in his eyes. Was it work? Had he been on other dates? They weren’t exclusive, so it is possible. She hated the thought of him seeing someone else, not that she had any claim over him either; they were still getting to know each other. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. She made a mental note of this occasion as she would definitely not become a doormat.
“I’ll forgive you this time. There will not be a next. Ghost me again, and you will be blocked,” she said firmly. Jasper took a step back. He appeared to be surprised by her harsh tone. Jasper rubbed his jaw as if considering her words. Aliannah looked confused. Which one of them was supposed to be in the wrong, not her, for that she was certain of.
“Fair enough, I can take that offer, Deal!” he reached out to shake her hand. Aliannah shook it. “Now we have that sorted. May I have this dance, m’lady?” Jasper stepped back, gave a ridiculous bow, and held out his hand. Aliannah could not help herself and laughed uncontrollably.
“I suppose, good sir, since your intentions seem to be those of an honourable gentleman, I will accept.” She took his hand and went back to Michelle on the dance floor. Jasper had good rhythm and was able to keep up to the beat with ease. Aliannah could feel his muscles through his shirt. She wondered what it would feel like to have him over her. Jasper looked at her in a way that made her think he could read her mind. Jasper pulled her in and kissed her with such passion all doubts about ghosting left her mind. Aliannah pulled him closer. She could not get enough of him.
“Last song of the night, party PEOPLE!” the DJ screamed through the microphone. The crowd went wild as the song "Maniac" blared through the speakers. Jasper and Aliannah danced closely, with Jasper grinding against her.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Jasper said in her ear. Aliannah nodded and grabbed Michelle to tell her she was leaving with Jasper. Michelle winked and told her to have fun.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Michelle teased as she waved her goodbye. Aliannah laughed. Jasper took her hand, and they headed for the exit.
Gavin raised a brow as she walked out with Jasper. “Mich is still inside. I am trusting that you will get her home, yeah? I’m going home with Jasper,” Aliannah said. Gavin still looked confused and then looked Jasper up and down.
Gavin held out his hand to introduce himself. Jasper shook it. “I’m Gavin, Michelle’s boyfriend. Be good to Ali, she's one of the good ones!” Aliannah hugged Gavin goodbye and left holding Jasper's hand.