ONE LAST TIME

Chapter 4✍️

“Always make sure you sleep well, rest early, and stay away from alcohol, okay? And also stay hydrated.” He added.

 

I nodded slightly, still gazing out the window. Lizzy squeezed my hand reassuring.

 

“We’ll get through this, Starr, like we always do, okay? Lizzy consoled me. Yes.” I answered.

 

The doctor smiled softly, warmly. “You’ll need to come back for a follow-up appointment in two weeks’ time. We’ll monitor your condition and adjust your medication as needed.”

 

I turned back to face him, forcing a weak smile. “Okay, doctor. Thank you.”

 

After an emotionally draining day, I collapsed onto the bed as soon as we got home, exhausted, took over. Lizzy let me sleep, knowing I needed to recharge.

 

Hours later, I woke up feeling a bit more refreshed. Lizzy was sitting in the living room, her eyes fixed on me as I walked in.

 

“Hey, how are you feeling?” She asked, concern etched on her face.

 

I shrugged, taking a seat beside her. “Better, thanks.”

Lizzy nodded, then hesitated for a minute before speaking. “Starr, I need to talk to you about something.”

 

Her expression turned serious, and I sensed a hint of nervousness in her voice. “There’s this friend of mine. Her name is Ella. She’s going through a tough time, so she requested for my help and I want to help her out. She’s looking for a place to stay for a while, she continued, and I immediately thought of our spare room.”

 

Lizzy’s eyes locked onto mine, filled with empathy. “I know, you pay the rent of the house, and we settle the other bills together, so I thought it’s only right. I asked for your permission before I bring a stranger into our home. She concluded.

 

With everything we’d been through, Yes, I pay the rent and most of the bills in the house cause I earned more, and it has always been that way even before we got our jobs here in Dubai, so we moved, and I established myself more by opening my firm.

 

So I took up most of the responsibilities willingly. Lizzy is my best friend, and I’d do anything for her. Moreover, I will be leaving soon. She’ll be all alone in this big house, so she’ll definitively need some company.”

 

I couldn’t possibly say no to Lizzy. “Of course, we can help your friend. She can come stay here. It’s no big deal, and you could use some company too.” I said, trying to sound more convincing than I felt.

 

Upon discovering, her discovery filled her with gratitude and joy. She threw her arms around me, holding me tight as tears of joy and departure welled up in her eyes. “Thank you, babe, she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’ll miss you a lot,” she added.

 

I looked at her, smile evident in my eyes, “I’ll miss you too, and I also need your help with running my boutique now that I’ll be away.”

 

“Of course baby, you know you don’t even have to ask, I’ll always have your back,”

 

“Yeah, I know, thank you, Lizzy.” I concluded.

 

But my mind was still elsewhere, preoccupied with the thoughts I’d had earlier that morning.

 

“I think I’ll head out to check on my boutique,” I said, trying to sound casual. “ I haven’t been there in a while, and I want to be sure everything’s running smoothly, especially now I’m leaving it in your care.”

 

Lizzy nodded understandingly. “Okay, be careful, and don’t overexert yourself.” 

 

I left the house after Lizzy bought my idea of visiting my boutique. I headed for the hotel where Charles what checked into.

 

I wouldn’t lie to myself about it, in as much as I hated him and hated myself for still loving him even after everything he had done to me, I still wanted to be with him, I wanted him to apologize and we’d get back together and forget the past. I know I sound so stupid right now, but Love makes people do unimaginable things.

 

I got to the hotel. My eye big and red-rimmed, are a testament to the sleepless night and endless tears.

 

I approached the receptionist and asked about Charles, and she said Charles and his girlfriend had checked out of the suite 2hours ago.

I knew that each time Charles left Dubai, he’d always go back to Canada, cause we were in a long-distance relationship. That’s why I never got to know his house.

 

Without hesitation, I sprinted out of the hotel, my feet pounding the pavement as I raced against time.

