CHAPTER ONE

DOMINIQUE'S POV

The loud, deafening music and thick cigarette smoke greeted me as soon as I entered the bar. Under different circumstances, I would never find myself standing here, but today was an exception.

I walked over to the bar counter while gazing in amazement at the people who were here. Some women were dancing obliviously while men took advantage of their drunkenness. I was stunned as I watched people kissing and almost having sex on the dance floor, I can't believe my eyes!

I stopped in front of the bar counter and sat on a high stool.

"I want your strongest liquor!" I told the bartender.

He immediately complied and handed me a bottle of Spirytus Vodka and a shot glass. When I removed its lid, I immediately inhaled its strong smell. My stomach seemed to turn immediately, and at some point, I found myself hesitating. But then, there’s no turning back, if I don’t do it now, I'll just go home crying and constantly hurting.

I just want to numb myself, even just for today. I want to forget the pain and the betrayal they caused me. I want to feel numb! But my mind’s a traitor because the moment I closed my eyes, the image of two naked people curling up against each other came vivid in my mind.

"Fuck you, Vonn!" I cursed as I took a shot.

I felt the heat draw down into my chest and I'm almost in tears, realizing how awful it tasted. My vision started to blur as I felt dizzy. Suddenly, the memories of what happened today came flooding back into my mind.

*** FLASHBACK ***

It was our third year anniversary today. Vonn, my boyfriend, had no idea I was going home because I wanted to surprise him. All he knew was I was in Singapore for a business conference. Well, that's where I really came from. It just happened the conference was finished earlier than expected, giving me two days early to go home.

I wasted no time because I was so excited to see Vonn. We’ve been together for three years now and we already talked about settling down. I bought an expensive Rolex watch as a gift to him.

While on the plane, I was restless. I think I was too excited to see how he would react. I tried to sleep but my excitement made me feel jitters all the way home.

Upon arriving, I took a taxi to Vonn’s Condominium. I quickly got out of the taxi and hurried up to Vonn’s floor despite my dizziness from the ride.

When I reached his floor, I stood in front of his door and took a deep breath. I took the spare key he gave me and quickly opened the door.

Silence greeted me as I entered his Unit. It felt odd, making me wonder where he could gave been. Today's saturday, and knowing Vonn, he's not going to leave the house because his rest day is Saturday. I tiptoed to his room, thinking that maybe he was asleep and the least I wanted to do was to disturb him. However, as I was walking upstairs, the scattered clothes immediately caught my attention.

A red dress and a laced panty were on the floor and his bedroom door was slightly open. I immediately felt nervous with what I saw and I couldn't help but to think of something bad. I walked slowly and covered my mouth when I caught a glimpse of what was happening inside his room.

My heart started beating fast as the pain enveloped it. I cannot believe my eyes! There he was, my unfaithful boyfriend, grinding against another woman. He was pushing hard against her behind her back.

Before I could stop myself, I kicked the door and it flung open leaving the two of them stunned. Rage consumed me when I saw who the woman was; it was Krishna, my best friend.

They turned to me, their faces looking surprised to see me standing at the door. They were both confused and didn't seem to know what to do.

“What’s the fucking meaning of this?” I shouted.

“Babe, let me ex—” before he could say a word, I cut him off.

"Since when?" my voice was trembling as I ask them.

When I turned my gaze to Krisna, she was just quietly crying in a corner. Vonn looked down, not seeming to know what to say.

“Damn you! I’m asking you, since when? When did you start cheating on mr? ” I shouted irritably.

Tears welled up my eyes as I watched them. I approached Krisna, violently pushed her upright and slapped her hard.

“You are a traitor! I told you to watch my boyfriend, not to flirt him! I trusted you! I fucking trusted you two!” I continued to scream hysterically.

I was about to kick Krisna again when Vonn blocked me.

“Please don’t hurt her...” he pleaded.

I stood rooted on my place, and could not believe what I heard. Is he fucking choosing her over me?

"Do you love her?" I asked faintly.

"She's pregnant," he replied, and my world seemed to stop, slowly shattering.

I wiped the tears that streamed down my cheeks. I thought I was the one with the surprise, but the I didn't know I was in for a revelation!

