As sweaty bodies moved on the dance floor, loud obnoxious music boomed in the background. I was sitting in the same spot I had sat in, weeks ago. Memories of that night filled my thoughts, turning my cheeks crimson and causing me to clasp my thighs.

What is wrong with me?

I shook my head dismissively and glanced at the couple in front of me, who were looking at each other as if they were the sun and the moon. It was nice, but at the time, I disliked anything romantic at the time, but with the exception of novels.

"Look at them," Mave grumbled, making a gagging sound.

"Shut up!" I rolled my eyes and returned my gaze to the pair.

After returning from lunch, our team decided to celebrate Emily's birthday at a nightclub, as she was a member of our team and a coworker of mine. And as soon as the word got out, most of the bachelor workers decided to go out for the night, including the jerk known as my ex. I initially refused the offer, but due to Jen's pleadings, I had no choice but to accept.

I sighed and turned around, meeting the hazel eyes of my ex, who was seated across from me, alongside Jace, who happened to know him as Sebastian's cousin. His eyes twinkled with delight as they met mine, and he shot me a small smile, which I ignored with a roll of eyes.

Mave stiffened beside me, and before he could say anything, I stopped him by placing my palm on top of his. Mave wrinkled his brows and scowled at me, while I fake smiled and raised an eyebrow.

Mave and Jen, just as I had requested, stayed silent and behaved normally with Luke, who was completely unaware of them knowing our history. Though Mave's attitude toward him may have altered, I don't think he noticed, plus he was too focused on examining my hand on top of Mave's.

Just like he always did.

He didn't stay staring for long because the next thing I knew, his eyes were on mine, his jaws tightened, he gazed at me intensely, and I stared back, daring him to say anything.

That was his way of asking, what this was.

The more I reflect on our relationship, the more I realize how toxic some aspects were, such as his constant queries about who I was hanging out with or my relationships with my friends. But there were times when I enjoyed being with him, including when he would just sit and watch movies, or when he would make me laugh and stand alongside me when I needed him.

While I returned my gaze to his hazel eyes, they didn't have their normal softness and shine; instead, they were filled with fire, something I rarely saw in him when we were in a relationship. I had no idea he could be furious, and it appears that everything was an illusion, that neither he nor our relationship was genuine.

I used to wonder what it would be like to get high on drugs, and it always piqued my interest as to what it was that people died for.

Dopamine.

People will die just to experience that one blissful dose of dopamine again and again. But aren't all individuals the same, and don't we all do things to receive a rush of dopamine?

Everything we do; sex, winning a game, viewing porn, masturbating, eating, running, and so on. What are we doing all of this for? Isn't getting a shot of dopamine the same as being a drug addict or a non-addict? It does, but the only difference is that they lose control while we keep control.

Sweaty bodies were moving, and opposite sexes were rolling and grinding their hips together, basically having sex on the dance floor.

Not that I mind, because a wild part of me has always desired to embrace such exact circumstances, but the rational half of me demolishes the wild portions.

Jen and Jace stood up, drawing my attention.

''We shall be right back," Jen replied, smiling.

The sink, of course.

"You might have just left without saying anything." Mave groaned alongside him, rubbing his forehead; Jen rolled her eyes and, after mouthing me "upstairs," grabbed Jace's hand in hers and walked away. I couldn't help but laugh at his position, his overprotectiveness for her boundless, just like Jake's.

Jake, I haven't spoken to him in a long time. I'm not sure what he's doing; he really needs to understand that sleeping around with skanks won't get him anywhere and that he has to focus on anything other than his dick.

He really needs a girlfriend.

And if he does, he can't tell me I can't have boyfriends anymore. Not that it matters right now, but he needs to calm down.

''I need a drink," Mave grumbled and walked away, blending into the bustle, leaving me and Luke alone.

Fuck.

I rose up before he could open his lips to say anything, and my eyes were drawn to a Blondie. My lips twitched in response to the tug of a grin.

''Emily!'' I yelled to get her attention; she excitedly waved her hands from where she was standing.

God, she was drunk.

She sauntered towards me, slurring her way, a big grin on her face.

