Chapter 5

Elara’s POV

My wish came true. Kael and I had lunch and dinner at a fancy restaurant, and it was perfect.

 Afterward, he drove me back to my condo. 

Of course , we couldn’t part ways without the main meal, and we had sex three times that day. 

First in my car, then in my bedroom, and finally in the bathroom. 

The next morning, my period arrived, and I told Kael. 

He didn’t have much to say afterall , just that he’d wait until it was over.

Kael seems to be enjoying our agreement, and honestly, I can’t believe I’m in this situation.

 He’s pieced together half of my broken heart, the part shattered by Adrian when he betrayed me. 

Kael’s been teaching me new, wild things, things I never did before or imagined I would later do.

 I’m turning twenty-six next month, and at this stage, I should be thinking about starting a family.

Well I owe so much to Kael. If he hadn’t come into my life, I’d probably still be drunk, and crying over Adrian’s cheating.

“Elara, you coming with us tonight?” Callista asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I sipped my milk tea through the straw. 

“Yeah,” I replied.

We were at a milk tea shop near my condo, me, Callie, and Vivienne 

“Same spot?” I asked.

“Yep, can’t pass up a discount,” Vivi said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes. “You two are so stingy. How about we try somewhere new? Somewhere we’ve never been.”

Callie and Vivi exchanged a glance, their lips curving into knowing smiles, like they sensed something off about me.

I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Nothing.. It’s just… you’re acting differently,” 

Vivi said, leaning forward. 

“You’re usually the one obsessing over saving money, jumping on every discount. And now you want to try a new bar? That’s… strange.” 

I rolled my eyes again and took another sip of my milk tea. “ Can't I change my mind in peace? So, do you agree or not?”

Callie smirked, glancing at Vivi. “See? She’s changing the topic.”

Vivi nodded, and I groaned.

 “Care to share what’s going on with you?” Callie pressed, but I just laughed it off.

“Let’s just finish these,” I said, lifting my milk tea cup, “so we can head home.”

They made faces but went back to their drinks and snacks. Sometimes I wonder why I put up with friends like them, but deep down, I’m grateful they’re in my life. 

We’ve been friends for seven years, since college. Our friendship isn’t perfect, we fight, we misunderstand each other, and sometimes we don’t speak for a day or two when things get heated.

 Among us, I’m the most patient. Callie and Vivi can act like five-year-olds when they don’t get their way.

Callie and I are closer than I am with Vivi. We’re always there for each other, unless one of us is swamped. 

Vivi, on the other hand, is often abroad. After her father passed, she took over his responsibilities, most of which involve international trips.

 Vivi’s half-Australian, half-Filipina her mother died during childbirth. 

Callie’s a pure Filipina. All three of us are the sole heirs to our family empires.

That night, we set out to find a new bar, even though it meant a longer drive. 

Callie and Vivi didn’t have much choice they knew I was set on this. We settled on ZXC Bar and Restaurant, the farthest spot in town. 

It took us an hour to get there.

Kael had called earlier, but I didn’t pick up.

 I’d texted him that I was with my friends, and I think that was enough. 

I needed this time with Callie and Vivi. My period ended yesterday, so I could drink tonight without worry.

I didn’t tell Kael we were going going out with my friends.. I mean there was no need. It’s not like he’d care. We’re just… Fuck buddies, after all.

When we stepped into the bar, the air was thick with vape smoke, and the lights were so bright I had to squint to adjust. 

Once my eyes settled, I gasped. The place was massive, packed with kots people.

 In the center, strippers danced around poles. 

Shit, I muttered under my breath. 

The sign outside said “bar and restaurant,” but this was more like a nightclub. The name didn’t match the vibe at all.

The music was soft but seductive, Callie groaned beside me. 

“This is a bad idea, Elara. For heaven’s sake, we’re virgins.”

We grabbed seats at the counter. 

“Three vodka ala Mello, please,” I told the bartender. 

Then I turned to Callie with a smirk. “Virgins? Who are you kidding?”

Vivi lost her virginity at eighteen to some guy she met at a bar in Brisbane. 

She’s never shared the full story though, just bits and pieces. 

Callie’s no virgin either, she gave it up to her cousin’s best friend on her mom’s side.

“ The guy who disvirgined you, What was his name again?” 

“Callie, remind me, who was the lucky guy who got your V-card?” I asked, teasing.

Callie shot me a glare.

 “Shut up.”

Of course, I’m no virgin either, but they don’t know that. They still think I’m untouched.

“Oh, wait, I remember!” Vivi chimed in, grinning. 

“It’s Flitzer Marco Vergara.” She laughed.

“Will you two stop?” Callie snapped, clearly annoyed.

 “I hate that name!”

“Admit it,” Vivi teased, “you had great sex with him. Yes or yes? You were moaning and…”

“Shut up, okay?” Callie cut her off, gulping her drink. 

“I was drunk. I barely remember what happened. Got it?”

Vivi just laughed, and I shook my head, smiling.

 When we finished our drinks, I ordered a bucket of beer. 

“Let’s drink all night ,” I said, raising my glass for a toast.

My eyes drifted to the dance floor, where the strippers swayed around the poles in their underwear, hips moving to the provocative beat.

 The men around them were practically drooling, like they were starving for it.

 I winced. Men really go crazy for that stuff, huh?

I took another sip and set my glass on the counter. 

The alcohol’s warmth was starting to hit, so I shrugged off my blazer and placed it beside me. Much better, I mumbled.

I was wearing a royal blue sleeveless dress my go-to style since the weather’s always so warm. 

I finished my drink and ordered another.

“Hey, Elara, slow down, okay?” Callie said, looking concerned.

“Don’t worry, I won’t overdo it,” I assured her.

I grabbed another beer and drank deeply.

 It had been days since I’d been to a bar, and the alcohol tasted amazing.

“Elara,” Vivi called, and I turned to face her too quickly. 

A sharp pain shot through my neck. “Ouch,” I muttered, rubbing my nape.

“Are you okay?” Callie and Vivi asked at the same time.

I forced a smile. 

“Yeah, I just turned my head too fast. What were you going to say, Vivi?”

“When we’re done here, we’re crashing at your condo for a sleepover,” she said.

“Sure,” I replied, still massaging my neck. I

tilted my head to ease the pain, but then my eyes caught something upstairs.

 A man stood there, he was resting on the railing, staring down at me with blazing intensity.