THREE DAYS LATER

Bianca sat on the edge of her bed, her face buried in her hands as heavy sobs shook her whole body.

Her long red hair fell around her like curtain, hiding her tear streaked cheeks.

The room felt small as if the walls are closing in on her grief.

She remembered his words so clearly echoing in her head like a cruel joke

I didn't even enjoy it that much, to be honest. You were boring, Bianca. Weak. It was actually funny to see how easy it was to fill you.”

Each word felt like a knife stabbing deeper into her heart. She had given him everything, her love, her trust and her time.

And he had thrown it all away without a second thought.

Bianca’s shoulders shook harder as she cried, her chest tight and her breaths coming in painful gasps.

She felt worthless, empty and completely alone. Suddenly, the door swung open and Jessica rushed in

Jessica was Bianca's bestfriend. They've been bestfriend since highschool.

Seeing Bianca in that state made Jessica's eyes soften immediately.

“Oh, Bianca…” Jessica whispered, hurrying over and pulling her into a tight hug.

Bianca clung to her friend, her tears soaking Jessica's shirt. “Why did he do this to me? I loved him so much, Jess. I thought…I thought he was the one,” she choked out between sobs

“But I warned you to be careful. That bastard doesn't deserve your tears, B. He's a fool for letting you go. You're amazing and one day he's going to regret this so much”

Bianca pulled back slightly, her eyes puffy and her lips trembling. “I feel so stupid….I believed every sweet thing he said to me. I thought we had a future together,” she said, her voice small and broken.

Jessica cupped her face gently. “Listen to me. You are not stupid.. you're smart, beautiful but you gave your heart to someone who didn't deserve it. That's not weakness_ that's bravery”

Bianca sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “But what am I supposed to do now? I can't just sit here and cry forever”

Jessica gave her a small encouraging smile. “Exactly. And that's why we're not going to sit here and cry anymore. We're going out tonight.”

Bianca blinked at her, surprised. “Out? Where?”

“To a club,” Jessica declared, her eyes lighting up with determinating. “We're going to drink, dance and forget about every idiot whoever hurt us. We're going to feel alive again”

Bianca hesitated, glancing around her room, the same room where she spent nights dreaming about a future with him.

But the. She looked back at Jessica, seeing the fierce love and support in her friend's eyes.

“Okay,” Bianca finally said, her voice shaky but stronger than before. “Let do it.”

Jessica grinned, pulling her into another hug. “That's my girl. Now wipe those tears, out on your hottest dress and get ready to show the world who Bianca really is”

Bianca is not that type who partied but a naive girl whose head one could easily use

And that why Benson was able to deceive her.

“I'm so stupid for thinking anything can happen between me and him”

That was the first thought that crossed Bianca's mind. She wasn't confident of herself anymore.

Bianca took a deep breath, letting the words sink in.

Maybe tonight wouldn't erase the pain completely but for the first time in days, she felt better

And with Jessica by her side, she knew she wouldn't have to face the darkness alone.

AT THE CLUB

Bianca sat alone at the corner of the club, her fingers lazily tracing the rim of her half empty cocktail glass.

The colorful lights from the dance floor flashed across her face, highlighting her sad distant eyes.

Her friend had disappeared into the crowd a while ago, choosing to dance with a stranger she had just met.

Bianca didn't blame her, everyone deserved a little fun

But tonight, Bianca felt lonely and hollow

The music thumped loudly, the heavy beat vibrating through her chest but it did nothing to lift her mood

All she could think about was her ex_ the man who had promised her the world and then destroyed her heart without a second thought.

She let out a deep sigh, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. She wanted to cry but she had promised herself she wouldn't shed another tear for him

Not tonight.

And that's when she noticed him

A man laughing hard with his friends beside him as they walked in and with a glass in his hand. He looked handsome yet old at same time.

He carried himself with a magnetic confidence that turned heads as he walked. His dark hair was streaked with a touch of gray at the temples, adding to his charm rather than taking from it.

His sharp jawline and piercing eyes gave him an almost dangerous allure. She noticed he was coming towards her and she quickly averted her gaze.

He stopped in front of her table, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her chest tighten.

“Mind if I join you?” His voice was deep, smooth and carried a warmth that both comforted and excited her.

Bianca swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around her glass. She didn't answer immediately, too taken aback by his sudden attention

But something in his gaze , hungry yet gentle pulled her in. She nodded slowly.

Theodore sat down, leaning forward, bus eyes not leaving her for a second

“You shouldn't be sitting alone, beautiful. A woman like you deserves to be admired.”

Bianca's lips parted slightly. She felt her cheeks flush under his heated gaze.

She wanted to look away but his eyes held her in place, making her feel seen in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.

“I…. I'm just waiting for a friend,”she managed to say, her voice trembling slightly.

“Is that so?” Theodore's lips curved into a knowing smile. He reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

The small touch shelf a shiver down her spine.

“I couldn't help but notice you from across the room,” he countined,his voice dropping lower, more intimate. “You're stunning…. absolutely irresistible”

Bianca's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of nerves and something dangerously close to excitement flooding her veins.

“I'm Theodore,” he introduced himself, a sexy smile playing on his lips.

“I'm Bianca,” she responded, her eyes roaming his face and taking note of his facial features.

“You look like you need a distraction,” he whispered, his fingers now lightly brushing the back of her hand.

She looked down at his hand, then back up into his eyes. Something in her broke.

The pain, the betrayal, the loneliness all boiling over into a reckless desire for escape.

“A distraction?” She repeated softly, almost to herself.

Theodore eyes darkened with desire. “Yes….let me take you to my place. We can forget the world for a while….have some fun.” His words hung between them, thick with suggestion.

Bianca breath caught.

Was everyone in the club this bold?

Her mind screamed at her to say no, to push him away but her heart was tried of aching.

Her ex's face flashed in her mind, his lies, his betrayal, the nights she cried herself to sleep.

Why not? Why not drown it all tonight?

Bianca has heard of people having one night stands but she has never tried it.

Infact, she found it weird but now, it seemed like an escape from her reality.

She searched Theodore's eyes again, looking for a reason to back out but all she said was heat and hunger.

And a promise of temporary escape.

“Okay,”she whispered, surprising even herself.

Theodore's smile widened, his thumb stroking her hand in a possessive, almost tender way

He stood and offered his hand to her.

Bianca hesitated for a second longer, then placed her trembling hand in his.

He helped her up, his touch firm and warm, making her feel both weak and alive at the same time.

As he led her out of the club, Bianca felt the music and the crowd fade behind her

Her heart raced, a mix of fear and excitement twisting inside her.

She knew what's she was about to do was reckless maybe even stupid but in that moment, she didn't care.

All she wanted was to forget.

Forget about the humiliation, mockery and low self esteem slowly engulfing her.

To feel something, anything, other than the crushing weight of heartbreak.

And tonight, in this stranger's arms, she would.