Chapter Six

Tris. 

It had been a few days since I tried the ritual Chloe convinced me to do, but maybe it really didn't work, because nothing had happened. I had no real prospects yet. 

But tonight I was not going to think about it, tonight I was going to have fun, cut loose and enjoy myself. 

The neon lights of the club pulsed in rhythm with the bass, casting vibrant hues across the packed dance floor.

I stood at the entrance, adjusting my dress a deep red number that hugged my curves just right. 

Chloe called it the money maker, and she had let me borrow it tonight. 

“Tonight is going to be epic!” Chloe exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation next to me as she let her hair fall freely all the way to her waist. 

I wished I could be more like her, she knew how to live in the moment, enjoy herself unlike me who was always second guessing every choice I made. 

I had promised myself a night of fun, a temporary escape from my responsibilities. Work had been draining lately, and I needed this night to let loose. 

Ethan's meds were almost over, I had counted the remaining pills this evening, they wouldn't even last a whole week and my insurance did not cover them. But I was not going to think about that tonight. 

We made our way to the bar, ordering cocktails while laughing and reminiscing about our college days.

Tonight felt weirdly dejavu. The last night I had decided to let loose for one night, I got pregnant and lost my virginity to a married man, Ethan's dad. 

A few drinks in, Chloe was literally begging me to hit the dance floor. 

“Come on, we are not here to stand around!” 

With a grin, I followed her onto the crowded space, the music enveloping us. 

As the night wore on, i felt the warmth of the alcohol coursing through my veins. I was getting drunk. I had that delirious feeling of getting high and I liked it. I didn't care about anything in the world. I was about to go sit down for a bit when I spotted a group of guys at the edge of the dance floor, one in particular caught my attention. 

He looked too familiar. 

He was tall, with dark hair and an easy smile, familiar yet foreign. I squinted, trying to place him.

Where did I know his face from? It took a few seconds and my body felt numb, it was him. 

Five years ago, in another club just like this one, I had shared a whirlwind night with him. We never exchanged names in the name of keeping it a mystery, he had taken me back to his house, made love to me and then his wife had showed up, something he had failed to mention, that he was married. 

I had lost my virginity that night to him and a couple of days later, I had found out I was pregnant. 

Telling him was never really an option, he was married and I did not even know his first name. 

“Hey, are you okay?” Chloe shouted over the music, noticing I was distracted.

“Yeah,” I replied, forcing a smile. But my heart was racing as I watched the man that had changed my whole life. 

He was against the bar, scanning the room, and for a moment, our eyes met. He raised an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face, as if recognizing me.

“Let’s go say hi!” Chloe suggested, her curiosity piqued.

“No, wait…” I hesitated, feeling a rush of anxiety. What if he didn’t remember me? What if he acted like I was just another face in the crowd?

But Chloe was already pulling me towards him. 

“Come on, it will be fun, I promise !”

Before I could protest, we were standing in front of him. He looked even more handsome up close, his charm radiating as he flashed a warm smile. 

“Hey there!” he said, his voice smooth.

The man had not aged a day in five years, he actually looked younger. 

“Hi,” I replied, trying to keep my composure. Chloe introduced herself, and they exchanged pleasantries, but I could feel the man’s gaze lingering on me, an intensity that made my stomach flutter.

“I’m Tony,,” he said, extending a hand towards me “And you are?”

“Tris” I managed to say, shaking his hand. The contact sent a shiver up my spine.

“Nice to meet you, Tris.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping a notch. “You look incredible tonight. This place really knows how to attract beautiful women.”

My heart raced. His flirtation was evident, but I couldn’t shake the sting of his potential ignorance about our past. “Thanks, you too,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light.

Did he really not remember or was this his thing? Picking up different women at bars. 

“Are you here with anyone special?” he asked, his eyes dancing with intrigue.

“Just my friend,” I gestured to Chloe, who was trying to stifle a giggle. “We are just out for a girls’ night.”

“Girls’ night, huh? How about I join the fun?” he suggested, a playful glint in his eye. “I could use some good company.”

I felt a twinge of excitement mixed with anxiety. He was flirting with me, completely unaware of our history. Did i want to revisit that night, or was i ready to move on?

Chloe , sensing the tension, nudged me playfully. “You should totally hang out with him! It will be a great story.”

“Yeah, right,” I replied, trying to laugh it off, but inside I was torn. A part of me wanted to dive back into that intoxicating connection, while another part hesitated, worried about the consequences of rekindling something that had faded into memory.

Something that should have never happened in the first place. 

But I was a mother now and for all I knew he could still be married. 

Did I really want to repeat the same mistakes from five years ago. 

"Excuse me, I have to use the ladies room." I said, nudging Chloe to follow me and she did. 

"What's wrong?" she asked as soon as we were out of earshot, "he is totally checking you out." 

"It's him Chloe, that's my one night stand from five years ago." I blurted out, unable to hold it in anymore. 

"Girl what? I knew Ethan didn't get those good looks from you, damn girl." she said laughing.