Two: Five Fucking Years

Gianna

God no. It couldn’t be him, right? I slowly unclasped my hands from his waist, pulling away as if that would make this a nightmare and not reality.

"Who... what?" I stammered, my voice trembling.

He turned to face me, the soft glow of the streetlight outside casting shadows on his face. My knees gave out and I fell to them, the cold pavement pressing against my skin.

What was he doing here?

"Why are you here?" My voice cracked despite my best effort to sound strong.

"I came to see my best friend. Why else would I be here, kitten?"

The nickname cut through me. Five years. Five years of silence. No calls, no texts, not even a goodbye.

I swallowed back a sob. "He's not here, so why are you here?"

A small smile tugged at his lips. "I did plan to leave, but he convinced me to stay with you. Said something about a rebellious phase and that I’m the only one who gets you."

I stepped back instinctively. My heart raced. Dmitry Orlov. My first and only love. The man who kissed me with fire in his eyes and left the next day without a single word.

I had sent texts for months. There was no reply. It was as if he had erased himself from my life, and maybe he should have stayed erased.

"That was then. Now I doubt you can handle me," I said, trying to sound smug. My voice betrayed me. Inside, I was raw, every old wound opening again.

I blinked the back tears threatening to spill, thank gracious for the cut out because it'd be so embarrassing to have my ex see me crying because of him.

He didn't deserve to see how much he managed to still affect me, I really did think I was over him.

The streetlight from across helped me see his face a little clear, his hair was practically glowing, more darker that before.

My eyes dropped to his lips and I took a step back, as the memory of our first kiss flashed through me like fire.

Life was unfair, I was good to him, faithful and he left me, now he's standing here looking so fucking perfect even in the dark.

"I think, kitten," his hands hovered above my head, his voice low, almost teasing, "you are still the same."

My eyes widened. He had me. I had fallen for his trap again. I was helpless at his mercy.

"Fuck no. In your dreams. In your fucking dreams."

He chuckled, a sound that made me want to laugh and cry and punch him all at once.

"Gia, you don’t want to know what we do in my dreams."

My eyes shot up at him, he had been thinking about me all this time?

I opened my mouth to ask, but my phone buzzed.

Kevin: You do know your invitation is still open, right?

A smile crept onto my face. God, I could kiss Kevin right now.

"What invitation?" He whispered, my eyes darted up locking with Dmitry's.

"That’s none of your business," I snapped, heart pounding.

I tried to step away, but his hands grazed mine.

"Don’t you ever touch me again," I said, shaking.

He held his hands up in surrender. "I’m sorry, I just—"

"Look, you’re back, and that’s great for you. But don’t think things between us will automatically be as they were."

I pointed at him. "You hurt me. You didn’t give a damn about me. We ended a long time ago, so if you think the old Gia still exists, you’re dead wrong, also, never call me kitten again."

I didn’t wait for him to respond. I turned back to the stairs, letting the tears fall freely, letting nineteen-year-old me cry again.

Fuck him. Fuck Dmitry Orlov.

It was like I couldn't escape him, for five years the memory haunted me and that cursed nickname, I hated it that was why I used it for my stream. To spite his memory.

He always fucking said I was cute as a kitten, innocent, I had to prove to him I wasn't, I could be a dirty little kitten too.

It gave me a sense of power, like I won over my burning emotions for him.

Like I owned my life finally but now, now he's here I realize I don't. I don't own shit.

---

The party was in full swing by the time I got there. True to his word, only a few people were around, and most were coupled up, completely ignoring my very obvious swollen eye.

"I knew you'd make it!" Kev yelled from the kitchen as he approached.

I gave him a small smile and let him wrap his arms around me.

"I only came for my pay," I said, shrugging. "It's a rainy evening, and going to work would have been useless."

He pulled back, clutching his chest like I’d just stabbed him.

"That's mean, Gia. Here I thought you were here for me."

I snapped my fingers, gesturing toward him.

"Go on. My pay."

He chuckled, still smirking, and reached into his pocket anyway. He handed me three hundred bucks, and I snatched it, barely hiding my grin.

"Lead the way, pretty boy," I said, looping my arm through his. He grinned and led us toward the dining area.

Drinks were scattered all over the table, and I smiled inwardly. Thank heavens it was the weekend. Looking at these, they wouldn’t be enough to drown the caterpillars before they turned into full-blown love butterflies.

