Ayra's POV
I went outside. Thankfully, Falcon was no longer there, so I didn't have to face him. As I descended, I saw them in the living room drinking. I just shook my head and continued walking. I went to the refrigerator and drank some water.
I don't want to eat. I've lost my appetite.
"Ayra, why didn't you join us? Come on! Let's drink! It's a rare occasion!" Ross invited me.
I noticed that he had been mentioning my name repeatedly. It's as if he's trying to get my attention.
I ignored him and went to my room. I went to bed and slept.
I don't care if he disliked my attitude or if he got embarrassed in front of his two friends. We're not close, okay?
The next day, I woke up to noise. I couldn't open my eyes because of the drowsiness. Damn, why is it so loud?!
Argh!
Shit! My body hurts.
I fell on the bed.
Who's this fucking caller?! It's their fault I fell!
"What is it?" I answered the call.
"Whoa, easy. You're hanging out in our dorm, right? Hurry up because we're leaving. No one will be left here to watch."
"Wow, just wow." I got up from the bed. "You made me feel like a dog, huh!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
I heard their laughter on the other line, so I hung up.
Today is Saturday, and it's my birthday, but I'm not excited at all.
I went to the bathroom and took a shower. When I finished bathing, I brushed my teeth and used mouthwash. I don't know why I don't feel hungry. I chose not to have breakfast.
I got ready and went downstairs. I noticed Falcon's presence, watching TV. Wow, it's a miracle. He goes out every day, and now he has no plans with his fling? Did he run out of options or is he just taking a break?
I ignored him. I was about to open the door to leave, but he asked me.
"Where are you going, woman?" he asked without looking at me.
"It's none of your business where I'm going."
I continued walking out. I got in my car and asked the guard.
"Any updates, sir?"
He immediately stood up to answer. "Good morning, ma'am. Sir doesn't bring any girls here anymore. I've noticed."
"Thank you."
I started my car again and drove quietly. He's right. I noticed that Falcon doesn't bring any girls to the house anymore. Maybe he's taking them to a hotel or has a new place?
I parked when I reached the university. I greeted the guard, and he greeted back. I walked through the hallway, noticing that there were only a few students outside. Is this how it is on weekends? Everyone stays in their dorms?
I was about to knock on their door when it suddenly opened.
"Happy birthday, Ayra!" the three of them shouted with wide smiles, almost showing their gums. They even had a banner.
"Oh," I appreciated their effort. I was shocked, but I didn't show it. "T-Thank you..."
Their faces immediately sad when I replied. They lowered the banner.
"I told you we should have a party. Look! She doesn't like surprises! And Jean, your calligraphy on the banner is awful!" Kim blamed.
"Oh, wow!" Jean retorted. "Who among us knows calligraphy? You forced me to do it, didn't you? You didn't listen that I have no talent in writing!"
"Enough of that. You two are arguing again," Nicol intervened. "She doesn't like parties, okay? This is fine."
"She's right, Kim!" Jean proudly said.
"I liked it," I interjected to stop their argument. They all looked at each other and smiled again. They might start screaming, so I spoke again. "I'm sleepy. Where can I rest?"
"Come on!"
Kim happily took my hand and pulled me upstairs. She stopped in front of a blue door and opened it.
"Here. Have a nice sleep!" she said as she opened the door for me.
I flopped my body on the bed. Kim entered the room. I was surprised when she slapped me without warning.
"Why?!" I changed my expression, shocked by what she did.
Her face softened as she shook her head. "Wow, you won't even admit it? You had a fight with Norius again! My gosh, Ayra. I told you to avoid such conflicts! You're a girl, and you might get into trouble with what you're doing!"
I scowled and rubbed the spot where she slapped me. "As long as I can defeat him, there's no problem. I'm the strongest even without backup."
"Heh! Stop boasting!" she shouted. "They're mourning for Norius right now! They're trying to find out why that guy wanted to take his own life!"
"What?!"
