That Night

The Beginning

Isabelle's POV

I quietly sobbed, keeping my head down so no one could see my tear stained face. I could feel the strong shots of god knows what starting to kick in.

It was all just a blur -people chattering away happily, loud music which dominated all the other sounds. This wasn't my scene.

I knew from the very beginning of the night that this was a bad idea but that love, that love is what made me come to someplace I would never step foot in. That love which had me absolutely blind and head over heels for someone who wasn't worth it at all. That love which made me do everything for one person, who never cared. That wasn't love at all and I was too brain washed to even realize that, until now. And here I was facing the ruthless consequence of that same love.

I needed to leave. To get out of this club and be somewhere alone so that I could just forget but the only thing that would make that possible was alcohol. So I sat and drank. Drank away my sorrows, drank away my pain. But then, everything came rushing back, piece by piece, as a blurred memory in my head.

The part where I saw him kissing the other girl. The part where I actually confronted him about it. And then finally the part where he dumped me just for that girl. I could never forget! Everything was playing on repeat in my head. It wouldn't stop.

I should've known this a long time ago. No calls for days, avoidance, of course there had to be another girl. And me? Following him around like a love sick puppy who thought that every moment was real.

I was quite drunk, and the sudden urge to return back to my motel overpowered my senses. But of course I couldn't leave so easily. I had to sneak out to avoid bumping into anyone. My face wasn't exactly a pretty sight and it wasn't  the best time for concerned chitter-chatter with a stranger. Even though I was wasted, the thought of getting dumped in a nightclub in a city like Paris was what made me want to pass out.

I got up from the barstool that I had been sitting on for the last 2 hours, trying so desperately to distract myself, and made my way towards the exit. It wasn't that easy, just as I had suspected. Too many people got in my way, especially the mushy couples on the dance floor, making me want to barf all over their faces and ruin their bliss. I know that's a very bad thing to want, but can you really blame me?

The mere thought of dating anyone seemed useless to me, pathetic even. Love never granted happiness. Yes, for a while, it feels great, but with love comes pain. If you get too attached, the hurt is greater. Love isn't a reality. It's a fantasy. And I, for one, was done with being 'loved' by someone like him.

Finally, after getting pushed over to the door, I twisted the knob and was out in the span of a few seconds. Just as I thought I was alright and could finally breathe, I tripped on my own feet clumsily and was about to fall when something caught me, and helped me regain my balance. It took a long second for me to realise that it wasn't a something that saved me from falling flat on my face, but a someone. I looked up to find bright blue eyes staring at my face, hazy and laced with concern.

"Hey, you okay there?" A whisper, deep and husky, reached my ears.

My voice seemed to fly out the window as I helplessly opened my mouth, hoping something, anything, would come out. Wow, his eyes are pretty. I have never seen a pair of eyes as beautiful and mesmerizing.

"Um, are you okay?" I heard the voice try again, hesitant. That seemed to smack me out of my reverie and back into reality.

So much for avoiding concerned chitter-chatter.

"Yeah, I'm so sorry, I didn't watch where I was going. Clumsy me." I knocked my head with my fist lightly, chuckling half-heartedly as I tried to stand up straight.

Speed-walking past him, I tried to recognise the emotion that flooded through me while I shamelessly stared at him during our previous encounter, but before I could reach to a conclusion, I hit something once again. Thankfully, I didn't fall this time, but my eyes met the same blue ones.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm fine, I just really need to be alone. The fact that my face looks terrible right now doesn't mean I'm not okay." I looked away. You shouldn't lie, Isabelle. Your face looks terrible because you were crying for that idiot, and that is exactly the reason why you're not okay.

"Well, I think you look just fine." He spoke, smiling as he held my chin and turned me to face him.
Surprise was probably written all over my face. Who was this guy? What was he trying to do?

"Thank you, but today's really not my day." I forced a smile as I pried his hands off, trying to walk past him again, but he blocked my path before I could get anywhere close to doing that.

"You can tell me all about it, it surely hasn't been the best for me either." He said, sighing.

"Mine's not really worth sharing, surely you wouldn't understand getting dumped by someone---" I said, my tone laced with hatred and pain, only to be cut off by the person in front of me.

"You truly love." He completed, with a knowing smile etched on his face.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I couldn't really understand what had just happened. A complete stranger shared the same feelings as me. Was he a mind-reader or something?

"Hell, yeah! Tell me about it. How did someone as hot as you end up getting dumped?" I accidentally blurted out. I quickly covered my mouth with my hand, but to my dismay, a quick glance at his face informed me that I was heard loud and clear.

Well, shit.

"So, you think I'm hot?" He asked, the cocky smirk never leaving his face. He laughed at my flushed face and continued, "I'll tell you my story if you tell me yours." He asked, with a raised brow.

A huge part of my brain told me to ignore this guy and move on but I had a weird feeling, an instinct in my heart that told me to continue talking to him. My brain and my heart choose now to disagree.

"I have an idea." He said from behind me. Wait, how did he get behind me? Is he a ninja now? Mind-reader to ninja, not a bad change if you ask me. "You and me. We're discovering the city tonight."

Yup, he's not a ninja or a mind-reader. He's what you call crazy.

"And how exactly do I know you're not a serial killer or a rapist or something? I don't even know your name!" I cocked a brow, challenging him to fight back with a smartass retort.

And he did. The next words that came out of his mouth got me actually considering the offer.

"I guess you'll just have to find out." He playfully winked, referring to both my statements.

I guess my heart has this one in the bag. Sorry, brain.

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A/N - Hey! Thanks a lot for reading and I hope you liked the start of this story!! I would love if y'all voted and commented!
See you next chapter!

-Ish