Chapter 5

I set the cup of tea I had on the bed stead, getting on the bed and covered myself with the duvet. I tugged on the hem of my pajamas, letting the clothe fall to my wrist. I couldn’t help but reminisce about the drive back home.

It was unusually quiet.

One would’ve thought Adonis would bring up what happened that night but he didn’t. It was more like it didn’t happen again but it did. The tone he used when he asked if I was scared of anything just proves he knew but why won’t he talk about it? Was it fun for him? Watching me overthink it on our way here. I could hardly function. I couldn’t help but sigh in relief when we arrived at my apartment. Making the fastest move to get out of his car only for him to hold me back. Tugging me closer to him with my wrist.

I shuddered as I remember just how dark his eyes had gotten or maybe I was overthinking it.  “I’ll see you tomorrow, buttercup.” He voiced out calmly. He didn’t have to pull me closer to him just to say that. Right? I would’ve countered him for calling me ‘buttercup’ but at that moment I couldn’t. It felt like my words were stuck in my throat.

I slapped my cheeks back to reality. Adonis is a fucking flirt and I shouldn’t be thinking about him.

—You hate him, Lola. Don’t forget he’s an unrepentant womanizer— I repeated severally in my mind like a chant. I would rather swallow a whale than be caught thinking of Adonis fucking Green and his perfect face.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow, buttercup’ I couldn’t seem to get those words out of my head. I groaned in frustration and picked the abandoned tea, gulping it down in a go even though it hurt my throat slightly.

Chloe would give me a lecture if she had seen me drink like that.

I dropped the cup and turned of the lights from the lamp. Trying my best to free my head from any thoughts and eventually fell asleep.

The next day I woke up feeling useless.

Maybe it’s okay to feel like this some days after all I’ve spent two years working every day nonstop and today. It suddenly hits me that I took a break and now I have no idea what to do.

Instead of moping around like a sloth. I got up, allowed Martha, my cleaning lady who has saved my life multiple times to come in and do her work while I got dressed in my gym fit. It’s been months I went to the gym even though my subscription was made for a year. I smiled as I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked better that I did during the trip to Francesca.

“I’m heading out now, Martha. Please feel free to do whatever and lock the door when you leave. Thank you again Martha.”

I yelled hoping she heard me before I rushed out the door, dangling my car keys and hummed to Adele’s latest release. I made it out to the garage after some few minutes and hopped into my car. Already feeling pumped.

A while later I arrived at the gym, it’s located in the heart of Victoria garden. I remember choosing this particular one because not only is it close to my apartment but also private. I parked the car and got out, walking into the place and getting ready to feel my blood pump. I owe it to my body.

I stopped dead in my tracks as soon as I stepped into the gym. Feeling the knots in my stomach drop as soon as I saw him.

Damien. My brain might have left out the part that Damien also comes to this particular gym.

I immediately turned to leave but "Lola? Is that you?” I sucked in a breathe and turned around slowly, immediately summoning my polite smile. I smiled at him but couldn’t help but notice the lady beside him. Her blonde hair was tied into a tight ponytail, her skin was glossy, perhaps because of the sweat but it still didn’t damper her beauty. A light smile laid on her as she looked at me.

The same woman he left me for.

"Hi Damien.” My voice coming out unnecessarily pitchy. He smiled at me, he definitely looked better than I look. Maybe I was underestimating my looks but really he looked better than he did with me. I wanted to smile back and pretend I still wasn’t hurt but i couldn’t.

"Ah Lola, I didn’t think I would run into you here but well." He paused, looking at the lady beside him with a fond smile on his face. "This is Tamera, my girlfriend and Tamera, this is Lola." He introduced us.

The fucking nerve of this man? Cheated on me and still had the guts to introduce me to her.

"I’m his ex-girlfriend, Lola." I smiled sweetly at the petite lady, not missing the shock spread on her face.

“H-hi.” She squeaked out, I didn’t miss the slight tremor in her voice and is it bad I got satisfaction from that.

