My Sexy Billionaire

Stranger

Some of her colleagues came to join her. They were teasing her as it wasn’t usual that she would ask many to drink with her. And the best part is, she pays when she asks you to drink with her. For the young professionals, who are still paying college loans, it was great to have free drinks and have fun. She didn’t let them know why and kept herself smiling as if nothing happened, as if she didn’t break up with her fiancé just a few hours ago. She wasn’t out of the ordinary to everyone’s eyes, just the same as usual Doctor Diane that they knew, easy to get along with. They didn’t notice even after the night fun was over and one after another left, and only she remained seated on her spot, slowly drinking, still trying to comfort herself from her emotional outburst. She knew as a man, Mark has every right to be tempted, and she can’t put all the blame on him, but common, he has been her man for years, they had a lot of hearty talks, she was so open-book to him that he knows everything about her life, her ugly family stories and her fears and hopes in life. He knows her inside out. She was so comfortable with him knowing he knows her so much, and losing him felt like losing a big part of herself. Where can she find a man who would be understanding enough to accept her flaws and lift her when she’s down? Make her feel comfortable by believing he understands her inside and out. But what happened with her and Mark was something she felt it was more of her fault than his. He was a man, a normal, competitive, masculine, and successful man. Who wouldn’t want to keep him for themselves, as much as it hurts? She knew Candy could make him happy by being around, tending to his needs, filling empty spots left by her and in both physical and mental ways. How can she compete with that? She just gave him an easy way out though she didn’t make it look like it, but it was her way of setting him free.

She was so upset. Upset that she lost her man and upset that she can’t hold him back either. She tried to comfort herself in front of everyone and smiled as usual, but now that everyone’s gone, she felt more empty than ever. She wanted to forget, even just for tonight, so she indulged herself for a few more stronger drinks. She actually has a good tolerance for alcohol. That was why she wouldn’t easily get drunk, but if it used to be complemented before, tonight, she cursed that she can’t get drunk easily like others. She doesn’t wanna be sober she wants to drink until she can only sleep. And hopefully wake to just a headache, not a heartache. 

A man in the corner was quietly watching her, he had seen her with a group, and now she was left alone, but she seemed to be more determined to get drunk. He can see the sadness in her eyes, wondering what was making her feel so hurt to be drinking like a warrior preparing for a deadly battle. She doesn’t know him, but he knew her by name and profession at least. She wasn’t very much of a stranger to him, but he was to her, so he couldn’t approach her so casually. He was hoping there would be a way to naturally talk to her without looking like he was hitting on her because he was sure he wasn’t. 

Diane had a few more shots and felt nature calling her, so she headed for the ladies' room. She was already feeling drunk. Finally, she inwardly sighed. At least she won’t have to drink so much more before she drops to good slumber, or so she thought.

He saw her slightly swaying her way to the ladies' room, and so he subtly followed behind her, ready to assist her if she needed it. And just as he thought about offering a hand in case needed, she missed a step and almost fell face first if he wasn’t quick enough to catch her by the waist.

“Oh my!” Diane shirked and hugged the helping hands’ body, afraid she would slam her face on the floor.

“Hey, I got you. Are you okay?” Asked a very manly voice helping her stand on her feet.

“Yeah, thanks! Diane here!” She embarrassedly extended her hand for a shake.

“No, problem. John. Take care then!” He casually bid her goodbye and went to the men's room. He can stand by the side of the door and see her when she gets out of the ladies' room and pretends to be right behind her on the way back to their respective tables.

Diane went to do her business and headed back to her seat, oblivious of the guy behind her. This time she missed a step-down, and again she almost hit the ground diving, but just as the man feared she would need his assistance, he was quick to hold her back, saving her from a possible facial fracture and humiliation as there were others heading to the ladies and men’s room. 

“Oh my God!” Was all she could utter in a hushed voice, afraid of calling attention from the others who weren’t looking already. She hid her face in the man’s chest and utter thanks audible to only both of them.

John felt her embarrassment and tried to comfort her casually. 

“Let me help you to your seat,” John offered in a low voice, holding her by the elbow casually. 

“Can you sit with me for a while?” She pleaded to John.

“Only if you tell me why you’re trying to get yourself drunk when every one of your friends has already left, no one will be around to call you for a taxi to get home if you really drop in drunkenness.” He stated nonchalantly. He was curious, but he was more concerned. Nothing special, only thinking that a girl getting drunk alone doesn’t really soothe him at all. Acquaintance or stranger, it didn’t seem right to ignore. 

“Fair enough.” She agreed. “I broke up with my cheating fiancé earlier today. So I wanted to comfort myself in the company of my colleagues, and it worked, until they left and I felt empty again so I wanted to get myself drunk, so I can sleep straight when I get home, the problem is, my alcohol tolerance is quite high, I don’t get drunk that easy, I have to put effort on it. I can’t take sleeping pills anymore because I already had my alcohol, so the option left for me is more alcohol. Will you stay with me and call a taxi for me when the time calls for it?”

John frowned. Why does this girl seem to be so comfortable and trusting around him? He’s not a saint, you know?!

“Why do you think I would do that? Call you a taxi and not take you home myself and do whatever I want with you?” 

“You don’t have that look of desire for me when you look at me, maybe because for sure by the looks of you. You’ve seen a lot of beauties I can't even hold a candle for.” Diane said nonchalantly.

John was surprised to hear her statement. She was accurately correct. He wasn’t sexually attracted to her, and she was right to say he has seen a lot of beauties before. He was amazed at how she can read him even in her drunken state. 

“I can’t say I totally agree with that statement, I am a man, and you don’t look bad yourself. For a woman with confidence, I might prove you wrong and bring you to my bed.” He teased her, making her mood lighter.

Diane laughed lightly.

“Well, for a handsome man, I don’t think I will mind losing my first time to you. You’ve saved my face twice in an hour already, and having you here sitting with me listening to my nonsense, I think that counts for something. I used to keep my self-restraint, and what did it got me, losing the man I have built my dreams to be with to a woman who was willing to sleep with him even without the security of marriage.” She sadly smiles, not caring if she’s opening her life story to a complete stranger. 

John was surprised. She was telling him more than a first meeting instance should be.

“I am not a romantic person. I am too principled. I give what I expect from others. I give trust and loyalty before I ask for it from people who are supposed to trust and be honest to me. I never entertain suitors because I already have a man to keep for life. I never flirt, so nobody has the reason to say I tempted them. But I was wrong to expect my fiancé would have the same principles because he gave in when a woman tempted him.

Tell me, do you think I was right to let him go, or should I have fought for us to be together?” Diane knew her decisions might be clouded with emotions so she wanted to ask for somebody’s opinion, just that she can’t ask from any of her colleagues because it will affect her working environment if anyone at work knew her personal chaos. John happened to be an outsider, and here in front of her, so she eagerly asked him.