Two

Hazel.

The sunlight peeping from the curtains, gradually brought me awake. I slowly scanned the room, trying to process everything that had happened and why I was in an unacquainted room. This is definitely not my room because I don’t remember booking a suite. Am I even in the right hotel?

I don’t usually drink heavy but I was so wasted last night that I can’t even recall what happened after Ann dragged me to the club.

I could remember that I left Ann at the club and hailed a cab. I could remember walking into the lobby and maybe I pressed on the wrong floor…

I sat upright briskly as everything came crashing back into my throbbing head all at once. I pressed the wrong floor on the elevator and I ended up here in the suite floor. I must’ve tried all the doors on the floor and this was the only room unlocked and I entered.

“What the fuck have I done?” I say lowly to myself. This is the reason why I stay away from drinking too much. I always end up doing the most insane things. My stomach churned when I peeped under the quilt and realized I was entirely naked.

I had sex with a man I know nothing about. Heck, I don’t even know how he looks like. The room was so dark and I couldn’t make out his figure.

The only thing I could remember about him was he was good in bed and his deep, husky voice made me felt more arouse. He’s such a damn great kisser. If I wasn’t panicking right now, I would’ve wished to kiss him again. His lips are so soft and he had a minty breath. I love mint.

I embrac the quilt to my chest as I bit her lip, reminiscing how he played with me and made me beg him to f*ck me—hard. I honestly can’t blame myself for wanting more. He’s good at it and I can see myself doing it again. I bet he’s handsome. His abs and muscles says it all.

I look around the enormous room, wondering who he could be and why on earth did he left the door to his room open at the first place!

Few moments later, I realize that I was was alone and it exasperated me that he just left me in the room. He practically used me for a one-night stand. Ann is so going to pay for this damage.

“Asshole!” I mouthed as I got off the bed and picked up my dress. I put on my dress as spot a piece of paper and a card on the side drawer. I furrow my brows as I read it.

‘I had to leave early to take care of a business. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Order whatever you want and please wait until I return.’

I flung the paper and card as I groaned irritably without even checking his name or anything off the card. Who does he think he is to tell me to wait for him until he returns like I was some kind of his mistress?

Who told him I don’t have things to do? I have better things than to wait for some random guy that used me, knowing I was wasted and wasn’t in my right senses. He’s such a jerk. Even his letter says that he is a jerk.

“Jerk,” I mumbled, packing my stuff off the floor. I was angrier at myself—livid that I slept with a man that wittingly deserted me after a one-night stand. I couldn’t even wear my heels back due to how sore my feet were. I packed them to my chest and stormed out of the room.

I was back in my room and met Ann on the couch together with a guy. They were cuddled up together and I’m pretty sure Ann doesn’t know what she had done last night. I was wasted but she was more drunk than I was. I can’t tell if they did anything but I’m so sure she wasn’t going to be happy when she wakes up.

I laughed it off as I made way to our room because we’re somewhat even. I enter our room and it was scattered with my clothes and hers. We always make a mess whenever we’re going to have a lady’s night.

I hate packing and I also hate messy rooms. I sat on the edge of the bed and unlock my phone. There were missed calls from my mother but I ignore it. There’s only one reason she’s calling and I’m not about to hear it. My morning was already ruined by that jerk and I don’t need to be upset anymore.

This was supposed to be a girl’s trip—just escape few days from college and enjoy but my mother makes sure she ruins it for me every day. Now it escalated with that guy. “Jerk…” I need to stop calling him that because I don’t even know exactly what may have happened. Maybe he was drunk too. But I know that we did have sex. If not that, I would not be completely naked.

I try to disregard the thoughts away as I check for the next flight to Italy. I can’t stay another day here in Omaha. I feel like that guy is going to come for me. And I also have to go back because of my mother’s threatening messages. I don’t even know why I still love her despite treating me like one of her gambling partners. I bet she cares about them more than she cares about me.

I book a flight which one is two hours, thirty minutes. I pack my clothes in my suitcase and hop into shower, hoping I’d be out of here before Ann wakes up. I know she’s going to be pissed if she finds out I left her behind.

I was done getting ready an hour later and left with only Ann on the couch and the guy on the floor. There were still sleeping. I know it’s going to hurt when they wake up. I kiss her on the forehead and close the door behind me.