“So what are you doing here?” Damien asked, scratching the back of his neck. Something I’ve realized to be a nervous habit.

“To gym of course. What else would I be doing in a gym?” I asked, couldn’t help the smirk that formed on my face. "Oh well, I’ll get out of your hair now and Tamera, you have to keep a close eye on this one, he’s a real handful especially when it comes to certain things.” I say and winked at her, leaving them standing there.

I wanted to leave. I felt sick throwing jabs at him and his new girlfriend even though I know they totally deserved it. He shouldn’t have cheated even though he was going to break up but he still did anyways.

I sighed as I dropped my bag on the bench, slipping my AirPods on, glancing to see them actually leaving. —thank goodness, I don’t have to breathe in the same space as them—

I decided to do what I came here for in the first place, work out and burn some calories. I spent about two and a half hours trying to burn the hurt I still felt. My muscles had began straining and warning me, I knew I couldn’t continue anymore and stopped, wiping my face with the towel I brought along and drank water. At least I would get wasted tonight and forget all about meeting Damien and his stupidly beautiful girlfriend. I packed up and walked out the gym.

My phone began to ring, jolting me from my Damien thoughts, I opened the door to the car and dumped my bag in it, swiping left and picked the call upon seeing it was Chloe calling. “Lolita, how are you doing today?” She sang out making me roll my eyes.

“Lolita? Really?” I snorted as I hopped into the car, turning the car engine on.

“You sound sad, are you still thinking about last night? I knew I should’ve come home with you so you won’t feel sad. Should I come now? I’ll bring pizza along.” She rushed out. I couldn’t hold back my chuckle as she rambled on.

“No, I’m not sad about last night and I’m my sad now. I’m just angry.”

“Oops…what’s wrong? Did your boss ask you to come back to work?” She asked but I could hear some rumbling in the background. “I’m talking to Chloe, she sounds sad.” I heard her tell Liam and smiled.

“Hey, Lola. Are you okay? Chloe said you sound sad. Is this about yesterday? What’s wrong? Did you fall? Did grandma Eva call you?” Liam rushed out after snatching the phone away from Chloe. Leave it to my brother and best-friend to over react like this

“No guys. I’m angry, not sad and it’s not because of what happened last night but anyways here’s what happened. I met Damien at the gym today and he had the nerve to Introduce me to his new girlfriend. The same one he cheated on me with.”

“That fucker! He’s really shameless, isn’t he?” Chloe spoke. I could tell I was on speaker now since both of them were both rambling now. I do fell better after telling them what happened.

“Are you okay? I know you said you’re angry but are you okay?” Liam asked

“Yeah I am, surprisingly I am okay. I just felt angry because he stood there with his arm around her shoulders and introduced her to me as his girlfriend after what he did but I’m okay.” I tell them, finally pulling up to my apartment.

“I have to go now guys, I have to binge watch some K-dramas.” I say finally remembering the ones I’ve missed out. “Hey, you should try Vincenzo first. You’d love it.” Chloe says and I hung up.

