The Return of Mia

Episode 2

I waited to arrive at my apartment before I let the tears flow. Just when I thought that I couldn’t bear it any longer, I was met with the sight of my best friend, Anika Jones, sitting on the front porch. The moment she saw me, her eyes widened, and she immediately jumped up from her seat

"I knew it!” She says “ I knew that bastard has done something to you," Anika exclaimed, rushing over to me, giving me a hug.

I collapsed into her arms, crying, “Ann…my life is ruined.”

“No, it’s not. Tell me everything. How did you find out?” She asks, crouching down on the floor with me. The floodgates opened once more as I recounted the painful events. Anika listened intently, her arms wrapped tightly around me, offering comfort. Her hugs always made me feel better.

“He's such a jerk," Anika said angrily once I had finished recounting the events. "I can't believe he would do this to you. What the f**k! I’m going to teach that bastard a lesson, trust me.”

“I already plan on doing that Ann.”

“Exactly! We can’t let him get away with this. This is cruel. What right does he have to f*****g hurt you like this?”

I nodded, wiping away my tears. "I am not going to let him get away with this. I have a plan.”

“What? You do?” Anika's eyes widened with curiosity. "Tell me about it.”

"It’s not finished, yet." I admitted. "But I'll think of something. I can't let him get away with hurting me like this."

Anika nodded in understanding. "Well, whatever you decide to do, just know that I'll be here to support you every step of the way."

Tears welled up in my eyes once more as I hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Anika. I don't know what I would do without you."

Anika squeezed me back, her voice filled with sincerity. "You don't have to thank me, Mia. That's what best friends are for."

I smiled through my tears, feeling grateful to have Anika by my side. She had always been there for me, through thick and thin. But how did she know something happened between Jason and me? I didn’t even call her when I bolted out of Jason’s house.

"How did you know something was wrong?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Anika chuckled softly. "Well, it was mostly his i********: and that bitches profile that gave it away."

"Their i********: profile?" I repeated, confused. “How?”

Anika nodded. "Yeah, I saw Jason's recent post. It was a picture of him and some woman, looking all cozy on the beach. And then I noticed that he had changed his profile picture to one of the two of them together. He tagged her so I went to stalk her page. Unfortunately, it’s private so I don’t know what she posts about, but trust my skills.” Anika smirks “I created a troll account and sent her a friend request. She hasn’t accepted yet, but when she does, we are gonna see what kind of worm-thieving b***h she is.”

I felt a pang of pain in my chest as I realized the truth of Anika's words. Jason had wasted no time flaunting his new relationship for the world to see, without a care for how it would affect me.

"That bastard," I muttered under my breath, my anger flaring up once more.

Anika placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Mia. We'll figure this out together. And when we're done with him, he'll wish he had never messed with you."

I smiled weakly, “I just want to sleep and wallow in my sorrow!” I burst out in another round of tears

“Come on now, don’t do that.”

“Do what?” I asked

“Don’t cry.” She says, wiping away my tears with her hands “Pretty girls don’t cry. Rather, we are going out tonight to have fun and forget about that asshole. He isn’t worth it, baby.”

“I don’t feel like going out, Ann.” I sniffed

“I’m not asking you, baby girl. We are going to have fun and get drunk. Now, get off your ass, young lady.”

I begrudgingly stood up and she dragged me into my apartment. “Go and take your bath, I’ll look for something sexy for you to wear.”

“Ughhhh!” I groaned “I wish I got rid of you sooner.”

“Then you wouldn’t have a babysitter, now would you.”

“f**k you, Anika.” I chuckled and entered my room to take my bath. Maybe Anika was right. I needed to get drunk and forget about that bastard, Jason Horen.

••••••

As I stepped out of the bathroom, I was met with an unexpected sight – my bed was covered in an array of clothes, accompanied by different heels. Anika must have raised my closet, uncovering Irene’s I didn’t even remember owing. How she managed to pull this off was beyond me. When it comes to things relating to parties and club and dance, she was always an expert in these sorts of things. Despite her efforts, I still wasn’t in the mood to hit the club. All I wanted was to curl up at home with comfort food and drown my sorrows in a tub of ice cream.

Anika, however, had other plans. I was thinking if I took too long in the bathroom, she would sleep off or leave but how wrong was I when as soon as she saw me, she bounded over with an enthusiasm that I couldn’t match.

“Nuh…uh. Whatever you’re planning princess, it’s not gonna work.” She groans “I’m not gonna get involved in your pity party Mia. Jackass Jason is out there having fun with that w***e and all you want to do at home is sulk?” Wasn’t it better that way? “Mia, you look like you could use some fun," she declared, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We're going out tonight, and you're going to forget all about that jerk Jason."

I sighed, knowing there was no arguing with her when she got like this. “Ann, I appreciate the effort, for real, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Whenever getting drunk is not a good idea, Mia?” She asked sarcastically and I gave her a look. and her face softened with sympathy as she placed a hand on my shoulder. "I get it, Mia. But trust me, a night out is exactly what you need right now. It's time to let loose and have some fun."

Reluctantly, I nodded, knowing that she wouldn't take no for an answer. With a resigned sigh, I turned my attention to the clothes spread out before me. Anika had clearly put a lot of thought into this – there were dresses of every style and color imaginable. Even abominable ones were present.

“Come on now, Princess. You are going to try each dress here to see what works.” Anika urged, her excitement contagious.

“Oh, my goodness. Where did I find you?” I grumbled while sifting through garments, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. Anika watched eagerly as I tried on dress after dress, offering her opinions and encouragement along the way.

"This one is too flashy," I muttered, tossing a sequined number aside.

“It’s not…it’s modest,” Anika argued.

I raised my left brow at her “Are you the one wearing it or am I?”

“Bu…Butt”

“Do you even want me to go to this thing?” I tried guilt-tripping her and it worked

“Alright, fine. Do what you want. But do not wear trousers or anything way past your knees. Or else I will shove that flashy gown down your ass!” She warned and I sighed

“Crazy bitch.” I roll my eyes and she smirks

After what felt like hours of trying on different outfits, I finally found one that felt right – a deep red sleeveless gown that hugged my curves in all the right places. Paired with a sleek pair of black heels, it was the perfect combination of sexy and sophisticated.

This one might even get me a hot date tonight.

Ugh! Stop your dirty thoughts, Mia. I scolded my subconscious.

Ann’s eyes lit up as she caught sight of me in the dress. “Mia, my love, you look stunning. Damn, baby girl. Jason’s stupid for thinking Claire could ever measure up to you.”

My expression soured at the mention of Jason’s name, prompting a quick apology from Ann. “Sorry for bringing up the one who shall not be named,” She said sheepishly.

“It’s okay,” I reassured her with a small smile. “It’s still a bit raw, you know…”

She nodded understandingly “But right now, we don’t talk about Bruno, no, no. We're talking about the studs I'm going to charm tonight." Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she gazed into the distance. "Now, let's hit the club, babe. Wait, how do I look?” She asks

"You look stunning, Ann," I complimented her sincerely. “Beautiful. No man will be able to get his eyes away from your ass tonight.”

Her cheeks flushed with pride as she twirled. She wore a breathtaking blue dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, the shirt hemline accentuating her long legs.

"I know, right?" she responded playfully, blowing me a raspberry. With our purses in hand and our fingers intertwined, we stepped out into the night and entered the Uber waiting for us as we made our way to the club, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was going to be a turning point – a chance to leave all the pain and heartach

e behind and start fresh.

Little did I know, the events that awaited us at the club would change everything.