*Claire’s Point of View*
---
"Is this a prank, Mom?" I asked and looked her in the eyes to see the truth.
She took a deep breath, and she seemed serious.
I turned my gaze to the man, and he wanted to touch me, so I stepped backward. And he spoke.
"Claire Daven, I am so sorry for leaving an----" He started, but I cut him off. I just don't know what I am feeling right at this moment.
"Just don't..." I uttered, and I breathed heavily to control my anger. I can't deal with him right now.
"Claire, take a seat first. Let's talk about this." Mom stated as she walked near me.
I just shook my head and turned my back to them, and then I went running out to the door.
I heard my mom call me, but I didn't bother to look back.
And as I arrived at the garage, I revved Nikki and drove somewhere away from here. I don't know where I'll go. And I don't want to bother my cousin or anyone at all.
My tears are running down my face, and I haven't worn my helmet. And I decided to stop at the roadside and to cry.
How dare he come back after all these years? He thought I'd just forgive him just like that? He's such an a**hole!
I hate him, all about him. He has no idea what we've been through and what my mother felt all those years, many years without him. And he'll just show up just like that? We didn't even hear anything from him ever since my whole f*cking life.
---
I parked at the parking space of a bar somewhere twenty minutes north of our house. I'm not familiar here, and I've never been here before.
I went in and sat at the counter to order three shots of whiskey. It has been a long time that I've tasted alcohol, and I'm doing this right now because everything is sh*tty. My girlfriend has a homophobic father, and I, on the other hand have an a**hole father.
"Rough night?" Someone asked behind me, and it's a guy.
I never bothered to talk to him because I could punch everyone's face here that would disturb me. I am furious.
"Can I sit here?" He asked again, and I didn't look at his face.
And I took another shot, and my throat is burning like hell.
"That's bad for your health, young girl." He remarked and ordered a bottle of beer.
I ordered another shot from the bartender, and he doesn't have the plan to give me.
"What's your problem, Dude? I'm paying, okay?" I yelled at him, and I'm so pissed right now.
He gave me what I asked, and the man beside me is clearly checking me out.
I'm now feeling the effect of alcohol, and my body's so warm while my head is light.
"Come on, Beautiful, just one dance." I heard some guy ask a girl who is sitting three stools from mine.
"I said, get lost! Don't you understand that I don't give a f*ck to you? I have a boyfriend." She retorted, and the man laughed.
I guess she's British because of her accent, and she's probably new here. Well, places like this could be full of jerks.
"And where is he? Did he break your heart? That's why you're here? Let me heal those." He insisted, and he's about to touch the girl.
She resisted, and I can't hold it anymore.
"She told you to f*ck off, Man! Does that so hard to f*cking understand?" I yelled as I stood up and walked near him.
He was taken aback and then just laughed hysterically.
"Why? Do you want to dance with me instead? You look young, but you'll do." He stated like a f*cking hyena, and he's about to touch me.
I really like this person. I really like to break his nose.
"Take another step, and you'll kiss the floor." I threatened him, and he just kept laughing.
Am I a joke to him? Do I look---
"Come on, little girl, I won't go hard on you. We'll go slow first, and we'll go harder." He spoke, and I'm about to punch his face when someone held my shoulders.
"Who told you that you could go make trouble in my place?" A big voice belted behind me.
"Hector, get out! You are blacklisted! Or do you want me to be the one to punch you in the face?" The man warned him and pointed at the jerk.
He spits on the floor and walks out of the establishment. Well, he should be thankful that I didn't get the chance to make him see his own blood.
"How brave of you to make some trouble here, Kid? But, yeah, he's a bastard, and I have already shooed him earlier, but he got back in. He is waiting to be beaten up." He stated and then looked at the British girl.
"I'm so sorry, Miss. You may get back to drinking your cocktail." He told her, and he turned his gaze to me.
Then he was a surprised and looked at me intently.
"DJ XCeed?" He asked me with wide eyes and excitement. How did he know me?
I just gave him a confused look on my face, and he held out his hand for a shake.
"My name's Wilson Hubert. Owner of this bar. I have seen you at The Knight's Club. That's you, right?" He introduced himself, then asked me ecstatically.
I shook his hand and I nodded my head slowly.
"Uh, yeah… My real name's Claire Lawrence. Nice to meet you, Wilson. And I'm sorry for bringing the trouble here." I told him, and he's just shaking his head 'no'.
"No, don't be sorry. I should have let you punch him. It's a pleasure to meet you. What brings you here?" He asked, and he motioned me to take a seat.
"Uh, just want to spend some time with me. My life's full of sh*t right now." I uttered, and he kept nodding his head.
He's about fifty, and he's really big and looks so scary as f*ck.
"Okay, your drinks are free. Order anything you want. Charge it on me. You hear that, Brad? This young girl here is one of the greatest DJs in the city. You should watch and listen to her music. She also sings, and that's just perfect." He bragged, and he's so proud of it.
I just looked at him weirdly. Well, it's good that there are people who recognize you because they could offer you a free drink and would let you make trouble.
"I'm sorry about that, Claire. I'm a big fan, actually." He apologized, and he's just so funny.
"It's okay. And thanks for the treat." I told him, and he gave me two thumbs up.
"No problem, and just enjoy the night. And... nice meeting you, Claire Lawrence." He stated and finally waved goodbye.
I just laughed and ordered some drinks from the bartender, who had been staring at me in awe.
"Excuse me? Umm, I just want to thank you for saving me earlier." The girl said as she sat on the stool beside me.
"No problem. Those kinds of people should learn their lessons." I told her, and I didn't bother to look at her face.
"Your name is Claire Lawrence? Am I right?" She asked, and I nodded my head in response.
I guess she heard my conversation with the owner of this place.
"Wow, look at you now. You uh... Coloured your hair?" She let out and asked me, which made me turn my head to her.
Did she know me? How did she know my hair?