LOVE AFTER THE STORM

Chapter 01: Zara's Point of View

Escape to the Unknown

The words and the laughter echoed in my head, and everything that happened replayed repeatedly. I remember how I screamed in pain and how Damon pushed me to the ground.

I raised my hands to my forehead, but my tears streamed down my cheeks without stopping. I just stared ahead, numb, as my body stood frozen.

I couldn’t move or speak. Even if I could, I didn’t know what to say.

It was my fault to think that Damon truly cared about me. Who was I to believe I could change him?

How could you do this to me, Damon? How could you be with my best friend? Four years we spent together, and this is how you repay me? Ivy, I thought you were my best friend. How could you betray me like this? I asked, my voice breaking, but they didn’t reply to me.

This wasn’t the first time Damon had cheated, but I couldn't take it anymore for him to do this with Ivy, my closest friend, someone I trusted.

What about the promises you made to me? You promised me a yacht, a dinner date, and a ring on my finger. But none of that matters now, does it? I said, tears rushing down my face.

“But Zara, you were never truly there for him. You didn’t give him what he wanted, just because you’re too focused on holding onto your so-called principles!

I had a crush on Damon, but you took him away from me. What did you expect to get out of this? I’ve taken what’s rightfully mine”, Ivy spat, her voice full of envy.

I stormed out of Damon’s house, heading home. His face occupied my mind, his eyes, cold and unremorseful.

I could still feel the weight of my world crumbling before him as he stood there, not bothered by his actions or what he had committed.

The betrayal. The heart he took from me and shattered. The trust I had given him, only for him to throw it all away. And now, I’m forever broken. Nothing can ever bring me back. Nothing.

Tears continued to stream down my face, unstoppable. I had no control over my body. I blamed Damon for that. I blamed him for completely breaking my heart in just a few weeks. And I knew there would be no coming back from this.

I dressed, knowing that my mother would be waiting for me at the salon. I looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes puffy and irritated.

I slipped on a pair of glasses, hoping they would hide the traces of pain, especially from my mom.

The salon, Essence & Elegance, buzzed with life as I walked straight into it, greeting the customers already seated. Then, I went directly to the locker to drop my bag.

Hi, Mom, I said with a fake smile. Hello, my Angel. Wait, hold on a second. Why are you wearing glasses today? she asked, laughing.

I just wanted to add more style to my look today, I lied, silently praying that she wouldn’t remove the glasses from my face.

My mother raised me alone from birth as a single parent, and ever since I’ve known her, she’s never once made me cry.

She can’t stand to see me in pain. She raised an eyebrow in disbelief, and in an instant, she pulled the glasses from my face.

Mom, what are you doing? I said, trying to turn my face away from her. Don’t make a scene here, my Angel. You know there are customers present, so behave, she said firmly.

Now, tell me what happened to you. Damon... Mom, Da...mon, I stuttered. What happened with Damon? she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. I... I broke up with him, I said, and in an instant, tears began streaming down my face.

Now, go into the restroom and wash your face. We'll talk about this later, my mom reassured me.

I nodded silently and headed straight for the bathroom. After a few minutes, I came out and began attending to the customers.

Not long after, a gentleman walked in, claiming he needed his hair washed and dyed before attending a birthday party.

How may we assist you? I asked him. I'm here to wash and dye my hair, he replied. Welcome to Essence & Elegance, where we offer the best services. Please, have a seat, sir, I said, admiring his well-built physique and striking blue eyes.

Once I finished with the other customer, I motioned for him to follow me to the space designated for hair washing.

What color are you thinking of for your hair? I asked. Blue, to match the color of my eyes, he said with a slight smile.

He already had blond hair, which suited him well. Dying it would only ruin the natural look and risk damaging his hair, so I decided to advise against it.

I don't mean to intrude, but it wouldn't be the best idea to dye your hair. Changing it from its natural color could alter your look. I’d recommend a wash and a good styling instead, especially since you're attending a birthday party, I suggested.

