Hello There, Stranger

Part 1

The crazy loud beat filled the room with euphoria, sweaty bodies were everywhere as everyone tried to lose their selves in the tempo of sins and alcohol. Erika was in the club to have a good time together with Trixie who thought that this a good place to heal her broken heart as she tried to mask it with her red lipstick and a backless dress. A few days ago, Erika would have been mortified to even think of going to a place like this, the electronic noise and the predatory crowd were never her thing but now she wanted to prove to herself and Elliott that fooling and dumping her was a big mistake. She clinched her jaw remembering the three full years of her life with that man, trying to keep up a relationship that still got ruined in the end and the worst part was, her ex even dared to switch the knife and blame it all on her. Gas lighting her to think that it was all her fault.

"You're too old school Erika. Pre-marital sex is part of the modern relationship and you're too prude to uphold these morals na hindi naman kailangan." Elliott stated as if he justified why he cheated on her. "You were not there to fulfill my needs as my girlfriend. I'm sorry but I was weak from all the temptation" he plainly said.

Erika remembered how his unremorseful face looked at her like she should have seen this coming. She wanted to scream at him, slap him, and be mad for what he did but she decided to keep her mouth shut.

What's the point? I still lost in the end. She thought to herself.  

She gulped the whiskey straight as she remembered the pain in her chest not because of Elliott but it's more of the time that got wasted being with an unworthy man. The cold liquid traveled through her throat smoothly, so she then started to feel funny and a little dizzy. She was never a good drinker, and now it's obvious in her current state.

"Hi, I'm Kevin, do you want another glass?" One random guy went in invading Erika's personal space. He stood there while swaying his body, dancing to the music as he attempted to flirt with her. He was not bad looking at all, but he was just too confident of himself that Erika thought that this man would only stir trouble, not his first rodeo for sure. She roamed her eyes around as the red, blue, and green light filled her sight and finally she saw Trixie walking towards her, her arms were around this stranger whom she had probably met on the dance floor a few minutes ago.

"Oh, hello there! Is this your new friend?" Trixie winked while her eyes went to Kevin who was right beside Erika. Kevin then smiled boyishly, appreciating the attention he was receiving from the opposite sex. Trixie then moved closer to whisper in Erika's ear amidst the noise around them. "I just met this guy earlier" saad niya habang nakaturo sa lalaking hawak-hawak nito. "He's hot, right? Would you forgive me if Mauna na ako sa iyo sa hotel?" She added.

Napailing si Erika while smiling sarcastically fully understanding what her friend meant. Trixie then bit her lower lip and gave her a pleading look apologizing for being an unreliable friend. She was the one who was adamant, wanting to go to the bar together and now she's leaving Erika alone.

Whatever it's her life anyway. Erika thought.  

She finally nodded and Trixie gestured a big yes before she pulled her date away from the pub.

"So, would you want that drink or get out of here too?" Kevin said that out of nowhere that made Erika realize he was still there.

She then looked at the man with curious eyes and without hesitation she uttered.

"You're wasting your time on me. I'm a virgin, whatever you are hoping to accomplish tonight it's not going to happen between us" she turned him down harshly at di kalaunan naglakad na ito papalayo sa kanya habang nagkakamot ng ulo.

That was probably too much information for a stranger to take in, but she didn't care. Erika looked at her watch and noticed it was getting late, Trixie probably had arrived at the hotel by now, her friend had originally booked a room a few blocks away from the bar and it was a mystery to her initially kung bakit dalawang silid pa ang kinuha nito na pwede namang iisa na lamang para sa kanilang dalawa, now she gets why it was imperative. Trixie absolutely can predict what will happen in the future. Erika smirked habang hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili na mapailing.