THEIR ΦΩΤΙΆ(LIGHT)

The Arch

JACKY

I quickly refreshed and stepped out of the bathroom so that Mar can't be worried.

I found Mar waiting for me at the kitchen floor with her hands on her hips as if wanting to scold me, for what, I don't know.

"Mar we both know that's Ceci's character right?"

I sarcastically remarked on her behavior cause it's Ceci who acts like that.

" Why did you chuckle earlier, "

Mar asked with her crimson painted cheeks but I looked at her confused until it clicked she was referring to the incident when Seb came.

I gave her a cursory look at her body and I noticed that she has a pinkish hickey on her neck that she tried to hide with her hair and her clothes are quite rumpled.

Don't judge me for being too observant and vigilant. Also her full pink lips were a bit swollen and reddish.

It was a valuable skill I was forced to learn at such a young age.

I grinned and she understood the meaning of my grin. She came forward and slapped my arm playfully before hooking them.

" Jacky you know I have a friend who is so into you but you ain't giving him a chance. Therefore, I've arranged for a blind date after tonight."

She said and I stopped walking.

" His name is Dominic Martins, a 29 year old American man."

She continued but as I was about to talk she cut me off with,

"Don't even think about it. There's no room for negotiation neither do you have a choice in this. It's either you go to him or I invite him to you tomorrow at our place of work. Just be ready anytime."

She spoke in finality with a knowing grin gracing her lips.

I nodded sadly which she understood as a 'yes' . Sometimes I worry for Seb since Mar has that fatherly authority.

I told you, she was born a leader.

But what I know is that Seb is insanely smitten by her.

As we passed the kitchen, we heard Ceci's loud moans and James' grunts obviously knowing what those two were up to.

We looked at each other and I shook my head trying to unhear what I just did but Mar was blushing hard.

I let out a soft fake chortle and we went for the door to leave for our respective homes then for the Arch.

My heart was racing so fast but tried to keep calm I didn't want to ruin the night for us.

I know how much we need that break and let go especially for me.

It's 7 pm but we decided to meet by 9 pm. We found Seb waiting for us at the parking lot of which we got in the car quickly.

I sent Ceci a text message for her to lock the door after she is done.

"Jacky I'll drop you off and I'll drive Mar love to her home,"

Seb said which I nodded.

Not that he saw but he just understood my silence as a yes.

Seb calls Mar 'Mar love' as her endearment. I reach my apartment block in less than 3 minutes and before I step out of the car, I hear their kissing sounds.

I shut the door and bid them a 'take care' but I don't think they heard as we're busy elsewhere.

I shook my head wondering if that was going to be my life if our blind date with that Dominic guy works out.

Frequent hugs and kisses and make outs. Would we be making out almost everywhere and every time?

I remember when I was in highschool a jock tried everything to get in my pants but to no avail.

I've never dated ever since I was born because of the assault that night.

I was busy with my psychiatrists and I've always been afraid of what men could do to me as that experience ruined everything.

I also overcame my phobia for cars after that incident of my dad's accident. That image has forever been engraved in my mind and still haunts me when I go to sleep.

I'm avoiding intimacy in every dimension, either physically, mentally, emotionally or psychologically.

I shrugged those thoughts away feeling awkward and overwhelmed already. I went directly to take a shower and to relax a little bit.

Taking my time in that warm shower and my favorite shower gel, lavender.

Taking my vanilla shampoo, I lather it on my red locks and massage my scalp slowly.

After half an hour, I walk out of the bathroom feeling refreshed then to the bedroom to wear some clothes.

I was dressed in short shorts that barely cover my ass and a buggy black hood reaching my mid thighs covering my behind.

You know, a girl has to be comfortable no matter how much the noises in her head are loud and uncomfortable.

Heading to the kitchen to find something to eat only to find a leftover sandwich which I quickly eat.

I then had a glass of water, then headed for my bedroom to choose my outfit for later. I take a white crop top, black ripped buggy jeans and a white pair of sneakers.

As always I can't stand my features so I opt for loose clothes.

I then head towards my balcony after taking a book from the bookshelf in the living room.

Reading a book from one of my favorites authors. I was so lost that I didn't know time flying by.

The doorbell rings and I stand to get it only to find a fully dressed Ceci on the door.

She hugs me tightly as soon as I open the door before pecking my cheeks.

Her hugs are always so warm and home. I feel loved and cared for whenever either her or Mar hugs me.

