Confessions of a Cynic

F O U R

"Empty brain. Got. Nothing. In this. Useless. Brain. Of. Mine." Psyche pounded her head to her table repeatedly. Cornelia could only shook her head as she began to read another article of Psyche's that once again, Jessica considered "trash".

"Maybe searching for a date isn't so bad." Cornelia suggested.

"What?"

"I mean, look at this." Cornelia showed her a picture of the Pragma Island Resort and true enough, Psyche was awed at the clear azure blue of the sea. She could already smell the sea; feel the breeze and the sounds of birds flocking together. 

"It's really beautiful." She said, sighing.

"You being in that romantic place and being surrounded with couples-isn't that a great environment to write your article? I mean-this is like going undercover. You are with people in long-term relationships-or short- and then you could research their secrets."

Psyche stood up straight. Her best friend sound convincing but how can she find a date when the couples retreat is next week? "Hey! Hey! Jordan!" Psyche called out one of her office mate.

"Me?" the nervous young man pointed himself.

"Yeah, you! Come over here." Psyche ordered him. The guy approached Psyche, with a worrisome face. "I'm not going to bite you, little guy. I just wanted to ask if you're available next week to go to a free trip to Greece?"

"Greece? That's cool. Unfortunately, I can't. It's my mother's birthday next week and I'm going to introduce to her my girlfriend."

"Go away." Psyche pointed him away. Immediately, the poor young man left them.

"He's the dorkiest dude in the office and he got some date on Valentine's day. You're sad." Cornelia chuckled.

"I can't let this lose my job. Oh my god. I'm going to lose my job." Psyche said, starting to panic, gripping her plum-colored hair with both hands.

"Calm down. You better find a way to get to Greece."

"Can I borrow some money then?"

"I love you but no. I badly need money to pay for my credit card that I haven't paid in monthly now. The debt collector has already knocked in my door twice."

Psyche groaned.

"Why don't we just go out tonight? Let's go to party by that new bar at the other side of the street of that Lotus club. We could just chill there, listening to bands and you know the rest."

"That's sounds fun."

"I don't want to." Eros said over the phone, signing some papers. His best friend, Michael has been trying to take him out for the night.

"Dude, it's Friday for crying out loud. I know you're just trying to keep yourself busy from-well-from her but no need to mope out over such things. Come on! Maybe you'll meet someone better."

Eros shook his head and chuckled. "You sound very convincing."

"Right? Meets us at 8 at that Club Lotus."

Psyche has been impatiently waiting for Cornelia by a convenience shop. Cornelia has been flirting with the bar guy she just recently introduced for the last 30 minutes. Desperate to have a drink, Psyche called her out, pounding on the glass window. Her friend looked at her and nodded quickly but eventually, went back to flirting again.

"Seriously?" Psyche scoffed.

"Hey, baby."A rugged guy, along with two others, approached Psyche. She ignored them but they went closer to her. "Don't have company? We're all free tonight."

"No thanks." Psyche slowly moved away but one caught her arm.

"Awwe. Look at her. We're not going to doing anything bad." One with a braided hair said.

"In fact, we're gonna do something that'll make you feel good." the one with two black front teeth whispered to Psyche's ear.

"I said, No thanks!" Psyche kicked his balls. The guy with two black teeth bend down, holding his crotch and Psyche did a sharp raised of her knee, hitting the guy's chin. He fell down, feeling both the pain on his crotch and his jaws.

"Get that bitch!" The guy shouted. Psyche screamed and began to ran away from them. The two guys chased Psyche along the sidewalk. The people were either too drunk, high or just rude not to help a screaming woman running from three guys. 

So, Psyche ran and ran, didn't know and didn't even care where she was heading. She look back, seeing the one she just kicked has catch up, she ran as fast as she could. She  passed by an empty street and could hear loud music at the other side. Her heart was pounding when she heard the the guys shouting at her and laughing.

"You'll never escape from us!"one shouted.

Psyche tried to run as fast as she could, even though she could feel her legs tiring. I haven't run like this since gym class! But, she can't give up or else, she'll really be in grave danger.

Finally seeing some people, Psyche called out for help. She shouted and ran at the same time but was caught by one of the guys. She wriggled her arm furiously until she managed to escape from them again. But, as she ran forward, she didn't realize she was by the road and her eyes were blinded by the lights and all she could ever do was stand and freeze.