Serena's POV
I stared at my reflection in the mirror and my lips curved. Today was the day — the day I finally gave myself to my boyfriend of three years, Ethan. It was also our anniversary. I really hope he'd like my gift... me!
I took a double check again to see if I was well-dressed and a smile touched my lips. I was wearing the sexiest lingerie I had ever laid my eyes on.
This had cost me a month's salary. But it'd be worth it after I give myself to Ethan.
My cheeks blushed red just by the thought. I slid a coat onto my body and picked up the wine I had bought and walked out. Fortunately, my boyfriend lived just a few blocks away from my apartment.
A few minutes later, I finally reached his apartment and I took a deep breath.
"This is it. It would finally be happening." I squealed before inputting the password.
The door clicked open, and I walked in. My eyes scanned the surroundings and I frowned. The house was too quiet.
I checked my wristwatch. It was 9pm. Ethan always returned by 8pm. His car which was parked right outside was a testament to that.
Dropping the wine on the table, I bit my lips before walking further in. All of a sudden, my eyes landed on a red underwear and my brows furrowed.
My heart raced, suddenly having a bad feeling. I walked to his room and then—I heard sounds. Sounds which could make ones cheeks redden just by listening to it.
"F*ck it! You're so good, baby."
My hands instantly flew to my mouth. That was my boyfriend's voice.
"Who is better—Serena or I?" I heard another voice, one which seemed too familiar.
I waited for Ethan's response. But I didn't need his response before I knew that I'd be hurt by his words.
"Of course, it's you baby. That prude cannot compare to a strand of your hair."
What followed was the slapping of skins and loud moans.
I swallowed bitterly. I looked down at the lingerie which I was putting on, and I scoffed. Unable to take the crude sounds anymore, I kicked the door open.
The sound attracted the cheating pair. And just as I expected, the girl was my colleague at work.
Immediately they saw me, they struggled to leave each other's bodies, and they were quick to leave the bed.
I watched my boyfriend take a step towards me with his dick dangling in between his legs, having no shame at all.
I folded my arms, staring at Ethan and Jessica. I didn't cry. I didn't fight. I wasn't like those other women who'd cry after catching her boyfriend cheating.
"Go on. Carry on. Weren't you enjoying yourselves?" I egged them on. Although my face was calm, my eyes couldn't hide the hurt I felt. After all, I had given three years of my life to Ethan. It'd be stupid if I wasn't hurt.
"Babe, it's not what it looks like." Ethan was quick to defend himself.
I scoffed. Did he think I'd be so foolish to believe his words?
"Perhaps I need glasses. Ethan, today is our three-year anniversary. But you are cheating on me," I pointed to Jessica who had a taunting smirk on her face. "And with her. You are aware of how much she bullied me at work."
Ethan's face changed. "This is all your fault. It wouldn't have happened if you had just been a nice little b*tch and gave yourself to me."
"Yes, Serena. You couldn't give Ethan what he wanted, but I on the other hand," Jessica rubbed her hands on his chest provocatively. "Gave him what he needed."
I clenched my fists tightly by my side. Her words got to me and before I knew what was happening, I had punched her face.
"What? Serena! What the hell is wrong with you?" Ethan was quick to hold Jessica and I chuckled bitterly.
"Three years." I said, raising my fingers at him. "I gave you three years, Ethan. And what did you do? You cheated on me."
"Serena, take a look at yourself. Do you think anyone would want you? You are not as sexy as me, and you'll never know how to satisfy a man."
I bit my lips. My eyes stung with tears but I won't give them that victory. I blinked back my tears.
"You know what? A scumbag and a whore, perfect fit. We are done, Ethan." I said, my tone carrying finality.
I turned my back, but before I left, I punched Ethan. He was a scumbag, and didn't deserve me.
"Serena, what the fuck?"
Ethan screamed after me, but I didn't give a hoot about him. I could hear his curses behind me, but I didn't bother about him.
I picked up the wine, and walked out. When I stepped out, the air hit my skin and I looked up to the sky.
"I need a drink." I muttered to myself. Fortunately, there was a bar around the corner.
I sent a text message to my best friend to meet me at the bar. I needed someone to be by my side.
Today, I would be doing what I never did — I'll get drunk.
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The bar was dimly lit, the music soft but heavy with heartbreak. I slumped onto one of the stools and signaled the bartender.
"Tequila. Straight." I ordered.
The bartender gave me a cautious look, but one glance at my face and he didn't ask questions. The liquid burned down my throat, a sharp contrast to the numbness in my chest.
I stared at the bottle on the counter, thinking of how foolish I'd been and thinking love was enough.
"Serena!"
I turned to see my best friend, Maya, rushing toward me. Her hair was a mess, and her slippers slapped against the floor as she approached. She must've come straight from home.
"Tell me it's not true," she said, taking a seat beside me.
"It is," I said flatly.
Her eyes widened. "That son of a b*tch! I knew he was trash from the moment he tried to flirt with the waitress last Christmas. And Jessica? That plastic witch from the office? God, Serena, I swear I could strangle them both!"
I smiled faintly. "Get in line."
Maya sighed, taking my hand. "You don't deserve this. You gave him everything. From your time to your trust. And he throws it away for office trash? He's going to regret it, mark my words."
I took another drink. "Maybe he won't. Maybe I was just… easy to replace."
"Don't you dare say that," Maya snapped. "You're smart, beautiful, and too damn good for him. If he couldn't see that, that's his blindness, not yours."
I chuckled weakly. "You always know what to say."
"Of course I do. That's what best friends are for," she said, clinking her glass against mine.
I nodded, taking another shot. One became two. Two became four. The music started to blur with the laughter around us. My body felt lighter, my heart still cracked but not bleeding as much.
"I need to dance," I muttered, sliding off the stool.
Maya grinned widely. "That's my girl."
I swayed toward the dance floor, letting the rhythm drown out my thoughts. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the heartbreak, but for the first time that night, I felt free.
Then I felt him.
A warm steady presence behind me. He was close enough that I could feel his breath near my ear.
I turned, and my gaze collided with a pair of dark, unreadable eyes. The stranger was tall, his shirt half-unbuttoned, his jaw sharp enough to cut glass. He looked like trouble, the kind that could make you forget your name.
"You look like you could use another drink," he said, his voice deep and rough.
"I've had enough," I replied, trying to sound unaffected.
"Then maybe you need something else."
Before I could respond, he stepped closer, his hand brushing against my arm as he leaned in. My back met the wall, and my breath caught.
"Who are you?" I managed to whisper.
He smiled faintly, a dangerous, knowing curve of his lips.
"Someone who doesn't cheat," he murmured before his lips claimed mine.
The world spun.
The heartbreak. The tequila. The heat of his mouth — it all melted into one dizzying moment.
And for that fleeting second, I didn't think about Ethan. I didn't think about Jessica. I just felt myself melting into a stranger's arms.