Thirty Four

"I had forgotten how bitter you are in life. Because you're only interested in one woman. Worst of all, she doesn't like you. So now you can celebrate alone."
"Shut up, Lance! You should get out of my way before I punch you. I'm aware that I'm alone, so I'll get used to it. You don't have to brag to me about how happy you are." I said, annoyed.
"So what's your plan for tonight? Drink alone and snuggle in a corner?" he asks.
I shook my head.
"I don't really care what I do tonight," I said.
He laughs.
"I have to go, Marcus." He said goodbye to me and walked out of my house.


On the other hand, I began getting ready because Winter and Pia had already called.
I sprayed perfume and applied a little make-up to my face. I exited the room with my sling bag. I came across a cleaning assistant in the living room.

"Rest now, there's nothing to clean." And then it's nighttime. I'm leaving right now. "I'm not sure what time I'll get home," I explained.

"That's all right, ma'am," she said.

I went through the door and to the gate. I noticed the guard standing outside the house. I nodded in response to his smile. I  got into a taxi, and It drove away.

As I looked around, I frowned. Winter and I were going to the same bar. I winced as I realized I'd had my one-night stand in this location. Right here, inside the car, where I am today. I didn't remember everything, but I do remember waking up naked in a car with a man beside me. And that was Marcus, my friend's father. The driver had just left, but I was still unable to move. Winter was facing me, and she was standing at the bar's front door, staring at me with a bored expression.

"Gianna, what are you waiting for? Did you just stand there until the clock struck twelve o'clock? " Winter asked me.

I approached her with a frown.

"I'm not going if I don't know what the date is today," I told Winter.

"Gianna, you seem preoccupied; what's the matter?" she inquired.

"Nothing, let's go inside," I said, and we followed each other.

My assumption was correct; they had come here with a man in their lives, so how did I fit in?

"Come on, Gianna, sit down; don't think tonight was supposed to be about celebrating heart day and you don't have a partner. Just think that, today is a normal day for you." Pia said.

I locked my gaze on her. The two men then burst out laughing. I took a seat next to Winter. 


"Don't be depressed. I'd like for you to meet someone. As a result, your night was fantastic. " Dion explained.

"Not at all!" was my reply.

They were all cracking up.
"Don't argue, Gianna. You will turn 29 in three months. So you must have had a boyfriend before that," Pia said, making me wince.

"Pia, even if you're 45, you can have more children; there's no need to rush," I replied.

"But labor is dangerous; it could kill you," Winter cautioned.

"Enough already! I assumed we were here to have a good time. But you appear to be putting me in the hot seat. "I said, and they all laughed.
 I exclaimed as I leaned back on the couch. I turned around to see that the couple had already entered the bar house. Love songs were being played, and people were already dancing in the middle of the dance floor. I sighed, as if I were the only one who didn't have a partner tonight. 


I was still at home, getting ready. Dion texted me that they were waiting at the bar and that they were still there. I'm not sure if it was fate or just a coincidence. I'm now alone at home. I'm not sure where Lance is. He'll appear out of nowhere and then vanish without a trace.

I took the car key and walked out of the house. I drove out the gate after parking the car in the garage. I went outside for a few minutes to lock the gate. I climbed back into my car and drove away from the house. I was standing outside the bar house an hour later. and saw a lot of customers who came in with their partners. Then I heard my phone buzz and saw that Winter had texted me, asking where I was. Then I began walking inside and noticed them in a corner. But what surprised me the most was seeing Gianna alongside Pia. She looked stunning in her red floral gown. My heart was racing as I gulped.

I'm not sure if Aurora is who Dion wants to introduce me to. Aurora was taken aback when Dion spoke up.

"Hello sir, you arrived on time," Dion said.

I noticed Marcus was standing behind Brandon. Is Marcus the person they say they'll introduce me to? Why hadn't it occurred to me that he could be that man? So I didn't have much time to escape. I didn't look at Marcus because he had been staring at me. He seemed to be probing every nook and cranny of my being. So, instead of returning his gaze, I turned away. Marcus then took a seat near Pia.
"By the way, sir, I'd like to meet...

"No need, Dion, I already know her," Marcus said, looking at me intently. I'm unable to unwind in my seat. I stood up and dragged Winter to the bathroom.

"What's the deal, Winter? You did plan all of this, didn't you? "I asked her.

"I'm sorry, Gianna; my father was lonely and would like to see you." Winter responded.

I exclaimed.

"I don't want to be with your Daddy; I don't want to cause myself problems," I told her solemnly.
Her  shoulders sagged.