" b***h why aren't you dressed? For goodness sake it's almost 9 pm. Go change right now before I ...! "

Ceci says but I ran off before she finished talking, but I already knew what she wanted to say.

After a few minutes, I am done dressing and ready for the party. Ceci is dressed in a short tight dress that shows off her curves.

It has a deep v-neck showing off a little bit of her cleavage and has a lacy hem.

She's looking like a model, reminding me of the first day we met.

It was just a normal Thursday when I was taking a lonely walk in the park after my boring session with Dr. Dean.

As I was walking, I spotted a cafe which I didn't know it existed until then.

I walked in and ordered a cup of espresso, as always, taking the booth facing the window.

A very beautiful waitress brought my order and that's when I first saw her and we've been friends since then.

I recall asking her if was a model which she laughter off saying she gets that a lot.

Do you know the what's the weirdest thing? I've never seen that cafe ever again nor do I remember where it was specifically in the park.

All I know until now is that I went to a cafe in the park and made a friend.

But back to reality. I know I don't match her dressing code but I'm not changing. I ask her if she locked the cafe and she hums in response.

I lock my door and find James seated on the hood's car waiting for us. He nods at me curtly which I reply with a polite smile.

We don't talk that much since he's not the type that talks too much.

He pecks Ceci on the lips and we kick off for the Arch, obviously after buckling the seatbelts and playing some rock music on the radio.

I shift my head to the window as I see trees, buildings and street lights pass in the opposite direction.

My mind wanders as James' and Ceci's laughter and the music fades with every passing second.

I couldn't help but think of my mom's current life and wonder if she ever looked for me after that night.

I remember when I used to pray everyday for my mom to come and tell that it was nothing but a bad dream.

To tell me she loves me, I'm her everything or she's sorry for what she ever did.

That she never wanted to accuse me and I was still her little girl whom she couldn't live without.

That little girl that she promised that she was always there for her. That girl she loved with all her heart.

That she found happiness and wishes I too find it. That she apologizes for trying to sell me off to an old guy who wanted babies.

I didn't realize I was crying until I felt my cheeks wet.

It's funny how I've never got used to these things yet when I have a decade of experience.

I chuckle sadly to myself finding it amusing that it still hurts and seems it'll never stop hurting.

I wipe my face using the back of my hand quickly as I'll blow my strong girl facade cover up if I don't stop crying

The spacious car started to feel like too much, making it hard for me breathe.

I focus my gaze to the trees outside the car's window creating looming figures that I feel like they're watching me.

Shortly the car goes to a halt signaling we've arrived.

I alight the car to find a long queue of people outside the club's door.

The cold breeze ruffles my hair quietly as it sends shivers up to my spine while clearing my clouded mind.

The air is less suffocated here as it's charged with chatters, giggles and laughter.

People are talking happily as they anticipate the excitement.

At the entrance, tall built men in black stand as if trying to scare everyone away.

It seems Seb knows the bouncers or is even a VIP client cause he's standing near the entrance. His hand snaked on Mar's waist possessively, a scowl on his face.

I do wonder why these two men are so possessive with my friends that they let out a kind of growl when a male is near their girlfriends.

Mar beams and waves her hand excitedly and we walk to them. She hugs us, Ceci and I.

I can tell she excited to be here. She then hugs James quickly.

James and Seb pat each other's shoulder. Shortly after our brief greetings, we enter. I notice the bouncers bow before Seb with respect.

That kind of bow one would do before one's leader or king. Weird but I shrugged it off cause I was prying too much.

I found it elegant that the club had a reception with a minimalist design almost deceiving a person that one wasn't in a club.

The floor was white, white coaches with grey cushions, huge french doors give access to the lit city with crystal chandeliers lowly hanging from the white ceiling.

We were led to a purple lit path way, directly to the club.

My mouth agape of how the club was beautifully decorated. Hip-hop music blaring from the speakers with sweat and alcohol lingering in the air, that I forgot about how I felt earlier.

We passed the dancing bodies when I felt Ceci dragging me to the bathroom, only to ask me why I was crying.

Nothing passes her, she notices everything and that's when I talked to her and I broke down.

It's always hard not to considered how I feel when my emotions catch up with me.

She helped me freshen up, and we walked out. I was still worried about this, Ceci's bet.

I had a feeling that I would lose, also felt the back of my neck prickling meaning someone was watching me.

She soothed my worries but not entirely cause I still felt those eyes on me, but dawned up some drinks and try to cheer up.

I was so ready for the night.