Sweet Surrender (Book 2)

The Lost Girl

"Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it." -- Ann Landers

Tyler

"Come on man! Just a couple of drinks with us! You've been moping around that lonely house for so long now. You need to live a little." Brandon tries to convince me to go out and celebrate with them. Brandon will be sent to Canada for the new branch opened just this week. He was promoted as the Branch Manager for the new site.

"Fine. Just a couple of drinks then I'm done." I finally gave in. I've been living like a caveman for almost a month now. These guys have been trying to force me out of my seat to party, to enjoy, but I just cant. Everywhere I look, I can see something that makes me remember the girl who broke me.

We decided to do the little celebration at Harvey's. Our sort-of favorite place to hang out. It's Saturday night and the place is full of people.

"I think you need to get laid man." Jonathan tells me after a couple of shots. We are almost drunk. Especially me. I have been avoiding alcohol for awhile, having a kick of it again makes the room turn a bit.

"I don't think so." I shake my head. Jonathan and I are back to our old selves. After that incident with Stacey, I have learned to accept that I have to move on and will not let a friendship like Jon and i have to be ruined over a girl. I know he still tries to defend Stacey, but I made him promise not to mention her name or talk about her when I'm around.

"That girl has ruined you for other flings man. You keep on saying that you're moving on, but I don't think you are." Brandon laughs with the guys. I know they're making fun of me. They haven't seen me go out on dates after Stacey left. I just thought I think I would give it some time before I actually go out again. I have to be careful next time.

"I don't know why this guy keeps on insisting that I betrayed him. Which I didn't! I have a clear conscience man. I promise." I just shake my head when Jonathan makes drunk talk again.

"Shut up Jon."

"No, hear me out man. Just this time. Stacey and I... Were friends. She's like a sister to me... you know that..." He looks at me with unsteady eyes. Yeah right Jon.

"Okay buddy. I think it's time for you to go home." I tap his shoulder but he shrugs it off.

"No really. What you were thinking about us is worth sh*t man." He pushes his beer bottle which almost spilled its contents in my lap.

"I don't care what happened between you and that b*tch. Just drop it Jon. I mean it." I stand and walk out of Harvey's. I have to go home. I can't continue on torturing myself with the past. It's been a month since I made her leave my office. I can still see the hurt in her eyes when I told her to leave. Jasmine has been calling and texting me, asking about her. I am purposely avoiding her. Even Tony, when I call him for reports, we simply talk about business. No sharing of personal life stuff. We keep it in a professional level.

I think she's in Corona since Jasmine stopped harassing me. She hasn't contacted me ever since. Which I should be happy about right? I don't care. I don't want to do anything with that two-timer piece of sh*t. As long as she's out of my life, then I'm good. What she did to me is unforgivable. I still feel a bit of anger for Jon, but I just push it aside, not wanting to ruin the remains of friendship that we have. I don't have a lot of true friends here in Singapore. Dad called me a week ago, offering me to manage the newly opened Canada branch. I declined the offer and referred Brandon instead. I don't want to go anywhere.

Maybe Jonathan was right, maybe I should get laid. I look around the street on my way home, hoping to see anyone familiar to invite to my place. But I guess the heavens aren't with me right now. I feel my should slump heavily when I turn to my street. I see my house. It's dark. It looks lonely.

I park the car. I see a package just outside my door. I take a good look at it. This is my package. These are the a couple of documents that Stacey left behind. Why is this here? I tried to flip the box from side to side. Back to sender?

I grab my phone and dial Jasmine's number. Thank God she answers after the second ring. I swing the door open and place the box on the couch.

"Jas, is Stacey in Corona?" I ask her before she can even answer.

"What the hell Ty! I'm in a meeting. What's this all about?"

"Is Jasmine still living with you?" I ask sternly. Why do I suddenly have the urge to know is she's okay?

"Look Tyler. I've trying to call you for weeks. I was worried sick..." She starts with her nagging routine. I know Jasmine too well. I cut her before she can drown me with her lectures.

"Where's Stacey."

"Why are you asking me. I should be the one asking you Tyler. What the hell? What did you do to her?"

"I don't have time for this sh*t okay. I sent her the documents she left behind. Now its back to me." I start to turn the package from side to side again. checking if I have written the correct information.

"Well maybe because she doesn't live in this house anymore." Jasmine says softly.

"What? Do you have her new address so I can send these documents back?" I stand to grab a pen, shuffling through the drawers in the kitchen.

"Nope. I don't know where she is." She snaps at me. I stop with what I'm doing, I was definitely caught off guard.

"Wait. What do you mean you don't know where she is."

"I don't know where she is Tyler. I'm definitely sure she's not in Corona." She sighs. My heart clenches at the though that something bad might've happened to her. Oh God.

"What do you mean she's not in Corona? She left Singapore last month." Now I sound panicky. Where the hell is she? Her last words rings in my ears...

"You will never see me or hear from me again Tyler. You can count on that."

"Calm down. She called a couple of days ago. telling me that she's okay. But she wont tell me where she is."

"Can you give me her number?" I know this is not a wise move. I shouldn't be calling her or checking on her. Hell! I just want to make sure she's safe. That's all.

"I don't have that either. She called through a phone booth or something. She's definitely shutting me out Tyler. She sounds okay to me though. I tried to ask her where she is, but she's not telling. She said she would call again some other time."

"Okay. Jaz, please update me once she calls back." I sigh, not in relief but in frustration. Where could she be?

"can you tell me what happened?" Jasmine sounds frustrated as well on the other line. I assume Stacey didn't share her side of story with her best friend yet. Ashamed much? She should be.

"It's not my story to tell. Just ask her Jaz."

"Fine." She ends the call. I stare blankly at the box. Stacey. Please be safe.