Forrest

MEGAN

Suckstastic!

IT HAD been eight days since I lost my job. Eight days of wallowing in self-pity at the four corners of my apartment—alone. And every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was the image flickering of my evil boss as he tried to violate me. He was a shameless piece of shit and thought I would just welcome his loser dick because he had one.

Since I kneed him on his balls and punched his wrinkled ugly face, I hadn’t seen or heard from him again. I was immensely grateful and scared at the same time that cops would just knock on my door informing me that someone sued me for assault.

I’d never been violent in my entire life, in fact, I was always a victim. Then I saw red when he tried to do that thing that I was scared of. My instinct kicked in, and I did what I thought was right to save a little morality I had left.

It was passed six when I got out of my bed. I tried hard to ignore my urge to call Camila and Bianca because I knew they were both busy with their husbands. And at this time, Blaine was busy playing with Ben and Sammy—who wouldn’t? those kids were adorable. Lucky for them, they met men who respected, loved and treasured them like true gems. But luck was not on my side though, and I doubted if I could trust my heart to any man over again.

I checked my phone, of course, no calls, no messages—no one cared. Naught.

My life sucks!

***

The Night Stalker Club was crowded. The noises always made me feel alive, reminding me that I still had a reason to live despite my life had been turned upside down a couple of times, reeled and grief-stricken—I still managed to pull myself together. Yay to me!

I passed through the crowd and approached the bar. Thankfully, I found an empty barstool and rested my elbows on the dark counter, tapping my blood red-colored nails as if I wasn’t drowning with self-pity earlier.

My heart was speeding up in a second of anticipation as I scanned around, but I couldn’t find him. Was he off work today?

“Caipirinha, please?”

Dice, a bartender with Afro head nodded. The staff knew me through Camila and Pyke. I hummed to the pop song played by the DJ at his booth.

A few moments later, Dice placed down my drink and placed another order from the man beside me who wore a strong perfume. I turned my head slightly to check him out. He was wearing a sophisticated tailored suit with shiny personalized cuff links. He was rich, probably had his own office in Manhattan business district.

He raised his Jack on the rocks to acknowledge me and sipped it, then slightly turned to face me.

I smiled timidly and sipped my Brazilian drink, and let the grassy herbaceous taste of cachaça washed over my loneliness. Wash, huh? Ridiculous!

“Hi,” he prompted, smiling confidently. You’re rich but not attractive. I don’t feel all tingly.

I must say though, this man was tall and physically fit, but I didn’t come here tonight to flirt and get laid just to get rid of this sorrow churning inside me. I still couldn’t forget what that dipshit did to me. I guessed I was born jinx after all.

for someone.” I crossed my legs to avoid touching

by now. Shouldn’t let a beautiful woman wait.” He raised an eyebrow, testing. Oh, god! Stop flirting

eyes, instead, I smiled. “What made you think I

His eyes glinted wickedly. “As gorgeous as you.” He strolled his gaze from my face to my

but I am really

 Back off, already! Your cufflinks are too shiny for my taste. He extended his hand. “Asher.” Oh, come

I reluctantly raised my hand to shake

“Megan.”

pounded in my ears. My

intense that made me gulp, with dark thick brows squished together. His straight

thought it was my

broody character, but he was damn beautiful with his imperfection. His powerful presence caught me hyper-aware that had my body tense and my

coughed

moments to somewhat assess me before he talked

staring at him for a couple of seconds and not

“Yeah.” My word came unsure.

looked down

shaky as I pushed the glass toward him. “Yes,

man on my left side cleared his throat. I completely forgot I was

I glanced at him. “He’s here.”

that bartender?” Did I say anything about dating? He gestured his head to the magnificent back of Forrest who was

clean guy, but it just looked damn good on him. Sometimes I wondered if he had a few more tattoos underneath the dark shirt he was

leisurely watched his biceps bulged as he busied himself

“Your brother then?”

good seconds. I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, Forrest placed the

Forrest’s voice was deep and harsh, but

one to

you think?”

My mouth slacked open and parched because Forrest didn’t even open his mouth if he didn’t have to. He was a man of a few words. He used to brood than to spend his time talking

we locked our gazes—it was like rolling of thunder with warmth and desire, but I had to keep it to myself because he was a friend in my circles. But boy, that’s a damn shame because he looks

“You’re a bartender, dude. Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t

another beautiful lady

is your problem?”

tell you she was waiting for someone?” Oh, he heard me?