Addictive Redemptions

CHAPTER 10 Goes Way Back

CARLINA did not attend the after-party at the fashion event. Such a shame, the after-party is the best but her mood was ruined by the sudden turned up of an unwanted person. Honestly, ever since she started getting involved in the glamorous industry in Singapore, she did not expect that her career as a model would expand to Europe. She is not that type of girl that is comfortable acting in front of a camera before. It was all thanks to Vanessa's aunt who keeps pushing her to be more confident in herself.

" Van, I won't be coming to the party tonight," informed Carlina on her cellphone.

"Awh, girl! The hot guys from the Brazil modelling agency are here too. You're going to miss all the fun!"

"Nah, I'll pass this time. Tell the girls that I'm very sorry that I cannot join," she walks out of the building through the entrance door and waves her hand to the crews that are still packing up the whole venue.

The cold air outside gives her the chill. She forgot to bring her jacket over but luckily she doesn't have to wait for a taxi, there are already several of them waiting at the side of the road.

" Viscenzo Hotel," she informed the taxi driver. He nods and starts the engine. A soft sigh leaves her mouth as she leans her head back. So many things have happened in a day and she needs a break.

Colourful lights shone on her soft face with beautiful calm eyes with a tint of pain. Only the person that looks deeper can see it, the pain that could only be healed by the person who caused them.

He never loved me, she thought.

"We're here, miss," a sudden voice from the taxi driver surprises her from a daze.

"Oh, right," Carlina opened her purse and hold out a few dollar bills to the passenger, "--keep the change," then she hops out of the taxi dragging her dress behind her to the entrance of the hotel.

Carlina smiles at the doorman that opens the door for her then goes straight to her hotel room.

As she is looking at the mirror, her eyes locked on the marks or specifically a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist. The concealer that she put on earlier to cover it up was already washed by the water while she is removing her make up.

Looking at the beautiful mark on her skin, she sighs as she rubbing it softly by her thumb. She is regretting of ever making that tattoo. It is supposed to be a memory, a connection to someone she loves but it only reminds her of the ugliest part of her teenage life and how it ruins her self-esteem and her ability to believe in love and trust.

Not anymore. She is a different person now.

She changes her clothes into pyjama and does her night routine before going to sleep.

...

At the top floor of a building, in a penthouse, there is a young man revising memories of the past. A cigarette is in between the two of his fingers of his right hand and exhale whiffs of smoke. He is not a smoker but sometimes the pressure got to him. Usually, he would hit the gym but he is not in the mood.

His jacket and tie were already gone as he enters the penthouse which is at the highest floor of Marc Tower just a floor above his office cabin.

Remembering today incident, his heart constricted. The once soft and warm looks in her eyes turn cold and harsh as she looked at him. He doesn't like the feeling but well, he deserved it after all he did. He sighs.

He remembers all those days with her and with that came with the bits of guilt that he carried every day after that day.

He did look for her but he was lost at that time and alone. He had no sources for he came to the USA with his own money and no support from his family except his very old grandparents. He doesn't want to bother them with his problems; they had done enough for taking care of him since he was a child.