016 Familar Stranger

Lana

Unknown number: I always knew you were a slut pretending to be a naive girl. You couldn't wait to leech off another rich man.

My chest tightens as I stare at the phone in complete and utter frustration.

Now, I am sure it's Ethan sending these messages.

Hannah must have told him about Karl. After all, he did carry me in front of her.

Who on earth gave him the right to say that to me?

I rub my temples in frustration.

His words are affecting me way more than ever. I slowly lay on the couch, pressing my knees to my chest and dropping my phone on the table.

It feels like strings are pulling at my already fragile heart.

How long will Ethan continue to hurt me? Till I can't pick up the pieces anymore?

How did I ever fall for a man like this? Where did I go wrong?

My grip slowly lessens, and I drop my phone, lying on the couch and hugging my knees to myself.

Will the pain ever stop?

I am still in my misery when I hear Beatrice and Lily’s voices getting closer.

“Aunt Lana, look what I made,” Lily says excitedly as she skips towards me.

“Lana?” Beatrice calls when she sees I don't turn to look at them.

I slowly sit up and smile a little at Lily. “It's beautiful,” I say as I stare at the paper plane Lily is showing me.

Though I am smiling, my eyes are devoid of emotion.

I feel tired. Extremely tired.

“Lana, are you alright? Did Karl say something to you?” Beatrice frowns.

Karl…

Whatever was springing up inside me for him has successfully shattered.

I can't go through this kind of pain again.

“No, he didn't.” I stand up from the couch. “I'm fine, I just need to rest. It's an off day after all,” I say and walk towards the bedroom.

“Is Aunt Lana okay?” I hear Lily’s voice behind me, but I am too weak to reassure anyone. So I go to my bed and lie on it.

_

I look like a walking corpse as I make my way to the kitchen.

Grateful Harper doesn't see me, I really don’t have the energy for small talk.

I know how worried Beatrice was about me this morning. I heard her talking to Dad yesterday evening when I refused to get up from the bed.

I just couldn’t bring myself to do anything.

It's a miracle I made it to work this morning.

Well… the world won't wait for my problems.

Though I didn't shed a single tear, I feel even more broken than when I cried.

I found myself begging for the tears to fall last night when I couldn't sleep. At least when I cried…

I felt tired enough to pass out, but I wasn’t tired enough to pass out last night.

I was awake to feel every shred of pain.

_

I hear Jenna’s voice before I even see her face.

Right on time. Good.

“Good day, Lana,” Jenna smiles at me, and I manage a small smile back.

“Good day, Jenna,” I reply, walking away from the burner as Jenna takes my place.

“I heard you got yourself a boyfriend,” Jenna says, and I sigh.

Cole definitely told her about Karl.

I am going to refute it, but that would be giving Cole hope, so I just remain quiet and let her believe it.

“Cole has been after you for three years. No matter how many times I tell him to give up, I have to say, you’re ruthless,” Jenna remarks.

“I can't force myself to love him, Jenna,” I reply.

“I know, I know, but you both can still be friends,” Jenna suggests.

“I don’t think it's a good idea for me to be friends with a guy I rejected countless times,” I say.

“What’s the harm in that?” Jenna shrugs.

“Whatever…” I sigh.

“Great! Let's all have dinner today. I know the perfect spot,” Jenna smiles excitedly.

Heavens, no…

“Jenna… no!” I reply, and she frowns.

“It’s the three of us to secure the ‘just friends’ thing. I won’t leave you with him, don’t worry,” Jenna persuades.

“I don’t want to,” I reply.

“It’s just one dinner. It won't kill you,” Jenna says.

How do I explain to her that I would, in fact, actually die?

With the way she is so excited, I know I won’t be able to turn her down.

I guess a little break is what I need.

“Alright,” I give in and turn to leave.

“I’ll text you the information,” Jenna calls after me.

_

7 p.m.

I am texting Beatrice on my phone as I walk out of Vine Restaurant. I want to let her know I will be back late.

Beatrice replies that she is already at home and will make dinner.

I hail a taxi and get inside, finally relaxing my back. My colleagues are finding it really hard to warm up to me.

But I can’t find it in me to make them like me. Maybe when my entire world doesn't feel like shit, I will consider it.

My phone vibrates in my hand. It is Karl calling, and I sigh before ignoring it.

He has been messaging since yesterday, but I have been ignoring him.

He is the last person I want to talk to right now.

He is so mysterious. I can't figure out what he sees in me, the same way I didn’t know what Ethan saw in me, and look how I ended up.

“We are here,” the driver says, and I pay him before getting down.

“Lana!” I hear Jenna's voice.

She is standing in front of a bar, and Cole is beside her.

Great.

I walk towards them. “I'm glad you could make it,” Jenna smiles.

“I really didn’t have a choice,” I reply, then turn to Cole. “Hi.” I smile, and he smiles back.

“Hi,” he says calmly.

“Let’s go in,” Jenna says, dragging me into the bar.

We get our seats, and Jenna calls the waiter to get drinks.

I can feel Cole’s gaze on me, but I ignore him.

This is why I should have rejected Jenna's offer.

I turn to the redhead, who is losing herself to the loud music, and sighs.

The waiter comes back with our drinks, and I gulp mine down in a single shot.

“Interesting,” Jenna says.

I drop the glass and look at Jenna. “I really needed this,” I say, and she smiles.

“You should thank me then,” Jenna says and signals for another drink.

“You shouldn't drink too much,” Cole says, and I nod.

“Don’t worry, I can hold my drink,” I reply confidently.

My phone vibrates in my purse, and I bring it out to see Karl's call again.

Maybe I should just talk to him.

My phone pings immediately after the call ends.

Karl: Ignoring me, love?

I sigh and get up from my seat. “Need to make a call, be right back,” I say, and Jenna nods.

Cole stares at me like he wants to know more, but I don’t give him the chance to ask before leaving the bar.

I stand outside as the fresh evening air hits my face. I decided to stay outside for a while.

My eyes wander through the busy streets, and then they catch something, or someone familiar across the street.

That black, straight hair is forever familiar to me.

After all, it’s my sister.

What is Beatrice doing here?

Isn’t she supposed to be at home?

Someone is standing in front of her. They seem to be arguing with each other because I have never seen Beatrice so angry.

She always keeps her emotions in check.

I frown as I quickly cross the street to take a look at the man she is arguing with.

He looks familiar. Very familiar.

Karl?