Stained Recovery

Closure || Chapter 8

Ariana

To say Jasmine's mad is an understatement.

She was furious — raging with fury. I thought that she would've gotten over it by now but nope... this girl sure knows how to hold grudges.

"My best friend's so stupid! If I were you, Ari, I'd be mad to — give her an ultimatum or something. Maybe she'd listen to you!" Jasmine huffed beside me in the SUV.

We're on our way now to our hotel near the O2. She had been bitching about Cleo for almost 11 hours. I don't even know if there were any other topics the whole flight.

She was so grumpy and furious at Cleo. The other day, when I stayed the night at Cleo's apartment — Jasmine told me that I should convince Cleo not to go. The truth is... even if I want to do that, I don't have the right... we're not really together.

We kissed... yes... which was amazing by the way — but I understand her reason for deciding to go. She has some unfinished business with her ex... she wants answers... answers that she could only get from the Hoe Doctor.

"Jas, I love you — okay? But if you don't shut up, I know I can't hold back. I'm throwing you off this car. Cleo's an adult — I suppose she knows what she was doing!" Victoria said before giving Jasmine a menacing glare.

Jas turned her head toward Vic "You don't understand — the minute Doctor Hoe sniffs Cleo breaking away from her, like — fucking getting over her? She'll sink her claws again and we'll be back to square one. That girl's toxic as fuck! It's like she doesn't want Cleo to be happy!"

We all eyed her, surprised at what she said.

I didn't know that... what do you mean sink her claws again... did this happen before?

Courtney sighed before speaking "What do you mean? Like, she'll sweet talk our girl again then she'll come crawling to her lap? Man, Cleo seems like a smart kid — trust her."

Hmm, on point Court... but I can't shake the feeling...

Jas scoffed and chuckled "Oh yeah? Cleo's obsessed with that girl — don't know if Naomi's got golden pussy or sum'in. Just a couple of touches or flowery words, my girl's hooked."

"Remember last year, when I had to ditch your birthday party, Ari?" She asked me.

I vividly remember begging her to stay because the party was just starting. But she blew me off because she said her best friend needed her.

My eyes grew wide in realization.

"Yeah, that was Cleo. She was in an accident — drove her Range Rover into a tree. She was drunk because her ex made her think that they were getting back together. Turns out, Naomi just gave her pity sex, the last hurrah. She was fucking with Cleo, and Jethro for over a year. Then decided to marry the hell out of the guy. Nasty motherfucking Hoe." Jasmine's voice was filled with mirth. I can see her visibly shaking out of anger.

She averted her eyes, but I saw the unshed tears before she turned.

What the hell... she's actually crying.

"You guys don't understand — I almost lost Cleo back then. You wouldn't want to feel that, Ari." She directed her whispered words at me while her eyes trailed to the window.

"Wait... back up — back up. Why would, Ari — Oh... my god." Courtney's voice almost broke my eardrums. "Did you fuck Cleo?!"

My eyes went wide when she yelled the latter part of her sentence. I want to kill this woman.