The Wrong Woman

Zayn and I finished our cigarettes before we entered the party, my flask now securely tucked in my back pocket. The entire ballroom was covered with pink and glittery decorations with a huge shining chandelier in the centre of the ceiling.

“What’s with all the pink shit?” Zayn asked, flicking a pink streamer away from his face.

I shrugged in response before narrowing my eyes at him.

“Did you know Maddie was sixteen?” I asked.

“Yeah… why, didn’t you?” Zayn asked. “My sister’s the same age, remember?”

I had never paid enough attention to his sister to know how old she was, but I wasn’t in the mood to argue the point. The party seemed to be in full swing as I looked around the room.

Groups of kids hung around talking and laughing, crowded around the long snack table or danced on the huge dance floor, whilst a DJ stood to the side spinning some tracks.

I craned my neck to look for Maddie when Zayn nudged me.

“Holy shit, get a load of that chick.” He said his eyes wide with wonder. I followed his line of vision to see Felicity in the distance. She had just glided into the room looking so gorgeous that I could barely take my eyes of her. Her long honey blonde hair fell in soft waves that framed her perfectly made up face. Her smoky eyes smouldered, as my eyes fell to her lips that were painted the same fire engine red from the very first night I met her. Her red dress clung to her every curve and fell to just below her knees, showing off her long tanned legs.

“Who the hell is that?” Zayn asked with his arm slung over my shoulder.

“Maddie’s Dad’s girlfriend.” I told him.

“Maddie’s…Dad’s… girlfriend.” Zayn repeated slowly as though he were trying to figure it out.

Felicity’s eyes flitted over to me as she walked past and she nodded her head in greeting. I smiled and tipped my head at her but she did not stop. Zayn watched our exchange with fascination.

“She is hot.” He said.

“She’s taken.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t say she’s hot.” Zayn shot back.

I didn’t reply because I spotted a punch bowl on a table nearby. I ladled some of it into a cup, took a sip and made a face. No alcohol, just boring fruit punch. I was trying to find Felicity when I spotted Maddie make her way in with a group of friends. She looked breathtaking in a short hot pink strapless dress, her long brown hair flowing, her blue eyes sparkling as she giggled with her friends. I suddenly noticed how young they all looked; cute and pretty, but so fucking young.

Maddie was slightly different though. She seemed to tower over her friends in her high heels and had a certain presence that they didn’t have. She seemed incredibly self-possessed as she walked through the throng of people on the dance floor, waving and thanking the people who shouted out birthday greetings. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, and she quickly made her way over to me, enclosing me in a close hug.

“You came.” She said happily.

“I told you I would.” I said. “Happy birthday Maddie.”

I kissed her on the cheek and she beamed as she looked up at me.

“This is some party.” I said.

“Daddy organised the whole thing. He knows the manager… I was lucky to get it all done in such short notice.” Maddie’s face broke into an excited smile. “I’m so happy to see you… I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too.” I said and was surprised when she lunged forward to kiss my mouth. I couldn’t help but back off.

“Not now.” I said firmly and I did not miss the hurt that flashed across her face. I pulled out the little wrapped box from my pocket and handed it to her. “This is a little something from me. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.”

Maddie looked genuinely touched as she accepted my gift and it dawned on me that it was the first gift I had ever given her.

“I hope you like it.” I said, leaning forward to whisper in her ear. “I think it’ll look nice on you.”

We heard a group of girls calling her name and waving her over and I gave Maddie a reassuring smile.

“Enjoy your party… we’ll talk later, yeah?”

Maddie nodded and reluctantly let go of me, making her way toward her friends who were now urging her onto the dancefloor. I could still taste the sticky pink lip gloss Maddie left on my lips as I searched for Zayn. I accidentally bumped past Liam who was hanging around the snack table. He was with a friend and I happened to see him produce a couple of mini bottles of alcohol. I watched with interest as they made their way to the punch bowl which was now crowded with kids. They obscured my view but it didn’t take a genius to know they were emptying the contents of the bottle into that disgusting fruit punch. I waited while they sloppily filled up their cups and then moved away from the scene of the crime with triumphant smirks plastered on their faces.

I swiftly made my way over to the punch bowl and quickly served myself a drink. Every time the fruit punch was replaced, Liam or one of his friends would return to top it up with alcohol. I drank countless cups and watched Maddie dancing in the distance until I caught a glimpse of Louis who I assumed was with his girlfriend. She was an attractive girl with doe like brown eyes and brown hair in a loose braid. Her long dress flowed to the ground and she smiled up
at him with shining eyes as he spoke to her on the edge of the dance floor.

I was just about to step away when I heard Campbell’s booming voice in my ear, almost causing me to drop my drink.

“Harry.” He said and I stopped dead in my tracks.

“Hello Sir.” I said, trying not to slur my words. The last thing I wanted was to be caught drinking at what was supposed to be an alcohol-free event.

“Call me Campbell.” He insisted.

“Yes sir.”

He gave me a strange look and gestured to the cup of punch in my hand.

“Is the punch worth trying?”

I shook my head and made a face.

“Nope, it tastes foul.”

He chuckled to himself and I felt myself straightening up and trying to clear my head.

“It’s nice to see you here… I haven’t seen you at the house for the last couple of weeks.”

