That was mine

Steve POV

Staring solely at Julie's lips, I realized that I had fallen in love with her smile.  

It’s the first time I thought of words like that for anyone other than Chloe, and I don't mean it as a simple statement of truth, but rather as an honest expression of my love for how they pulled upward in the perfect shape. 

"So…" Julie whispered, staring down at her heels.

It should be easy to talk to her, but it felt difficult because she had the same effect that Chloe had on me… they both captured my heart in a way that made me nervous.

From how Jackson had looked at me earlier, I knew he was shocked that I attended the club with Chloe, and honestly, I am surprised that she was the one I settled for. 

Even though the way he acted was damn rude, it was understandable because he has tried several times to break off our toxic relationship.  

But a six-year bond isn't easily broken because both partners agreed to end the relationship. It has nothing to do with time healing all wounds. It's about you not being able to switch off your feelings for her after all the years of loving her.

And when it comes to Chloe, it's not a feeling I can control, even though it isn't something that's supposed to happen between us. She's like poison, and I'm powerless against it. 

With one call, she can make me forget everything, all my responsibilities, all of the things that she had done to fuck me up, and I can try forgetting her by changing women every day, but that only breaks me more than I am willing to admit.

"Do you love baking like your father?" I mumbled, smiling faintly when Julie raised her gaze. "His donuts are amazing. I kind of ate almost everything Jackson brought to the office. He was so pissed."

"Hahaha... I do like baking because my dad loves it, and most of my perfect childhood memories are in the kitchen with him," Julie said softly.

Looking down at her, I watched as her lashes fluttered. The sight was so beautiful that I didn't want it to end, and when she smiled up at me, it took everything within me to calm my heartbeat down.

Staring into her eyes, I realized I was wrong for comparing Julie and Chloe because there was definitely some difference here… between her and me than what Chloe and I had, even though I don't know what it is.

"Can you excuse me?" I mumbled, giving in to the sense of nervousness I felt.

"Sure," She said sweetly.

My eyes studied hers for a moment. Then I walked off, heading towards the bathroom, and the moment I reached the lady's room, I stood in my tracks.

"Steven...! I am sorry for staying too long in the bathroom. You wouldn't believe the line I had to wait in just for my hand to get washed." Chloe said as she approached me.

When our eyes locked, I sense of guilt, seeing her in front of me with a smile on her face like she didn't care that we were just hurting each other by being here, together when it was clear that we were never going to be serious again. 

"That's not a problem," I said, disappointed with myself. "Jackson has arrived at the club." 

A look of confusion clouded her eyes, and she sighed softly, mumbling, "Should I go say 'hi' to him?" 

Just by those words, I could tell how ignorant Chloe can be because she never seemed to know what she did wrong to me.

 No matter how much I like to fool myself, Chloe is still the same woman she was when we met but there are so many things that have changed, and not for the better I can assure you.

 "You can't go! Jackson hates you." I blurted out in annoyance.

"Right. So you are here to tell me to leave?"

"Chloe…"

"I know what we are…"

Reaching my hand into my pocket, I pulled out a couple of bills and mumbled, "If you do. Then you will take this one thousand and leave."

"Is that how you see me! As a money digger!?" Chloe asked, looking into my eyes without blinking.

"You are not?"

"You motherfucker!" 

"Chloe, can we not play the 'I am righteous' game? We both know that you don't love me, but my money. Just take the money." 

My eyes swayed towards her palm as she spread them open as though she wanted to slap, biting on her bottom lip. Then she looked away from me and let out, "You are right! I only love your money. That's why one thousand is not enough. I need ten thousand, or I will approach Jackson right now." 

Not wanting to argue with her, I pulled out my phone and wired the money to her, suppressing the anger I felt.

"I guess that's your payment. Can you leave now!" I stated, glaring at her as she stared at her screen. "Are we good?!"

"Yes!" Chloe said, putting her phone back into her purse. "Until next time."

Her eyes were on mine, I knew it was going to be my fault that there might be a next time between us because I never told her how she hurt me, and I still don't know why I am still holding on to the truth. Maybe it's because it makes me feel pathetic.

After Chloe walked off, I headed back into the VIP section, and as I approached our table, my eyes remained on Julie, and I felt indecisive.

The more I thought about it, I did not know if it was good or bad that I had decided to go back to love after everything that had happened.

"Look who's back," Julie whispered nervously, taking a sip of her drink.

Although I tried to give her a half-smile, my emotions were still a mess, and I took a seat, reaching for the glass on the table.

"Oh, that was mine," Julie whispered, looking down at the table as she pouted.

It grew silent between her and me, and neither of us was willing to break it. 

  

Our eyes met only for a moment before Julie's gaze dropped to the table again and she started fidgeting with her hands, nervously playing with her fingers.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, even though it was a dumb question, and it was clear that she wasn't okay.

"Yeah," Julie mumbled, raising her gaze and staring back at the bar where Jackson was.

I could tell that she was becoming uncomfortable with me, and I am at fault for fucking this up with her.

"Should he be drinking that much?" Julie whispered, looking back at me with a sprinkle of worry in her eyes.

"He handles his alcohol well," I mumbled, smiling at her. 

Frowning slightly as though she didn't trust a word I said, she glared back at Jackson and muttered, "Are you sure?"