She is the Queen

Chapter 19

As the warm rays of the morning sun filtered through the billowing white curtains, I slowly opened my eyes, greeted by a soft glow illuminating the room. I could feel his arms enveloping me, providing a sense of security and comfort. But as much as I craved that feeling, I knew I had to break free from his grasp. Yesterday, I had inadvertently revealed my vulnerability, allowing him access to my emotions. And now, I needed to regain control and distance myself from him.

Carefully, I untangled myself from his embrace, gently removing his arm that had been wrapped around my waist. I knew I couldn't stay in his bed any longer. As I got dressed, slipping back into the same clothes I had worn the day before, I couldn't bear to take anything from him. I needed to create separation, to establish boundaries that would shield me from further emotional exposure.

Leaving his house, I stepped out into the cool morning air, taking a deep breath, I called my driver to pick me up from his address. Arriving home, I called Jack while sipping on my coffee.

"Hey, good morning Jack," I greeted him groggily, still half-asleep.

"Lai, do you know what time it is?" he chuckled.

"Uhm..." I fumbled for my phone to check the time and my eyes widened in shock - it was already 4:17 in the afternoon. "Oh my goodness, I can't believe I slept for this long! This is a first for me."

"Yeah, so it's not good morning, it's good afternoon," he laughed.

"What are you doing tonight?" he asked.

"Nothing, what about you?" I replied, curious.

"Let's go to L'enterio. I'll also call Evan and Chloe. Some of my other friends will be there too, as it's Marco's birthday. I'll arrange a table for us. Do you know Marco?"

"No?" I responded, my mind racing to remember if I had heard the name before.

"Marco Martinez," he clarified.

"Oh!" Suddenly, it all clicked into place. "Yeah, he's Colombian, right? And his family is in the nicotine replacement business?"

"Yes, that's him! So, be ready at 9. Let's dine at Novikov."

"Yep, that's exactly what I was craving!" I exclaimed, excited for the evening ahead.

"See you there," he said before hanging up.

"See you, Jackie," I replied with a smile, already looking forward to our night out.

Feeling like a teenager again, even if only for a moment, brought a sense of joy and normalcy to my life. Deep down, however, I knew that I wasn't a typical teenager. Jack and my other friends were aware that something had happened, but I couldn't bring myself to reveal the full extent of the situation. I didn't want to expose them to the dark and dangerous world that I had been a part of. So, I chose to provide them with limited information, enough for them to understand the gravity of the situation without putting them in harm's way.

Fortunately, my friends were understanding and supportive. They knew that everyone has their own family secrets and hidden pasts, and they didn't judge me for mine. Instead, they offered me love and acceptance, creating a safe haven where I could be myself without fear of judgment.

Amongst my friends, Jack held a special place in my heart. He knew me better than anyone else, even my own family. We had shared countless memories and experiences, both good and bad. He could see beyond the facade that I presented to the world, understanding the true depths of my emotions. He was more than a friend; he was like a brother to me.

As I started getting ready for our night out, a mixture of excitement and anxiety washed over me. As the time for me to start getting ready approached, I carefully selected a casual-chic outfit to wear for the evening. I opted for a trendy black one-shoulder crop top, elegantly paired with a pair of light blue mother jeans. But it was my choice of shoes that truly defined my style for the night – a stunning, sparkling pair of Louboutins. I wanted to make a statement, to have an extra touch of glamour that would make heads turn.