Two hours later, I boarded on a plane and ready to head back home, Italy. I look out the window as the plane began to move.

This has to be the last time I’m ever setting foot here. I honestly regret coming to Omaha. I wanted to visit Hawaii or Maldives instead but Ann talked me into coming here and I hate that I did.

I don’t even want to think of it too much because I just feel guilty for absolutely no reason. Possibly because that was literally my first time. Yes, I just lost my virginity to a stranger.

I’m twenty years old and I still haven’t lost it yet because it’s something that I valued. But a complete stranger took it from him. Why wouldn’t I call him a jerk? Why wouldn’t I hate him even though I have no clue of who he is. I know he has to be rich to book a room like that and even give me his card because he has some meeting or whatever it was his reason for leaving me here alone.

I sigh and relax back in my chair. I shouldn’t let these thoughts eat me up. I shouldn’t let a strangers thoughts make me go lose myself. And I shouldn’t let my mother’s threats get to me. She’s who she is and I have to deal with that.

I close my eyes to sleep and hours later, I woke up to the pilot announcing that we would be arriving in Roma Fiumicino in a couple of minutes. I exhaled as I buckled up my seatbelt. I’ve slept mostly throughout the almost eleven-hour flight. It was exhausting and boring. If Ann was here, I wouldn’t be as bored and tired as I felt the whole time.

After what seemed like forever, we finally landed and cleared out.

On my way out of the Airport, I receive yet another preposterous text from my mother—it was my mother. “Damnit,” I grunts under her breath, knowing it was going to be something that’ll upset me.

‘Transfer 500usd to me right now, and don’t waste my time. It’s Urgent!’

I read the text and locked her phone, and shoved it back into her jeans pocket.

I don’t know what this woman takes me as. Her bank account? Charity?

As a mother, she doesn’t even know how I cope to pay my tuition. I had to work two jobs to do that. And before I started college, I used to save up money even though she steals from me because she blew up my college fund to gambling. She’s such a horrible mother.

I am so sure she is going to waste the money on gambling just like she did with all our savings. The part that exasperated me more is how she never seems to win. She was no good at gambling but she refuses to let go and do something more prolific.

Before I could head out and get a cab, my phone rang and I knew it was my mother. I fetch for my phone and check. I sigh, mumbling under my breath. I’m not even ready to hear what she has to say but I’d be damn to not answer her calls. I answer it and place the phone on my ear as I made my way out of the airport.

“I am not sending you five hundred dollars just so you could go gamble the money away like you always do,” I affirmed. I need to start stepping up for myself honestly. She has taken me for granted way too much.

“I am your mother and you’re going to do exactly as I say! Our lives is on the line if you don’t fucking send me that money.” Amy, my mother thundered through the phone.

“Only if you promise not to gamble with it, mom…”

“You can’t tell me what to do…”

“Then I’m not sending you the money,” I avowed, my hand in the air as though she was standing before me.

“Hazel Emilio Scott! If don’t send me that money, you die! You will lose your worthless life. You’re at the airport, right? They’re watching you, Hazel. They know your every movement.” Amy cuts the call before I could get a chance to respond.

I look around me because what she had just say is true. They’re always watching because the woman I call my mother has put both our lives in danger with her debts. I heave a desolate sigh as I log into my mobile bank account. I know what my mother is capable of doing if I don’t send her that money.

I’ve encountered with so many huge scary men threatening my life because of her debts that I have nothing to do with. It’s unfair to have to go to sleep, fearing you won’t wake up the next day because some treacherous men are always watching you and they can decide to end you without any hitches. I thank her for putting me in that kind of danger because she the best mom ever.

I send her the money together with a text saying she should leave me alone and never ask me for money again. I think it won’t scare her because she doesn’t even read my texts after she gets what she wants. She doesn’t look for me unless she needs help. So, my threats don’t scare her.

I check my account balance, knowing that was the last money I had with me. But I’d rather give out my last penny than lose my life to my mother’s pointless gambling debts.

I have a bright forthcoming ahead. And the last thing I want ruining my future is my mother’s redundant burdens. I’m graduating in a year and half. I plan to work at a fashion company, save up to open my own fashion store. I was thinking of living Italy for good but I can’t leave my mother alone to this cruel world. Maybe when she finally gets me killed that’s when I’d give up on her.