CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

Love POV

Yesterday was a disaster.

I went for a jog at 6:30am and then to my favorite coffee shop near my apartment. I ordered my favorite Cappuccino and sat in the corner, listening to music with my earphones.

I was busy checking my playlist when a message on my Viber popped up.

I literally stared at my phone for a whole minute. What the hell is this?

Another picture popped up. I didn't say anything I just stared at it as another picture and then another continued to pop up on my phone. What else? Is that it? I wanted to swear but my lips were sealed, my eyebrows scrunched together.

That was the moment I realized I was crying. I quickly wiped the tears that were continuously flowing, angrily down my face but it wouldn't stop. I unplugged my earphones and got tissues near me.

You're an ashle Sebastian. I couldn’t believe he would do this to me and with whom? With my favorite cousin -- Megan. I tried to control my sob so that no one would notice me but I think I failed because the woman on the other table looked at me with worry in her eyes.

The first picture that was sent to me by one of my closest friends was of Sebastian with his hands on Megan's waist, smiling at each other outside the mall.

The second was of them eating at a restaurant and kissing. That one hurt like hell.

The third was when they were walking and roaming around the mall like a perfect couple --- Megan's head on Seb's shoulder

The last one that hurts so frekng bad was of them entering a motel called Come to Me Baby.

My friend Tony, who had seen them, told me that he followed them up to that motel. He had said “Motels are cheap and so are they, don't you dare cry because of him. You know you deserve better than this. There is a special place in hell for people like them.”

From morning until night, I cried, not only because of the 3 years we had been together, but because of Megan, who had been my closest cousin, my sister in everything, my friend forever and she of all people betrayed me. Why? I kept asking myself.

And that was yesterday.

Today, my eyes feel like they are ready to pop out. They're so red it's as if I was on drugs and they are swelling like someone had just punched me. I don't want to go outside, but my body needs some caffeine. I slowly rise up from my bed and fix it. Brush my teeth, fix my hair into a bun, and change out of my pajamas into sweat pants and a T-shirt. I put on my sunglasses, pick up my keys and wallet and head out of my apartment.

I normally jog, but I don't want to - I just feel drained today. I walk down the sidewalk, cross the streets and finally arrive at the coffee shop.

As I walked into the coffee shop, I couldn't help but notice a man in a navy blue Armani suit talking to another guy, both dressed in impeccably tailored suits. He held a coffee in one hand and exuded an air of confidence and sophistication. My eyes roamed over his handsome features - his sharp jawline, piercing gaze, and full lips. I felt a flush of desire but quickly scolded myself for being so forward.

He looked up and caught me staring, and for a moment, our eyes locked. My heart skipped a beat as I watched his lips curl up into a faint smile. Was he laughing at me? I couldn't tell, but I suddenly felt self-conscious and turned away, pretending to check my phone.

I ordered my coffee and tried to ignore him, but I couldn't help feeling drawn to him. As I waited for my drink, I risked a quick glance in his direction, and to my surprise, he was already looking back at me. Our eyes met again, and this time, he didn't look away. His gaze was intense, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

What was it about this man that had such a hold over me? I couldn't deny the attraction I felt, but I knew better than to get too involved with a stranger. As I took my coffee and headed for the door, I could feel his eyes on my back, and I couldn't resist stealing one last glance over my shoulder.

“Good morning, Love.” the cashier Henry says with a big smile. He is my age with blue eyes and blonde hair. He knows me because I’m a regular customer here.

“Morning” I replied. I have no energy to have a good conversation right now.

Henry was shocked with my sad reply. “Looks like you're not...you today”? he said and I just keep myself quiet. He smiled “The same? Or do you want to change it up”? he asked.

“Same.” I gave him a weak smile.

He gives me my usual Cappuccino and I sit in the same corner again.

Then I see the girl that caused me this pain. Talk about a devil disguised as an angel. I groan to myself.

She sees me and smiles widely, as in really wide, like the Pacific Ocean wide.

She's wearing the same pink tulle skirt and white sleeveless top that she wore yesterday when they went to the motel early in the morning. Ewe! Gross! She didn't even change her clothes. Disgusting!

She stops at the guy in the Armani suit and gives him a flirty wave. That b*tch! Does she have any self-respect? I asked myself. I didn’t even know how she and I became close. The guy she is waving at seems unfazed, he ignores Megan.

She shrugs and walks towards me.

“Hi there Love!” she sit’s across from me, happily. She’s even grinning.

“Hello, I noticed that the guy over there didn't even acknowledge you.” I say with a little smirk.

She rolls her eyes and groans. “He's gay for not noticing me.” Huh! Conceited much?

“I think he's just not interested in you,” I say innocently so she won’t notice the anger I’m currently feeling towards her.

“Please honey, both teenagers and grown-up men are alike. They just can't take their eyes off of me when I enter a room. You've witnessed it. So that says that he really is gay.” she said confidently like she rules the world.

Yes, all of them notice you because you dress like you're always ready to party. I mean seriously like what's a four-letter word that starts with “s” and ends with “t”

“Maybe your skirt today's a little bit longer”? I ask sarcastically and with a shrug as I sip on my coffee.

“You think so”? she asks, looking at her skirt. I just nod in agreement.

She's not always here in this coffee shop so I plan to ask her what the hell she is doing here. Uhmm., no that's a little rude I think.

“So, what brings you to this neighborhood, Megan”? I ask and she stiffens a bit but continues texting. Me? I acted like I didn't notice it because I was so busy observing how her whole body reacted to everything I said.

I smirk to myself.

She put down her phone and looks at me in the eyes. Is she going to tell me everything, confess and ask for my forgiveness?

Her eyes sparkled and smiled --- that moment I realized that I had been close to a devil.

“Yesterday, a certain guy and I went to the mall, we dined in a fine restaurant and you know what”? she paused. I raise my brows like saying what? “He kissed me.” she continued.

“That's not new to you,” I say as if I don't already know the guy who kissed her. “I mean, you kiss every guy you’re with,” I added, trying to ignore my boiling blood. Trying myself to be calm

“Yes, yes, I know that. But after this guy kissed me, we decided to go to the hotel nearby, after we.... Uhm,.. You know.. Anyway, after that, he told me that he's going to break up with his boring girlfriend and he’ll be with Me.” she said, smiling. It's like she's not pointing out that the boring girlfriend is not me.

My blood boils and I don't think I can handle it any longer.

“You slept with a guy who has a girlfriend”? I asked with a little more volume. The gorgeous man in a business suit looks in our direction. He must have heard me.

Her eyes got bigger with shock.

“Chill Love, you will have a heart attack if you don't calm down.” she said, swallowing. She’s getting nervous, I think.

“You should have picked someone available, someone who is free. When his girlfriend finds out, she’ll be hurt like hell.” I said to her.

She holds my arms and caresses it.

“She won’t find out.” she said as if reassuring me.

I groan softly. B*tch, I know already.