Three

Ann still couldn't understand why she was angry. She kept telling herself so many times that she didn't care about Lucas or the fact that he didn't try to contact her during the past three weeks of his disappearance after the day of their wedding. She didn't give a damn about Lucas and so she should be bothered that he didn't bother to call or act like he gave a damn about her either. She looked down at her free ring finger and scoffed, this was not how she expected her new life to be going. 

Yes, she was having the time of her life getting her dreams accomplished. It has always been her biggest dream to be a model but her parents were always against it claiming she didn't need to work and should Instead be focused on becoming the perfect doting wife_ an involuntary shudder went down her spine even at the thought of her parents' plan for her. When her parents broke the news of their marriage plan for her, Ann thought it was the end of her dream of becoming a model. A part of her expected Lucas to be imposing just like her parents but it has been quite the opposite because he has given her more than enough space to do as she pleases and finally take the big step towards her dream. 

At least a part of her life was getting fixed but the other part of her life felt like an endless gap. Who would've guessed it was hard to live in a huge mansion without proper company? She was freaking lonely and it was worst that a part of her craved her stupid husband's presence.

“You should try and look happy, Ann. You suggested that we go out but instead, you are sulking,” 

Ann looked up from her glass and met Selene's concerned gaze. Oh shit! She forgot she wasn't here alone. Her boredom had led her to invite Selene out for a girls' night but it was obviously not going well.

“I'm sorry, Selene,” she apologized.

Selene brushed her apology with a laugh and wiggled her brows, “I know the reason you are sulking is because you miss your husband.”

Ann narrowed her eyes into slits, “Stop uttering nonsense, Selene. I'd rather lick my ass than miss that jerk.”

There was a moment of silence before it was broken by Selene's sigh, 

“Look I understand that you are angry at him because he's apparently doing great without you but the best thing for you isn't to sit by the bar and sulk, you should be celebrating.”

“Celebrating?” Ann repeated, taken aback.

“You are slowly crawling your way to achieving your dream of becoming a model and you should celebrate your freedom. Forget about that man for a second and think about all the freedom you have without having to deal with his ass.”

Ann considered Selene's words and found some sense in them. She beamed, “You're right.”

“Not to brag but of course I'm right,” Selene said with a proud smirk, “Now get your ass off the stool and let's go party,” she leaned forward and whispered into Ann's ear, “And while we are at it, we find you a good lay.”

Ann flushed with her eyes wide. 

Selene giggled, “A good lay solves the darkest mood,” she parted Ann's shoulder, “Let's go party.”

…

Lucas Montgomery stood by the railing, looking out the large see through window. His face scrunched up as he watched the people rub bodies in the club. This was certainly not his scene. The place was too noisy and smelled too much like booze. 

“Cheer up, man. You can at least pretend to be happy.”

Lucas twirled around so he was now facing his best friend, Shane Beaumont. “How can I pretend to be happy when this is the place you brought me?”

Shane flashed him a sly grin, holding out a glass of whiskey to him. “You should begin by loosening up. The reason I brought you here is to get rid of the rainy clouds that have been hovering over your head these past few days.”

“I said I'm fine,” Lucas said through gritted teeth, snatching the glass from Shane and drowning the content.

“Not yet. If you go like this for your welcome party then you are going to scare off all your clients and especially your in laws.”

Lucas groaned, “Can we not talk about them please?”

“You mean about the fact that you left your beautiful wife all alone on your wedding night and pretended to be out of the country so you don't have to see her. Or the fact that you haven't gotten in touch with her in three weeks?” Shane said hurriedly with a dubious smile. 

Lucas paused for a minute and glared at Shane. “You are such an ass, I don't know why I keep up with you.”

Shane rolled his eyes, completely unmoved. “You should give her a call or at least pretend to care for the duration of the call. I'm not asking you to fall in love with her.”

“Like that is possible. Stop pitying her, I'm sure she's fine. She knew what she was getting into when she agreed to marry me,” Lucas said in a cold, uncaring voice. He couldn't bring himself to pretend like he cared about Ann when he had far more pressing thoughts in his mind.

Shane looked disappointed for some seconds but he quickly covered it up with a mischievous grin, “Anyway forget about that. I brought you here so you could loosen up and get rid of the horrible mood. And you know what everyone says, to get rid of a bad mood one needs a good fuck.”

Lucas scoffed, eyeing his best friend. “I'm certain nobody says that.”

“You are not saying no,” Shane pointed out with a smirk.

Lucas sighed, grabbing the bottle of whiskey and filling his cup. “Whatever, just get it done quickly.”