Thalia's pov

The loud music made things worse. The entire room blurred at my sight.

"Two more...." I shouted at the bartender. He hurriedly poured two shots for me which I pushed down my throat at once.

No one told me things like this exist or probably it was something I hadn't been interested in until today. A beautiful club.

I couldn't get over the blue and red lights that radiated around the space. Strippers danced in front of the poles while men spent their money on them. Those girls would be earning thousands of dollars.

I chuckled, taking in another shot. As much as the alcohol tasted like a mix of bitter and pepper, I loved it. It kept me insane, other than the days I tried to be sane.

My husband was with his mistress. Why couldn't I be here too? Who said I can't enjoy myself a little too? All my life, I have lived in his house. I took care of him and our child. What did I get in return? Every second betrayal.

"That's enough." A cold voice rang in my ears. His slender hands pushed the tumblers in front of me away, one of them clattering to the ground.

Adrenaline roared in my ears. "What is your problem?" I hissed at him angrily. Can't he see I was on my own and drinking? What was his problem?

"You are going to hurt yourself." He sat on the chair in front of me.

My eyes roamed around his ironed green shirt. Silver chain. Fine shaped jaws. Finally, a beautiful carved face. The anger disappeared in an instant.

I staggered up from my chair and fell on him. "Why do you like you dropped from heaven right in front of me?" I asked drunkenly.

"That's a silly joke, Thalia." He pushed me back to my chair gently.

I chuckled lightly. "The girls will be all over you in a minute. Why sit in front of me?" I questioned, taking another tumbler.

He collected it from me with a snap. I glared at his face. "Do not make me angry at you. What do you want?" For a second, he already changed to a nosy one. What was with him and my drink?

"How much?" He turned to the bartender. A card was outstretched and the bill was paid for.

I giggled at nothing, trying to get on my feet but I failed. All of a sudden, I found myself floating. "Eh? Put me down!" I hit his hard back furiously.

"Stay put, Thalia." He warned, heading into an elevator.

He knew my name. Anyone could know my name. I relaxed on his body, muttering jargon until the elevator dinged indicating we were wherever he was taking me to.

He ran a card on the door and it opened again. What kind of person was he? It seemed he had a card for everything. I was placed on a very soft bed gently.

He crouched and began to unbuckle my shoes. The room was quiet. Too quiet. It had lights on but it wasn't disturbing.

"You didn't ask what I was doing in a club." I mumbled.

He paused, looking at me. "As much as a club isn't meant for everyone, you had a reason for coming and I am sure you wouldn't want to share it."

"You are a smooth talker...." I hiccups lazily. "Is there any extra alcohol around here?" I glanced around, trying to move.

He held my feet in place. "There is no alcohol. You have had enough."

I sighed, my shoulder slouchy. "Have you ever had a wife?" I asked,

"Yes." He answered, his face down.

"You may not relate to mine. At least, you are living in harmony with your wife –"

He cut me off abruptly. "Do you think I would be here if I was?" He asked, "My wife is dead. She died two years ago."

My lips went shut immediately. I felt sorry for him. Losing someone dear to you isn't something to joke about. "I am sorry. You must have loved her a lot." My voice trailed off.

If I was left to die, would Eirik talk about me? Will he miss me at all? I doubt it because he would be too busy pleasing his mistress. He wouldn't be concerned if something were to happen to me.

"I ask, what were you doing in a club when you should be with your husband?"

"Husband? Me?" I laughed uncontrollably. "I am not sure if I have a husband anymore." I muttered,

My mouth suddenly went dry. "I am not recognized in my home anymore. No, he didn't hit me but if it was that, maybe it would have been better."

The bed dipped enough for me to notice he sat beside me. My knees buckled as I drew them close to my chest.

"I have become a stranger in my own home. My husband doesn't value me anymore. He spends his time with a woman outside. My son hates me, he sees the other woman as his mommy." I explained.

Sobs threatened to escape my lips as my eyes watered. "I – I didn't do anything wrong, I swear it." My voice quivered, "I have done everything for that household. I abandoned everything else for my family and that same family turned their backs on me because of another woman."

I sniffed, glancing at the man beside me. "Did you know I found out the strange woman was my husband's first love? She came unannounced and took everything that belonged to me one after the other."

He suddenly pushed me against him. I relaxed into his embrace, my body wrecking evidently. He was quiet. He didn't say anything else – not to make me feel better or make me feel worse.

But it felt really good to tell someone what actually happened. Someone who listened without interruption. One who held me like he could feel every single thing I was feeling at the moment.

My eyes started closing slowly. "What is your name?" I asked sleepily.

He didn't respond. For more than two minutes. "Lorion." He finally answered.

But I was long in the dreamland, hoping I wouldn't wake up into reality again.