RACHEL

Colored lights flashed across the club, painting everything in shifting colors. People were everywhere. Loud music played, and the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air. The strong scent of alcohol hit my nose. My head already felt heavy from the noise and the heat.

We ordered some drinks and drank to our satisfaction. I was tipsy. My vision blurred slightly, but I could still think clearly... mostly.

Lena wasn't with me anymore. As a regular club-goer, she was already on the dance floor, moving effortlessly, laughing, and drawing attention from everyone around her. She tried to convince me to come along, but I remained adamant. It already felt like a miracle that I had come here at all... maybe next time, I would summon the courage to dance like her.

"Would you mind if I sit here, milady?" a voice said behind me.

When I turned, my gaze fell on a man. He had a cute face and the physique of someone who practically lived in the gym. I squinted to get a clearer view of him. His cologne was sharp but relaxing. Subconsciously, I inhaled more of it.

"I'm married," I raised my hand, showing him my ring, then looked away.

He chuckled. My words didn't stop him from sitting beside me. He settled in and clinked his glass with mine. I didn't respond, only watching him cautiously. I didn't invite him to stay, but he stayed anyway.

"Really...? You don't look married," he said.

I cackled dryly. "Oh! My bad. Next time, I'll wear a wedding dress when coming here," I replied without a smile. My head was beginning to ache from all the drinking and laughing.

He burst into laughter. "Oh, fucking what!" he muttered between laughs. "That's not what I mean... You got that all wrong."

Staring at him again, I widened my eyes. "Then tell me-what do you mean?"

"I mean... " You look young and beautiful..." he stuttered.

"Oh! So only old and ugly women get married?"

He laughed harder, clutching his stomach. "Gosh! You're so funny. Who are you?"

I sipped my drink, ignoring his question. My eyes scanned the dance floor, searching for Lena. The alcohol was starting to take effect, and that meant it was time to leave.

"I'm Sebastian," he introduced. "Sebastian Raymond." He paused. "May I know the name of the woman who made me laugh for the first time in a week?" He stretched out his hand, smiling brightly.

For a few seconds, I stared at his hand, blinking but not taking it. Hissing softly, I picked up my glass and took another sip.

He pursed his lips, withdrew his hand, and clapped his palms together. "I guess you want to remain anonymous for now," he mumbled.

Still, I remained silent. None of his attempts were getting to me. He was a man. The one who made me come to the club tonight was also a man. They brought nothing but pain and destruction. There was no way I would open up to one again.

"You look like you've got a lot on your mind," he asked, breaking the silence. "Wanna share?"

If there was one thing I would applaud Sebastian for, it would be his persistence and boldness. Despite my attitude, he didn't give up. And his questions were tempting. I wanted to let it all out-my vulnerability, my emotions-but I knew that wasn't me. I wouldn't reveal my pain to a stranger. It was the alcohol speaking, and my friend wasn't around to pull me back.

My throat tightened as I tried to hold it in. 

In a blink, my eyes stung, and tears streamed down my face. I gasped. "I'm such a fool..." I sobbed, covering my face.

He leaned forward, his surprised gaze scanning my face. "What...? Are you... Are you crying?" His tone was filled with shock.

"When he cheated with different women, I had no problem with it. I endured. I compromised because they said marriage is all about compromise and sacrifice," I began. "Do you know what he told me this morning?" I let out a bitter laugh. "He said he wanted an open marriage, and he brought another woman into our home."

"What!" Sebastian exclaimed. "Is he a psycho? Is he nuts?" He tapped his temple and scoffed. "How shameless can he be?" His expression darkened as he spoke.

With my eyes half-closed, I chuckled. "I'm the shameless one. The one holding on to a tiny hope that he would change. The coward who couldn't walk away the first time. The fool who kept thinking he would choose me again." My voice grew hoarse and emotional. "I'm such a fool, Sebastian. A fool... a big fool."

"No, you aren't." He shook his head. "You love him, and that isn't a crime. If anyone should feel bad, it's him."

"I... I don't know what to do. How do I make him look at me? Now Clara is in my house. She's going to live with us. What if he forgets about me completely?"

"I don't think a man like him deserves you. He doesn't," he said firmly. "You deserve better. A man who will worship you and love you like you're the next thing to God." He paused briefly.

"You should leave him," he added.

Everything went silent as he said that. The only thing I could hear was the echo of his words. What the hell did he mean by divorce? He was asking me to leave my husband? For what?

I snorted. "Why would I leave him?"

He was taken aback, but quickly composed himself. "He's making you cry."

"I know he's making me cry, but how is that enough reason to divorce him? That's like handing him over to those bitches," I muttered.

He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. "Don't, please," I snapped. "Don't say another word." I stood up and grabbed my bag.

He froze for a moment, then his lips curved into a small smile as he nodded. "You haven't told me your name."

"I don't tell strangers my name-especially ones who don't mind their damn business," I retorted.

He snickered and stood up. "You can always talk to me again." He slipped his card into my hand.

I tried to refuse it, but he insisted, so I took it. I would throw it away once I got outside. Then I stormed off.

⸻

Sebastian's eyes followed her as she walked out of the club. His lips curved into a slow smile. With his hands tucked into his pockets, he ran his tongue over his lips and nodded.

"So that's her...," he muttered to himself. His gaze lingered on her as she walked out.

RACHEL

"Is that what upset you?" Lena asked after I finished narrating what happened between Sebastian and me, and she didn't seem to find anything wrong with it. She stared at me as though she didn't understand what I had just said.

"What do you mean? Are you listening to me at all?" I sat up, gradually getting sober. "He asked me to leave Jeremy. That's like divorcing him," I emphasized with my palms.

