I join them on the dance floor for a while, a circle forming, including my big boss, Mr. Edwards, and his wife, Charlie. Eric dances over as does Tristan. We dance and laugh, enjoying the night until Eric requests that I join the single females to catch the prize. Traditionally, a bouquet is thrown. Eric insisted on traditions, though instead of a bouquet, he carries a small black box in his hands.
It’s humiliating, mostly since there are only seven of us who are single out of the hundreds attending. I force a smile, purposely distancing myself from the other girls to avoid it all until the box hits my temple, prompting everyone to cheer.
Great, even more embarrassing.
“Open it!” Eric roars with laughter.
Biting my tongue with a contrived smile, I snap open the black box to find two silver balls.
‘What’s this?” I ask, lifting them out.
“Oh honey,” Eric cackles with his arm over my shoulder. “I have a lot of wisdom to part on you.”
The moment he says it, my eyes flick upward catching Dominic’s stare. I quickly divert my eyes, touching my forehead, then shutting the box. “Thanks, I look forward to it,” is all I mumble before scurrying off the dance floor.
When the males have their turn, surprising, there are at least thirty of them, and many of them gay. One of the only straight guys catches another black box, though I refuse to see what the box contains. Judging by the continuous laughter, it’s something equally as embarrassing as my prize.
And another unfortunate tradition—the coupling of the two single winners in an awkward dance.
The man introduces himself as Richard. I smile politely upon his introduction, offering my name in return while trying to ignore the way he often glances at my breasts with wide eyes.
“You’re beautiful and young,” he confesses, his hands resting low enough on my back to graze against my ass. “I like young women.”
What kind of comment is that?
“I’m twenty-four. It’s not that young,” I state, without the friendly smile.
“Sweetheart, I’m twice divorced and old enough to be your father.” He leans in and whispers in my ear. “But I’d love to fuck that sweet little pussy of yours. I bet you’re still a virgin.”
I pull away, mortified at his blatant ignoring of social decency. My hands drop to my sides while he doesn’t let go. The force of my hips causes his hands to fall, much to his disappointment.
“Excuse me, but I have somewhere I need to be.”
“Like where?”
“Anywhere besides near you.”
I make my way to the bar, desperate for a drink to erase the humiliation. Needing something more potent, I demand the bartender serve me whatever he has that could be served in shots.
A bottle of tequila comes out and poured into two shot glasses. I count quietly to myself, downing the first, then the second. I wince at the taste but ignore the sensation.
“Again,” I tell him.
“Are you sure? Earlier on, you were drinking champagne. The two don’t exactly mix well,” the bartender warns.
“The same could be said about me and a man old enough to be my father.”
“Very well,” he mumbles while serving another. “This is the last one.”
I don’t stop to think, drinking it and wishing to soon erase tonight’s events.
When it’s evident the jackass will no longer serve me, I abandon the bar and find myself walking outside to the gardens. Despite the dark sky with a full moon lit above us, the gardens appear manicured and serene in their setting.
The noise of the party becomes further in the distance until a rustle in the bushes stops me in my tracks. I turn around, scanning the area to see no one. Calming my anxious nerves, the liquor seems to begin its course through my veins, my walk compromised with a slight sway.
Suddenly, an arm grips me tight and another around my waist.
“You’re a little tease,” the voice taunts, as my body stiffens in fear. “Young girls like you parade yourself, then say no. This time you’re not so lucky.”
“Get off me,” I warn, struggling with his grip. “I’ll scream, you asshole.”
His hand covers my mouth, the sweaty palm silencing my voice.
“You’ll spread your legs and be quiet, you understand me?”
The force of his knees knocks my legs apart as nausea washes over me. My limbs feel like dead weight, unable to move while my head begs me to act quickly.
Don’t let him do this.
Taking a deep breath, I bite down hard and shut my eyes, using all my concentration to kick my foot backward and knock him straight in the groin.
“You little slut!”
I fall to the ground along with him, his grip still tight as I try to pull away. My tears begin to fall, my screams trapped inside until I’m staring at shiny black shoes. It must be a figment of my imagination. Slowly, I glance up to meet the wild eyes of Dominic.
It happens within moments, a swift kick into Richard’s ribcage, causing him to curl up in pain as Dominic threatens to kill him if he ever attempts to try this again. Dominic extends his hand, assisting me off the floor. “I’m taking you back to the hotel.”
“I’m fine,” I barely breathe, unable to comprehend what just happened.
“You’re not fine.”
I stare into his eyes, careful not to shed more tears from the shock of it all. Dominic can’t see me this way. I’m supposed to be the one to distract him, and look what happened, he ends up distracting me, causing me to drink more than I should and landing me in this mess.
“I demand you leave now before this imbecile attempts anything more,” Dominic declares in an angered tone.
The car is parked just around the corner. It’s only a ten-minute drive to the hotel, but the roads are close to pitch black. As I sit in the passenger seat staring out the window, we both remain silent. What more is there to say? Perhaps Richard is right, this is my fault? Am I