"I'm going to leave. I don't want to be here any longer," I declared.

She nodded, a sad expression on her face. I pity Winter, but I don't want any more problems.
Then I bid Winter farewell and prepare to return home. This evening is unimportant to me. But all I want to do is have my way with Marcus. I'm not sure if Winter followed me. But I'm on my way to our table. When I noticed a couple entering the bar house's front door, the woman was holding the man's hand.
I'll never forget how he looks, even if I close my eyes. It was as if I had collapsed from where I was. Did I think I'd forgotten about him? But when I see him now, it's as if all of our memories from the past are rushing back to me like rushing water.

I was staring at Gianna all the time, and I noticed she had turned pale. She went up to the counter, asked the bartender for a drink, and then drank it. What's the problem? Was she hurt in any way? Winter returned to our table.


"What's the matter?"

"We're leaving, Daddy," Winter said as they walked away, leaving me alone at our table, and I noticed she had a few glasses as well, so I approached her and snatched one from her.
"Enough, Gianna; you're drunk," I said, motioning to the bartender not to serve her any more alcohol.

"Get out of my way, Marcus. I still want to get drunk and forget everything. Right now, I just want to be alone," she says.

My brow furrowed; what was wrong with this woman? Then I noticed she was crying; I don't want to be with her if she's like this; I have no idea what her problem is.
When I looked around, I noticed that we had piqued the interest of other customers inside the bar.

"Gianna, please stop drinking. Come on, we're leaving right now. " I said as I led her out of the bar, still struggling with my grip.

"Give me up, Marcus. I want to drink inside," she said. I didn't pay attention to her words; instead, I put her in my car and turned left to enter and drive away from the bar. Then I heard her sobbing. I have no idea what's going on. I kept driving while Gianna was shaking and crying.

"This is the shit of my life," she says, "the pain I feel, I thought I didn't love him anymore, but why am I like this now?"

What happened to this woman dumbfounds me.

"I'll take you to your house, Gianna," I said.

"No! I don't want to go home; I want to get drunk and wasted, and then I want to die!" she exclaims.

I just let her feel that way for a moment so she could get it all out.

"Stop the car, Marcus," she said, "I'll get out."

I took a quick look around, as if it was still raining. And because we're on the highway, we have nowhere to go when she comes out.

"Aurora, we're in the middle of the highway, and stopping is dangerous." That was my response. She doesn't say anything.

For my part, I just stared at Marcus.

"Am I too drunk? No, I want to get drunk so I can forget about the pain I'm experiencing right now," I murmured.
I frowned as I looked at Marcus from head to toe.
What am I doing to avoid this man? Then the man from my past appeared. What's more embarrassing is that Marcus noticed me looking like this. I don't want to go home; my aunt isn't here, so I don't have anyone with whom to express my feelings. And I'm sure Marcus is wondering why I was crying and drinking so much. I went up to him. I wanted to cry in his arms and hug him. I'd like someone to console me and assure me that everything will be fine. When I felt his heat radiating from his body towards my face, I felt better.

Gianna approached me and hugged me, which surprised me. She took a sniff at my chest. We'd get into an accident if the two of us were in this situation because I couldn't drive.

"First and foremost, Gianna, go to sleep. Let's talk about it later. You are unable to hug me. We'll crash because I'm driving. " I explained to her.

And then she lay down with her head on my lap, and I shook my head. I don't know why, but my attraction to this woman is very strong. I arranged her hair to cover her face, and I dried her tears.
We arrived at my beach house an hour later. I opened the gate that I left for my caretaker to manage this place for me. It's my personal space, and I don't allow outsiders access to it. I exited the car.

Carl greeted me, "Good evening, sir."

"Good evening, are the rooms clean?" I'll ask.

"Yes," he replied.

Carl followed me into the house as I carried Gianna. He opened the door to the guest room, and I positioned Gianna on the bed. She must have been too sleepy because she did not wake up when I picked her up. Her body was drenched in sweat. I need to get her some new clothes.
And I'm sure Carl has a lot of questions for me right now.

I noticed that the house's layout was surprising. I bought this beach house when I was single. Even my ex-wife and children were unaware of this place.

"Are my clothes still here, Carl?" I asked.

"Yes, sir, but it's too small, and it's still new," he replied, looking at Gianna.

"She's my girlfriend, so don't stare too long," I advised.

"I know, sir, it's obvious from your stare at her." he replied.

I shivered. When it comes to Gianna, am I being too obvious?

My head shook.
Maybe she'll punch me as soon as she wakes up. Since I told Carl she was my girlfriend when she wasn't.