THE SKY WAS BLEEDING, the hues of crimson and violet collided beautifully with ease. The sun dipped beyond the horizon with a fleeting ray of colours. Velvet night was approaching, reclaiming the sky once more, an orb of silver that illuminated in the distance. With a gentle gust of wind that tore through the air, the nearby curtains rustled in response. I felt the tranquillity, inhaling the saltiness from the sea, reminding me of a faint childhood memory.

My fingers reached towards the dainty, silver pendant that hung around my neck. It was a diamond tear-drop that laid above my collarbone, a gift from a boy that I once knew. The necklace belonged to his mother, and he had given it to me for my seventeenth birthday. At the time, I had been both livid and a complete mess. However, as time passed, my anger faded and my feelings did too. Dion had become a boy I used to know, and all he could be was a memory.

A fool I had been to spend three years waiting for him to return or contact me. Rykell would never come back, and neither would my heart.

"The sunset," the soft voice echoed, pausing for a brief moment as she stood beside me, "It reminds you of him, doesn't it?"

The corners of my rosy lips curled upward, "He liked to watch the sunsets," I admitted, a ghostly sigh escaped, "It sounds a bit cheesy."

"It has been five years, Laelia," Simone began, then trailed off as if she were unsure of what to say.

I fumbled with the hem of my shirt, shaking my head, "Dion, is but a memory," my words were firm, and they were the truth. "He was my favourite memory, that's all."

Simone remained quiet, taking a seat on the balcony next to me, leaning her head on my shoulder. "We don't have to go out tonight,"

I pointed an accusing finger at her, "You have been fantasizing about foreign sex since we decided on this trip," I said. "And you will certainly get it!"

Simone had not stopped boasting of the elegance and danger that the nightclubs in this area were. From the furniture that costed a fortune, the outdoor pool, to the private VIP room held for the wealthiest and exclusive cocktails made for special guests, it was an experience of a lifetime.

My wardrobe had consisted of clothing showing minimal skin, insecurities of the scars littering my arms and legs, to the bit of loose skin after losing weight by my stomach. Despite the sudden apprehension that riled through my body, I wiggled into the slim black dress that hugged my hips rather uncomfortably. I tried to find the will to refuse to wear it, but truthfully, I loved it. Although I lacked the chest department, it fit seamlessly, especially with the slight cut by my breasts. "I think I have a problem," I called to Simone from the bathroom nervously.

Opening the door as she pulled on the black leather skirt, she had looked at me incredulously, "What exactly is the problem?" Simone frowned, taking generous glances down my body. "I think it looks amazing!"

I nodded, "That is the problem," I muttered unappreciatively, "I like it too much."

"You deserve to feel pretty, Laelia," she remarked, "How did your last boyfriend miss this?"

Laughter tumbled past my lips, then I exhaled, "This feels different."

"We are in a foreign country," replied Simone, puckering her lips with dark crimson lipstick that matched with the lace bodysuit she wore. "You can be anyone you want to be."

I mustered all the courage bottled inside and decided that I would wear it for one night. Rather than applying more makeup than I was comfortable with, I settled for concealer, a bit of bronzer, and an unhealthy amount of blush. Brushing through my lash extensions, I then applied a thin layer of clear gloss.

"This is why you are the stylish friend out of the two of us," I pointed to her outfit and the dress that she had insisted I wear. When I slipped into the overbearing trenchcoat, she narrowed her eyes, but I had only replied with, "The only way I will leave this hotel room, is by wearing this coat."

Simone had rubbed her temples, "You are too difficult."

I pulled her into the night, a breeze tingling my cheeks, and suddenly, I felt insecure all over again.

THE SOUND OF THE bass thrummed from outside, a thumping noise that filled my ears. I was unsure if it was from my heart racing or the music from the nightclub. With Simone feeding the bodyguard incoherent sweet words, he had let us pass the excruciatingly long line. A young man greeted us, offering to take our coats, which I had hesitantly given. The jumpy female beside me hadn't thought twice before giving our names away.

I sighed, my hands attempting to cover my chest, shivering from the rush of cold air. Simone tugged at my wrist, pulling to me the glass bar that was lit up and changed colours every few minutes. "Two shots of vodka," she yelled past the noise, where the brunette cutie nodded in response.

Her preferences differed from mine, but I still downed the drink, loving the burning sensation that ran down my throat. Laughing over the music when I could see that she was growing tipsy from four shots, I shook her shoulders, "You lightweight!"

"Not everyone can have a liver of steel, Laelia!" she countered immediately in defence. Then, a man, perhaps a few years older than us, slid into the seat next to Simone. His hand rested dangerously on her lower back as he leaned in closer to her ear, whispering. Through the lack of light, I couldn't make out his appearance. But, from the outline of his facial structures, I knew that the male had zero trouble finding females.

