Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Elisa’s POV

The party was still in full swing when Angy excused herself. Since it was technically her party, everyone seemed to want a piece of her attention. I decided to wander around instead, offering small smiles and polite hellos to people who happened to catch my eye.

That was when he noticed me.

He was tall, strikingly handsome, with an easy confidence as he walked over.

“Hi,” he said.

I tucked my hair behind my ear. “Hi.”

“Enjoying the party?” he shouted over the pounding music.

“Sort of,” I replied honestly.

“Let me get you a drink. Call me The Brian.”

I blinked. “The Brian?”

“Yeah,” he said proudly. “There’s no other Brian but me.”

I smiled awkwardly. “Okay… well, I’m good, The Brian. I’m Elisa, and I’ve already had something.”

He laughed like he’d nailed the joke. I wasn’t sure he had, but I smiled anyway to avoid the awkwardness.

“Want to dance?”

“Sure.”

We made our way to the dance floor, moving with the crowd. I was just starting to relax when I saw Drake pushing through people toward us.

Before I could react, he grabbed The Brian by the shirt and yanked him away.

“Hey—” The Brian started to protest, then froze when he recognized Drake. His eyes widened. “Uh… see you later, Elisa.”

And just like that, he disappeared.

I stared at Drake, furious. “What do you think you’re doing? I was having fun.”

“What are you doing in my house?” he shot back.

“Your cousin invited me. If you have a problem with that, take it up with her.”

He paused, wrinkling his nose slightly, then said, “Dance with me.”

I stared at him, completely baffled. “Are you bipolar? There’s no way in hell I’m dancing with you. You threatened me, and you have a girlfriend who would happily ruin my life if she saw us together.”

I turned to walk away.

He caught my hand and pulled me back toward him.

I hated how close he was. Hated how good he smelled. Hated how my heart reacted like it had been waiting for this moment. His jaw was sharp, his eyes dangerously beautiful.

For a second, I saw shock flicker across his face—like he felt the pull too.

Then he smiled darkly.

“I guess you can’t resist me,” he said softly. “Want to take this upstairs? I promise my girlfriend won’t know.”

Rage surged through me—at him, at myself. I yanked my hand free, but before I could step away, pain exploded across my scalp.

“Must I repeat myself, slut?” Becca screeched. “I said stay away from my boyfriend!”

She dragged me by my hair toward the pool and Drake just stood there, watching—smiling.

The music stopped because of the loud commotion we caused and Everyone stared.

“He came up to me,” I gritted out through the pain. “Your boyfriend’s the real slut.”

The look she gave me was terrifying, it was filled with pure hatred. For a split second, I was sure she would kill me if no one was watching.

‘If you had not kept throwing yourself in his face, he wouldn't show any interest now would he?’

Her minions had started gathering around me.

‘ I wasn't….’

Then I felt pain explode across my face, and the next thing I knew, I was falling and cold water swallowed me.

I could swim—but the slap had disoriented me. I gasped, inhaling water instead of air. Panic set in as bubbles escaped my mouth. My limbs felt heavy, useless.

Just when my chest began to burn, hands grabbed me. I was dragged out of the pool and laid on the ground. I coughed violently, my body jerking as I fought for air. My vision blurred, ears ringing.

A boy around my age hovered over me, saying something I couldn’t hear at first.

“Are you okay?” his voice finally broke through. “Breathe. Just breathe.”

Then I heard Angy yelling.

“Know your place!” A loud smack followed.

“Drake, you need to fight this. This is not who you are. Becca isn’t yours—you know that. She’s taking whatever you have going on way too seriously!”

The party had gone silent.

I turned my head slightly and saw Becca sprawled unconscious on the floor.

“How did that happen?” I croaked.

“That’s none of your fucking business, cuz,” Drake snapped. “I’ll date and sleep with whoever the hell I want. Fuck fate. Show’s over, assholes.”

He stormed off, leaving Becca behind. Her friends rushed to carry her inside.

Angy noticed I was awake and rushed over. “Hey, babe. Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I rasped. “I think so.”

I squeezed the hand of the boy who’d helped me. “Thank you.”

“Elisa,” Angy said gently, “this is Nathan—my boyfriend.”

“Hi,” I said weakly.

He gave me a small salute and stood up. “Take care.”

Angy helped me upstairs, handed me a towel and clean clothes, and sat on the bed while I changed in the bathroom.

“I’m so sorry about my cousin,” she said through the door. “He wasn’t always like this. He enjoys letting Becca torment girls, and he enables it.”

She sighed heavily. “We all knew he’d snap one day. We just didn’t think it would be this soon—or that the person he needs would take forever to show up .”

I peeked out. “Did he go through trauma? What do you mean—the person he needs?”

She blinked like she’d forgotten I was there. “Oh—yeah. Something like that. Let’s not talk about him tonight.”

I let it go.

After changing, I checked my phone. It was late.

“I should go.”

“Why don’t you stay over?” she suggested. “Your clothes will dry by morning, and your mum won’t ask questions.”

I hesitated, then nodded. “Okay.”

After calling Mum, I was thirsty and went downstairs for a glass of water.

That’s when Drake walked into the kitchen—barefoot, wearing only joggers.

I froze and stared.

“Stare much?” he said with a smirk.

I forced my eyes up to his face.

And in that moment, I knew one terrifying truth—

I wanted him.

And that feeling was dangerous.