I suddenly changed my reaction, shocked by what I heard.
I hope he didn't say. . . he did that.
"Oh! Look at you! It's obvious that you know something!" she pointed at my face. "But it's just a joke. I'm just kidding with you-"
Ace's POV
It's 10 o'clock in the morning. Where are Dave, Ross, and I? We're just at Bryxwell's house.
What did Bryxwell do to become so bipolar and unpredictable? Bryxwell set up a birthday date for Ayra here at their house. It was a good arrangement because we all cooperated with it. Several minutes have passed, but Ayra is still not here. We're getting impatient because we've been waiting here since earlier.
While we were waiting, Bryxwell's cellphone suddenly rang. We all looked at him due to the silence.
Ayra's POV
I woke up because my stomach hurt. I haven't eaten yet. I went downstairs to have a meal. I was wondering where my three friends were. Where are they? Did they really leave and make me watch over the dorm? Just wow.
I went to the kitchen and found food. I grabbed some and sat in the living room. I turned on the television and watched while eating. My eyes glanced at the wall clock, it's already 10 o'clock in the morning.
Bryxwell's POV
We've been waiting for Ayra for quite some time now, but she hasn't arrived yet. I don't know where she went, so we're just waiting. Whenever I call her, she never answers.
After a while, my cellphone rang. I checked the caller. Immediately, my mood changed.
"What's her problem?" I asked myself.
I noticed my three friends looking at me, but I ignored them. I answered the call, and...
"What now? Aren't you tired?" I asked angrily.
"Bryxwell, wait!" she pleaded, knowing I might hang up on her. "I'm outside your house. Please, talk to me here."
I quickly ended the call out of annoyance.
"Damn it!" I cursed and threw my phone without hesitation.
I went outside. I saw her at the corner of the street and quickly approached her. Why are there persistent women like her?
"What do you want? Since when did you become a dog? You know what? I'm busy. You're just a bother."
She held both of my hands before speaking with a smile on her face. "Why haven't you been showing up or calling me? Even just a text? I thought you no longer love me, but look, you're still coming out. I'm happy because of that!"
She was about to hug me, but I moved away. She was taken aback.
I responded with a long sigh. "I'm here to make you understand again that we're over. It's done. You know me, right? I play with girls, and you're one of my toys." I looked her straight in the eyes. "I love my wife, so get lost."
I gently pushed her away from me. I shook my head and was about to leave when she suddenly grabbed the back of my head and kissed me. Our lips touched, and it infuriated me even more.
I immediately wiped my lips. "Damn it, how shallow is your brain that you can't understand what I've been telling you repeatedly?!" I grabbed her shoulders tightly to emphasize what I was going to say. "I love my wife, do you get it?!" I shouted at her face.
Frustrated, I let go of her and continued walking.
"Bryxwell!"
I don't care about you.
"If you're going to break up with me, it's better for your wife to find out what our relationship is! She'll hate both of us, I swear!"
A desperate woman.
"Go!" I shouted back. She didn't look back. "Do you think my wife is foolish?"
Her Mistress' POV
I didn't like you from the start, Ayra. I've been full of anger towards you ever since you chose my brother. Why Jeedler? There were many others, but you chose him.
It's all your fault.
Whatever I'm feeling now, you should feel it too. If I can ruin your life, I'll do it, no matter who we are.
You...
All of this is because of you!
Ayra's POV
After eating, I went back to my room. They're still not here. I rested for a while and went back to sleep. There's nothing for me to do at their dorm. I'd just get bored.
After a couple of hours, my phone rang.
Fuck! Who's this fucking caller?
"What?" I irritably asked. My patience was wearing thin.
"You locked the door! Are you stupid?! Don't you want to let us in?!" Jean yelled in tears.
Oh? She's right. I locked the door earlier.
I quickly went downstairs and opened the door. Jean entered without looking at me. Her eyes were red.
"What happened to you? Did you go blind? You're so stupid," I immediately judged.