She snapped her head in my direction, flustered, "I'm going to go dance, and then some more," screeched Simone excitedly, and all I could do was laugh in response and nod. When she fled with the mysterious man, another bartender placed a glass shot in front of me.

"An aftershock," he pushed it towards me, using a torch to light the beverage on fire. I pointed incredulously at him as though he was crazy. He only laughed, then poured a bit of alcohol that put the flames out. "An exclusive shot for a beauty."

I pressed my heels against the chair, leaning forward, "I'm not lightweight," I smirked, "This is nothing!" And I proceeded to swallow the contents in one swift motion, completely unfazed, licking my lips from the fruity aftertaste.

The bartender set a glass in front of me with amused eyes. I inspected the contents that consisted of a mint leaf, berries, alcohol, and roses. Lifting the glass, I took a small sip, savouring the sweet and burning taste on my tongue. "How much is this?"

"Five hundred," he answered rather calmly. I nearly spat out the drink, which made him laugh as he wiped the counter clean. "On the house," he replied, "I get off in five, what do you say to a drinking contest?" The male offered cheekily, "Free of charge."

He seemed too content with his life to ruin it by taking advantage of a girl, and so, with an awarding grin, "Don't cry when you lose!" I mocked as he shook his head, moving away to assist a drunken guest.

Cute, I thought to myself as I watched him finish his tasks, biting my lip as he weaved around the claustrophobic area with ease. He wore a black tee that dangerously clung to his upper body gracefully, and the enticing movement where his tongue would dart out to play with his lip piercing. Sweat clung to his forehead, shaking his head, then running a hand through his cinnamon brown hair with blonde highlights away from his face.

Engrossed in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed that he had disappeared, and a warm breath of air tickled at my ear. "I'm Ace," he introduced finally, tapping the male on my right and tilted his head in the opposite direction. Taking a seat, he exhaled in relief, "You ain't from here, are you?" Ace raised his hand, signalling a bartender over, "A shot of vodka, tequila, aftershock, rum, whiskey, and gin," he said, where the female nodded and blushed in his presence, "Two of each."

"Anything for you," she winked, placing her hand on his shoulder teasingly.

I cleared my throat, "Is it that obvious I don't belong here?"

He shrugged, "I would remember seeing a beauty like you anywhere," he flirted, but I stood my ground and remained unbothered from his attempts to seduce me. "Now all I need is a name."

"Good try," I commented coyly, "But your boyish charms don't work on me," I stuck out my tongue, watching the twelve glass shots placed onto the counter in front of me. "Laelia."

Ace widened his eyes, rubbing his ears with a slow chuckle. "I thought you said Laelia."

"That's what I said," I frowned, taken aback by his worried reaction. Tapping my acrylic nails onto the marble counter, I repeated slowly, "My name is Laelia."

If possible, he paled significantly and inched his chair away, but remained at an arm's distance. I wondered if I had said something wrong. "Sorry," he apologized, recomposing himself, fiddling with his fingers nervously. "I've heard the name before, reminds me of someone."

"A bad ex?" I offered.

He nodded, "Something like that," I knew he was lying, but I took no mind into it. All I was looking forward to was waking up in my hotel room hammered without recollection of tonight. "You don't have her eyes," he muttered under his breath, then smirked, "Whenever you're ready, Laelia."

I returned his smirk, downing the first five shots as they scratched at my throat. The liquor had little effect, and after forcing the sixth, I scrunched my face at the bitter aftertaste. Ace had stared at me in horror and disbelief, "Jesus Christ, you are a monster."

Leaning towards his collarbone, I rested my head, "This is nothing," I replied, pulling myself up to smile at the female bartender who ogled at Ace. "Five more shots of vodka, and two cans of sprite, please." A buzz rattled at my ears, but I could still function as if I were sober.

"God, are you trying to kill us?" He gaped. Ace was shaking when the shots arrived, and he looked ready to pass out. I popped open the sprite, taking a long sip before demolishing the rest of the shots. 

The male beside me was stuck on his third, "Are you okay?" I muffled out a giggle, poking his shoulder as I watched his body sway. I grabbed his arm abruptly before he fell out of the chair.

"Y-You win," he leaned forward, covering his mouth before his head slammed against the counter, blacking out.

I finished Ace's shots without hesitation, then ordered myself another cocktail putting the amount on his tab. One of his buddies slapped Ace upside the head, cursing when he was unresponsive. "What the hell happened?" The male muttered.

"He wanted a drinking contest," I pipped up, "And I showed Ace how to play the game properly."