Beautifully Ruined

CHAPTER 1

Eve’s POV

Only the sound of my phone’s notifications could be heard inside my condo. My eyes were fixed on the ceiling. I shared a sliver of a photo of my face with the caption “cake.”

I’m twenty-three right now. Twenty-three and still haven’t learned anything about life. I haven’t achieved anything yet.

I let out a sigh before standing up and getting ready. It’s my birthday. I will treat myself with the things I want to buy, and that will start by buying new clothes. I suddenly felt like changing my style. Another year has been added to my age, yet I still look like a child.

I will go for something new now. I want to look like a real woman. Wear something sexy and learn how to apply better makeup than just lip tint and blush on. For now, I’m wearing a pink dress that reaches just above my knees, paired with doll shoes, small earrings, and a headband. I look cute! But definitely not what I want to look like.

I heaved a sigh before pulling the gear stick and driving my car to Horizon’s Mall. The guards immediately smiled and greeted me. I’m a regular customer here, so they’re already used to me and no longer check the small pouch I carry.

I went straight to my favorite boutique and asked for assistance.

“All the sexy outfits are here in the brochure, Ma’am,” the saleslady said with a smile.

I immediately opened it and looked through it. My cheeks almost turned red at the beautiful styles, but I could tell that they were too short or showed too much of the body’s curves and chest.

“Are all sexy outfits like these?” I asked the saleslady beside me.

I fished my phone out of my pocket and showed her a picture of the tourism girl that Tyron made out with.

“Do you think if this girl shops here, she’d like all of these clothes?” I showed her both my phone and the brochure.

Since she’s probably into fashion, she immediately understood. We both browsed the girl’s pictures, and the saleslady nodded.

“Definitely, Ma’am! With a body like that, it would be a waste not to show it,” she said.

I nodded and smiled.

“I’ll take every piece of these,” I said with a smile.

Her smile widened, and she immediately signaled her coworkers.

“And heels and shoes too—do you have ones that would match these?” Of course, I need those to complete my style. I’ll shop for makeup later. I’ll eat after this.

They already know my size, so they brought all the dresses in my size. I tried on more than ten outfits, and they clapped every time I came out.

“Perfect, Miss! You have a model’s body. Everything will look good on you,” one of them said.

The three of them watched me every time I stepped out of the fitting room. I felt a bit uncomfortable with how short the clothes were and how much they exposed parts of my body, but when they praised me, I started to feel okay. I became a bit more confident.

I took all of them and handed my card to pay. Mom and Dad don’t care if I spend a lot of money. What matters is that I don’t bother them. I kept checking my phone, waiting for even just one message from them, but nothing came.

That made my mood a bit sour. When I went to eat brunch, I felt disappointed. Despite the many greetings I received from strangers on f*******: and i********:, none of my friends greeted me.

I checked their stories and saw that they’ve been in Costa Rica since last night. The stories were taken around two in the morning in a high-end bar at the top of a building. Malyca is probably still asleep. I saw her story last night—she was at a bar. She didn’t even greet me when it struck twelve. I know it’s not their responsibility, but I love greeting them on their birthdays. Can’t they do the same for me?

I sighed again. I checked Mommy’s i********:, and she was with her family, having a great time at their salon branch. I smiled bitterly. I shouldn’t expect anything from Daddy either. Evangeline might have texted me if I hadn’t blocked her number. I hate her, actually.

Evangeline is an only child, and I hate how she has everything. First, Daddy, then her mother who clearly loves her so much. She has a lot of friends, and now she even has my best friend. Everything is hers! She has a happy life while I’m alone, begging for attention that I can’t even receive.

I avoided her ever since I realized that her presence makes me feel insecure. I already have enough, and I don’t need more every time I see her being happy.

I sipped the last of my milkshake before trying new makeup and perfumes. I asked someone to teach me how to apply them properly. I learn fast. Maybe that’s one of the few things I’m lucky about. I’m not academically dumb. I’m just stupid when it comes to men.

Just like now. I’m so tired from everything I did since morning, yet I’m still here, waiting for him to arrive. He said last night that he would come, so I’m really waiting.

I remembered what happened after his time with those women. He walked out of that room and left them there. He wasn’t even surprised to see me sitting on the floor.

I immediately stood up and greeted him with a wide smile—as if I hadn’t cried and been hurt by what I saw.

“Didn’t I tell you not to come here again?” his voice was cold like thunder.

I swallowed as the excitement I felt upon seeing him slowly faded. He was just putting on a thin tank top. He’s probably staying here for the night.

Tyron’s hair was messy. His jaw and neck were still crimson. Because of kissing his girls, his lips were slightly swollen.

Since the last time I saw him, his body had matured. I saw it earlier before he fully wore his tank top. Even with clothes on, his well-sculpted abs reveal his impressive physical condition.

He’s tall. I only reach his chin. At least I reach that far. If I wear heels, I might reach his nose.

He threw a broken cigarette into the trash bin. My face crumpled, but I looked back at him. Perfect jaw, pointed nose. His eyebrows make him look like a snob, but his lips that always twitch make him look playful. His long eyelashes are enviable even to women. His sensual stare melts his women’s dignity.

He casually secured his pants, exuding rugged handsomeness—the image of a captivating bad boy.

“Leave, Avaya,” he said as he walked. “My friends will be here any minute. It’s not good for you to stay.”

I pouted and followed him.

“Why isn’t it good?” I asked innocently.

He stopped and looked at me, his eyes intense. I smiled awkwardly.

“There will be a lot of women here. They’ll make out and have s*x. Don’t tell me you want to watch that?” he said, raising a brow.

He continued walking to the kitchen. I followed. He grabbed a drink and poured it into a glass. His biceps flexed with the movement. His masculinity made him even more attractive to me.

“I’ve watched porn. It’s not new to me,” I said.

Of course, it’s not new—I just watched him earlier. And it’s not the first time. He looked at me coldly.

“So you want to watch?” he asked sarcastically.

I pouted and shook my head. I took a deep breath and spoke.

“My birthday is tomorr—”

“So?” he cut me off.

I admit that what he did didn’t just cut my words—it cut my confidence too. I started stuttering, unable to find the right words.

“I… uh… I…”

He shook his head in disappointment.

I bit my lower lip.

He finished his drink and walked away again. I followed him like always. I gathered all my courage.

“I want to spend it with you… through a dinner date?” I smiled tightly.

He didn’t answer, even when he sat down with his friends.

“Damn, she’s asking you,” one of them teased.

I smiled slightly and nodded before looking back at Tyron.

“C-can you?” I asked, even more embarrassed with all eyes on me.

Tyron just poured liquor into a glass and drank.

“Dam, she’s asking you,” another one repeated.

He finally glanced at me lazily.

“What time?” he asked.

My smile widened.

“Seven tomorrow. At Sky Tower. I’ll reserve now,” I said happily.

Before he could respond, the room filled with noise as more people came in. Girls clung to them, kissing them openly.

I felt his hand grab my wrist. He pulled me outside.

“Go home, Avaya,” he said.

“You’ll come, right?” I asked, stepping back.

He scratched his brow and nodded once.

Two women approached him.

“Ty, babe…”

“Hon, you ready?”

One of them kissed him, and he didn’t refuse. It was long and loud. I turned away and left.

…