I walked into my apartment, Martha had cleaned everywhere and also helped me prepare something edible to eat. See what I mean when I say 'saved my life’ I walked into my room, stripping off the leggings and bra-let I had on and stepped into the bathroom. I took a cold shower and got dressed. I really do have plans of binge watching movies today and so I did I just that. I walked to the kitchen and took out the plate of rice and veggies she had prepared for me, plopped myself on the couch and started the first episode

~~~~~~~

The day by so quickly and soon it was night. I spent the entire day, chewing popcorn and watching all the episodes of Vincenzo until someone decided to invite herself to my apartment and knock endlessly on the door.

“Chloe? Aren’t you supposed to be with Liam?” I asked as I pushed the door open, letting her into the house. She snorted as she stepped in. I couldn’t help but notice the extremely large coat she had on her body.

“It’s not that cold out there, Chloe. Why do you have this extremely large coat on?” I asked, watching as she placed her shoes by the shoe rack and change into the fluffy cat slippers I had kept especially for her

“Well, because of  this.” She says, loosening the belt around the coat and let it open and fuck.

“Fucking hell, Chloe. Liam’s going to faint when he sees you.” I couldn’t help but gape at the clothes she had on. She had a burgundy, long sleeve party starter crop top on, leaving absolutely nothing to imagination, pairing it with an extremely short black leather skirt and a black knee boots.

“Oh man, if you weren’t engaged to Liam, I would propose and get married to you in a minute. I couldn’t help but giggle on seeing her ears get red. It takes seconds for Chloe to get flustered.

“You think? I’m happy you think it’s nice because I want Liam drooling when he sees me.” She says, winking at me and suddenly paused

“You didn’t forget our outing tonight, did you?” The tone going accusatory already

“What? No! I didn’t forget.”

“Then why do you look like a fucking couch potato?” She asked, taking a look at my extremely homely outfit and at the couch.

“Anyways I’m here and it’s better you get dressed. We leave in forty five minutes and it’s past 9pm already.” She tells me, reaching for her coat and walked to the couch.

“Alright, give me a few minutes.” I say and walked towards my bedroom. While watching the movie, I might have forgotten the clubbing part even though I suggested it.

I stripped out of my clothes and walked into the shower. If I don’t get railed tonight then at least I will be drunk to stupor.

I finished with my bath and got dressed in a black see through, asymmetrical spaghetti strap one gown, decided to straighten my hair instead and applied a bit of make up to my face, pairing it with a pair of strapless black heel. I smiled at my reflection and applied my cologne. Yeah, I am ready to get wasted for the night.

~~~~~~

I left the house with Chloe who by the way kept complimenting and whistling about how good I was looking and well, I did feel good.

Few minutes later, we found ourselves at the club, according to Chloe, Liam and Adonis were already in there and waiting for us, the rest of the crew. At the mention of Adonis, I felt slightly shaken. I got a grip on myself and walked into the place with Chloe. The club was a private one that to be honest, I didn’t think Liam would be able to get us entry too. After all it was slated for the the rich and famous but then again. It’s Liam and I can’t underestimate him. He works in the entertainment industry as a producer for some top rappers and singers which means he definitely has the connections.

“Liam’s already drooling.” I whispered to Chloe as we walked in, immediately catching Liam’s eyes on us and yeah. He was definitely drooling. I glanced at Chloe who was already in a trance too. Yeah, love wins this one.

“I’ll be by the bar, I guess I’ll leave you for now.” I say but she was totally not listening, instead she was ogling at her fiancée.

I took that as my que to walk away and I did just that. I sat down on the island, setting my coat and purse beside me and beckoned at the bar man.

“What can I get you?” The gruffly voice asked.

“A glass of martini, please.” I say, summoning my sweetest smile as I spoke. I couldn’t help but sway to the music, trying to loosen up but would only be able to do that with alcohol down my throat. I glanced back to where I left Chloe and Liam but they weren’t there. Instead they were sitting on the couch, attached to the hips as they spoke. They look so in love.

"Here.” The bar man says, passing the glass of drink to me, I returned a smiled and gulped the drink down in a go, watching as his eyes widen on seeing what I just did.

“Should you be doing that? You just got here. Won’t want you to get drunk in five minutes.” An hoarse deep voice tells me from behind. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who it was. His sandalwood scent filled my nostrils. I could feel his breath against my shoulders and shut my eyes close.

“Buttercup?” I opened my eyes to see him, looking at me with the softest eyes ever. The fuck?

I couldn’t help but let my eyes stray away, he had a black jean on, pairing it with a black turtle neck and black leather jacket with silver strings hooping to the sides. Looking like a fucking sin.

“You’re staring.” He voiced out, jolting me out of my thoughts. I rolled my eyes and beckoned on the Bar man again "another one please.” I asked, passing the glass to him.

