Leanna

Chapter 119 – [Her Story] [The Last Time]

[Leanna's POV] 

[Her Story]

"I slept with a cute stranger."

"Pfft! *Cough . . . *cough . . . *cough . . . !" I placed the bottle of beer on the tray table and wiped my nose and mouth from the spilled drink as I collected my bearings.

"Good for you~!" Estela patted Zoe's head like she had done a great deed.

After we prank the Collin's mother and daughter pair, we got back to our hotel and resumed drinking, determined to get drunk until morning when Zoe dropped a bomb at us.

I sat on the bed and faced the dejected girl while Estela sat on the other side of Zoe. She opened a beer and gave it to the depressed girl.

"Explain," I said.

Zoe drank her beer in one gulped and narrated how Emma Collin drugged her and was almost preyed victim to her stepmother's evil plot. But was instead save when she bumped into a boy and how she and that boy had sex all

night. Then she woke the next day, finding that the stranger was gone. She also retold the story about the time in Vegas when she met the boy again and how the boy didn't

recognize her.

I tried to remain calm about the whole situation, but my stunned face gave it all away.

"Wow! Even I never thought that you would fuck a stranger and a kid at that! You go, girl!" Estela patted Zoe's shoulder as she nodded to herself.

Zoe lowered her head and bit her lips.

I squeezed her arm in gentle comfort.

"I'm just glad you're alright."

Zoe snapped her head forward, looking at us with confusion. "Y-you . . . you won't judge me? Or say some boring things that adults would say?"

"Why do we want to do that?" I wanted to raise my eyebrow at her, but it was not appropriate in this kind of situation since I was portraying to be a nice understanding person at the moment.

"I mean . . . I slept with a stranger here. A kid even . . . I don't even know his name and even shamelessly chased after him all the way to Izu Island, feeling desperate." Zoe huffed a weak laugh. "I'm pathetic and utterly . . .

shameless."

I squeezed her shoulder again, this time, exerting more pressure.

"Zoe, if you ask me, you can do whatever the hell you want since you're already earning money and can already take care of yourself. The ones who are shameless are those having sex while buying condoms and pills from their

parents' money."

Zoe snickered, and I smiled in turn. She then glanced at Estela.

Estela tilted her head and put her forefinger on her cheek. "I'm pretty screwed up myself, so I try not to judge others. But yeah. I agree with Leanna."

"And you're not pathetic," I said. "The way I see it. You were desperate –– yes. But never pathetic. It's his loss, not yours."

"Yeah~ like maybe you don't even like him and just like the sex and wanted another round. Or he was your first man, so you're attached to him."

We raised an eyebrow at Estela as she shrugged her shoulders and added, "I heard girls are usually attached to their first man."

Zoe sighed and held her forehead. "I don't know. Maybe you're right. It's just . . . It's just . . . I feel like, he is another part of me . . . Meeting him made me whole . . ."

"Well yeah." Estela rolled her eyes. "He plugged all your hole––"

She stopped when I shot her a pointed look.

"Anyway, why not draw his face and give it to me? I promise you, I'll have him bondage in less than a week for you to take your sweet revenge. Tehehehehe~ I know! Why

don't you lock him and drug him so he can be your personal sla––!"

Estela stopped again when she sensed my murderous glare.

"I'll . . . I'll keep my mouth shut," she chimed with a charming smile.

"You do that," I said with a fake smile. Then I flicked my eyes on Zoe. "What do you want to do now? We can do what Estela suggested minus the bondage, kidnapping, and locking part."

"You forgot the drug part."

I snapped at Estela.

"Just saying~."

. . .

. . .

Estela gestured her hand in zipping her mouth.

I nodded at her as the corner of my lips kicked up in a sarcastic smile.

"No, I think. I just . . ." Zoe sighed. "I just want to get over him," she said with an exhausted voice.

I rubbed her back in a consoling manner. "Hey, why don't we plan another prank?" I grinned.

Zoe's face lit up, and she pulled Estela and me in a tight hug.

"Thanks, guys."

"Oh~! Group hug!" Estela edged closer to me as she hugged my neck so we could form a circle.

"Alright! Enough of this drama. Let's get wasted!"

—-

[Zoe's POV]

[The Last Time]

The leaves raffled from the gentle night breeze blowing inside an opened window. Under the bright moon, the room glowed in a magical sapphire, making the overall scenery superficial.

The warm air caressed my cheek as my tears rolled down, looking at the note in my hand . . . one more time.

Just one more time . . .

That was all I needed right now.

A good cry to make me feel better and wash away all the pain and frustrations.

Since the last time I saw him in Izu Island, a week had past and not a day that I didn't cry. I was thinking about him day in and day out.

It was like my soul was searching for him for so long. And when I found him,  I never felt whole. 

But when he was gone, a part of me had left and left me incomplete.

I let myself grieved the remaining pain in my heart.

I hugged my knees and curled my body, trying to comfort myself as the tears intensified, remembering his smiling face from that night and his indifferent face on the day we met again.

It felt like they were two deffirent man altogether.

I cried without pausing, letting the tears flowed freely. I wondered if it was possible that all the water in my system would dry from the continuous flowing of my tears.

The gentle warm breeze somewhat eased the pain a bit. But it also sent another feeling of longing.

I grabbed my pillow and buried myself against it, feeling at

peace from the warm, cozy sensation.

I hovered the note in front of my eyes, seemingly lost and a daze.

It was a curse. Reminding me of the boy's cold and indifferent attitude. Reminding me that I was a one night stand kind of girl.

It was also a charm. Making me smile, remembering the unforgettable night. His mesmerizing deep brown eyes. His

mischievous grin. His clear, crisp voice. His gentle coaxing and soft caresses. His passionate kisses.

All of it contained in this one simple note.

My only remaining link to him.

Unable to throw away no mater how hard I tried.

I gathered myself.

I have to be strong.

Because strong is all I'll ever be. If I failed to be strong, everything would fall apart. And I felt that everything would crumble apart. If that happened I was afraid that I wouldnt be able to pick up the remaining pieces of me.

One more time.

Cry one more time.

And let this be the end.

I said to myself like a mantra.

I experienced far too much than this in the past and I survive today despite the many setbacks and heart pain.

What's a one nightstand?

A smile crept on my face when I remembered our little escapade to Emma and Sophia's bedroom a day ago. All the trouble sneaking into their room was worth it thinking

about their faces when they woke up bald and shiny.

I laughed a bit.

That somehow brightened my day. Just remembering what we did was enough to make me grin wide. 

I was motivated to do more nerve-wracking things.

Adrenaline gushing things!

I felt a jolt of excitement and a feeling of anticipation for the future.

Freedom from the shackles of a love that never meant to be was liberating in its own right.

Having a good cry, I was refreshed.

I glanced one more time at the note.

You'll be another memory now.

I mused and hid it. Determined not to take it out anymore.

Afterwhich, I slumped my head against my pillow and screamed.

And screamed.

And screamed until I was gasping for air.

I was rejuvenated.

I wiped my bloodshot eyes and sniffled. I was still depressed and pained, but physically, the various aches and tensions in my body disappeared from my screaming.

I slumped on my bed, my hand and feet apart as I stared at the ceiling.

If he doesn't want me . . . I don't want him either. I extended my hand, imagining the boy's face before I clenched it into fists.

I won't allow you to make me feel depress and in pain any longer.