Chapter 1: One Night That Changed My Life

Lucy POV

Tonight, me and Matthew, my boyfriend, were supposed to go out to dinner to celebrate our 5-year anniversary because we finally had some free time after 36 hours of consecutive shifts at the hospital. But when I was in front of the door of the resident's rest room, to change my clothes, I heard a weird sound, like a couple having sex.

The most clearly heard was the man's voice which made my heart beat wildly because I was well aware of that voice. Because today in that room it supposed to be us and only because we have the same schedule.

With trembling hands I opened the door slightly. It feels like my heart is slipping down right now.

What I saw in front of my eyes was something I had never imagined before.

Matthew, he was underneath a woman while moaning. Their bodies were tangled together and the faces of both of them made it quite clear that they were enjoying the sex a lot. And to make matters worse, I knew the woman very well.

I've never been so disappointed and ashamed. For the past 5 years, I had only loved Matthew and ignored the arranged marriage proposed by my mother which turned out to be a betrayal. I was ashamed of myself for defending Matthew in front of my mother by insisting that we would get engaged soon. Now I really felt the karma. I witnessed the ugliness that my mother kept telling me, in front of my eyes.

I wiped away my tears. Although I was now disgusted with him, it couldn't be denied that I got hurt too, I was only human. He tied me with a ring as if to give me hope for our relationship but it was him who destroyed it.

But I won't let this sadness last long. Fuck it, I need my coat because I don't want to freeze out there in the cold. So I opened the door which made them both jump in surprise.

They both looked at me like a thief caught in the act.

I casually walked past them to my coat at the corner of the room as if there was no one here. And perhaps it was my nonchalance that finally made Matthew get off the bunk bed.

“Lucy.... babe, it's not like--”

“Put your pants on asshole!”

He jumped in surprise, the first time I'd ever raised my voice this high during our dating life.

“Whatever you want to do with that woman, I just want you to know right now.... we're over. Our relationship is ended so don't call me babe, don't even call me by my name anymore, you bastard.”

As a final goodbye, I gave him two slaps. The first slap because he betrayed me and the second slap because he embarrassed me by having an affair with our boss, the director of human resources, doctor Rue.

“You can't end our relationship one-sidedly. We have to talk about it.”

“What are you trying to tell me? That you enjoyed having sex with your boss instead of your girlfriend of 5 years? That you had an affair and you're ashamed of being caught?”

I couldn't bear to look at both of their faces, I wanted to scratch both of their faces. However both of them are wrong, though, without fire there will be no fog.

“Okay fine, I apologize,” Matthew said.

“You're apologizing because you got caught, right? If you didn't get caught, you wouldn't apologize but instead enjoy your affair for who knows how long. Fortunately today God awakened me so my eyes were opened that you are disgusting jerk.”

I gave him the third slap that finally made his lips bleed.

“Doctor Lucy, you've gone too far,” Rue said.

Without saying anything, I grabbed my coat and left. I also ignored Matthew's call.

If anyone has gone too far here, then it's them, not me. I'm the victim and they're the bad ones!

Now I feel disgusted as Matthew calls out my name. I felt bad for dating him over the past 5 years until my relationship with my mother fell apart.

I got into the taxi just before Matthew managed to grab my hand.

He was banging on the windshield with a messy face. Now every time I see his face, I think of his bed scene with that woman.

“Lucy, listen to my explanation first!”

“Please start the car,” I said to the driver.

“Where are you going, miss?”

“I don't know yet, just drive, please.”

I don't know how long I wandered around this area until the taxi stopped without my request. The driver gave me a tissue and opened the door for me.

“For you if you want to cry but too embarrassed because of me. No need to pay for the taxi, I also have a daughter at your age so I know.”

After that he left. Meanwhile, I walked back down the streets that were unfamiliar to me. Sadly I forgot to bring my wallet or phone, I left with only my coat because everything was in my bag in the doctor lounge and I just realized.

As if my misfortune tonight wasn't enough, it suddenly started raining which forced me to go inside one of the hotels. Luckily my clothes weren't too wet so I was allowed to enter their bar.

I need to vent my frustration tonight because there's no way I'm going to tell my mother that I broke up with Matthew. So I asked the bartender to prepare any drinks.

Honestly, I hate this method because I've never touched alcoholic beverages before because I don't want to end up like my father who became an addict and spent the rest of his life in rehab.

But what the hell, just once might be fine.

I downed the drink in the glass and choked on it. Some people laughed at me. But never mind, I just wanted to get rid of the vision of Matthew with that woman from my mind.

So I ordered more of the same drink until the third glass. After that I couldn't really lift my head from the bar counter.

When my eyes were almost closed, I smelled the sensual scent of patchouli and incense. There's also the scent of bergamot and sea note that still wafts out though it's very faint. Whoever the man was, he had an interesting taste in perfume.

“You gave her a martini?”

“She said anything.”

“You must check the condition before giving any drink to your customer. She looks sleep-deprived but you gave her alcohol. If she faints and is rushed to the hospital for cardiac arrest, then you'll be the suspect. Do you understand?”

“Sorry Mr. Luke.”

Ah so the perfume man's name is Luke. I think I've heard his name before but I don't know where.

“Where is your home address?”

Is he asking me? But why is his face spinning like clockwise?

“You're awfully inconvenient, pretty lady. I'll take you to my room because I can't let you sleep here.”

I brushed his hand. “I don't know you.”

I felt him take something from my neck. Which then made him say my name. “You don't know me but I know you.”

I don't know what happened but the world was turned upside down which made me nauseous and I ended up throwing up on his shirt. I hit his body and he put me down but still held onto my waist.

“This is really bad. We all stink because of your vomit.”

“Because you flipped me over.”

Then he carried me in front of him like a newlywed. We went into one of the rooms.

As he laid my body on the bed, my vision swiveled. But the image of Matthew and the woman hadn't disappeared. I kept seeing it which made my head spin even more.

“I want to get rid of it.”

“What are you saying?”

“I don't want to see it anymore.”

“Me? Okay, I'll get out of here. You can stay here until tomorrow morning.”

I don't know what came over me but I grabbed his hand. “Don't go. Sleep with me.”

I was going crazy with asking a strange man for a one night stand. This happened because I wanted to replace those bad memories. I wanted to get rid of them and replace them with mine.

“You're drunk, miss.”

“I'm not drunk,” I said quickly. Then I hiccupped.

I could vaguely see him chuckle. “I didn't bring a condom.”

“Do it without it.”

“Are you a virgin?”

I could only nod without saying a word. During the time I was dating, my boyfriend had always said that he wanted to have sex after marriage. So that's why I was so disappointed that he broke his word.

“It will hurt later. So before we start, are you sure you can hold it and are you sure of your decision?”

I bit my lower lip. “Make me forget that jerk.”

“Alright Dr. Lucy, this time you're the one asking so don't blame me if you regret it.”