 

Finally, I bursted through the airport doors, my eyes scanned the crowd frantically. And then I saw him, Charles, the man who had shattered my heart. He was standing, his hands around his girlfriend, a smug smile spreading across his face.

 

At first, I tried to act tough. But as I approached them, I felt my knee weaken. My voice trembled.

 

I got to him and stared at him. Cause I didn’t know how to start the conversation. I needed an explanation. My voice cracked as I asked, “Why, Charles, why did you hurt me like that? I whispered yelled, my voice trembled with hurt.”

 

“Are you okay?, what’s that supposed to mean? He hoarsely responded,”

  

I looked up at him, my eyes boring into his to look for answers, but I found nothing but anger and hatred. “Charles—-”

 

The look on his face was confusing and expressionless. “Who the fucking hell is this? He sneered, his words dripping with disdain. What do you want from me? He spat, his voice cold and detached.

 

 

At that moment, I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. How could he not recognize me? I wondered, my mind reeling with confusion. I looked at myself through his eyes, and for that moment, I felt like a stranger. Were my black eye bags that horrible? The question swirled in my head, leaving me lost and vulnerable.

 

 

He smirked, his lips curling up in a mocking style. Then I knew he was mocking me. And he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Still smirking, he said again, “Oh, you didn’t, I can see that clearly” His chuckles were like a slap in the face, making my blood boil with humiliation.

 

 

 Well, I’d be glad to be your mirror, he sneered in, leaning in close. His hot breath whispered against my ear, “You look like a desperate bitch seeking my attention”. But guess what?, I can’t look at you because you can never measure up to my woman, so now fuck off. He said, trying to walk away.

 

I grasped his hands, tilted my head to meet the burning gaze of his girlfriend, and then I looked back at him. “Was there even a building contract for us? Or was there a growing business for us like we planned? That when we get married, we’d easily move into our home and start a family. Was there any?” I asked, pain and agony evident in my voice and face.

 

I couldn’t wait for him to respond. I feared that his next response will completely shatter me. “Yes, Starr, there is, but it’s so unfortunate that you helped me build them for me and my beautiful family that doesn’t include you,” my ear rang as his words pierced through me. And at that moment I knew I’d to beg to be considered again.

 

I got closer to him and held his hands, but he threw them off that instant. “Charles, please don’t leave me like this,” I begged, my voice cracking with desperation. “I have given you everything, my heart, my soul, my savings.”

 

“Currently, my boutique is almost empty, because I’ve spent everything catering to your needs and I neglected mine, So please don’t leave me,” my voice cracked and trembled with a sob as I begged, I could no longer hide it, passerby kept on glancing at us.

 

“Stop this madness, Starr, he hissed, his voice low and menacing, you’re humiliating yourself.” He whispered-yelled, but I couldn’t stop.

 

I didn’t mind him seeing how affected I was, so I knelt down, still clinging to his hands. I didn’t mind the amount of eyes boring deep into my back.

 

 “Charles, I’m the one you love. Why are you treating me this way?” My voice barely whispered as I cried, “I’m your fiancée, I’m supposed to….” I wanted to say but his girlfriend Jessica, pulled his hands off my grip immediately and said to him, “let’s get out of here baby,” and he glanced at me for the last time, and said, “I’ve a flight to catch, and a life to live WITHOUT YOU,” they both turned and left leaving me alone still on my knees.

 

People stared as they walked by. After what felt like an eternity, I slowly rose to my feet, my head bowed in shame, and left the airport.

 

I went home, cried and vowed to shut my heart to any man, to let go of the pain. At that moment, I recalled my boss’s offer to start in the France branch, as the new personal assistant to the director in Al-FUTTAIM company, so I instantly made up my mind to claim the letter of promotion. At least, that way I can build my career again and be better than I was.

 

The next day, I went to work, and accepted the letter of transfer from my boss. Still in his office, he informed me, “Your flight departs in 2days, and the company had arranged for your apartment, so you’re all set. “The only thing you have to do is show up, Starr. Do you understand me? Are you sure you’ve accepted this proposal?”