“Don’t you feel hot in that?” I asked, not looking at him.

“No I don’t but I don’t mind if you think I’m hot.” He stated. I didn’t need to look at him to know he had his smug face on.

“Here you go.” The bar man says and I took the glass, making an attempt to drink it again but was stopped.

“Don’t gulp it all at once, at least wait till we greet the lovebirds first before you get wasted.” He tells me, tugging my wrist so I stand up. I sighed and nodded, getting up from the chair and reached for my coat but he instead helped me with it.

“Stop shoving your tongues in each other’s throat.” I voiced out, watching as they snapped their eyes to us.

Chloe’s eyes straying to Adonis arm wrapped around my shoulders and pausing slightly on that.

“Uh what’s going on?” She asked, pointing at his arm around my shoulders.

“Nothing! Nothing is going on.” I snapped, pushing his hand off me and took a seat.

“So when’s the wedding?” I blurted, trying to take the attention off me and it worked like magic.

“We are still deciding on it but Liam suggested we do it in two months.” Chloe yelled, trying to get her point across to us even with the loud blazing music.

I felt the chair dip next to me, glancing to see Adonis beside me. My tummy legit backflipped.

“Oh yeah. That works fine. I get the best man duties right?” Adonis spoke, first time in a while.

“Of course, who else would be my best man?” Liam asked, already getting into the conversation.

“That’s it. No marriage talks tonight. We should get drunk and have fun. Let loose.” Chloe says but winked at me at the last part. I smiled and gulped down the alcohol again in one go.

“We’re gonna dance now or do whatever, y’all make sure you have fun. Alright?” Chloe says, standing up and adjusting her clothes. I bit back a chuckle as soon as I saw Liam’s eyes ravishing her in a go.

“Good luck.” I mouthed and she winked at me again, dragging Liam off and leaving me here. With him.

~~~~~~~

I got two more drinks and gulped it down, ignoring every of Adonis speech for me to stop, even though he, himself was drinking. Maybe not as much as me but he was still drinking.

I couldn’t help but giggle upon seeing Liam and Chloe dance, a funny sight it was. They were both bad dancers and watching them throw it back was funny as hell.

I was tipsy as hell and I knew it but that didn’t stop me from standing up when Chloe reached out to me and dragged me to the dance floor. Giggling loudly when Cardi’s UP came on. Chloe and I spent hours screaming the lyrics out in the past and now, it’s no different.

“Big bag bussin' out the Bentley Bentayga

Man, Balenciaga Bardi back and all these bitches fucked

It's big bags bussin' out the Bentley Bentayga, man

Birkin bag, Bardi back and all you bitches fucked

If it's up, then it's up, then it's up, then it's stuck

If it's up, then it's up, then it's up, then it's stuck, huh

Up, then it's up, if it's up, then it's stuck

If it's up, then it's up, then it's up, then it's stuck, huh!” I was past screaming the lyrics at this point, my body was fully loose and just at that moment the song was changed to a totally different song, one that I love still.

Chloe had started grinding on Liam while me? I was totally past the point of caring, allowing a stranger’s arm around my waist, pulling me while I grinded them, letting my hips sway left and right. I could feel the stranger’s hot breathe flaming against my shoulders, engulfing me in their sandalwood scent.

I turned around to face the stranger, my lips pulling into a smirk on seeing who it was.

“Adonis.” I whispered, clearly out of it as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He leaned closer to me so that there was no space between us, his lips brushing against my jaw and sending me three hundred miles back home. I held into his jacket tightly for fear that I would slip if his arms around my waist went loose. His eyes found mine, growing darker by the minute. I couldn’t help but tune out everything. The music, the people around and leaving it to just him and I. Standing and swaying around.

I licked my lips deliriously and felt his gaze follow the movement.

I couldn’t help but smile lazily in satisfaction, he wanted this just as much as I did and so, I pulled him closer to me, smashing my lips against his.