TO LOVE AGAIN

Chapter 7

Her POV

It’s been a month already since he broke my heart, since the last time I saw him, since we broke up, since we canceled our wedding, since I felt this pain in my chest, and since I started to regain myself again. After I was discharged from the hospital, I went straight to a salon. I had my hair cut and colored. He used to compliment me, saying he liked it, and that I looked more beautiful with my natural long black hair. After the haircut, I went to a mall to buy branded cosmetics. He loved my natural looks, which is why I never got used to wearing makeup. I also enrolled in a fitness gym. I have a thin waist and big butts, but I wanted to improve my curves. It might take a while because I'm often found in bars and present at drinking sessions. I also got myself a tattoo on the upper side of my rib cage. It's a not-too-small butterfly, symbolizing rebirth and change. I also pierced my left ear at the upper part of it. I was slowly picking up every piece of myself that had been scattered into pieces by knowing and loving myself more.

It wasn't easy at first; many times I found myself crying in pain, depressed, and questioning myself. I kept doubting myself, asking if I wasn't worthy of being loved back. I started to live my life and make memories of my own. I went on a trip with my friends! I went clubbing! Got drunk and wasted!

I already lost five years of my life—five years that I thought were the happiest years of my existence but turned out to be the biggest lie! To be my greatest nightmare! For those whole five years, I always considered what Mikael wanted, what Mikael liked, and what he didn't like, but this time, my life, my rules!

Before, I always ditched my friends when they invited me for a drink because Mikael didn't allow me to drink. I always went home drunk and wasted, not because I wanted to forget the pain but to celebrate my freedom! To experience the things I've missed. It's fun inside the bar! Who thought it would be this fun! For a moment, I forgot about the pain I was carrying in my chest. Yes, the pain is still there. It won't just disappear, as they say, it takes time.

It has already been a month, and here I am enjoying my life to the fullest. "Happy birthday, self! Let's give it a toast, guys!" I stood up and raised my nth bottle of beer in the air. I was with my closest friends again; we were inside A'choholic. "Cheers to a month of Claira Leigh Salvador version 2.0!” They all stood up and clinked their beer bottles against mine.

"Cheers to Claire 2.0." Ely happily raised her bottle of beer.

I'm not numb, but I acted like I couldn't see their true feelings, like I didn't notice their concern for me. They were all busy with their lives, but here they are wasting their precious time on me, just to make sure that I wasn't alone, that they're there for me. I know they're happy. I was getting better every day, but I still feel their pity and worry. Maybe because they feel like I'm just pretending to be happy, but the truth is, I'm just hiding the pain I feel in my heart behind fake smiles. I couldn't lie to them; they know me; I know they're just going along with my antics.

I drank my whole bottle of beer straight. I finished it in one gulp. I've had a lot to drink, but I know I'm not drunk yet because I still feel the pain in my heart! Damn it!

I invited them to dance, but only Ely and Kyle accepted. Nicco refused because he's tired, he just came from work, and of course, Cindy didn't want to either.

We were dancing and enjoying the music. I was screaming at the top of my lungs every time I knew the lyrics of the song. It feels good to release the heaviness in my heart. There were times I wanted to cry, but I held back because I'm convincing myself that I'm done with that stage.

I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. With so many people around, I got separated from the two, but I kept on dancing, just enjoying myself as if I didn't care about the world.

I don't know how it happened, but suddenly I found myself dancing with the guy behind me. He was holding my waist, but I didn't mind. I turned to face him, feeling dizzy, so I closed my eyes, but when I opened them, I saw a very familiar face. He was intently staring at me, so I smiled at him. Hmm, he was quite handsome.

I closed my eyes as he lightly caressed my cheek. His touch was so light, just like how Mikael used to caress my cheeks every time he told me how much he loved me, how much he cared for me, that he wouldn't leave me and that he would love only me, and after saying those words, he would kiss me.

I felt his lips touch mine. I responded to his kisses because I wanted to feel his kisses again, his love, the promises that would never be fulfilled. I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

But then Ely came, pulling me away from the guy who kissed me. I looked back at him, but I couldn't find him in the crowd anymore.

His POV

Summer has arrived.

Here we are again at Hernandez Paradise! Justin and Jazlyn's family owns the resort. It's our second time visiting the place. The whole gang is complete, with a new addition because Kevin and Adrianne brought their partners this time.

We just arrived at the resort. It's been a while since our first visit here. There have been some changes in the house that will serve as our home for the next three days. The paint color is different, some furniture arrangements have changed, and there are some new items added.

Adrianne and his partner Mitch took the second room downstairs. Upstairs, Gabby and Nathan, along with Jazlyn, share one room. Kevin and Cheska share another room. I'm staying in one room with Justine and the very playful Miggy.

After settling our things in the built-in cabinet, I went downstairs to explore, but as soon as I descended, Justine handed me a bottle of beer, which I gladly accepted.

We both looked towards Adrianne's room when we heard a moan from there, that guy is really flirtatious! We've just arrived, and they're already christening the bed, Justine and I laughed, amused.

After a while, the others came down, and we handed each of them a bottle of beer. The girls immediately suggested going for a swim, but we, the guys, declined for now as we were enjoying our drinks. Shortly after, Adrianne and Mitch came out of their room. Mitch joined Gabby, while Adrianne chose to join us for a drink.

We were drinking in the living room of the resort.

"How are you and Glyden doing?" Adrianne asked.

"There's still no improvement in my relationship with Glyden. She still isn't talking to me, but I'm still trying to win her over, damn! It's exhausting." I smirked bitterly and took a sip of my beer.

"Why don't you just try someone else if there's no hope? Look at me." He said arrogantly.

"Has the girl who left you returned?" I teased him. His smile vanished from his lips. It hits differently with him than with the one-night stand he had, but waking up to find her gone surely bruised the ego of one Cale Adrianne Montefalco!

"Damn you, man! You just had to remind me." He gulped down his beer. "Just wait, the world is small, our paths will difinitely cross again!”

"Guys, excuse me for a moment, I invited some friends over. They're also here at the resort, I'll bring them here." Justine interrupted, standing up and leaving the house.

Justine didn't take long, when he came back, he was accompanied by his friends.

I was sitting alone on the long couch, already on my third bottle of beer. I glanced one by one at Justine's newly arrived friends, but my gaze was fixated on a very familiar short blond-haired mestiza girl. She looked gorgeous in her floral yellow two-piece bikini with white shorts unbuttoned. She had big boobs, a flat stomach, and big butts. f**k! I was lowkey checking her out! Damn those curves!

Justine finally introduced me to her when he reached me. "Claire, this is Jerick." Finally! When Justine introduced me to her.

"Jerick." I extended my hand to her, and it seemed like she only noticed me now. Her forehead creased, giving me that ‘Oh, we've met again look.’

"Hi!" She smiled. "Nice to see you again, Damon Salvatore. I'm Elena Gilbert, by the way." I was familiar with that series, but I only watched a little of it; it seems like I have a reason to finish it now. She chuckled a bit. A seductive one. "I was just kidding, I'm Claire." She bit her lower lip, pressing my hand gently. I pressed hers back, while staring intently at each other, as if we understood each other immediately.

She let go of my hand first and again, she seductively smiled at me, as if hinting at something. I drank my bottle of beer again to hide the curve of my lips. You'll see later.