28: Don’t be an embarrassment

LILLIAN

I strutted into Club Vortex, turning heads as I made my entrance.

That’s how we do it. I flipped my hair over my shoulder.

My dress was a shimmering silver number that hugged my curves perfectly, catching the light and drawing everyone’s attention. I styled my hair in loose waves, and my makeup was flawless.

I knew I was a sight for sore eyes. Heck, people paused mid-conversation just to stare at me, their eyes following me as I made my way through the crowd.

In no time, I spotted the ladies at the bar. Chloe was the first person to see me and waved me over, alerting the attention of the others. I saw the way Mara looked shocked to see me, like she didn’t think I’d come.

Yeah, right.

I took my sweet time walking to them. Rita seemed the most excited to see me, pulling me into a tight hug. I gave Chloe and Mara air kisses, keeping things light and distant.

“You look amazing, Lillian,” Rita gushed.

“Absolutely stunning,” Chloe added, making a chef’s kiss gesture.

“Thanks,” I replied, smiling. “You all look great too.” I glanced at Mara, adding, “Especially you, Mara. That’s a bold choice.” I smirked, taking my seat beside Rita.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“Thanks, but I didn’t think you’d be able to make it,” she switched the conversations back to me. “You’ve been so busy with housewife duties that you’ve declined all our other offers.” Her voice held faux concern.

“Yeah, is your husband okay with you coming out?” Chloe chimed in.

“I think our time apart has made you forget who I am,” I scoffed. “ I am Lillian Wright and I don’t answer to my husband. I can do whatever I want.” I gave them a cool smile.

“Amen! Let’s drink to that!” Rita exclaimed as the shots arrived and we all downed a shot together.

When it came time to place our drink orders, I intentionally asked for something non-alcoholic, wanting to stay sober. Mara noticed this

“Sticking to juice, Lillian?” Of course, she couldn’t resist the urge to jab. “Afraid you can’t handle a real drink?” She smirked.

“Unlike you, I just prefer to stay in control, Mara,” I smirked, not missing a beat. “Besides, someone has to remember all the juicy gossip from tonight.” I shrugged, a mischievous smile playing on my lips.

She rolled her eyes but didn’t have a comeback.

Chloe and Rita laughed, and we settled into our night out, the air buzzing with a mix of tension and excitement.

We stayed near the bar, swaying to the rhythm of the music. It wasn’t long before Chloe and Rita moved to the dance floor, their energy infectious.

It was fun watching them shake it off, and against my better judgment, their carefree spirits lifting mine.

At some point, I felt the need to relieve myself and stood up to use the restroom. When I was finished and about to leave, my phone chimed with a new message. I glanced at the screen and saw it was from Xavier.

I’m not letting him ruin this night for me.

Not bothering to open it, I put my phone on silent and shoved it back into my purse.

When I got back to the bar, Chloe and Rita were back from the dance floor, laughing and chatting. I sat down and took several sips of my mock-tail, trying to relax.

But soon, I started to feel extremely lightheaded. I didn’t think much of it, continuing to drink.

Why do I suddenly feel funny? I’m not drinking alcohol so why do I feel tipsy?

“Lillian, are you okay?” Mara suddenly leaned in, her voice dripping with feigned concern. “You don’t look well.” She pouted.

“I’m fine!” I giggled, feeling uncharacteristically tipsy. “Just… having a good time.”

“Yeah, let’s have fun! You deserve it.” Chloe grinned.
Mara watched with a malicious smirk playing on her lips, but I was too buzzed to care.

“I want to dance!” I suddenly said, stumbling a little as I got down from my seat and I made my way to the dance floor.

Chloe and Rita cheered, hyping me up as I began to move to the music. The world spun slightly, but I didn’t care. I moved my body sensually to the rhythm of the music, feeling the eyes of everyone in the club on me.

The beat pulsed through my body, and I let go, losing myself in the moment.

It felt weird, but I couldn’t stop myself.

I continued to dance, swaying and spinning, the lights and music blurring together. For the first time in a long while, I felt free, even if it was just an illusion.

Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed my arm, jerking me out of my trance. Even in my tipsy state, I immediately recognized Xavier, his face etched with fury.

Oh shit! How did he know I was here?

“What the hell are you doing?” he hissed, his grip tightening on my arm.

“I’m dancing, Xavier,” I slurred, trying to pull away. “Let me go!”

“You’re making a spectacle of yourself, Lillian!” he snapped, eyes blazing with anger. “What the fuck is the matter with you?”

People around us stopped to watch, their eyes wide with curiosity. Chloe and Rita looked shocked, while Mara had a smug expression on her face.

“Castor,” Xavier called, pointing towards Mara, “destroy that phone.”

I followed his gaze and saw Mara, phone in hand, recording the whole scene. Realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

Shit!

This was all a setup, and Mara must have been the one to spike my drink.

“No!” Mara protested as Castor strode over, snatching the phone from her grip before she could hide it away. He snapped it in two, ignoring her angry outburst.

Xavier turned his furious gaze back to me.

“You’re in so much trouble,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Before I could respond, he grabbed my hand and started dragging me out of the club with me stumbling after him.


****


“What the hell is the matter with you? Why can’t you just obey simple instructions?” Xavier snapped at me as soon as we were inside the house.

I was a little more sober now, but my frustration was still boiling over.

“I’m not a fucking dog, Xavier.” I snapped back. “You can’t give me orders, telling me to sit or play dead and expect me to answer you. I can’t keep living like a prisoner. I should be able to hang out with my friends if I want.”

“Those same friends who spiked your drink and were making a video of you?” He scoffed, mocking me. “They were going to sell it to TMZ by morning so everyone would see how much of an embarrassment you are. A goddamn married woman partying in the club like she has no respect for her husband.”

His words stung, but I fired back.

“None of that would have happened if you respected me as your wife and stopped talking down to me like I’m nobody. I told you to give me a job and you didn’t. Told you to let me see my father and you didn’t. What else do you want for me? To keep playing house wife who only does your bidding? I think not!”

“You think you deserve respect? You think you can defy me and not face consequences?” His eyes darkened with anger. I stood my ground, refusing to back down.

“I can damn well try,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He took a step closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming.

The air between us crackled with tension, and I could feel the heat radiating off his body. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, everything else faded away. His gaze was intense, filled with a mix of anger and something else I couldn’t quite place.

My breath hitched as he moved even closer, the space between us disappearing. The scent of his cologne filled my senses, making my heart race. I could feel the roughness of his breath against my skin, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

Fuck.