A sharp unease settled in my chest. Divorce. The word sounded too final... too real. As if saying it out loud might actually make it happen.

She nodded, thumping her chin. "Okay...? I'm still trying to understand where the problem lies."

My lips parted, and I let out a hollow snicker. "You are unbelievable."

"No, Rachel. You're the unbelievable one. This Sebastian or whatever gave you candid advice... advice anyone who truly cares about you would give," Lena's jaw clenched. It was still dark, but the little rays diffusing from the city were enough for me to see the scowl on her face.

"He's trying to ruin me. That's not advice," I retorted, pissed off. The way Lena supported a stranger was really annoying.

She snorted. "No. You're already ruined, Rachel. You just refused to accept it," Her voice was low.

My mouth parted; however, I was about to talk back when the driver's voice cut in. "We're at the address."

Lena and I exchanged glances. I huffed, rolling my eyes, and she sneered at me. We got out afterward. I didn't wait. I kept walking into the house while she settled the driver.

As soon as I got in, I walked to her fridge, took a bottle of cold water, and chugged a lot of it to suppress my tipsiness. Then she walked in, staggering slightly. Anyone could tell she was still drunk, but Lena wasn't new to the game. She could still speak and act sensibly while drunk.

Letting out a relieved sigh, she flung her bag onto the couch and collapsed on it, flopping her arms. "I also need some water, my friend," she slurred.

I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and walked to the living room. Grudgingly, I flung it onto her body. She picked it up and chuckled. "Still holding grudges?"

Instead of responding, I settled on the couch and leaned back, one arm behind my head. My eyes fell on the ceiling as I wallowed in my thoughts.

When Lena finished drinking, she shifted into a similar position to mine. A deafening silence filled the room, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

"If you ask me, I'll say Sebastian is right," she broke the silence, in an extremely annoying manner. Just when I thought I should forget about that foolish man, she brought him up.

"Keep your thoughts to yourself, Lena. I don't want to hear anything about him," I said, still in the same position. She didn't respond afterward.

A few seconds later, she gasped, springing up and sitting upright. "I think I've gotten a better solution, Rachel." Her eyes widened.

Initially, I didn't want to give Lena my attention because I was certain she would only piss me off, but my brain did otherwise-curious and anticipatory-so I had no choice but to shift my gaze to her.

Smiling, she leaned closer to me. "I think you should agree to the open marriage Jeremy suggested."

Just like I'd predicted, she really did annoy me. With irritation churning within me, I stood up, but before I could say a word, she clapped her hands. "No. That's not all." She put a finger on my lips. "You need to listen to me carefully before you react." She winked and flashed a gossipy smile.

There was nothing I could do afterward. I just needed to listen to the wonderful plan my professional planner had.

"So, you'll agree with him like he wanted and look for a man who will pretend to be your boyfriend," she outlined. "Then, you guys can work together to make him jealous and realize how much of a queen and damsel you are," she added, cupping my face with a full grin.

It took me a while to comprehend everything she said. My mouth parted, about to reject her offer, but as usual, she beat me to it. "I know. I know." She raised her hand in the air. "You're conflicted about who's the perfect man for this job, right?" She leaned closer. "Look no further, girl. Sebastian is the right person for this job."

His name echoed in my head, uninvited... and strangely persistent.

"What!" I couldn't resist talking back at this point. "Are you mad? Is your drunkenness getting into your brain?" I shouted, my face tightening. How could she say such things casually? I should make a plan with a man I met four hours ago?

She chuckled. "It's not that deep, girl. If you really think Jeremy is the only man you want, then you've got to give this a try," she asserted. "Make him jealous. Make him want you. Make him realize you can do without him. That's the only way to bring him back to his senses," she added.

"It's that deep, Lena. Pretending to be another man's girlfriend? You know I won't partake in such nonsense," I flared up, not letting any of her suggestions get to me. She was drunk and definitely oblivious to the words she spewed.

"So what do you want to do?" she shouted back, hitting the couch aggressively. "I've given you all the alternatives that can help you, but you insist on being the fucking foolish, understanding wife." Her tone held disappointment and anger-fierce but shaky. "This man doesn't even deserve you. He treats you like shit. Dump his ass and find somebody better," She snapped, "Or are you just scared no one else will ever choose you?" she added bluntly.

Biting my lower lip, I shook my head and let out a bitter chuckle. "You've gone mad, and it's not your fault." I stood up. "I blame myself for always bringing my marital issues here."

She laughed, her eyes dimming gradually. "We're at it again. That foolish victim game."

I froze, shocked by what she said. Tears rushed to my eyes, but I held them back. She was drunk, and it was no use exchanging words with her. We would just keep hurting each other.

My throat tightened. For a second, I almost spoke... almost admitted she might be right. But the words refused to come.

"Call me when you're sober," I said, grabbed my bag, and dashed out of her house.

The plan was to spend the night at her place, but not anymore... not after everything she had said to me. When I got to the road, I ordered a taxi, and it arrived five minutes later. 

I leaned my head against the window as the city lights blurred past. Lena's words replayed in my head, over and over again, louder than the music from earlier, louder than my own thoughts.

Once the taxi pulled up at my house, I got out, made my payment, and headed inside. My fingers lingered on the door handle for a moment. Something felt off, like stepping inside would only make everything worse.

It was late, almost midnight, and I expected everyone to be asleep. In fact, I hoped everyone had gone to bed because I was tired. I didn't think I was ready for the trouble they might cause me this morning.

Alas, if only wishes were horses. I was welcomed by my husband's girlfriend as soon as I stepped into the house.

"Welcome home, Rachel," Clara's voice cut through the silence.

Disappointed, I shut my eyes and shook my head. "Of course. It only gets worse."