“I’ve been busy… work… school.”

“Cut the shit Harry.” He said evenly. “I know you’re not in school.”

“Sorry sir?” I said lamely.

“How old are you really? Nineteen?” He asked.

His voice was light, conversational and completely unthreatening but I still felt the hairs on my neck stand up.

“Um…”

“Um is not an answer.” He said.

“Twenty.” I replied.

He nodded thoughtfully.

“Do you usually date sixteen year old girls?” He asked.

“No Sir.” I said. “I only just found out to be honest.”

“Oh?” He asked with interest.

“I thought she was eighteen.”

He laughed and I resisted the urge to take another swig of my drink.

“Whatever Maddie wants… Maddie gets.” He said half to himself. He looked at me and his expression suddenly darkened. “I don’t like to see my little girl get hurt… I also don’t like to see my little girl grow up so quickly.”

“You definitely have nothing to worry about Sir.” I said.

“Keep it that way.”

His eyes lowered to my drink.

“So what did they put in it?” He asked.

“Excuse me?”

“I can smell the alcohol from a mile away.” He said. “If you want a proper drink, just go to the bar in the foyer and mention my name.”

“Sweet.” I said, starting to relax.

Campbell turned to leave but then said as though it were an afterthought.

“You own a car now, don’t you?”

“Yes sir.” I said.

“Seeing as you don’t have to keep pretending you go to school, you might like to do some extra hours for me at the office.”

“Sure… that would be great.” I said, thinking of the extra money… thinking of Felicity.

“Good. I need someone to do a few deliveries for me every now and then. Are you up for that?”

“Yeah… I mean, yes.” I said.

“We’ll talk about it next week.” Campbell said. “Enjoy the party.”

As soon as his back was turned I quickly gulped down the rest of my drink and thanked my lucky stars he had not mentioned my friendship with Felicity. God knows he had figured everything else out about me. I made my way to the bar, feeling a little light on my feet and trying to make sense of the conversation I had just had.

Did Campbell just give me permission to date his daughter? He didn’t say it directly, but he also didn’t tell me to back off either. He had left me with a warning to not hurt Maddie and the mere thought of the consequences if I did sent a chill down my spine. The thought of him finding out about my affair with Felicity sent a second chill through me.

I mentioned Campbell’s name at the bar and scored a scotch on the rocks which I tried to enjoy, but I had a sudden urge for a cigarette. I stumbled through the grand foyer and made my way outside. I turned the corner trying to find a quiet, dark spot where I could enjoy my cigarette in peace, when I spotted a lone figure doing just that. I squinted my eyes to make sure it was who I thought and smiled when I realised I was right. I headed her way, trying not to trip over my feet. I was definitely pissed. My legs felt like jelly and I knew I had a goofy grin on my face.

“Hey you.” I said, poking Felicity in the ribs. She had just taken a drag of her cigarette and now was discreetly blowing smoke from the corner of her mouth.

“Hey.” She said with a smile. “What are you doing?”

“Just wanted a smoke.” I said and stuck my cigarette in my mouth with a wink. She pulled out her lighter and lit it for me.

“Look at what I got.” I said with a cheeky smile as I turned around and patted my back pocket.

“What is it?” She asked with interest. I pulled out the flask and offered it to her.

“Just a little pick me up.” I said with a chuckle.

“Are you drunk?” She asked amused.

“Maybe a little.” I said. I took a swig of the vodka and then pressed it toward her. Felicity paused before taking a sip. We both giggled like naughty schoolkids and I cast a glance around us to make sure nobody could see us. I could see a few people milling around the front of the hotel near the steps, but we were definitely hidden in the shadows, far away from the tall lamp posts that dotted the front circular driveway.

I let my eyes roam over her, not even bothering to hide the fact I was checking her out, and licked my lips in response.

“You’re looking really pretty tonight.” I told her.

“Really?” She said.

“Yeah.” I replied. “Pretty hair, pretty face, pretty dress.”

Without thinking my hand reached out to touch her satin dress. My fingers ran over the smooth material and I saw her breasts heave slightly as she took a deep breath.

“You look hot.” I said finally.

“You look pretty good yourself.” Felicity responded lightly.

My hand stopped moving and I casually rested it on her waist. It had been ages since I last touched her like this, and I couldn’t help but place my other hand on her. We stood there for a few seconds, just looking at each other.

“Thanks.” I said after a few seconds and we both laughed quietly at my delayed response.

“You are drunk, aren’t you?” She said.

“Fuck yeah.” I smiled at her, unable to keep my eyes off her full red lips. They looked so inviting; I could feel myself growing hard at the thought of just pressing my mouth onto them. I only had to lean forward a fraction and I could satisfy my craving.

Thoughts of Campbell and Maddie melted away as we both breathed in anticipation. The sudden noise of crackling gravel made us both jump slightly and I twisted around to see a dark figure walking nearby. Felicity surprised me by completely disappearing but I caught a glimpse of her making her way down the side of the hotel.

I quickly adjusted the front of my trousers and cleared my throat as I made my way out of the darkness, only to bump smack bang into the mystery person.

“Take it easy.” Louis said, “What’s the hurry?”

Notes

I'm really enjoying writing this story so I'd love to hear your thoughts. Is anyone actually reading it!!? :D... let me know!