[Nicole]
My eyes fluttered as they opened, and slowly took in the environment I had found myself, while I tried to study the situation before me.
I was on a bed in an unfamiliar room, and covered with an unfamiliar blanket. It was way too cozy to be Clara's, and way too neutral to be Clark's. My gaze soon rested on the small working area, and I realized at once that I was in a hotel room
But what was I doing in a hotel room? I asked in my head, lifting the blanket off me.
In the same instant, I wrapped up myself with the blanket once I realized that I was naked underneath. Instinctively, my hands travelled down my lower region and as it made contact with my vagina, I felt a stabbing pain and panic seized me.
What happened to me? How did I get here?
Then slowly I began to remember events from last night. I remembered telling Clara to not stay long in the restroom, I remembered walking along the hallway with a heavily built man to meet Mr Louis, I remembered turning to go back, and I remembered being surrounded by more men of the same body build.
What did they do to me? I asked myself, fighting back the tears which were now threatening to pour, and I saw him just then.
But that was not all I remembered. I remembered waking up to meet a man on the other side of the bed, I remembered sucking him off while he slept, and everything that happened after that.
By now I felt so embarrassed and dirty, and used, and I hated myself for it.
"No no no." I shook my head in disbelief once I noticed I had company, and it was the same man.
He was on the other side of the bed, and fast asleep.
He did this!
I got closer to him with the intention of smacking him on his face but the thought of him waking up stopped me. Without his mocking eyes, I already felt embarrassed as hell. All I needed to do was to get out of this place before he woke up.
I left for the bathroom after pulling myself together, and showered really fast.
Once I was in the shower, I couldn't stop the tears as they poured nonstop.
Was I drugged? By who? And why? These questions continued to resound in my head, forcing out more tears.
I came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, and heaved a sigh of relief when I saw that he was sleeping still. Hurriedly, I got into my clothes, and left the room, seriously hoping I don't cross paths with him ever again.
Outside the room, about six men stood on guard, making me wonder for a slight moment who the man back in the room really was.
Although a few of the men nodded in acknowledgement, I didn't give a damn. All I wanted at that point was to get away from all of them, be by myself and cry. They can all ride straight to hell.
Locating the party arena was easy, although only a handful of guests could be seen around. In my guess the others had either left for their houses or were in one of these rooms with a strange lady or a strange man.
This thought brought my present situation to mind, and I let out a sad sigh. I went to the table I shared with Clara the previous night, and it was empty.
Where is Clara? Did she go home without me?
I asked myself, turning to see if any of the few guests remaining was Clara but she was not around the area.
I sat on one of the chairs, not sure what to do next. Clara was nowhere around, and so was my bag. There was no way I could take a hike back home, and I was too much of a mess to flag a cab.
"Nicole?" I heard someone call a little while later. It sounded more like a question, and it was unmistakably Clara's voice.
I turned towards the entrance, where her voice had come from. She squealed a little when she saw that it was me, and hurried down to where I sat.
"Where have you been? I have searched the whole place for you." She added once she got to me.
She must have noticed the sadness in my eyes and she gestured to me, and led the way out of the party hall.
"Where is your bag?" She suddenly asked, turning back to face me.
"I thought you had it." I answered.
"No, I got back from the restroom but you weren't there, and so was your bag." Clara explained. I noticed her eyes just then, they were tired, and baggy as though she didn't have enough sleep, or any sleep.
"We had better head back to where you were to get your bag." Clara suggested.
"No, we can't go back there." I said quickly, too quickly that Clara looked at me with concern.
"Will you tell me everything that happened?" She asked softly, and I said nothing. Not even a nod or a shake of my head.
At that moment all I focused on was keeping the tears from pouring.
*********
We stared at each other for long minutes, not knowing what to say or do. I had just narrated everything that happened to me as I remember it to Clara, and just as I expected, she was speechless.
"Have you any idea who the man is?" Clara asked after some time. Her voice was low.
"I don't know who he is. I have never seen him in my life. All I know is that he had bodyguards stationed outside of the room when I came out." I explained. The tears had ceased to flow now. I must have shed every last drop of tears in my gland.
"Wait, are you sure his men didn't drug you?" Clara asked. She was deep in thought.
"I don't know but none of the men I saw outside the room were among the men that surrounded me earlier. I have thought of everything I could possibly think of, none of it makes any sense. The only way I know is to confront him but I'm too embarrassed to face him, and even if I weren't, I don't know how to locate him." I said, rising.
I headed to the living room while Clara followed behind me. There was a burning sensation at the back of my eyes, and it was not tears threatening to pour.
"We really should get you checked in a hospital." Clara suggested, once she sat beside me on the couch. She covered the back of my palm with her palm, and I pulled my hand away from her reach.
I didn't need that right now, I didn't want to be babied. I needed a closure, an explanation but none was forthcoming, and it sucks.
I stood up abruptly, and headed for the refrigerator.
"What now?" Clara asked in the saddest voice I have heard her speak. If I hadn't been the victim in this case, I would have been beside her right now, consoling her.
"I need a drink." I shot back. I couldn't help being bitchy and I hated myself more for it. If anything, Clara deserves way better.