C9 Nine

After Alex left, I felt a wave of emotions crashing over me, and I knew I needed a strong drink to numb the pain and confusion. Heading to the bar, I ordered four margaritas in one go, hoping they could drown out the things he had said. The bartender looked concerned, but he didn’t say anything as he prepared the drinks.

As I sipped on the first margarita, my gaze drifted to the dance floor, where Cher was moving gracefully. She looked so radiant and happy in her reception dress, having changed from her stunning wedding gown. The reception dress was a breathtaking creation, a strapless ivory gown adorned with delicate lace patterns and shimmering beadwork. It flowed elegantly to the floor, accentuating Cher’s natural beauty and making her glow with joy.

I sighed, realizing that I might never experience a love like Cher’s. Her relationship with her partner seemed so sweet and genuine, and it made my heart ache with envy. I took another swig of my drink, trying to push away those thoughts and focus on the moment.

The bartender returned with my three remaining margaritas, placing them in front of me. I felt a mix of embarrassment and defiance as I gulped them down one after the other, seeking solace in the alcohol.

Just as I started to feel light-headed, I noticed someone approaching me from the corner of my eye. It was Ace, easily identifiable by the barely noticeable scar on his left eyebrow. My heart sank as I realized my earlier mistake—kissing Alex instead of Ace. It had been an honest mix-up, but the consequences were painful.

“Alcoholic much?” Ace remarked, noticing the four empty glasses in front of me. His tone was a mix of concern and teasing, but I could tell he genuinely cared about my well-being. “What’s happening with you tonight? Are you okay?”

As I stood there, my mind in turmoil, I couldn’t help but think how much of a mess I had become. I wasn’t okay; I was confused, scared, and burdened by the weight of the horrible thing I had done. My heart ached as I acknowledged that I had been a horrible friend, betraying someone I cared about deeply.

“I’m going home,” I mumbled to Ace, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the place, where Alex’s accusing gaze seemed to follow me wherever I went.

Ace looked concerned and tried to reason with me, “You’re not driving like this home, you’re drunk.”

“I’m walking then,” I replied, feeling the need to flee from the situation, even if it meant navigating the journey on unsteady legs.

He wouldn’t let me go that easily. As I attempted to get up, I stumbled and nearly fell, only to find myself caught in Ace’s strong arms. “Like that’s a good idea? You can barely stand up,” he reasoned with a tone of worry.

“No, it’s fine,” I insisted, my mind torn between wanting to be alone and realizing that Ace’s offer was the safer option. The voices in my head urged me to refuse his help, to keep everyone at arm’s length.

“Why are you pushing me away?” Ace’s voice quivered with a mix of frustration and hurt. “I’m just trying to look out for you. You’re not in a state to walk home alone.”

“I don’t need your help,” I retorted defensively, trying to maintain a façade of strength even as I felt utterly broken inside.

Ace looked at me with genuine concern in his eyes, determined to convince me to let him drive me home. “Listen, I know you’re upset for God knows whatever reason, but walking home like this isn’t safe. You’re not thinking clearly, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

I shook my head, trying to maintain my stubborn resolve. “I appreciate your concern, Ace, but I need some time alone. I can handle myself. I just need to clear my head.”

He stepped closer, his voice gentle but insistent. “I get that you want space, but I can’t let you walk home like this. It’s not safe, especially when you’re this upset and intoxicated. Please, let me drive you home.”

Frustration boiled within me, and I snapped back, “I said no, okay? I don’t need you taking care of me. I can handle myself just fine.”

Ace’s expression turned pained, but he refused to back down. “You’re not being rational right now. This isn’t about you needing me to take care of you. It’s about making sure you get home safely.”

“I don’t need a babysitter,” I retorted, my emotions getting the better of me. “Just leave me alone, Ace. I can walk home on my own.”

His tone hardened slightly, and he firmly replied, “I’m not going to let you do something reckless just because you’re upset.”

“Well, maybe you should just leave me alone then!” I shouted, tears of frustration and guilt welling up in my eyes. “You don’t understand what I’m going through, so stop pretending like you do.”

Ace’s face softened again, and he took a step back, trying to give me some space. “You’re right. Maybe I don’t fully understand, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care. I’ll back off if you want me to, but I won’t leave you alone out here.”

“I need to be alone right now,” I said, my voice trembling. “I need to think and figure things out on my own.”

He nodded, a mix of sadness and determination in his eyes. “Okay, I’ll respect that. But promise me you’ll call me when you get home, so I know you’re safe.”