"Water! Water!" She ran to the sink and washed her face. She answered my question. "I went to the garden and played with the peppers because they have different colors. It was so cool, so I got excited. But suddenly, it got windy, and I got dust in my eyes. I rubbed my eyes, forgetting that I touched the peppers," she explained. "That's not stupidity! Duh!"
"Where are Kim and Nicol?" I didn't pay much attention to what she was saying.
She wiped her face. "Kim is asleep. Nicol went out."
I raised an eyebrow when I saw Nicol has already arrived. Her eyes were red, but she looked fine otherwise.
"You just arrived?" I asked her.
"Ah, yes. I bought some school supplies," she answered, showing what she bought.
Jean went to the kitchen to prepare some food. "Wake Kim up so we can eat."
I went to Kim's room, and when I opened the door, she was already standing, ready to open the door herself, while rubbing her eyes. Her hair was messy, and she looked sleepy.
"Time to eat."
I didn't wait for her response. I went straight to the living room and turned on the television again. It seems like I only have interest in watching TV.
"Kim, are you okay?" I was about to say something when I noticed. "Something seems off. Are you three alright? Who cried among you?"
They all frowned and seemed unsettled. I couldn't understand them. They said they were all going out, but why is Jean just at the garden? Why did Kim just sleep? And Nicol only went to buy school supplies? Is one of them lying to the three of them?
"Where did you go with that look, Nicol?" Kim asked her.
"I went to buy some stuff, but then I went straight to the cemetery."
"You didn't take us with you," Kim added.
Their conversation didn't continue as I spoke up.
Ace's POV
Until evening, Ayra didn't show up. We watched Bryxwell destroy all the preparations we made.
"Argh!" he shouted and threw the table.
I suddenly felt pity. Why didn't you come home, Crian? Where did you go? Someone made an effort for you here. What happened to you?
Now. Now Bryxwell made an effort like that, that's why I feel pity for him. I don't know Ayra's reason, so I can't blame her.
"I'll go first," I said emotionlessly to the three.
I got into my car to return to the university because I was feeling sleepy. While driving, I asked in my mind, where is Ayra? She's changed a lot. One day she didn't come home? She's not that kind of girl. Why?
I was about to enter the dorm when I noticed Ayra walking. She noticed my presence, so she frowned at me. Does she hate seeing me that much?
"What?" she asked without emotion. She didn't want to see me here.
I faced her coldly. "Where have you been?"
"Why? Do you have a complaint?"
I looked at her sternly. I was annoyed by her attitude. It's like she doesn't care. "Where did you go?"
"What's it to you where I've been? Who are you? You're just Bryxwell's friend."
I stared into her eyes. "Do you not know that Bryxwell set up something for your birthday?"
"I don't. Did I go home?" Her response blocked my words. "And are you joking now? It doesn't suit you to be a joker."
I looked her in the eye. "Do I look like I'm joking? When have I lied? Bryxwell set up something, but you didn't come. It's all a waste!"
"When have you lied?" she asked in return. "When you promised me that no matter what happens, nothing will destroy our relationship. Look now."
I stopped in my tracks at what she said. The impact of our past relationship was significant, so I couldn't speak right away. I swallowed before I could regain myself.
"Why did you become like this? You've changed a lot!"
"You keep asking, you know the answer," she answered simply. "You're not in my life anymore, this is how I am now."
"I..." I couldn't continue what I was going to say. "I can fight you now, Ayra."
When I'm in front of her, I really want to hug her. I really want us to go back to how we were before. I wish there's still hope.
"Oh, really?" she laughed a little. "There's no difference between you and Falcon. Both liars," she spoke seriously. "If the man I once loved so deeply were here, we wouldn't be in this situation. I wouldn't even know both of you. That's better."
My chest tightened. Who?
Ayra's POV
When I left Ace there, I lost my mood again. He's so annoying. I really hate him.
