CHAPTER 2
The pounding music was deafening when I stepped inside. The driving beat, the mingled smells of alcohol, sweat, and perfume made my head spin as I made my way toward the dimly lit room. I hadn’t been here in a long time, not since I met William, the man who is now my older brother—though I don’t know if I can still call him my lover. I ventured farther inside and slowly made my way toward the bartender, occasionally having to dodge advances from men who were nearly drunk. Being here in a wedding dress made me look like Alice, lost in a dream world. Several people stared at me in confusion and hurled insults that should have made my ears burn bright red. I merely shot them a sharp glare until those thick-lipsticked mouths fell silent at once.
I sat on a tall stool in front of the bartender, occasionally adjusting this damn dress. I sighed softly when I didn’t see a single familiar friend at the bar I used to frequent two years ago. Had they all repented and stopped coming here? All that remained was a group of crazy teenagers who had been poking my exposed shoulders ever since I put on this dress.
“Can I help you, my bride?” greeted the handsome bartender who was already familiar with me.
“Just give me some kinda beer that can make me forget about my problem, Antonio.”
“What’s going on? Was your wedding canceled, bride?” he asked in his distinctive accent.
“Just give me what I want. Give me pleasure,” I replied to his joke, which made me smile bitterly.
“If you want, I’ll change into my best tuxedo right now and marry you. You know, your dress is so beautiful that no one could refuse to marry you,” Antonio said, still shaking my drink.
“So, you’d marry me in my gown?”
“Sure, but after that I will take your body. Here’s your order. It’s still the same as what you ordered two years ago, the last time you visited this place. I thought you would’ve forgotten.”
“I could never forget, Antonio. This is my place.”
“Yeah. Enjoy it, darling.” Antonio left me with a light kiss on my forehead. A few years ago, when I had just started coming here, I had fallen in love with Antonio, the bartender who stole my heart with his crisp laugh and playful jokes. But two years ago, after I entered college, William stole my heart with his grace, and I had to end things with Antonio. Yet his attitude toward me never changed, and sometimes I felt guilty for choosing someone else and leaving him just like that.
I downed the golden liquid in my glass, the bitter heat making my feelings float away and leaving me light-headed. But it wasn’t enough.
“Antonio...” I called softly to him as he prepared another customer’s order.
“Yes, dear... any problem?”
“Give me a bottle of vodka, please...” I said pleadingly.
“Is your problem really that serious, dear? You’ve never been satisfied with one glass. But a whole bottle of vodka? I think that’s going too far.” Slowly, he poured a green-colored liquid and handed it to the female customer who had been giving him flirtatious glances all this time.
“Do you like her? Is that why you won’t give me a bottle of vodka?” I whined at Antonio, burying my face in the bar. Then I felt something cold and hard press against my cheek.
“A bottle of vodka for you, dear, but promise me I’ll be the one to take you home later.” I merely nodded slowly, a wide smile spreading across my face. I immediately drank half the bottle. My vision began to blur and my head spun, while the heat burning down my throat made me lower my head.