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Chapter 2: The Man at Blue Lagoon Bar

Rakiza’s fingers were fast and intense, ticking the keypad on her computer. She was drowned in her writings. "The Bloodstone of Sheba" was her first book.

"Run, Jennifer, run!" I cried in my head as I was about to stumble to the ground as my foot was caught by a tree's crawling roots off the ground. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the hit, when I became aware that something was preventing me from thudding. When I opened my eyes, I saw a man's sea green eyes staring at me.

"Oh no, please get out of my head," Rakiza grumbled as she stopped typing on her laptop. "I really hate that man."

The ring tone heightened the calamity in her mind, and she yelled, "What a joke!" as she banged her palms on her side of the couch in annoyance. "What now, Muriel?" she asked as she answered the phone.

Rakiza Zanier, a cheerful and boyish student at Sassari School of Arts, was the poorest of all the students, but she managed to thrive in the school's web of flaunting rich kids. She's an errand girl for some rich kids in school.

"Where are you?" Muriel was screaming at the other end, "It's almost eight o'clock in the evening, Raki, and we've been waiting for you by the chilly road for an hour!" And if you don't come, we'll be trapped here! "

Rakiza grumbled, "For God's sake, I'm in the middle of my story," and moaned aloud, "Didn't I tell you I wouldn't go to that bar? I’m not a bar hopper, Muriel. "

"We have a date for you, Raki," she excitedly cried, "a millionaire who may make your dream come true!"

Rakiza pressed her ear with her finger, hoping not to hear Muriel's frantic persuasions.

Muriel added in a high-pitched tone, "If you don't show up within the next half hour, I'll be there to drag you out of that lonely, boring room we have. Dare me, my friend. We'll be waiting at the "Blue Lagoon Bar entrance."


The Blue Lagoon Bar's signage was flashing in different colors. It was already nine o'clock at night. Muriel stood at the front door with Chin beside her, inspecting her new white-fitting Chinese dress. And there was Susan, in her gorgeous navy-blue short-cut dress, to Muriel's left, conversing with the stranger behind Muriel. She was sucking on her gum. Muriel kept her eyes on the road waiting for Rakiza's arrival; she looked lovely in her magnificent closed-neck black short lace cocktail dress, produced by the town's famed designer.

After a few minutes, Rakiza appeared in front of them, on a bike and having come to a halt. Her clothing was fluttering and her hair was tangled, resembling a bird's nest after a storm. She was wearing her red lace dress, a gift from her mother on her 16th birthday.

"Hello girls! I'm here as promised; what happened to my eye-ball buddy? Rakiza rapidly stated as she parked the bike. "We need to meet and chat for a while before saying our goodbyes... so I can get back to my laptop and finish the first chapter of my book," Rakiza rapidly stated as she parked the bike.

The three girls' eyes widened in disapproval of Rakiza’s attire.

"No, no, no," Muriel exclaimed as she drew Rakiza inside, "Come inside, I'll fix you."

They put Rakiza in front of the rest room’s mirror and surrounded her. Rakiza's ruffled hemline was torn off by Muriel.

"What are you doing?" Rakiza complained, "You’re destroying my dress, Muriel!"

"Shut up and stop moving, Raki! You look terrible in this dress!" she yelled.

"Let me add some color to your face, Raki. You appeared to be coming from a grave. Open your mouth and say ah," Susan said as she applied crimson lipstick to Rakiza's heart-shaped lips.

Chin took a comb from her suitcase and untangled Rakiza's shoulder-length knotted hair. And she massaged Raki's hair with gel, combed it backward, and positioned the majority of her hair on the left side of her face.

Rakiza's transformation in front of them was met with applause from all of her friends.

"All right, let's party," Muriel says.

They exited the lavatory, strolled like models on the ramp through the crowd, and entered a cozy area for the exclusive wealthy clients. Rakiza trembled as the door opened, the coldness of the room. She felt naked in her short, thin dress.

Susan and Chin giggled as two boys approached them and led them to their table, leaving Muriel and Rakiza standing at the door.

After a few seconds, Muriel spotted a table in a darker corner. "There he is," and she pulled Raki like a child to the table she was recognizing.

