CHAPTER 5: Club
1052 Words
Abigail's POV
The club lights across the street blink like they're mocking me. Loud music throbs from behind its doors, pulsing through the pavement and right up into my chest like a second heartbeat. I’m standing here, arms glued tightly to my sides, wearing a soft floral dress that looks like it belongs in a church bake sale rather than… this place.
What am I doing here?
The question keeps spinning around in my head, over and over, louder than the bass thumping from inside.
I’ve passed by this club a few times before, always by accident, always with my head down and cheeks burning as I watched girls in tiny skirts clinging to men like they were oxygen. I used to think this place was sinful. Shameful.
And now I’m the one standing outside.
I glance down at my shoes—flat, sensible, painfully clean. My cardigan is buttoned all the way up, like it’s trying to shield me from the night, from the decision I’ve already made.
I don’t know what I’m thinking. Or maybe I do. Maybe I’ve just been pretending not to know so I wouldn’t feel the weight of it all.
Early menopause.
Thirty-three years old and already hearing the words "last chance" from a doctor.
I’ve agreed to the procedure. The egg is waiting. My womb is still holding on.
I want to be a mother before it's too late.
I want to feel life inside me. I want to hold a baby in my arms, even if it's just once in this lifetime.
But more than that… I want to experience something before I fully become a mother.
So here I am. At the edge of a decision that would’ve made my mother faint on the spot. Raised in a quiet village, taught to cross my legs and keep my voice low, I don’t belong in places like this.
And yet, tonight, I’m hoping I can find someone...just one man. Someone kind. Someone willing.
To take my first time.
Even if its not for love. Not for romance. Just so I won’t go into motherhood never knowing what it feels like to be embraced by someone...
My stomach twists. God, I sound crazy. What am I even planning to say?
Hi, sorry, could you help me out? I’ve never done this before, but no pressure.
I laugh nervously under my breath and immediately regret it. A couple walks past me and gives me a weird look. I probably look like someone’s lost Sunday school teacher.
I take a slow breath.
No one needs to know why I’m really here. Maybe I don’t even need to explain. Maybe I’ll walk in and… figure it out.
Or maybe I’ll chicken out, drink one overpriced cocktail, and run home crying into my cardigan.
With trembling hands, I adjust the hem of my dress and take one small, terrifying step toward the club entrance.
Just one step.
But before I could make it any closer barely a meter away, a hard shoulder slammed into mine and sent me stumbling back.
“Ow—!”
I winced as I hit the edge of the sidewalk. The impact wasn’t violent, but it still startled me. Whoever bumped into me was solid—tall, broad-shouldered, and clearly much bigger than I was.
“Oh no! I’m sorry, here—let me help you,” a voice said quickly.
I looked up.
And the world tilted.
He reached his hand out toward me, and for a second, I forgot to blink.
He looked younger than me but not by much. Mid to late twenties, maybe. Tousled dark hair. Sharp jaw. Warm, honey-brown eyes that held an ease I couldn’t name.
But it was his smile that really did it.
Softt and way too handsome, city boy.
My heart lurched, unprepared.
“I—I’m sorry for bumping into you,” I mumbled, flustered, as I hesitantly took his hand.
He chuckled under his breath, effortlessly pulling me up to my feet. His touch was firm, yet strangely gentle. “It was my fault,” he said, and his hand—God, his hand was on the small of my back, steadying me. “Where were you heading?”
I froze.
I didn’t want to answer. But I did.
I pointed toward the club entrance like it was something shameful.
He followed my gaze and raised a brow before laughing—full, amused, and entirely unmocking.
“A club? You?” he asked like it was the most surprising thing in the world. “No offense, but you don’t seem like someone who likes clubbing.”
I didn’t respond but my cheeks were clearly burning.
Then, out of nowhere, he offered, “Why don’t I take you somewhere else? Somewhere I think you’d actually like.”
My breath caught in my throat unable to say something.
Was he serious?
But I quickly cleared my throat awkwardly, gently pulling away from his touch, suddenly very aware of how close he was. “No, it’s okay. I—I have to go,” I said quickly, backing away. “Sorry.”
I turned and walked fast, faster than I should’ve in flats. My heart pounded for reasons I didn’t understand. Maybe it was the nerves. Or guilt. Or maybe… relief?
Maybe bumping into him was heaven’s way of saying 'Don’t go in there, Abigail.'
I had just started convincing myself that I was in the clear, alone again, just me and my regrets, when I heard hurried footsteps behind me.
“Hey—wait!”
I glanced over my shoulder.
The guy was already effortlessly jogging after me.
“I’m Kai,” he said, slowing to match my pace, trying to catch my eye. “Mind telling me yours?”
I shook my head, keeping my gaze forward, quickening my steps. He bent slightly, trying to peek at my face, and I had to bite back a nervous laugh.
“Hey… come on,” he said, stopping dramatically and sighing like a man who’d just been betrayed. “You’re really just gonna walk away after bumping into me like that?”
I kept walking faster and away from him.
But for some reason…
He continued to chase after me and I couldn't help but smile.
- Writer
