Chapter 2
1399 Words
Fariana promised herself she wouldn’t cry again.
Not for him.
Not after the way he destroyed her in front of everyone.
Not after the way he looked at another woman like she had never existed.
So she didn’t cry.
She just… stopped feeling.
---
The mirror reflected a version of her she barely recognized.
Her makeup was soft, her lips glossy, her hair falling perfectly over her shoulders—but her eyes…
Her eyes were empty.
“You look hot,” Zara said from behind her, leaning against the doorframe. “Like heartbreak-but make it dangerously hot.”
Fariana didn’t smile.
“I’m not going out to look hot.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Zara waved her off. “You’re going out because I dragged you.”
Fariana turned slightly, grabbing her small purse. “You didn’t drag me. I agreed.”
“After I begged for thirty minutes.”
“Details.”
Zara walked up to her, studying her face carefully. “You sure you’re okay?”
Fariana held her gaze for a second.
Then looked away.
“I’m fine.”
Zara sighed softly. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“I’m not lying,” Fariana said quietly. “I just… don’t care anymore.”
Zara didn’t believe her.
But she didn’t push.
“Good,” she said instead, forcing a smile. “Because tonight, you’re drinking, singing, and forgetting that man exists.”
Fariana let out a small breath. “We’ll see.”
---
The karaoke bar was loud, alive, and overwhelming.
Music blasted through the speakers, people laughed, glasses clinked, and voices overlapped in messy excitement.
Fariana stood still for a moment, taking it all in.
It felt… unfamiliar.
Like stepping into a world she didn’t belong to anymore.
“Come on,” Zara grabbed her hand, pulling her toward a table. “No overthinking. Sit, drink, breathe.”
Fariana sat down, placing her purse on the table.
A waiter approached.
“Two cocktails,” Zara said instantly. “Strong.”
Fariana glanced at her. “I’m not planning to get drunk.”
Zara smirked. “You’re not planning anything. Tonight is chaos.”
Fariana didn’t argue.
She didn’t have the energy.
Moments later, the drinks arrived.
Fariana stared at hers for a second.
Then picked it up.
One sip.
Then another.
Warmth spread through her chest, softening the tightness that had been there for days.
“Better?” Zara asked.
Fariana nodded slightly.
“Better.”
---
An hour passed.
Then another.
The music got louder.
The drinks got stronger.
And Fariana—
Started to feel again.
Not everything.
But enough.
Zara was on stage now, singing loudly and completely off-key, making the crowd laugh and cheer.
Fariana watched her, a faint smile finally touching her lips.
For a moment…
She forgot.
Forgot the restaurant.
Forgot the necklace.
Forgot him.
Then—
Her eyes shifted.
And everything came rushing back.
Because across the bar—
Standing near the counter—
Was Bruce.
And beside him…
Dolly.
Again.
Fariana froze.
Her fingers tightened slowly around her glass.
Zara stepped off the stage, laughing as she made her way back. “Did you see that? I was amazing—”
She stopped mid-sentence when she followed Fariana’s gaze.
“…you’ve got to be kidding me.”
Fariana didn’t speak.
She couldn’t.
Because there he was.
Laughing softly at something Dolly said.
Looking relaxed.
At ease.
Like nothing had happened.
Like he hadn’t shattered her just days ago.
“They really don’t get tired of public places, huh?” Zara muttered.
Fariana let out a quiet breath.
“I’m not leaving.”
Zara blinked. “What?”
“I’m not leaving because of him,” Fariana repeated, her voice calm.
Zara studied her carefully.
“…okay,” she said slowly. “I like this version of you.”
Fariana didn’t respond.
Her eyes stayed on Bruce for a second longer.
Then she looked away.
On her own terms.
“Another drink,” she told the waiter.
Zara raised a brow. “Careful.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re about to not be fine.”
Fariana picked up her glass anyway.
“I said I’m fine.”
---
She wasn’t fine.
By the third drink, the room felt warmer.
By the fourth, the noise blurred into a dull hum.
By the fifth—
She stopped counting.
Zara leaned closer. “Okay, that’s enough.”
Fariana laughed softly. “No… I’m good.”
“You’re not even saying words properly.”
“I am.”
“You just said ‘proplerly.’”
Fariana giggled faintly, resting her head against her hand.
“See? I’m happy.”
Zara frowned. “You’re drunk.”
“Maybe.”
Her eyes drifted again—
Back to him.
Bruce.
This time—
He was looking at her.
Their eyes met.
And for a second…
Everything stilled.
His expression changed.
Not cold.
Not distant.
Something else.
Something darker.
Fariana held his gaze.
Then—
She smiled.
A slow, careless, almost reckless smile.
And turned away.
“Let’s go outside,” she said suddenly, standing up.
Zara grabbed her arm quickly. “Whoa—slow down.”
“I need air.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No,” Fariana shook her head. “Stay. Sing again. Embarrass yourself.”
“Fariana—”
“I’ll be fine,” she insisted, already walking.
Zara hesitated.
Then sighed.
“I’ll be right behind you.”
---
The alley behind the bar was quiet.
Cool.
Still.
Fariana leaned against the wall, closing her eyes as the night air hit her face.
Her head spun slightly.
Her chest felt heavy.
“Why does it still hurt…” she whispered.
Even after everything.
Even after deciding she didn’t care.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Then another.
She wiped them quickly, shaking her head.
“No… no crying…”
“Fariana.”
Her body went still.
That voice.
She knew it too well.
Slowly, she turned.
Bruce stood a few steps away, his expression dark, unreadable.
Of course.
He came.
“What do you want?” she asked, her voice sharp despite the slight slur.
His gaze scanned her. “You’re drunk.”
She laughed bitterly. “Wow. Still observant.”
He stepped closer. “This isn’t like you.”
“And you bringing your ex everywhere isn’t like you either,” she shot back.
Silence.
Tension thickened between them.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he said.
Fariana frowned. “Excuse me?”
“You’re making a scene.”
“A scene?” she repeated, stepping closer, her eyes flashing. “You humiliated me in a restaurant, Bruce.”
“That’s different.”
“How?” she demanded.
He didn’t answer.
Because he couldn’t.
Fariana laughed again, shaking her head. “Right. Of course it is.”
She turned slightly, trying to walk past him—
But her foot slipped.
Her body tilted dangerously.
Bruce caught her instantly.
His hand gripping her arm.
“Careful.”
“Don’t touch me,” she snapped, pulling away.
But she swayed again.
His grip tightened.
“Stop acting like this.”
“Stop acting like you care!” she fired back.
That hit something.
His jaw clenched.
“I don’t care.”
“Good,” she said quickly. “Then leave me alone.”
He didn’t move.
Didn’t let go.
Instead, his eyes locked onto hers.
“You’ve changed.”
Fariana smiled faintly.
“Good.”
Her voice softened—but it wasn’t weak.
“I had to.”
Something flickered in his expression.
Gone too quickly.
“I loved you,” she said suddenly, her voice breaking just a little. “And you treated me like I was nothing.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Painful.
“But it’s fine,” she added, wiping her cheek roughly. “I’m done now.”
Bruce’s grip loosened slightly.
“Done?”
“Yes,” she said firmly. “Done loving you. Done waiting for you. Done being the girl you could throw away.”
Her words hung in the air.
Real.
Sharp.
Final.
Bruce stared at her.
Like he was seeing her for the first time.
But it was too late.
Fariana pulled her arm free.
And this time—
She didn’t stumble.
Didn’t hesitate.
Didn’t look back.
She walked past him.
Leaving him standing there.
Alone.
For once—
Watching her walk away.
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