For a moment, I completely forgot about my pain as I locked eyes with his mesmerizing gaze. However, as he reached out to touch my hands, I instinctively recoiled, shouting, "Don't touch me!" I backed away, my emotions flaring up. Surprisingly, he remained unfazed by my outburst and spoke again, his voice calm and filled with genuine concern. "Are you alright?"
In that moment, a mix of emotions washed over me. Who was this guy? His voice alone stirred something within me. But as I replayed the disturbing scene I had just witnessed, tears welled up in my eyes once more. Men can be so cruel, I thought to myself.
I attempted to walk past him but he purposefully blocked my path. As I glanced at him, I couldn't help but notice his strong physique accentuated by the well-tailored suit he wore. His face resembled a work of art, meticulously crafted with utmost care. It felt like encountering a celebrity in the flesh.
Before he could utter a word, I beat him to it, my voice laced with a threatening tone. "If you don't step out of my way this instant, you won't like the consequences," I warned. He held his gaze on me for a few more seconds before finally relenting and clearing my path.
The evening air was chilly, causing me to shiver since I had forgotten my windbreaker. A strange mix of emotions overwhelmed me, leaving me unable to shed any more tears. My mind felt numb, lost in a haze. I hailed a taxi and embarked on the journey back home which took around thirty minutes. Exhaustion seeped into my bones, as I had originally planned to spend the night at Luke's place before this unexpected turn of events. I had given up my dream job for a man who never considered my future in his plans. I had wasted five precious years, believing that we would spend the rest of our lives together. Now, I found myself at a loss without a job to support myself in the present.
Feeling overwhelmed, I opened my fridge and discovered a bottle of liquor that I only reserved for special occasions. A bittersweet smile crossed my face as I couldn't help but think that this too, was a special occasion. After all, I had been dumped just a day before our anniversary. I sank into the cushions of my couch, replaying the whirlwind of events that had unfolded throughout the day. It was hard to comprehend how quickly everything had changed. Desperate for consolation, I took a swig from the bottle of alcohol in my hand, hoping it would numb the pain.
Just then, the sound of my ringing phone pierced through the silence and it was buried deep within my purse. I fumbled to retrieve it, my hands trembling. Glancing at the caller ID, I saw that it was Sasha, my childhood friend. With a mix of relief and despair, I answered the call and as soon as I heard her voice on the other end, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
"What's wrong?" Sasha's voice carried a hint of panic and confusion, reflecting the turmoil within me.
Tears streamed down my face, my sobs growing louder as I struggled to find the right words, feeling lost and overwhelmed. "I'm on my way, don't cry anymore," Sasha reassured me before we hung up.
Sasha had been my constant support since childhood,despite her family's wealth, she never treated me as anything less than her equal. Throughout college she had been there for me, stepping in when my mother remarried after my father's death, leaving me without financial support. She refused to take a single penny from me even when I offered to repay her by working multiple part-time jobs. From the very beginning, Sasha had never trusted Luke. She warned me time and time again about his cunning nature, and they never saw eye to eye.
In the next fifteen minutes, I had already downed half the bottle, feeling the alcohol starting to take its toll on me. And right at that moment, I heard the door swing open. Sasha stormed into my apartment , her face contorted with panic, carelessly discarding her bag on the floor before rushing to my side.Though the slight haze clouded my vision,I remained fully aware of the unfolding events. The drink had yet to exert its influence on me, leaving me capable of perceiving the world around me with clarity. "What went down, girl?" she inquired, tenderly supporting my head against her shoulder while assessing my body temperature.
Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I managed to utter two words, "He cheated."
The moment those words escaped my lips, I could sense Sasha's body instantly tense up. Sasha was known for her fiery temper and it was one of her flaws that nobody dared to provoke, knowing the extreme measures she could take.
"Don't cry anymore girl, he's not worth it. I warned you about him, but you didn't listen. You even gave up your dream job for him." Sasha sighed, her voice filled with empathy. "You know what you need right now? We need to have a wild night out and forget about this whole situation." She gently wiped away my tears, brushing the strands of hair from my face and helped me to my feet. "Let's get you changed into something fabulous," she said, pulling me into my room.
I slipped into a stunning gown that accentuated my curves, something I rarely wore before. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and couldn't help but marvel at my own beauty. Maybe I had held back because I didn't have anyone special to dress up for. Luke always made fun of me whenever I tried to wear something like this, so I stopped. But now, I couldn't help but appreciate my own radiance as Sasha expertly curled my shoulder-length blonde hair.
"I'm sure we'll encounter some handsome men tonight," she joked, grabbing my hand as we made our way out of the room.