Chapter 3
“Hey Clara,” I choked into the phone as I heard Clara pick up on the other end. There was a little dead silence.
“Diane, you okay?” she whispered, I could hear the concern in her voice.
“I’m on my way to your place,” I managed to say. She had no idea what had been going on, and now it just felt so fucking embarrassing to tell her like this.
“Okay, I’m home,” she said immediately.
I hummed before ending the call. My throat was tight, my hands were shaking as I gripped the steering wheel. This day had drained the life out of me. Everything was gone, my business, my home, and the last shred of my dignity.
A few minutes later, I pulled up in front of her apartment, and before I could even step out, Clara was already rushing towards me.
“What… What’s going on? You look pale and drained,” was the first thing she said, her arms wrapping around herself from the cold.
I swallowed hard, my lips trembling. “I got stuff in the car,” I muttered, unable to even get words out of my mouth. “Can I stay here for a few days… No, a few months? I’ll sort myself out within that time.”
But the words came out in a fucking sob, my chest caving in as hot tears rolled down my cheeks again. I was so tired of crying, but it just wouldn’t stop.
“Okay, you’re always welcome. It’s your home too, baby,” Clara whispered as she pulled me into a tight hug.
And that was it. That was all it took for me to completely break down.
I clung to her like a drowning person, my sobs shaking my entire body. She didn’t rush me, didn’t tell me to stop crying like everyone else would. She just stood there, holding me, rubbing my back, whispering little reassurances that only made me cry harder.
“Get some rest and tell me everything when you’re up,” she murmured, running her fingers through my hair.
But I couldn’t fucking hold it in.
Everything came pouring out.
“That bastard!” Clara groaned as I narrated everything, my words jumbled between hiccups and sobs.
“Damn, I knew that bitch was a witch, but I never thought she’d be such an asslicker… Hah!” I could feel her anger bubbling up as I lay there on her lap.
“Christ, this was the least thing I expected from that motherfucking asshole,” she growled, gripping the sofa so hard her knuckles turned white.
I exhaled shakily, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. “I feel like I wasted years of my life on him. I was so damn blind, Clara. So fucking stupid.”
“Don’t do that,” she snapped. “Don’t fucking blame yourself for that prick’s actions. He’s a fucking lowlife, and that gold-digging sister of yours? God, I hope she chokes on his dick.”
I snorted, despite my misery. “That’s disgusting.”
“Yeah, well, so is she.” Clara shook her head. “But I won’t let you sit here and wallow in pain over those good-for-nothing pieces of shit.” She suddenly sat up, her eyes lighting up with something mischievous.
I knew that look.
“Clara…” I started, warningly.
“Let’s go hang out,” she announced, clapping her hands together like she had just solved world hunger.
I groaned. “No. Absolutely not.”
“Yes!” she insisted, yanking me up. “You’re single now, babe, and you know what single ladies do? Party all night and have fun with no worries!”
I sighed. “Clara—”
“Nope. No arguing. We’re going.” She dragged me towards her wardrobe like a woman on a mission.
She rummaged through her closet, tossing clothes around like a madwoman. “Jeez, I looked through your stuff, and there’s no party dress. What kinda life have you been living to have just office wear? Such a waste,” she muttered, shaking her head in disappointment.
I rolled my eyes. “Not everyone lives in the club, you lunatic.”
She ignored me, her eyes lighting up as she pulled out a dress. “Ah-ha! Found the one!”
She spun around, holding up a tiny red mini dress that barely looked like it would cover my ass.
“Clara, NO” I deadpanned.
“Oh, YES,” she countered, shoving it into my hands. “Put this on.”
I stared at it like it was some sort of medieval torture device. “Clara, this is way too revealing—”
“Oh, it’s PERFECT for the occasion,” she interrupted, pressing me down onto a chair. “Since you’re going to unwind, you gotta be free.”
Before I could protest, she was already swiping a bold red lipstick across my lips. “Mmm, yes. That’s hot,” she murmured, admiring her work.
When I glanced at the mirror, I barely recognized myself. My usual dark circles were gone, my eyes popping, my lips plump and RED AS SIN
Clara grinned. “Welcome, bitch.”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small smirk that tugged at my lips.
“Where are we even going?” I finally asked.
“You’ll see,” she teased, grabbing her clutch and dragging me towards the Uber waiting outside.
The moment we arrived, I knew exactly where she had brought me.
A NIGHT CLUB.
The neon lights gave it away, the deep bass vibrating through my bones as soon as we stepped out of the car.
I sighed. “Seriously, Clara?”
“Seriously,” she smirked, linking our arms together. “Trust me, you NEED this.”
I wasn’t sure if I did, but fuck it. I am here now.
As soon as we stepped inside, the music hit me like a tidal wave—loud, intoxicating, almost hypnotic. The place was packed, bodies pressed together, grinding, drinking, FORGETTING.
“Drinks first,” Clara declared, dragging me toward the bar.
“I think I’ll go with something strong,” I muttered, scanning the bottles behind the bartender.
Clara raised a brow. “Oh?”
I turned to her, shrugging. “What? Well, if I’m here already, I might as well let loose.”
She grinned. “That’s my girl.”
We ordered our drinks, and after a couple of STRONG–ASS shots, the tension in my shoulders finally started to melt away.
Then, I did something I never thought I’d do tonight.
I turned and SASHAYED into the crowd.
Clara’s jaw dropped before she smirked and followed me.
The music pulsed through my veins, the alcohol buzzing in my system as I swayed my hips, losing myself in the rhythm. For the first time in forever, I wasn’t thinking about Mike, or Amanda, or the fact that I had every damn thing I worked for taken away.
I was just here. Dancing. Living.
I suddenly felt an ominous gaze behind me.
