Marrying my high school bully

Lorraine

“How was your day?” Stella asked me just as she returned from work.

I quickly dried my eyes and sniffed. “Boring. ” I replied quietly, staring at the flower on the table beside the wall.

She dropped her bag and sat down beside me, tilting my face to hers. “You’ve been crying all day. Take a look at your face, it’s red and swollen and you have become a shadow of yourself.” She said gently, though deeply worried.

I couldn’t hold back my emotions as my body retched with heavy sobs that turned into a bawl. It had been my routine since I dropped by at her place after leaving Dexter’s house last night.

She was surprised to see me at first, then I told her that I wouldn’t stay for long, and I just needed somewhere to lay my head and that would be it.

She agreed and when she left for work, the burden of my present reality came crashing down my fragile shoulders. I couldn’t eat anything, not even the toast bread she prepped before leaving as it was repulsive to me.

“I’m so sorry, Stella, I’m not usually like this.” I cried.

Her face scrunched up in a frown as she folded her hands. “Tell me, Lorraine, did Dexter assault you? Because I’m ready to march to his house and give him a piece of my mind.” She fired.

“No, no. Don’t do that. He didn’t assault me. ” I said in his defense. “He loves me very much and that’s why I don’t want to tie him down with me. I’m not good enough for him.”

Her face softened as she pulled me into her arms. I didn’t cry anymore as I relished her warm embrace. It felt good to have someone who wasn’t judgemental, but patient enough to console you until you are ready to spill it out.

“Everything will be fine, alright?” She comforted me and I nodded, hoping that someday the pain would disappear and I’d be truly happy.

She broke the embrace and jumped to her feet. “Enough of the sad vibes. We are going for a party tonight and you aren’t allowed to decline.” She chirped.

I shook my head. “I don’t think-”

“I’m not taking no for an answer, lady. We are going out there to have fun so that you can forget about your sorrows. And don’t worry, the bills are on me. Your husband pays me well.” She giggled and I couldn’t help but join her.

She had a free spirit and I wondered if anything could get to her.

I thought about her offer carefully and I discovered that she was right. There was no point of staying here and wallowing in misery when I could go out and have a little fun.

“Which club are we headed to?” I beamed at her and she rewarded me with a happy scream.

In one hour, we had both dressed to kill. She wore a blue bodycon jumpsuit, having a v-neckline that stopped at the base of her stomach, then matched her outfit with a pair of black high heeled boots.

I opted for a skimpy shirt dress, the flare stopping at my mid thighs. I left a few buttons undone, ensuring that my cleavages were slightly exposed. The single silver strap heel I chose matched my black dress and I kept my hair down since I intended to dance like a wild cat.

“And we are set.” Stella declared in a sing-song tone.

I stared at my reflection from the mirror one last time, then clutched my glittery black bag and together we stepped out.

*******

We got to the club after a short drive and I was so sure that I’d be drowned by the songs, blaring from the loud speakers. “This place is so loud.” I shouted, following Stella who was already moving her body to the groove of the music.

“That’s why it’s called a club.” She shouted right back. “You get to drink and dance away all your sorrows.” She led me towards the bar and I hoisted myself up the elevated chair.

“Two shots of sex on the beach and a slice of lime, please.” She said to the bartender who shamelessly checked her out.

She propped her boobs on the counter, fiddling with a few strands of her hair. “Do you like what you see?” She wriggled her brows as the bartender blushed, turning his back on us in embarrassment.

“You’re something else, Stella. I didn’t even know that you could be this flirty, yet, you act like miss perfect at the agency.”

She shrugged, “This is a club, and the agency is my workplace. Different personalities are required, darling. I’m not in any committed relationship and that’s why I’m going to flirt around until I get a man for tonight.” She giggled.

I shook my head, wishing that I could be as audacious as her. “Goodluck in finding a good man,” I darted my eyes around and found men who were engaged in nasty things with ladies who didn’t care about who watched. “Because the men out here aren’t worth it.” I finished my statement.

The bartender brought our drinks and I collected mine. Stella collected hers from him, allowing her palm to linger on his. They began to flirt while I looked away, gulping the content of the shot.

I shook away the bitter taste and slowly shook my body to the rock’n’roll blaring from the speakers.

The last time I came to a club, a strange man followed me home and I wondered if the same thing would happen again.

Seeing that Stella was already hooked up with the barman, I got off the chair and the cat walked to the dance floor.

That was one of the biggest mistakes I made because all eyes turned to me. I became the center of attention even when I didn’t enjoy it.

A man approached me with his bulging stomach. He looked like he could be my father and I kept my disgust obvious, flaring my nose and glaring at him, but he continued to leer at me.

“You look so hot, caramel. Do you care to join me at the table over there?” He pointed towards a secluded part of the club that was poorly illuminated by a dim blue bulb.

I was able to make out the people sitting there. Some of the young men had strippers twisting their waists and shaking their jiggly asses on their thighs.

With my eyes still pinned on them, I shook my head in disagreement. “I’m sorry but I don’t think I’m-”

My words hung in my throat as one of the strippers seductively crawled away from the man sitting in the middle. I froze, my heart thudding hard as I stared at the cold face of the man who barely noticed me.

Dexter was present at the party and he just allowed a woman to give him a lap dance.

My eyes churned with hot tears as I retrieved my purse from the counter and trotted out of the club, ignoring Stella who tried to run after me.

Fortunately, a cab stopped as soon as I got out and I jumped in without thinking. My breath came in heavy pants while I fumbled with my phone and dialed Bumpy’s number.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

He picked up without hesitating. “Lorraine, we’ve been searching for you. Where have you been…”

I disrupted his excitement. “Send me your address, I’m coming over.” I said with a shaky voice.

“Are you sure-”

“Just do it,” I yelled and ended the call.

The driver spared me a backward glance but didn’t say anything, and I was happy that he didn’t because I was ready to transfer all my anger to him.

Some minutes later, we arrived at a bungalow. I threw out a wad of cash at the driver and banged at Arnold’s door.

As if he had been waiting for me to come, the door swung open and he stretched his arm to give me a hug. I leaned on him and pushed him backward, shutting the door.

“Where have you been? Dexter came here this morning, he looked so broken.”

I scoffed, pushing the disgusting sight of him and the stripper that kept popping in my head aside. “Kiss me, Arnold Smith.” I ordered, my face masked with seriousness.

His lips parted as he put a little distance between us. “You can’t be serious, Lorraine. Dexter will kill me if he finds out.” He argued, but desire flared up in his eyes.

“Forget about him and kiss me!” I demanded, this time louder and more desperate.