I drove not towards home but to the Bar. I was driving fast, so I got there right away. I went inside. Chaos greeted me— noise, the smell of alcohol, cigarette smoke, and all sorts of things.
"One vodka," I said to the bartender.
He gave it to me, and I immediately drank it.
"One more."
Gulp.
"One more again."
Gulp.
"Again."
Gulp.
I kept asking the bartender for more, and he obliged. I started feeling dizzy, but I ignored it.
"Why is it taking so long? One mor-"
"Ma'am, you're already drunk," he stopped me.
"Tsk," I groaned and left the payment on the counter.
When I got into my car, I tried to shake off my drunkenness so I could get home safely.
Fortunately, I got home safely.
The guard opened the gate, so I went straight to the garage.
Bryxwell's POV
It's already late at night, but she's still not here. I've been getting irritated since earlier.
Finally, I heard the sound of a car. It's probably her. I sat on the sofa near the door. After a while, the door suddenly opened, and Ayra stumbled in.
I immediately asked her, "Where have you been?" I looked at my wristwatch. "Do you know what time it is?"
"I went to the Bar," she answered drunkenly. "So what?"
"Bar?!" I got angry right away. "You're already married! I was worried about you, and it's so late! The way you're acting, you'd think you're still single!" I shouted at her. "What? What did you do there? Dancing with other guys? Making out? What? That's what comes to my mind because I know you can be like that-"
Ayra's POV
"Bar?!" he asked. "You're already married! I was worried about you, and it's so late! The way you're acting, you'd think you're still single!" he shouted at me. "What? What did you do there? Dancing with other guys? Making out? What? That's what comes to my mind because I know you can be like that-"
My ears twitched, so I quickly slapped him, making his head tilt to the side. My slap was accompanied by my tears falling.
"Is that how you think of me, Bryxwell?!" I asked angrily. I tried not to cry. I don't want to appear weak in front of him again. "You think I flirt with every guy? We're not the same, my god!" I laughed sarcastically and wiped my tears.
"I-I'm sorry..." He was taken aback by the words he uttered. "I'm sorry, Ayra." He tried to hold me, but I moved away from him.
"Stop it!" I ordered, trying to control my emotions. "Damn it, why do I even bother asking when that's how you see me! You just said it!"
I firmly held both his shoulders to ask, "Bryxwell, tell me because I don't know. Tell me, please! What's your reason for hurting me like this? Why are you doing this to me?!"
I leaned against the wall. Besides feeling dizzy, I also felt weak.
"Ayra, forgive me," tears welled up in his eyes.
"And now you're asking for forgiveness?" I fake laughed, tears streaming down my face. "Because of what you said! I keep asking myself if I'm really like that?! Am I like that? Because it came from you!" I didn't finish what I was going to say when he suddenly hugged me, and I cried in his chest.
"Shh, stop..."
"Bryx..." I cried like a child in his embrace. "I-I don't want this anymore..." I sobbed uncontrollably. "I want to love. I want to be loved. Why is this too tiring? Why?!"
I struggled to break free from his hug, but he just held me tighter.
"Ayra... Enough..."
I struggled again. "Why can't you just admit it?!"
"No, I won't! You're not like that!" he shouted. "You know what? I love you, Ayra..."
I didn't stop crying at what he said. "You're just fooling yourself! We both know the truth!" I shouted. "What's your real intention? Are you doing this on purpose? It's painful!"
I left him in the living room. Each step was painful and heavy, accompanied by my tears flowing. When I entered my room, I sat in the corner and cried.
"If only you were here now, Jeedler..."
Bryxwell's POV:
When Ayra entered her room, I just leaned against the wall and sat down.
"You're so stupid, Bryx..." I whispered. I banged my head against the wall in frustration. "You're so foolish. You hurt her again..."
I wiped away my tears and stood up.
I punched the wall and pressed my forehead against it, letting my tears fall freely.
"How can I not hurt you? How?" I asked myself.
To be continued...