Wednesday, 10th August

Aliana's POV

"You're a dumb, stupid bitch!" She screeched as her fist came in contact with my face. I didn't see it coming so yes, I lost balance and fell flat to the ground, and that was the last thing I remembered.

I stood up from the ground in front of the clubhouse thirty minutes later, my head ached and the sound of the loud music didn't do anything to help with the headache. I winced as I struggled to get up, regretting all of my life choices, I already knew I messed up.

The last thing on my mind was holding back the tears that threatened to burst out. I allowed it to leak as I stood up and dusted my dress.

Firstly, who came to a confrontation dressed like a princess duty, second of all, who fought over a man who didn't want to be fought over. 

I was disgusted with myself and for the first time since it all happened, I wondered why and how I had allowed myself to get to this point. I was standing here lost, in an unfamiliar city, with no money and no contact. I had two actually, but one of them just punched me in the eyes. 

I sat back on the grass in front of the club house and I cried for how much my life changed in the last two days. My best friend had stolen my fiancée, cheated with him publicly five days before our wedding and then beat the daylight out of me when I dared to confront her. 

I checked the time, it was a few minutes past seven, it was around this time two nights ago, that I had gotten the message that changed it all for me. 

 ****

Monday, 7th August, 7:22

I had just finished my shift and I was already planning how my night would go, a bubble bath and a book. It was officially my last day at work as a single woman.

My best friend and Fiancée were away on business trips and I was okay with it, they were returning before the wedding.

My phone beeped and I picked it up immediately not knowing it carried a life changing message, something that was going to change my life in a way I had not imagined. 

It was an attachment sent from an unknown number.

I opened the message in a light mood and loaded the photo, I removed my apron and placed my cap on the tabletop before I looked back at the phone.

A clear photo of Robert and Lola in each other's arms stared back at me, I saw without doubt that it was my bestfriend and fiancée sharing mouth fluids and I remained fixated to the ground, unable to move or utter any word. 

I stood there for over an hour, confused and unable to comprehend what was staring right back at me. 

My coworker had walked in and tapped me out of my trance.

"Are you okay?" She asked me and instead of answering I picked up my bag and hurried out of the building.

The cold night air had slapped the rein of my emotions out of me. 

The phone vibrated in my hands again and it was from the same number, a text that looked like an address, the only name I recognized there was New York.

It hit me then, both business trips had been to NYC, I didn't know who to call because they were both my best friends, it turned out I was the odd one out.

Tears streamed down my eyes and I realized I wasn't going to be a casualty. I cleaned my eyes as I booked a flight right there and then, my heart ached thinking of the dress I had already bought and the jewelry.

I thought of the corky invitation I had sent to my step family and my heart ached, how could he do that to me? Lola was the only person I had, I thought she had my back?

I was seeing red, even as I flagged the taxi that was going to take me to the airport down I was still crying. I didn't know how far New York was but it wasn't a busy night. I got a ticket and I cried my heart out in the back seat.

I may be a silly, emotional fool that didn't see the signs but I wasn't going to let it slide, I was going to catch them red handed and beat one of them to pulp.

I got to the airport and moved like I was controlled by some force somewhere, I didn't wait for too long at any hotel. I went in search of the hotel in the address that was sent to me.

It was located in the middle of the city, I ignored the continuous discussion from the driver as I stared blankly at the road, forgetting to be amused by a city that the mere thoughts of had always excited me.

"We're here," he announced and I paid him immediately, I hurried out of the car and straight to the lobby, it was busy and bustling. 

I didn't bother to soak in my environment, I hadn't finished soaking in the tears. 

"Hello, welcome to Bells hotel, how can we help you?" The receptionist greeted me as I got to the counter table. 

I struggled not to cry as I called out the room number.

"I would give you direction but both Miss Carson and Mr Smith are out for the evening, you can wait for them or come back tomorrow." She had said with so much lightness, it was then that it got even more dawning.

They were indeed together, they were both kissing behind my back and even shared a hotel room. Was there even a business meeting? Was I just a plain fool?

I had remained at the back seat in the wide lobby, I watched as people came and went and finally I booked a room in the same hotel that my best friend and fiancée shared.

Present

I waited one more night before I finally caught a glimpse of either of them. They looked like they were going out and it made me sick to my stomach as I watched them act all lovey lovey together. 

I tasted anger.

It was time to confront them and it was true, they were really fooling me. I was dressed in the same black dress I came with and I had finally dragged myself to the bathroom earlier that day.

I entered another cab and instructed him to follow theirs, I muttered silent prayers as they got out of the car. I did the same with the hopes of speaking my mind and giving her the beating of her life.

It was right there and then that she reminded me of how great a physical advantage she had over me. 

They had taken my purse and my phone. I was stranded in front of the club but I wasn't going to cry again. 

I walked over to the building and the bouncer stared hard at me before cracking a small smile.

"You've finally woken up, you can enter." 

"Fuck you," I whispered under my breath, totally unaware that the worse part hadn't happened.