''Heyyy Arabelllaaaaaa!'' She mumbled, licked her lips, and leaned in too close.

"Hello, Emily, happy birthday!" I took a step back and grinned. She squealed and rushed up to me.

''Thank you so much, Arabella. God, you smell so nice," she murmured in my hair and began sniffing me.

''You know, you drew my attention the second you walked into the office." My eyes widened as she mumbled in my hair and tightened her grip on me.

Of course, only my plans would backfire like this.

I heard a snort behind me, which came from my ass ex. I ignored him and glanced down at the girl who was embracing me and saying something incoherently that I couldn't comprehend. Emily was without a doubt one of the most beautiful and young girls in the company, and it would be devastating for the males.

Why are all homosexual people attractive?

Before I could pull away, I noticed another brunette wearing black pants and a blouse with a Goth makeover approaching me. ''Come on, Emily," the girl muttered, dragging Emily away from me, while I straightened my dress after she was taken away.

''I apologize; she has a habit of hugging everyone." She stated this while gazing at me, but she was clutching Emily securely around her waist.

''Ryan, you're here'' She shouted as she hugged the brunette.

Ryan, who appeared angry at the time, was perplexed while holding her, but she still embraced her firmly, mumbling something in her ear.

They're adorable.

And before Emily could say anything further, Ryan tugged her along with her, leaving me staring at their backs till they vanished into the crowd.

With a sigh, I opted to go to the restroom, rather than talk to the jerk known as my ex.

"Eli wait-" and before he could finish his sentence, I was out of his sight and blending in with the crowd. The music was blasting loudly, and I was constantly pushed and dragged back by the throng; after what seemed like hours, I had finally reached the corner of the restroom that was soothingly dim, and right beside the men's lavatory were four tattooed males, who were busy snorting something from a paper.

Drugs.

My heart rate increased as a result of my inaudible gasp. The scenario appeared too shabby for me, so I planned to leave and bring Mave along with me, but then I noticed a girl entering the restroom and they didn't even raise their eyes from that paper.

Maybe they won't notice plus they were far away from the women's restroom, anyways.

With that thought in mind, I approached the female restroom, and just as I was about to open the door, someone grabbed my wrist and placed their front against my back;

''Look, who we've got here, mate," the person behind me said, venomously chuckling in his arrogant British accent. His hands moved over my body as they all laughed. I closed my eyes and breathed loudly.

This was not happening.

''let. Me. go!'' I clenched my teeth and screamed. My chest was heaving in anger, and I was clenching my fists in rage.

"What's the rush, baby? We've just met," he cruelly murmured in my ear before placing his hands on my chest.

''Don't! Don't you fucking dare touch me!" I yelled, pushing him back, yanking my hands free from his grip, and just as I was about to flee, someone grabbed my hand and shoved me against the wall. After striking the wall, my head hammered and a string of agony went through my spine, making me groan in anguish.

"You fucking bitch!" The person I had shoved struck me in the gut.

"Know your worth!" He spits in my face and ripped the buttons off my baby pink blouse.

''Don't fucking touch me!'' I shouted on his face, attempting to squirm free from his grip.

''Help me!'' A burning pain went through my cheeks as I shouted through my lungs. He smacked me across the face.

But no one came; I was alone in this.

"Shut up, you bitch!" he exclaimed as he ripped the shirt from my body, leaving me with nothing but a bra on my top.

He moaned and cupped my breast from my bra; I couldn't help but close my eyes in disgust, and tears clogged in my eyes; there was nothing I could do.

''Don't cry sweetie, it won't hurt if you don't want it to be," he murmured as he parted my legs.

"Please," I begged.

Our world is filled with devils, whether in our homes, communities, schools, or offices; we are never safe. It's only that I didn't realize how it felt until today when all the demons were obnoxiously laughing at my weak state and the devil was enjoying me. I despised feeling helpless, and I never gave up hope.

So, why did I abandon it now?

And before my mind could understand what I was doing, I pushed my knee up and smacked his crotch, causing his grip on my wrists to relax and he gasped loudly.

"You fucking bitch," he shouted, and before his hands could contact mine, another very familiar voice venomously snarled,

"Fucking touch her again, I dare you!"