Chapter 69

HARPER

A fter a long day of shopping, and spending too much on Jasper's credit card, Aster informed me that our day wasn't over. Jasper had reserved the V.I.P. balcony at a hot nightclub called LIV. I'd never been, but Aster was fangirling big time.

"Oh my God are you finally going to let me dress you up?" Aster nearly squeaked, with excitement. She was instructed to buy at least five dresses that could be worn out. Of course, Aster took those instructions and thought that meant buying something only she would wear. However, I convinced her of a few items with more fabric. So, the outfit she wanted to put me in wasn't too bad.

It was a black fitted dress with long sleeves to hide my scarred wrists. The back was far more exposed than I liked but It's fall weather, so I paired it with a half jacket that covered most of the skin on my back. The dress's hem fell just above my knee. She paired it with some heeled black leather boots.

I had way too much makeup on. My hair had curls that cascaded down my back. The sides pinned up behind my ears.

"I feel like… not me," I said, as I stood in the master bathroom. I acted displeased but secretly I didn't hate the new look. I wish Jasper were here to see me.

"Uh, yeah that's kind of the point," Aster said as she fluffed my hair with her fingers.

"Oh, I almost forgot, one more thing," She ran into the room where the makeup caddie filled to the top with tons of products, she used to transform my face was still sitting on the bed. Only a moment later she was back coating my lips with some sort of shiny sheen.

"Lip gloss is a must if you refuse to wear lipstick." She finished by making a smacking noise with her lips. I laughed at her sarcasm. The refusal to wear bright red lipstick was the only fight I won during the whole fiasco, so I wasn't giving in.

* * *

"I can't believe I lived in Miami for so long and never noticed all the nightlife here!" I yelled to Aster, trying to be heard over the thumping music.

"I can, you were hiding under a rock for so long…" her voice trailed off as we walked to the front of the never-ending line of patrons waiting to get in, more people than I expected for a Tuesday night.

The doorman gave us a look of disinterest, it wasn't until Carlos held up a members-only VIP card that he smiled, and allowed us through the front door into the epitome of extravagance. There were twinkling lights everywhere you looked. This place was so fancy they had a coat check at the door. My jaw dropped when we walked into the VIP area and saw we were the only ones in it.

"Mr. Whitlock requested the entire area tonight, for your safety. Of course," Carlos said with amusement in his voice.

Aster looked at me wide-eyed and squealed like a schoolgirl jumping into a booth and snapping her fingers in the air saying, "Oh waiter," in a pretentious tone.

I laughed at her antics until our booth was approached by a young man wearing black trousers and a black dress shirt with an apron.

"Oh. My. God" Aster mouthed inaudibly, completely embarrassed at her rude call that she didn't expect to be answered. I reached over and pretended to pick up her jaw from the table. All jokes aside, this place was fancy. Fancier than anything I'd ever been to; We were getting royalty treatment.

I sat sipping on champagne that was pre-ordered for the table, I assumed by Jasper's request. I looked over and noticed all the attention we were getting from the other patrons. I'm sure we looked bougie as hell, taking up an entire VIP lounge for just the two of us, oh, and not to mention the security escorts too. As much as I hated the attention and the money, I knew it took to get all this reserved, I'm glad he did it.

I was unsure if I was prepared to handle the personal attention and unintended bump-ins that come with clubbing. I'm getting better, but I still don't feel comfortable without Jasper

Tonight, I'm staying right here in this booth with my guards on watch while Aster shakes her ass and does her thing, just like old days.

Jasper had a late meeting with a client and said he wouldn't make it home until late tonight so I didn't feel bad about being out with Aster, but that didn't stop me from missing him. I pulled my cell from my pocket and sent a quick text.

I miss you tonight. See you at home.

I didn't expect a response from him so quickly so when my phone vibrated on the table I jumped, Startling Carlos.

I opened the text to see only three words written across my screen.

I love you

I didn't have time to respond before Aster was there, pulling me from the booth onto the dance floor.

My eyes watered at the idea of being around so many people, men . Everyone bumped into each other, grinding and dancing.

When we approached the wall of people on the dance floor, I looked back to see Carlos was close by, but keeping a distance so we could enjoy ourselves. Knowing he was there gave me a sense of calm. I looked up to see the strobe lights flashing to the bass of the music. My body started to tense under the movement of the crowded space filled with way more than I would think to be legal under one roof. I took a deep breath trying to push down the fear and panic I felt building. I closed my eyes and tried to feel anything else.

I am safe. I am safe. I am safe. I silently chanted to myself. In the last few months, I started to feel what living life felt like. Tonight wasn't going to be any different. I will conquer this. I refuse to live in fear of my past and my trauma.

I am in control.

I walked to the middle of that dance floor with Aster in tow, I threw my hands up and started to jump up and down with the crowd, as some club mix blared over the speakers.

Aster looked at me in shock, but quickly replaced it with a smile, trying not to let this proud moment falter us.