Who is that stranger?
—-----------VIVIAN’S POV —----------
I was practically floating on air as I drove home from work. Today marked the four years of my relationship with my boyfriend Lucas, and I couldn't wait to celebrate.
I had planned every detail of our date tonight, envisioning a romantic dinner, a walk through the park where we first met, and finally, the moment I would ask him to marry me.
Everything was perfect.
I parked the car and hurried up to our apartment, eager to start preparing.
As I opened the front door, I couldn't help but smile, thinking about how Lucas had always accepted me just as I am.
Despite my curves, he made me feel beautiful and confident. Tonight would be the start of our forever.
"Lucas?" I called out as I stepped inside.
Silence greeted me, but I wasn't concerned. He must be home since his car is in the driveway.
Maybe he's planning a surprise of his own.
Oh my God! That's so cute!
I headed towards the bedroom to change out of my work clothes, my mind racing with excitement.
But as I approached, I heard some strange noises—muffled voices and…laughter?
Confused, I stopped in my tracks. The door was slightly open, and as I pushed it open, my world shattered.
There, tangled in our sheets, was Lucas, and on top of him, my sister, Emma. I gasped in shock.
They were oblivious to my presence, too engrossed in each other to notice me standing in the doorway. My heart pounded in my chest, and a cold wave of nausea washed over me.
What's all this?
"God, can you believe she actually thinks she's attractive?" Emma's voice dripped with disdain as she looked down at Lucas. "She's so delusional. I can't believe she doesn't realise how fat she is."
Lucas laughed out a mocking sound that pierced through me. "I know, right? It's pathetic. But hey, at least she's good for a laugh."
Rage and pain surged through me. "How could you?" I screamed. They both froze, their eyes widening in shock as they finally noticed me.
"Vivian, I—" Lucas was shocked and pushed Emma off him and scrambled to cover himself.
"Save it!" I spat loudly, feeling my insides twisting. "I thought you loved me. I thought you accepted me for who I am. How could you do this to me?"
Emma had the audacity to smirk, lounging casually as if she hadn't just destroyed my world. "Oh, come on, Viv. Don't act so surprised. Did you really think someone like Lucas would be satisfied with…you?"
Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to let them see me cry. Instead of feeling sorry and guilty, they both burst into laughter, a sound that echoed painfully in my ears.
"Get out," I said, my voice cold and hard. "Both of you. Get out of my life. Get out of my house.”
Emma's smirk deepened. "We've been doing this for two years, Viv. You're such a fool."
Two years? My head spun. "Why? "Why would you do this to me?"
Lucas sneered. "I used you for your money. That’s all you were good for. I thought you already know that we are having an affair but I also like this reaction of yours.”
My anger flared. "Get out of my house!" I shouted.
Emma laughed. "The house belongs to him, remember? You signed it over to him on his birthday, in one of your little love-crazed days."
I remembered that day vividly, how I had wanted to show Lucas my commitment. My stomach churned with the realisation of my own naivety.
Lucas laid back pulling Emma close. "Why don't you leave, Vivian? This is our house now. We can continue…enjoying ourselves."
They began to f**k again, right in front of me. Emma moaned theatrically, mocking me even further.
Feeling utterly humiliated, I turned around and fled, their cruel laughter echoing behind me. Tears streamed down my face as I reached my car and fumbled for my phone. I dialled the only person I could think of—my best friend, Sonam.
"Hello?" Sonam's cheerful voice was a lifeline.
"Sonam," I sobbed. "I need you."
"Vivian? What's wrong?" Her voice instantly filled with concern.
"I'll explain when I see you. Can we meet, please?"
"Of course. Meet me at our usual spot."
I drove to the small café where Sonam and I often met. My tears blurred the streetlights into a hazy glow. When I arrived, Sonam was already there, waiting with open arms. I collapsed into her embrace, my sobs shaking both of us.
"Vivian, tell me what happened," she said softly, guiding me to a seat.
Between sobs, I recounted everything—the betrayal, the mocking, the house, their laughter. Sonam listened quietly, her face a mask of shock and empathy.
"Oh, Viv," she whispered, squeezing my hand. "I'm so sorry honey.”
"I was such a fool," I choked out. "How could I not see it?"
"You're not a fool," Sonam insisted. "You loved him, and you trusted him. That’s not foolish, that's brave.”
“What do I do now?" I asked, feeling utterly lost. “They have my house.”
"We'll figure it out," Sonam said firmly. "First, you’re staying with me tonight. Then, we’ll make a plan. Let me take you somewhere fun to forget about today.”
Heartbroken and devastated, I frowned. “Huh? Where?”
“To the club, where else,” She smiled, I hesitated at first. The idea of celebrating love and commitment felt like a cruel joke in the wake of my own shattered dreams.
But Sonam convinced me that a night out could be exactly what I needed to escape the emotional turmoil.
"Come on, Vivian," she urged. "A night of fun and dancing might be just what you need to take your mind off things."
Reluctantly, I agreed. We arrived at the club, a kaleidoscope of pulsating lights and vibrant music.
"Vivian, you need to find someone new," Sonam said, nudging me with a playful grin.
I sighed. "Who would like a fatty like me?"
She scolded me immediately. "Stop that. You are beautiful, and anyone would be lucky to have you. Don't let Lucas and Emma's cruelty define how you see yourself. They're both assholes.”
Despite her encouragement, I couldn't shake the lingering self-doubt. Determined to drown my sorrows, I made my way to the bar and started drinking. One drink turned into two, then three, and soon I was well on my way to oblivion.
Suddenly, I felt eyes on me.
Looking around I flinched as a guy was directly looking at me. I already felt tipsy yet I could still make out his striking features.
He was sitting alone at the bar, slowly sipping his drink. Even from far, his presence felt pretty intimidating, with dark hair and sharp facial features. He was godly handsome.
I quickly looked away when our eyes met, deciding to ignore him. I didn’t need more complications in my life.
Maybe he was just judging me or making fun of my size, that's why he was looking at me. There's no other reasoning as to why he was looking at me.
I drank until I lost control.
The rest of the night was a blur. I vaguely remembered dancing, laughing, and more drinks. Everything spun around me, a whirl of lights and music. My memory faded into darkness.
When I finally woke up, my head was pounding, and my mouth was dry.
I groggily opened my eyes, only to find myself in a completely unfamiliar room.
Panic set in me when I looked around and realised I was not alone.
A board back came into my vision and I gasped, slapping a hand on my mouth. I slowly looked at my situation and I was stark naked just like this unknown stranger.
W-Who’s he? Did I just have a one night stand with a stranger? No….No, no!
I can't lose my virginity to a stranger. I slowly parted my legs and looked down, and surely we did it. The evidence was there, my v****a felt sore and dry.
I stifled a gasp, my heart racing as I tried to piece together what had happened. I couldn't remember anything beyond going to the club with Sonam. How had I ended up here? And with him?
The man stirred slightly but didn’t wake. I seized the moment, carefully slipping out of the bed and gathering my clothes.
My hands trembled as I hurriedly dressed, desperate to leave before he woke up and confronted me.
Quietly, I tiptoed out of the bedroom, my mind racing with confusion and shame. Once I was outside, I hailed a cab and gave the driver my address.
As I sat in the backseat, I tried to calm my racing heart, but the fear and embarrassment lingered. What had I done?
Back at my apartment, I collapsed onto my couch, covering my face with my hands.
“Who even was that stranger?” I thought to myself.