The table they were approaching had one man sitting, and as they got closer to the man, his face glowed from the dark with his deep, dark eyes of a gothic handsomeness he possessed. He rose when he saw Muriel and Rakiza approaching.

Rakiza thought: He is so handsome.

In his black overcoat suite, he appeared tall and elegant. His hair was black and well-combed up the back, with a few stray strands on his brow. He grinned, revealing his whiter teeth in his full lips as he extended his right hand to Muriel, his eyes fixed on Rakiza.

"Nikolas, her name is Rakiza Zanier."

"Nice to meet you, Rakiza," she said in a deep and husky voice. "I am Nikolas Augustus."

"You can call me Raki to avoid tongue twisting," she grinned.

"Come, have a seat." He extended his seat to Rakiza and took the next seat.

Oh, my God, what’s wrong with me? I felt like I was going to freeze. Rakiza pondered.

"Would you like something to drink?" Nikolas inquired.

Muriel said firmly, "She can settle for mild lady's drinks, Niko."

"I know what's best for the two of you," he said, and waved to the waiter.

Nikolas was a good listener in a cool manner. He always nodded with Muriel’s wit. And every time he glanced at Rakiza, her blood burned for something she couldn’t understand. His white teeth sparkled every time he grinned.

Rakiza was an innocent woman in a man's world. Her mother trained her not to show interest in guys on the first date.

A few minutes later, Muriel excused herself and rose when a boy approached and wrapped his arms around her waist, and they went outside. "Enjoy the night, Rakiza."

"Muriel, what time are we going home?" Rakiza shivered. But Muriel was swallowed by the crowd.

"Are you terrified of me, Rakiza?" Niko asked Rakiza.

"Terrified..." Oh no... Why should I be afraid of you?" She smiled.

"Trust me, you're in good hands," he said, smiling. "Just tell me if you want to go home, and I'll take you home."

"No, my bike is waiting for me outside."

"I will take you home," he insisted. "I will send someone for your bike."

He’s more than a gentleman; he’s also thoughtful. Rakiza's admiration went deeper and deeper as the night stroked to midnight.

"It’s already midnight. Maybe I should take you home, "Nikolas said, staring at her, adding, "Your friend was busy."

"Maybe we should." Raki agreed.

As Nikolas and Rakiza stepped outside the tavern, there were a few people chatting, and Rakiza's face was brushed by a cool breeze, making her hug herself, and Nikolas instantly removed his black overcoat and wrapped Rakiza in it.

He is well aware of how cold I am. Rakiza thought.

A black limousine pulled up in front of them, and the door was opened for them by the chauffeur. Rakiza's eyes widened as she gazed at the open door and cast a quick glance to the side of the building where she kept her rented bike.

"Hop in," Nikolas said, and added, "Don’t be afraid. As I said, I will send someone to pick up your bike. "

Rakiza got inside the limousine.Am I dreaming?

When they were both settled, the chauffeur closed the door, which made Rakiza jolt a little.

"Are you nervous about me?" Nikolas asked.

"A bit, I’m sorry..." Ahm, we’ve just met, and now I'm with you in this luxury car, "she stammered.

And at exactly one o’clock in the morning, the limousine parked in front of the dorm. The chauffeur was quick in his obligation to open the door for them.

Rakiza stepped out of the car, with one hand pulling at the hemline of her short dress. She still moved awkwardly.

"Thanks for the night, Nikolas," she said.

"Until the next time, Rakiza," Niko said.

Rakiza walked faster to the door and waved to Niko. Nico waved at her as he got into the limousine and left. She felt her heartbeat racing. For the first time, she liked a man. He was so sweet and a true gentleman. That was the first time she felt a romantic attachment to a man. There's an attraction building between her and Nikolas Augustus.Is this what they call love at first sight?

She wanted to dream about him. She was about to get inside the dorm when somebody spoke from her left.

"Who is he?" Theo asked.

"Oh no. There you are again." Rakiza said sharply.

Theo smiled, "Maybe we’re destined for each other. Our paths keep on connecting. "

"Are you stalking me?" Rakiza asked angrily.

"No. I just want to know about your visitor. "

"He’s none of your business." Rakiza yelled, "Get lost!" and slammed the door in the man's face.

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