 

 “Yes, sir,” I responded, nodding my head formally. After signing some documents, I left and went home.

 

As the day went by, and it was drawing nearer to evening time, Ella arrived. We bonded quickly though, but I murmured to myself, “I just hope I don’t regret this decision.”

 

As night fell, Ella suggested we go clubbing but Lizzy instantly refused cause we weren’t a fan of clubbing, In-fact Lizzy hated it. But because I was down, I tricked my way into making Lizzy believe I’ll be fine on my own and she shouldn’t worry about me.

 

 

Lizzy finally agreed, after I promised her for the up tenth time that I wouldn’t drink alcohol, just juice and she accepted, but I knew that was a lie. I just wanted to feel alive again, cause this last couple of days had been hurtful and overwhelming for me.“So this might just help me forget my pain for some moments,” I murmured to myself.

 

The music was almost overwhelmingly loud. The club filled with people, and we couldn’t see our faces cause of the blazing lights. Yet, everyone danced like they’ve known each other for the longest time.

 

I swayed my hips and curves left and right as we danced and drank expensive alcohol. I remembered the doctor’s orders but, just this last time; I wanted to get drunk, besides we owed this enjoyment to my promotion and departure.

 

 

“Starr, did you notice the guy in a grey suit staring at you? He’s been staring at you ever since we stepped foot in here.” I listened to Ella scream over the loud music as we danced. “I’m sure it’s just a bastard who can’t keep his eyes off a woman’s body,” I replied, and we burst out into laughter.

 

 “Mind joining me for a drink?” I discerned a deep voice. Turning around, I saw a handsome, tall, dark-looking man.

 

I looked at him from his head to his toes. As I thought about what to say to this handsome stranger in front of me, Ella pushed me towards him and burst out laughing. And I landed on his broad chest. “Yes, she’s love to join you. You can keep her for as long as you want.” She insisted with an evil smirk curved on her lips.

 

“Shall we? He motioned to the bartender, his hands stretched towards our glasses.

 

 

“Do you mind telling me your name? He asked, while sipping his drink. It’s better we don’t get to know our names. Besides, we’ll never see each other after today,” I said, smiling.

 

“Okay, so what brought a beautiful lady like you to a place like this? You don’t seem like a club girl, he extended, but I surely wasn’t interested.

 

“I could say the same about you, I replied, my tone neutral and short.

 

He smiled, his eyes glinting in amusement. “Maybe I’m just trying to spice up my life, he said, his voice slow and smooth.

 

“Well, good for you. I countered, my gaze drifting away from him. Trying to make the conversation brief. He should see I’m clearly not interested. So I turned around to look for Ella, but I couldn’t spot her amongst the crowds. “Jeez…, where the hell did she go?” I questioned myself.

After taking different shots, I felt my head spinning. I knew that minute I was freaking drunk. So I decided to take it to another level by going to the dance floor again, but I couldn’t find Ella, so I just danced on my own. The guy, Kelvin, kept his eyes glued to my body.

 

My vision began to get blurry. After a few minutes, I felt my legs lifting the floor. “Oh, I think Lizzy missed me, since she refused to come with us to the club and she figured I’d break my promise of not taking any alcohol, so she came to get me,” I thought sheepishly to myself.

 

I woke up with a banging headache because of the alarm that wouldn’t stop ringing. When my vision became clearer, I looked at the interior decoration. It looked masculine and, a gigantic frame of a woman and two kids on the wall. But I averted my eyes to the stupid alarm ringing. I stretched my hands and turned it off.

 

I quickly knew I wasn’t home in my house!!!, “Then where the fucking hell am I?” I didn’t want to panic, but I couldn’t help it.

I looked down and saw my thighs weren’t clamped together; Instead, I could widen my legs. “But I wore a tight gown, then why could I spread my legs apart,” I thought to myself loudly.

 

 I raised the duvet up and I saw that I was in a man’s shirt, my body exposed. “No, no, this can’t be happening.” I was freaking naked in a man’s bed. “Where are my fucking clothes!!!!? I shouted my voice so loud.