“I don’t need you checking up on me,” I snapped, wiping away the tears that threatened to spill. “I’ll be fine. Just go away, Ace.”

He took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving mine. “I care about you, and I can’t help worrying.”

“Stop. Please stop,” I muttered, my anger mixed with self-loathing. “I am just too messed up.”

“No, you’re not,” Ace said firmly, stepping closer again. “We all make mistakes, and we all go through tough times. But that doesn’t define who you are as a person.”

His words struck a chord deep within me, and for a moment, I considered giving in. But the turmoil inside me was too overwhelming, and I couldn’t bear the thought of burdening him further.

“Just go, Ace,” I pleaded, my voice cracking. “Please, just leave me alone.”

And with that I stormed off the reception.

* * *

As I walked home in the chilly night, my mind still clouded by the events of the evening, I struggled to keep my balance. The alcohol in my system made it difficult to walk in a straight line, but at least the cold air provided some clarity to my overwhelmed thoughts.

The dimly lit road stretched before me, and I couldn’t shake the eerie feeling that someone was watching me from the shadows. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn’t help but glance back repeatedly, searching for any sign of a pursuer. Was it Ace, making sure I was safe despite my stubbornness? Or was it Alex, angry and hurt, following me?

With each turn, there was no one in sight—just the empty road and the darkness surrounding me. The silence only added to the growing sense of unease. I cursed myself for declining Ace’s offer to drive me home; my stubbornness had led me to this unsettling journey.

“Why do I keep doing stupid things?” I whispered to myself, berating my impulsive decisions that had brought me to this vulnerable state.

As I continued walking, the sound of footsteps behind me sent shivers down my spine. I turned around, my heart racing, and my eyes widened in shock. It was Leon, someone I hadn’t expected to encounter on this desolate road.

“Leon? What are you doing here?” I stammered, trying to sound composed despite my fear and confusion.

He didn’t answer, his expression unreadable, but his hand gripped a huge piece of wood tightly. Panic surged within me, and I instinctively took a step back, my mind racing to make sense of the situation.

“What are you doing here, Leon? Why do you have that piece of wood?” I asked, again trying to keep my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

His eyes blazed with anger, and he gritted his teeth, his grip on the wooden object tightening. “You broke up with me,” he spat, his voice filled with hurt and bitterness. “I loved you so much, and you just threw me away like I meant nothing.”

I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure. “You cheated on me, Leon,” I reminded him, my voice tinged with pain. “I trusted you, and you betrayed that trust. It wasn’t just one time; it was a breach of everything we had together.”

He shook his head, his anger evident. “It was just one time, baby,” he said, his words oozing with manipulation. “Just one mistake. You can’t throw away everything we had because of that.”

My frustration grew, and I scoffed at his attempt to downplay his actions. “One mistake? Cheating isn’t just a mistake; it’s a conscious choice that you made. It shattered everything we had, and you can’t expect me to forgive and forget so easily.”

Leon’s expression hardened, and he glared at me, a possessive fire in his eyes. “You’re leaving me because of that? After all the love I gave you?”

“It wasn’t love if you could betray me like that,” I said firmly, standing my ground despite the fear inside me. “And I don’t owe you anything. We are done, Leon. It’s over.”

But he wasn’t willing to accept that reality. His voice grew more menacing as he declared, “We are not done. You’re mine, and if I can’t have you, no one can.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, and I realized the danger I was in. My heart pounded louder, and I knew I needed to be cautious in handling this situation.

“I am not anyone’s possession,” I stated firmly, trying to keep my voice steady. “I have the right to end a relationship if it’s not working for me. And your possessiveness and aggression only prove that leaving was the right choice.”

His grip on the piece of wood tightened, and I felt a surge of fear. I needed to escape, to get away from him before things escalated further.

“You need to let go, Leon,” I urged, my voice pleading for reason. “This isn’t the way to deal with your feelings. There’s no excuse for violence or threats.”

But he seemed consumed by anger and delusion, refusing to listen to reason. “You’ll see, baby,” he said with a sinister smirk. “You’ll come back to me, one way or another.”

Before I could react further, I felt an excruciating pain in my head, as if the world had crashed down on me. The blow from the piece of wood sent me staggering, and everything around me began to fade to black.

The next thing I knew, I was lying on the ground, dazed and disoriented. My vision blurred, and I tried to make sense of what had just happened.

The pain in my head intensified, and I struggled to get up, but my body felt heavy and uncooperative. Fear and confusion engulfed me as I attempted to piece together the events leading up to this horrifying moment.

But before I could gather my thoughts, darkness enveloped me, and I slipped into unconsciousness.