It was 20 past 6 in the evening, after pouring herself a glass of her favorite red wine, Merlot, Vanessa made herself comfortable on her cream leather sofa as she snuggled in her dog, Darla close to her. Flipping nonchalantly through various channels on her plasma that hanged nicely off her wall, she soon eyed the blonde-haired man whom she risked a 4 year relationship with step off the last step of the staircase with a suitcase and duffel bag both in his possession.
Clenching her jaw she quickly turned back her divided attention on the TV screen as Austin continued on his way to the front door to their once shared home, as he carried his luggage through it, then shutting it behind him in a calm manner.
Already cried out for the most part, Vanessa kept what was left of her composure as she bit at the tip of her thumb, not able to focus on anything that was happening on the screen.
Austin soon made an appearance once again as he walked through the front door for the 10th time again in that hour. He soon stopped in his tracks in the middle of the foyer that was next to the living area, as he turned his head over to look at what he still considers someone he still cherishes deeply. "I still love you." He confessed, watching Vanessa's face change so suddenly from the words he expressed.
"Don't" She whispered sharply, closing her eyes shut.
Austin sighed, hesitantly walking over to her as he soon stood awkwardly in front of her with a hand tucked in his front jeans pocket. "I just need time, this was.." He huffed. "Really unexpected." He nodded, clearing his throat as he felt tears coming on.
Vanessa stared down at her hands, not having anything to contribute.
After saying the few words he wanted to get out, he soon turned back around and trotted back to the door, then exiting out for good this time.
Anger built inside of Vanessa after hearing that front door shut, she couldn't believe how foolish and careless she was, that one stupid night jeopardized the one relationship that held her together. After a few seconds she picked up her phone and decided to hit up Stella as she could definitely use the company right now.
the next morning │
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After returning from a quick cruise in his grandpa's restored 1965 mustang, Zac manually locked his new treasure from the outside as he switched his darkened aviators to the top of his head. He soon felt his phone buzz inside his front pocket, soon slipping it out and checking the caller ID, he raised his eyebrows wondering why Ashley was giving him a call so early in the day.
"Hey Ash." He finally picked up with a smile, he soon then adjusted his phone between his ear and shoulder as he walked up to his front door, fishing for his house key on his loaded key ring.
"You're what?"
His eyebrows quickly furrowed as he briskly looked over to the side of him as a midnight black Mercedes G Wagon pulling in from off the street caught his eye. He chuckled as he smoothly jogged over to the driveway gate to grant her access in to park in his outdoor garage. He soon hung up the call as he walked over to the driver side to greet his long-time friend he hasn't seen in ages.
Ashley smiled brightly as she climbed out of her car and was soon hugely greeted into Zac's arms as he swayed her side to side in joy of reuniting.
"My god, how are you?" Her longing question muffled between his chest as she soon pulled back from his bear hold.
Zac nodded, quickly adjusting his shirt. "I'm alright, keeping busy." He let out a breath. "How about you? Man it's so good to see you, Ash." He smiled sweetly. "It's been too long."
Ashley rested her hands on her hips as she nodded as well. "Same here, no complaints really." She scratched her forehead as she watched Zac unlock and open up his front door.
"So what brings you by?" He asked the main question as he stepped inside his Hollywood home, setting his things down by the wall table next to him.
Ashley sighed. "Well, uh." she started, swinging her arms up as she lightly clapped them together while she entered in behind him then closing the door behind her.
Zac soon interrupted. "Let me go ahead and take a wild guess." He smirked, as he soon turned himself around rested against the table.
Ashley quickly bit her lip as she looked him in the eyes sympathetically.
Zac slowly nodded as he rubbed the top of Puppy's head who just accompanied the both of them.
"Are you okay?" The tone in her voice grew gentle, as she was deeply concerned about Zac's emotional status.
"Actually, yeah." he pulled off a smug smile, as he ruffled through his messy hair.
Ashley shot him a glare, knowing him better than that.
Zac tried pulling off a hearty laugh as he noticed Ashley's motherly look. He soon stopped, putting on a more serious face given the circumstances. "Look." He exhaled, crossing his arms over his chest. "What happened, happened, I'm moving on from it, and so is she." He looked at her. "She's clearly happy and that's really all I want for her, yeah it sounds cliche,' but if I couldn't bring her that satisfaction I'm just glad he can."
Ashley looked down for a second as she contemplated hardly. "Well as I'm sure you're aware of, a picture leaked of you two at that party, and apparently Austin got a good look of it.." She said, eyeing him carefully. "Austin called things off."
Zac's mouth dropped a bit in total dismay. He quickly ran his hands down his face as he stared down at his floor.
Ashley bit at her cheeks as silence was filled between them.
"I'm a total asshole, Ash." He shook his head, pushing himself off the table's he's been leaning on as he traveled into his kitchen with Puppy following behind.
"Zac, you're no-"
"I could have prevented all of this!" He raised his voice a bit. "I should have minded my damn business and kept on walking when I saw her there."
"But it's totally understandable that you didn't." She empathized as she soon met up with him in the kitchen. "Zac, it's been 6 years since you've seen her in person."
Zac shook his head once more as he looked through his double-pane windows, staring out into the city. "My fucked up emotions got the better of me and look what it cost her."
