Twisted Cinderella

Moving on

Mid-morning sunlight illuminated the room and shone on L'Oreal's face. As consciousness gained, she slowly opened her eyes. Momentary confusion was there as she glanced around the room. She had no idea where she was. She turned to hide her face from the offensive light, but contact between the pillow she lay on and her face caused a slight burning sensation. L'Oreal winced, raising her hand to her face and could feel the small scars beneath her fingers. And in that moment, memories of the night before flooded her mind. Everything from the abuse she'd experienced from Percy to the intimate time she'd spent with Hiroki. 

L'Oreal's stomach fluttered with both guilt and anxiety at the thought of him. There she lay in the bed of a man whom she'd just slept with, but didn't know. Her eyes welled, but she did not cry. She couldn't because she'd already decided not to anymore. Plus, there was no point in crying now. It wasn't like he'd forced her and it wasn't as if he'd lied about his feelings towards her, but it still felt shameful. She wondered what her parents above thought of her now. Looking to the side, she noticed that the man in question wasn't there. She was alone. After pulling herself up from the bed and placing on the gray sweats she'd been given, L'Oreal went to have a look around.

It didn't take long before she'd spotted him. Hiro was on the balcony outside his living room. He was standing on the right side of an outdoor pool, facing the ocean, wearing a pair of black slacks and a light blue shirt. The wind flowing in from the ocean caused the material and his dark hair to whip around behind him. It was a sight to see. At first glance, it seemed that he was just standing there enjoying the scenery and warm breeze so she slid the glass door open to greet him. But when she did, she froze. Again, Hiroki was on the phone pleading with 'that person'.

 "I really want to see you. .....No, I can't let it go. Meet me. Today, now. Haha...yeah, I know. I can't help it. ........Because..I love you."

Quickly, L'Oreal shut the door and moved away. That's right, he'd said that he didn't love her, but she never thought to ask if he had loved anyone else. She'd only thought of her own self. Her selfishness had caused her to become greedy and careless. She'd known all along that Hiroki liked someone. Even if she hadn't asked- the way he'd gotten so upset last night after talking on the phone, how could she not know. Guilt ate at her and fear filled her up. She didn't want to ruin the life of a man who'd been so nice to her. She didn't want to make anything any worse. She'd decided. She had to leave.

 In a rush before he could get off the phone, L'Oreal ran to the back of the apartment and grabbed the pile of shredded clothes she'd come in, then ran out the front door. She'd just have to pay him back for the sweat pants and shirt some day, but she couldn't stay. She couldn't ruin the love he so rightfully deserved. No. She was happy, so very happy to have met Hiro, but she knew that this was the last time she'd see him.

 ~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

DING DOOOOOOONG....

DING DOOOOOOONG.........

DING DONG, DING DOOOOONG......

Without thinking, L'Oreal wondered right back to where she'd started. Sean's place. It was early afternoon and she knew that he took classes in the afternoon since he wasn't a morning person. Even though, she knew he wouldn't be there, she still rang his door bell. She was hoping and praying that he would've taken today, of all days, off. She wasn't sure if he knew that she was missing or not, but he usually calls her every morning so maybe he did. 

Plus, someone had probably already found Percy by now. She couldn't imagine the story he's told everyone. Not knowing what else to do or where else to go, L'Oreal sat on the small stoop in front of Sean's door and waited. He should be home soon.