“She’s four months pregnant, babe. I’m sorry. Believe me, Babe! I didn't mean to, it was an accident. Babe, you are the one I love. I want to take responsibility with the child but I’m not going to marry her,” Vonn pleaded.

I laughed out loud, what did he think of the two of us? Toys that he can choose who to play with and throw away?

“Do you hear yourself Vonn? I can’t believe you. After you get my friend pregnant, you'll tell me that I am the one you love? I hope you thought of that before you put your decided to cheat with her!” I shouted angrily.

“It was a mistake, babe. I promise, I didn't mean to,” he said and tried to hold me but I pushed him away.

“Vonn, if it was a mistake, it shouldn't have happened again. But no, you did it several times. It’s not a mistake, it’s called cheating. We’re done,” I replied and turned away from them.

The moment I turned my back, my tears flowed freely from my eyes. I took a taxi back home to my apartment and left my belongings there. Later on, I just saw myself driving towards a bar.

*** END OF FLASHBACK ***

I got out of my trance and tightened my grip on the shot glass as I remembered what had happened earlier. I felt the heat in my eyes again so I stood up and decided to go to the restroom.

I walked with my eyes half-closed, in a zigzag manner. I feel like fainting any moment, but I chose to ignore it.

I opened the restroom door and pushed myself inside, but stopped immediately when I saw a man standing in front of me. That’s when I realized I entered the wrong restroom.

I hurried out and entered the other door. When I was done, I washed my face and saw my swollen eyes. I walked back into the counter but I lost my way instead.

I was holding onto the wall when it suddenly opened and I slammed into a muscular chest of a man— wait, what?

My heart beat wild inside my chest as I stared into his blue eyes. My mouth formed a circle when I realized he was the man in the restroom earlier.

He smirked when he saw my reaction.

"Stalking me, aren't you, Miss Pretty?" even his baritone voice suits his appearance.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no voice came out. I looked at him sharply and tried to stand, but I failed.

I slammed into his chest again and his scent filled my nose, making me feel a lot more intoxicated.

“Tss. Why did you even get drunk if you can't handle yourself?“ I heard him utter.

"Not that you fucking care!" I hissed.

“Look, Miss, I don’t want to nurse a drunken lady. If you’re not feeling well, just go home,” he said, which made me flare in anger.

Huh! The nerve of this guy! Who said I needed him to nurse me?

“You don’t get to tell me what to do! You, men, are all the same!” I shouted at him and then I walked out of the bar.

I was about to call a Taxi when a car stopped in front of me. I was surprised when I saw the driver of the car. It was none other than the arrogant guy from the bar!

“I’ll take you home, Miss. My conscience won’t let me sleep if I let you go home by yourself, what if something horrible happens to you on the way?” he offered.

I smirked at him and raised an eyebrow before I replied, "I can manage."

I walked again but I almost fell into the cemented road.

"Come on," he urged.

"I can handle myself," I stubbornly refused.

He shook and shook before whispering, "Tsk, this woman is so stubborn."

i was surprised when he suddenly stopped his car and opened its passenger seat. He immediately came down and approached me. I shouted in surprise when he suddenly lifted me up like a sack of rice and put me in the car.

“Whew! With that body, I didn't think you were heavy," he remarked, then let out a laugh.

I looked at him sharply and tried to open the car door but it was locked.

“Stop it, you will only tire yourself. Just give me your address,” he said and started the vehicle.

I didn't say a word even when he started driving. I was just stunned as I stared out the window.

Why is it like this? I'm already fucking drunk, but why does it still hurt?

I let my tears flow freely from my eyes. I didn't realize that I was sobbing out loud. I did not even notice that the car stopped on the side of the road.

“I fucking hate you, Vonn! You ruined my life! I will never forgive you! Never! What did I do to deserve this? I gave you all my love, but why did you cheated on me? ” I shouted and slapped the man in front of me.

I punched him and slapped him hard. I poured into him all the anger I was feeling until I felt exhausted, draining whatever strength I have left. I leaned back in the chair as I continued to cry.

“Are you okay? I hope I made you feel better,” I heard his soft whisper before I was finally consumed by the darkness.