Chapter 38
TJ
Icome out of the bathroom and see Cornelia with Annabelle at the bar counter.
I spotted her the moment she entered the nightclub.
I wanted to approach her then, but I didn’t want to seem too intense or like I’d been looking at the door all night, waiting for her to arrive, which I had.
Since then, I’ve been following her with my gaze, and when I saw her heading to the bar, I quickly made my way to the loo.
So when I came out, I could act like we naturally bumped into each other.
I would have preferred her to be alone, but it’s fine.
Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time with her alone, and I’ve concluded that maybe what happened between her and Nate was a blessing in disguise.
I hate thinking about it. I think I’ll always be mad at Nate for sleeping with her, though not for falling in love—if I were, I’d have to be mad at half of the world.
But maybe she needed it to even the scales so we could move forward.
As I approach her, I hear my name mentioned. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. Instead of interrupting, I stop in my tracks and position myself far enough away that they won’t notice me, but still within hearing range.
“Because you were spending time with TJ?” Annabelle asks Cornelia.
“Yes,” Cornelia responds.
I smile, captivated by the tone of her voice. There’s something so enticing about the way she reacts when she is called out.
“Are you still in love with him?” Annabelle asks.
The question shakes me, but I keep my composure. I don’t want them to notice someone is listening to their conversation—or worse, recognise me. I didn’t expect Annabelle to be that blunt. But then again, I’ve been asking myself the same thing. I fear the answer so much, yet I want to know so badly.
When we were together, I never doubted her love for me, not even when we argued. But now? Now, I’m not sure. So much has happened. Still, I can’t fathom a world, a universe, or a moment in time where I wouldn’t love her, and I hope she feels the same.
“Are you really asking me that?” Cornelia replies. It’s not like I expect her to give a straight answer right away. Most times when something emotionally charged comes up, she dances around the bushes.
“Yes,” Annabelle answers.
“He did one of the vilest things anyone could have done to me. How could I still love him after that? Thinking that I could is ridiculous, and disgusting...”
It takes all my strength not to lose it right there. With just a few words, she manages to break me.
I quickly walk away—I can’t stay here.
I can’t hear how disgusted she is with me.
I can’t hear any more.
I can’t…
The room spins.
I—I need distance.
I—I somehow manage to make my way to the other side of the nightclub, weaving through the crowd.
A waiter with a tray passes by me.
I grab a champagne flute and chug it in one go.
“Rough night?” a girl behind me asks.
I turn around and look down, focusing on her—Weberly Johnson. Even with a mask on, her fiery red hair makes her easy to recognise.
“More like rough year,” I choke out.