We meet

Alex POV

                    **

I laid down on my bed, books in front of me. My deadline for submitting the damn report was tomorrow. I needed to hurry up. 

Then I saw Rayla walk up to me. 

"Dr Court" she teased. I rolled my eyes and looked up at her. 

"What is it Rayla? "

She feigned a hurt face. 

"You're not interested in what I have to say"

She turned away imitating a theatre actress. 

I struggled to hold back my laughter. She was really going to get a good degree in Theatre Arts. 

"I'm so sorry my love"

Her eyes widened as she turned to me. "Eeww"

She blurted out. I burst out laughing. 

"I was just trying to be romantic"

I said, laughing. Her frown deepened. 

"Now that sounds even more gross"

We were both laughing when Tanya walked to us, all dressed for the kill. 

It was then I realized they were both dressed up. 

"Are you two going somewhere? " I asked. Tanya nodded. 

"It's an inhouse party. Sally Hopkins birthday.. Aren't you coming? "

I looked down at my unfinished report, then back at her. 

I shook my head as I sat up, resting my neck against my bed frame. 

"I've got work to do, I'll pass"

They both smiled sadly. 

They always said I stressed myself. But I knew that when I graduate with my first class my stress would pay off. 

They both gave me kisses on my forehead before leaving. I closed the door behind them, sighing as I returned to my bed. 

I spent another one hour and thirty minutes on my report before I finally completed it. 

I picked up my phone to check the time. 

8:45.. 

I sighed. I was bored and hungry. 

I thought of dressing up and joining them at the party. But I quickly discarded the idea. Instead I put on my slippers and put on a denim jacket. I was going to take a long walk then treat myself to nice Chinese food. 

I also needed to be conscious of my budget. 

Speaking of budget, I needed to go to Hayleys Sports.. Where I worked as a sales personnel. But that had to be after my report presentation. 

I brushed my hair, rolled it back into its ponytail then put on my glasses. 

I walked out of the apartment. It was a Friday night so everyone was likely to be at one party or another. Everywhere seemed so quiet. 

I walked into a Chinese restaurant nearby and took a seat close to the transparent glass door. I tried to concentrate on what to order but a very familiar laughter coming from behind me couldn't let me. I turned back and saw his face, our eyes met again and this time, I turned away first. 

Why was he always laughing? 

What was always so funny? 

A waitress walked up to me and I looked up at her. 

"Tonights order maam? "

I smiled curtly. 

"Sushi"

"Only madam? "

No... But I didn't have much money left. 

"Okay madam"

She walked away, and I was tempted to turn back and look at him one more time. 

Then I heard footsteps at my back. I didn't want to turn back so I struggled to keep my head straight. But as the sound grew louder I felt my heart beat faster. 

When I saw the face of the owner of the footsteps I knew why. 

Lucas... Fucking.. Cage. 

I swallowed hard. He sat on the chair across the table I sat. 

His eyed were blood shot red. 

He was.. drunk! 

"Hey"

He called, I focused on my empty desk.. 

I refused to answer. 

"Ugly"

Now, I had to look up at him

"Excuse me? "

I said out loud. The laughter that came from the table he previously sat on annoyed me. It was then it became obvious. 

They were trying to make fun of me. 

"Isn't that what they call you? "

Yes.. It's what they call me. 

No.. It's not you bastard! 

The two answers hovered somewhere in my head. But the first came out. 

Then he laughef. So did  the people on his former table. I couldn't believe it! 

I was being made a joke. 

I struggled to keep my tears back as I clenched my fists. 

Rayla? 

Tanya? 

Anybody.. Help! 

But he just didn't stop. 

"Well, you sure are ugly"

He said, and the laughter this time was dehumanizing. 

"Ugly piece of.. "

And then, right there, before he could say another word, I picked up my cup of coffee his laughter didn't let me drink and flung the lukewarm liquid at his face. 

It spilled on his shirt and face. 

His friends rushed up to him, giving me stony looks. I stood up in tears. Still holding the glass mug up as a warning sign. Just incase someone decided to be stupid enough to come close to me. 

Then I looked at Lucas one more time. The dude looked extremely wasted. 

"Now listen Lucas Cage. Or whatever it is your name is. I don't know what your problem is, but you messed with the wrong lady this night. "

I had never been this violent in my entire life. 

He wasn't the first to call me ugly. It was my nickname. Whenever anyone else said it, it never mattered. 

But hearing it from him... 

I felt.. Broken, angry. 

Two very strange feelings. 

I pointed my index finger at him, to warn him. " and the next time you walk up to me to say nonesence, or try to insult me. Coffee would be the least of your problems"

I spat out. I noticed the brunette he was with this morning mouth a 'fuck you'

Fuck you harder bitch. 

Then I looked at the little minions by his side. 

"Now, he might not have gotten my message, since he's obviously as drunk as fuck.. So here's what y'all going to do.. Pass my message across, if you love him"

I had turned around to leave before I heard someone say. 

"Lucas does not take threats nicely.. Ugly"

I turned back to him

"I don't care.. "

Then I walked out.. My heart in my chest.