Okay, I'd like to see how it turns out. If it's perfect, I’ll invite you to the party. You could even help style the celebrant’s hair, the gentleman replied.

As much as I wanted to attract more customers, I wasn’t ready to go out to a birthday party with a stranger.

My mom was giving me a sign to attend the party, but I pretended not to see her gesture. Once I finished washing his hair, we returned to the styling area. He sat facing the mirror as I began to blow-dry his hair, preparing to style it.

As I worked on his hair, I couldn’t help but notice the tension in his body, and the way his gaze moved to the door.

Before I could ask, another man stormed in, his eyes scanning the room. By this time, the other customers had left, leaving only my mom, the stranger, and me in the salon.

The man begged me to hide him, but I refused. My mom, however, insisted we help him, reminding me that we didn’t know if he was in danger. In an instant, the gentleman walked in and asked if we had seen a tall, well-built man with blue eyes and pink lips enter our store.

My mom and I both shook our heads, responding with a No.

We then asked him who he was and what made him think this salon is the best place to look for such person. We haven't seen anyone like that. Please leave, I said.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, something stopped him. His eyes locked onto the man I was styling, and he turned back, heading straight toward him. The gentleman, who introduced himself as Neo, suddenly grabbed the man I was about to style.

My mom and I froze, thinking

That the man has landed himself in trouble. But in an instant, both of them burst out laughing. So, you’ve been here all this while? Neo said laughing.

My mom and I exchanged confused looks, wondering if our salon, had somehow turned into a house of comedy.

What’s going on here? We asked.

Guys, chill. Nothing’s happening, Neo said, still laughing. This dude here is my friend Thorne. He’s been refusing to come to my girlfriend’s birthday party because he’s not the party type of guy.

Oh, his name is Thorne, I muttered, still thinking about the situation on ground.

I’ll go, trust me, Thorne said, finally speaking up. But you will

have to find someone to go with me. You know I can’t go alone.

Can I continue with your hair, sir? I asked, and he nodded.

He stared at me as I styled his hair. After styling his hair, both Neo and Thorne were in disbelief.

How did you do that? This looks great! They both chorused. My mom praised me.

Now see who’s acting like the boyfriend of the celebrant when I’m the one who’s supposed to look this great! Neo joked.

Miss, kindly do mine next, Neo added. Once I finished, he paid for my services. As they were about to leave, Neo begged me to come to his girlfriend’s party.

He mentioned that his girlfriend had already gotten her hair done, but I should come for the sake of his lonely friend Thorne.

He handed me the address to the bar. Before they left, Thorne’s eyes met mine, silently pleading for me to come with him. I nodded, and they left.

My mom came to me, trying to convince me to go. But I refused, telling her how I caught Damon with Ivy. She wasn’t surprised, she had warned me about Damon countless times, but I had been blinded by love.

This is the opportunity for you to go have fun and forget about Damon, she said. Go home and get prepared for the party. I’ll take care of the salon. It’s already 5 p.m., and I’ll be heading home soon.

Reluctantly, I went home to dress up for the party.

I arrived at the venue at 8 p.m., leaving my mom at home with a goodbye kiss. Thorne saw me as I entered, took me by the hand, and we walked together to the table where I was introduced as a friend.

I wished the celebrant a happy birthday, and she smiled, waving her hand in acknowledgment.

They popped a bottle of champagne and poured it into our glasses, making a toast. The night unfolded with introductions and laughter, but just as I began to relax, Thorne excused himself to the restroom.

Moments later, a stranger grabbed my arm, dragging me outside. Let go of me! I shouted, panic rising as the crowd inside turned to look. The man’s grip tightened, his eyes cold and filled with rage.

My heart raced as I glanced back toward the door, hoping Thorne would return before it was too late.

But Thorne did not return as the man dragged me straight into the dark my scream loud and pleading for him to let go of me…