I couldn't quite determine the worst aspect of my situation I dragged myself into, though I could do very little in that regard at the moment while escaping for my dear life. The thrill almost chocked the breath out of me making me stumble over the stairs few times, unable to catch my balance properly. Hearing the sound of jogging feet behind, it was obvious the guard was chasing after me, disallowing me to decide which way to take looking for Jeffrey.

My clumsy feet were hardly obeying me as I kept ascending the seemingly endless flight of stairs. I tried to catch my breath while scanning the surrounding. There was a hall, well, that's the only appropriate word I could think of at the instant for the vast space before my eyes. I had to take a step back to recognize the place.

My guess that I was in the level one which holds private karaoke rooms, according to the cheerful and glamorous images of people singing glued all over the place. For a second I thought Jeffrey could be in one of those rooms, so when I approached one of those doors, I heard the guard clearing his throat.

Noticing his reflection on the glassy door, I've peered behind to see him walking slowly towards me like a predator murmuring 'I got you', panic begins to rise within me at that split of second, should I give up and just apologize but then I'd lose the only opportunity I have to restore my violin, or maybe I should run away.

I was incredibly exhausted like I had run a marathon, needless to say that, if I just give up he would throw me out and I won't find Jeffrey, maybe if I'm lucky enough I'd got a chance if I'd wait for him outside, but then he would run away and I won't be able to trail him.

Hard decision I should make in that very second. As the guard was getting closer, I heard my black Vans stomping the hall floor while running beside the closed doors. I noticed there was another small corridor in the east side of the storey leading up. It felt like I was running inside a maze and couldn't find Jeffrey anywhere I passed by.

In that small corridor there was a red door, and near that door was a spiral soaring wrought-iron staircase leading up obviously to the next level.

I wanted to hide behind that red closed door but the guard left me no time to open it. Another 10 steps or how it seemed to me I was in the level two of the pub. To say it was big is an understatement. It was huge, featuring another cocktail bar, a sea of big screens on the wall, crimson leather couches, pool tables and a huge aquarium in the corner with neon lights and fake potted palms over the place, it made me easy to feel the atmosphere of the sport bars.

I could smell the aroma of the woods fire on the rooftop terrace becons while rushing upstairs.

I reached the end of the steps all sweat, short breaths, feeling warm with unsteady beats of my heart that was pulsing in my ears, adrenaline surges through my arteries.

My mouth run dry and my kidneys felt like they were about to explode as I felt so much pain in that section of my body. I glanced around, trying to slow my breathing and get more fresh air into my lungs.

'Well .. I'd be honest and say that's been... quite long time didn't run like today'

The guard behind me declared breathless, bending on his knees, taking new fresh air into his lungs, speaking out in between. He gave me some time to recover and observe the beautiful view on the rooftop.

'At least you've lost some weight.'

I joked wiggling my brows. Not that he was out of shape contrariwise, he looks fit, a body building kind of fit. He growls at me

'That's pretty impressive for you, you sneaky little vixen!'

He grins

'Look let's have peace.' I suggested,

'I do deeply apologize to be immature and hit you when I shouldn't have to. Please, I only need to speak with Jeffrey and I promise I will leave after.'

I immediately began apologizing and pleading, inhaling as deeply as I could. I knew by that moment I'd lost my chance, although he seemed nice but he was doing his job and I did enough harm to him, so basically kicking me out would be logical. Unable to read what was on his mind as his eyes were calculating, staring back at me. I guess I glimpsed a chance looming out, to pursue my violin.

Be seductive girl he will do what you want, my subconscious advised. Who you think I am? Marylin Monroe! I hissed at my subconscious.

Well, long story short, seduction isn't my thing, despite my friends always saying I have that charm to get what I want. Well, I'm definitely not that kind of girl who get her things done by manipulating men, the guard, in this case. But now as everything was depending on my next move, I must give it a try.

Yes go for it!

I approached the guard quietly and furtively, I didn't want to risk it all. Biting as seductively as I could on the corner of my lower lip while looking at him innocently, yet the way I pulled out a damped strand of my hair off my forehead was by far anything but seductive. It has technically ruined the damned moment.

I could see he was confused a bit then he laughed insecure

'Oh no.. no.. no don't ridicule yourself, I've been down that road before, it doesn't work on me! '

He steps aside shaking his head, I felt embarrassment washing over me, so small and kind of filthy. When I said seduction is not my thing then it's obviously not my thing. Period.

My eyes are focusing on the empty space he left, giving enough room to escape. I looked at him and then toward the stairs and the next thing I knew that I was heading downstairs.

'Wait! You little vixen! Don't run in the stairs!'

' I'm sorry!'

I raised my voice above my jogging feet. It was then and there I believed in karma. My feet did their usual thing, I stumbled up myself and fell off the staircase right into the welcoming ground. I'd gladly constructed the incident in slow motion; my left foot made contact with the edge of one of the stairs after I skipped the one before. I should have mentioned the steps were the slippery kind, the next thing I knew I was down the staircase with a throbbing arm and knee, pounding head with an injured forehead above my left brow and of course, a sharp pain in my ankle.

I let out a silent scream, hoping that I didn't break my ankle.

'I told you to not run on the stairs, are you feeling alright?'

The guard spoke out flashed, he descended and sat next me on his knee, examining the little injury I got above my left brow. I was holding my ankle

' Look at what have brought to yourself little girl, and that's only for Jeffrey '

'You don't understand why I have to do this', I pursed my lips

'Enlighten me then', he comments

'It's hard to explain '

' You seem like an innocent girl, Jeffery doesn't worth all of this. I know that guy.'

'I only want to talk with him, he has got something I really need' , I casted my eyes while massaging my ankle

'The fall was quite terrible and I see your injuries need to be treated. Can you walk?

'I guess so! I hope I didn't break any bone'

I tried to not complain, holding up my tears to not give the impression of being kind of a baby-cry, which I am.

'Fine, just because I feel it's sort of my fault then I will call for Jeffrey but first let's clean your wound. Just follow my lead'

I stood up after giving me a helping hand, trying to not put all my weight on my left ankle, it hurt but thankfully I didn't break it. I walked behind the guard carefully, few people were glancing over us but then they mind their own business.

We've headed down towards the room that is between the two staircases in the ground level, the one I've thought must be lead to outside garden or it could be a small room belong to the staff. He turns the knob and opens the door. Inviting me inside.

As I step inside, I've felt warm. It's not how I imagined it seconds before. The room is spacious, it is entirely surfaced in untreated pine. There is a cocktail bar with different kind of liquor bottles lined in the walls as well and a mini fridge. The room was warmly lit by tiny lamps ensconced in the walls, a pool table and a large TV plasma primed for a decidedly more relaxed viewing, it looks much more cosy with the roaring fire. In addition the crimson red leather couches and chairs feels like I stepped into an old fashioned gentlemen's club. Hands up that's the cosiest little shebeen in Melbourne.