Angel
Half an hour ago—
When I walked into the bar, slamming my phone into my pocket, I ignored my dad's angry voice.
My dad kept going on about my missing brother. He was thrilled—like hope never left him.
He never lost hope after so many years.
I looked around the noisy club and saw many people dancing on the night floor, but none of them piqued my interest.
When I think about the tall man yesterday who almost hit me with his motorcycle. The man was dangerously handsome. The kind that makes you stare too long.
He looked like a thug.
He had no hair. And pale grey eyes. And inked tattoos under his white shirt.
I wasn't certain; I'm still not, but he looks like the brother that's been gone for many years.
Is it a coincidence for him to pop up like that? I learned that his mother committed suicide, and he's still a minor, so he needs a place to stay.
And my father was delighted to bring him home. He wants someone intelligent and easy to manipulate. Tyler would fit that profile. Also, he believes that I'm still worshipping Tyler, which would make it easier for him to control me.
My father had set up his room and painted his walls, his bed, the floor, and everything that a teenager needs.
I lifted my head and felt my throat was parched like a dry beach. I went to the bar and noticed a familiar figure. The thug man.
I narrowed my eyes.
Before I knew it, I stormed over to the man. "Hey, I remember you. You're the guy who almost hit me."
The man turned around, and his grey eyes were almost as dark as the shadows. The man tilted his head toward me with a mocking grin.
"Don't tell me you're here to get drunk and hit someone else."
I said suspiciously. My words spilled out before I could think them through. The man started to speak, then said something about someone trying to hit him, nearly killing him in the process.
I took a seat by the bar. I looked at the man up and down and tried to find the familiar brother in him. Some part of him looked familiar, but I couldn't tell if it was my mind trying to look for something in him.
I couldn't figure out if it was his face, his nose, his ears, his eyes, or his eyebrows. Something about him keeps calling to me.
And most of all, how would I react if he were my brother? I don't want him back. He'll steal Father's attention—and I won't let that happen.
Sure, Dad loves me and all that, but I can't stand it when someone loves something more than me.
I learned that he came with his friend, and I followed his gaze when he watched his friend a couple of times. It was some guy dancing with some girl.
I turned to the bartender and ordered, "I want a strong mojito."
The bartender rolled his eyes at me and went to make the drink like I asked for. I watched him because you never know when someone might put something in the drink.
When the thug man continued to look at me with his heavy gaze that felt more like a sticky glue, I spoke, "You can call me Angel."
I saw the man's narrowed eyes turn wide with a flash of surprise, and I grinned.
The man asked how old I was. I knew he was trying to figure out if I was his younger brother. That's when I figured it out. He's truly my big brother. The one who's been gone since he was twelve years old.
Tyler looked at me suspiciously. How old are you?"
I grinned. "Twenty."
Tyler narrowed his eyes suspiciously at me. I was lying through my teeth. I'm acting sixteen. A minor. But I'm a good liar, and I can back up my word.
I brought out my ID to show my identification to keep up with my lying. For some reason, Tyler didn't believe me. After that, we started talking for a bit. I tried to seduce him a bit; most men these days wanted to get into my pants, trying to get involved with me.
When I laid my hand on Tyler's thigh, the man refused my touch, and my ego was slightly offended. I was good-looking. What guy wants to refuse me?
I don't believe in that mindset. If you're beautiful, people want you. That's just how it works.
***
Tyler had to go to the bathroom, disrupting my time. I was starting to get bored waiting for him.
It's hard to believe I'm meeting him in person. This guy is my brother. This person looks like a thug. Well, handsome at that.
I looked at Tyler's glass, which wasn't empty. A wicked idea ran through my mind.
My smile curves into a wicked grin, and I pull out a small pill from my pocket. At first, I wanted to use it on someone when I came here. But Tyler caught my intrigue. I don't care if he's my brother. Besides, we aren't blood-related, nor are we family anymore.
We haven't spoken for nearly six years. Not a word. Not a letter. Or a visit.
I dropped the pill into the glass, not worried about getting caught. The nightclub is a place where people don't pay attention. People fully display their desires and impulses during these nights.
I watched the pill turn to white ashes before it disappeared into the liquid.
The glass looked normal, like it wasn't tampered with in the first place.
Tyler came back, surprising me because I didn't notice his appearance.
I calmed down since he sat down in the chair beside me, unaware.
He turned to me with a cheery smile. "Hey, want to play a game since we both came here for fun?"
His words sent alarm through me like I was caught, but I couldn't help being intrigued by his words.
Tyler smiled. I smiled back.
But only one of us knew what was in that glass.