"Don't test my patience again love," he whispered, his lips touching her ear as they moved slowly as if to emphasize his every word, his hard grip on her waist doing nothing but terrifying her even more.
"because the next time you try to run away f...
"Thank you, sir. Goodnight" Imani said just as she stepped out onto the pavement before the cab driver pulled away, allowing her to take in her surroundings.
The crescent moon hung serenely above the glowing city, the shape of it mimicking that of a smile and Imani couldn't help but wonder if that was the heavens mocking her and the situation she had put herself in.
The girl heaved out a sigh, "a simple 'no' would've sufficed Imani." She mumbled, rolling her eyes as she reminisced, slightly annoyed at her impulsiveness that pushed her to run out of the ballroom instead of giving the kneeling boy a response.Her eyes remained set on the narrow moon above her and she imagined just how far she'd make it till her mother dragged her back home.
Ever since she lost the guards in the crowd of the parade, she hasn't seen a trace of any more of her mothers' men. The only thing haunting her at that moment was a striking pair of rather aggravated brown eyes that had stared her down just hours before she jumped into a cab.
An excruciatingly slow bus and one more cab later, Imani stood in the one city she wasn't all that unfamiliar with as this was the place that she had frequently snuck out to, under the pretence of visiting her grandmother who always played along when Jae questioned her, in order to visit her only friend.
Imani started walking, the sounds of her footfalls mingling with the sounds of the bustling night life in the city. There was only one place on her mind, a place she knew her mother would never approve of her going to let alone send men to look for her in.
She passed various convenience stores, the different coloured neon signs gleaming to indicate that they were open for business or stating the purpose and services that the particular building or shop provided.
Finally, after passing a few shady looking alleyways and making a quick stop to buy some instant noodles for herself and her best friend to eat together, she arrived at the familiar building she had been looking for.
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It was nothing short of a spectacle in the rather dark back street it was situated on, its pink and blue neon lights making its existence stand out to attract the attention of those who were in it's vicinity. The word "Nova" in a neon pink sign was plastered securely over the club's entrance and right in the doorway stood a large and burly bald man.
Imani couldn't help but grin at the sight as she was immensely relieved that she had a secure place to stay for the night. She wished she could stay longer but she knew that the risk was too big, her mother was full of surprises and Imani didn't want to experience any of those any time soon.
"Ray, it's been a while, how are you?" She questioned, approaching the large man who gave her an eye roll and a short "Imani." in return before opening the door for her without another sound. "Thanks Ray of sunshine," She began sarcastically before winking at him just to piss him off a little more "have a good night." Imani beamed at the grouch who sighed in annoyance as she entered before he pulled the door closed again.
