A Hell Of A Night

Phoebe hated hospitals, hated everything about it with a deep, burning passion ever since her mother died.

She loathed the pungent scent of antiseptic, the artificial fragrance across the air, the depressing atmosphere, the deafening silence and the wretched-cries echoing across the hall as they brought painful memories she'd long since kept into Pandora's box.

All she wanted to do was run away, escape the place before the breath was knocked out of her lungs, but her legs were frozen and she couldn't move so she remained huddled in one of the hallway chairs, waiting for someone to come out from the ER.

The memories that haunted her when she was seven years old came rushing back to torment her already fragile mental state.

"You have to live, Phoebe." Catherine told her as she lay on the cold floor, a hand firmly pressed on her chest to stop the bleeding. "Run for your life!"

"B-but I c-can't leave you, Mom… We must escape together!" She clung desperately to her mother's fingers, never wanting to let go.

"No!" Catherine screamed, and winced at the surge of tormenting pain. "You can't stay here. They will kill you too."

"Please Mom… I don't want to leave you." Phoebe refused to release her grip on her hand, fearing if she let go, she would never ever have the chance to hold them again while they were still warm.

"I love you, Phoebe… Mom always does… For one last time do what I say, run for your life and never look back."

Catherine pushed her hard with the remaining strength she had.

Phoebe heard the steps closing in and forced her trembling legs to stand on their own. "I'm sorry, Mom…I'm sorry… But I promise you I'll come back and save you."

Her mom just smiled before closing her eyes. 

And that was the last time Phoebe had seen Catherine alive. A few days later she awakens in the hospital and hears the devastating news from her own father. But Instead of receiving comfort, she was welcomed with scorn.

"Your mother didn't make it! It's all your fault, Phoebe. You should have died instead of her!" Those exactly were Edward's words that shattered her whole being.

She didn't notice the tears until she felt a warm liquid drift down her cheeks.

The memories were vividly etched in her brain that even after nineteen long years she recalled each detail as though it took place just yesterday.

The pain she thought time would heal still remained. Perhaps she will never recover from them knowing  the culprits who caused her mother's death didn't get their punishment.

"Are you with the patient?" A soft-spoken voice woke her up from a deep reverie. 

Phoebe snapped out of her thoughts, wiping off the tears on her cheeks as she jumped to her feet.

"How's the patient doc?" She asked.

"The blood loss was fatal and had you been later than a minute, the patient could have died. But there's no need to worry she's out of the woods now."

"H-how's the baby?"  Zoe had taken some pills before she slashed her wrists, and Phoebe wanted to know if the child was alright.

"The baby's fine." The Doctor informed her, making abundant tears to flow down Phoebe's flushed cheek in relief.

"Thank you for saving  both of them."

"No, I only helped treat her wounds, if it weren't for you she would never make it here." The doctor then added, "Please excuse me. I have another patient to attend. You can go home and rest looks like you needed one."

When the doctor was gone, Phoebe called Zoe's parents but they weren't responding at all perhaps because it was already late in the night or because she was using Zoe's mobile phone and they didn't even want to answer her.

After the tenth fruitless try, she decided it was enough.

Around twelve midnight, Phoebe decided to go home and get some rest. However she was frighteningly aware hell would break loose if she returned to the estate. For her own peace of mind, she drove to her condominium and decided to spend the night there.

The first thing Phoebe did when she arrived was take a warm shower. She emerged from the bathroom feeling refreshed and ready to hit the hay. However, despite exhaustion she couldn't sleep a wink.

Groaning, she kicked the covers and got up, abandoning the idea of a good night's sleep.

As her eyes swept the flickering sea of lights that illuminated the city Phoebe realized she'd never once gone out to have fun on her own accord.

A question then popped in her mind.

Would it hurt if she went out and enjoyed the night? A few drinks will perhaps help her loosen up.

A wicked thought struck her as she removed her eyeglasses and placed them on the night table top.

This would probably be the last time she'll ever have her freedom, so why not make the best of it.

Fuck, but she'll have to experience the wild side of life even if it had to be the last things she do before marrying a dirty old man with three kids.

*** 

With full make up on and clad in a red halter top dress that clung to her slender figure like a second skin, Phoebe strutted to the bar in her four inch stiletto. Her rich copper blonde hair cascading down her slender shoulders bounced with life as she swayed her hips.

Unaware of a dozen pairs of eyes drooling at her figure, she made a beeline straight inside the bar, instantly drawing attention as she walked in.

Men can't take their gaze off her fierce, yet angelic face but Phoebe had her mind elsewhere to even notice them.

She moves forward with the grace of a queen and the charm of a temptress. A smile then curves on her crimson lips when she sees the drinks displayed on the menu.

This is going to be a hell of a night. She thought, running her tongue on her bottom lips. 

*** 

Red couldn't sleep that night. As he lay in his king-size bed, he kept asking himself why she couldn't like him back.

And although he knew it was because of his tainted reputation combined with his 'icy' personality, somehow he still hoped that she will learn to like him a bit.

He tried several times to get close to her. But hell, she has the sharpest instinct, sensing him over from a distance then fleeing before he could get there.

Heck, it was a fleeting fancy and he'll soon get bored chasing after her shadow. That's exactly what he told himself twelve years ago when he was still eighteen and now he's thirty, much to his chagrin nothing has changed. He still wanted her.

The only difference now was she's no longer a fifteen year old girl and he won't be sent to jail for liking her.

Tired of endless tossing and turning, he got up from the bed and leaned on the headboard.

A woman with exquisite hazel green eyes and copper blonde curls flashed in his thoughts, he wasn't even thinking anything erotic but he got an instant hard on.

Shocked at his own lack of self-control, he kicked the covers and jumped off his bed. 

He needed a cold shower to extinguish the fire burning inside him.

A short while later, he emerged from the bathroom feeling refreshed. Sleep was the last thing on his mind as he changed Into casual jeans and black t-shirt. 

Red reached for his favorite perfume but then decided against it and instead wore the mildest scent from his collection. With the cap and car key in hand, he grabbed his leather jacket and put it on. 

No women tonight. He told himself as he climbed into his Phoenix not knowing he'll break that promise when he sees the woman seductively grinding her hips on the dance floor.