“Kev! Over here! You need a partner!” someone shouted from across the room.

I nudged him, grinning. “Looks like we’ve been summoned, pretty boy. Now this is what I call a party."

He groaned but let me loop my arm tighter through his. “You’re insane,” he muttered, shaking his head.

“C'mon what is a party without a little game of beer bong?” I asked, tugging him toward the table suddenly realizing this was the first time we'd been so close to each other.

The beer bong was set up, a long tube snaking from the funnel to the waiting pitcher.

And this here, is exactly all I need.

“Alright, team Kev versus… whoever,” someone called out, and the crowd laughed, nudging us forward.

I crouched down beside the funnel, tilting it just right, and gestured for Kev to follow. “You’re with me. Don’t chicken out now.”

Kev’s jaw tightened, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward. “I already feel like I’m making a huge mistake.”

“Too late for regrets,” I teased, giving him a playful shove toward the tube. I grabbed the pitcher, letting the amber liquid pour in, and watched it swirl with satisfaction.

The room erupted in cheers as I leaned in, my lips barely brushing the tube. “Ready, Kev?”

“Do I have a choice?” he whispered, and I rolled my eyes. “Fine, bottoms up.”

I held the tube steady as the beer rushed past, laughing when Kev sputtered and coughed. His arms flailed slightly, trying to stay upright, but I pressed a hand to his back, steadying him.

“You're nasty,” he muttered through a grin.

“And isn't that why you love being with me?” I shot back, wiping a stray drop from my chin.

The crowd cheered and nudged us toward the next game. “Alright, losers spin the wheel!” someone yelled, pointing to a colorful board set up on the table.

I looped my arm through Kev’s again, grinning. “Looks like we’re spinning. Hope you like dares.”

Kev groaned, eyebrows furrowed. “I swear, you drag me into the worst decisions.”

“Hey, this is your party. I'm only helping you entertain your guests.” I teased, shoving him gently toward the wheel.

He rolled the spinner with care, muttering under his breath. The wheel clicked, slowed, and landed on—“Shot for both!”

The crowd erupted, and Kev turned to me, mock horror on his face. “You're going to get so darn wasted..”

"And that's exactly what I need.” I whispered, leaning over to grab the two shot glasses. I poured the liquid, swirling it before holding one toward him. “Bottoms up.”

We clinked glasses and downed it, the burn making me wince but also laugh. Kev coughed, patting his chest dramatically. “I am terrible at this.”

“Oh please, a little shot didn’t kill anyone,” I said, grabbing the dice for the next game. I sipped my water between turns, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spread through my chest.

I leaned into the music, spinning and twirling, feeling the warm buzz settle in my chest.

Kev was laughing so hard his drink almost spilled. “I'm glad you came,” he gasped, clutching his stomach.

"Me too.” I offered a small smile, I was beyond glad that I was here. If I stayed home, I'd be in bed wailing over all of my problems.

This was exactly what I needed, pretending to be rich and downing good alcohol.

By the time the night rolled on, I’d lost count of how many games we’d played.

My cheeks hurt from laughing, my head was buzzing, and I was loving every second.

Kev leaned against me at one point, whispering, “You are getting way too good at this.”

I smirked, resting my head on his shoulder. “And you’re extremely lucky to be my partner, pretty boy.”

He laughed softly, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah… but don’t think this is over. I’ll get my revenge in the next game.”

Kev grabbed my hand mid-laugh and tugged me toward the dance floor. “Come on, pretty girl, let’s show them how it’s done.”

The music thumped through the room, bass vibrating in my chest. I let myself go, letting Kev lead. We moved together like we belonged there, spinning and swaying, and for a second, all my stress, all my worries, melted away.

It felt… nice. Really nice. Too nice, maybe.

And then, out of nowhere, it hit me—the stress, the heartbreak, the loneliness—and my chest tightened. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes before I could stop them.

If Kev noticed, he didn't say a thing only pulled me closer, one arm around my waist, the other keeping my hand in his.

I let my head rest on his shoulder, feeling a strange, bittersweet relief wash over me.

Then my phone buzzed in between my breasts, it was an old habit I picked up from tita.

“Sorry,” I muttered, cheeks flaming. “Not a wardrobe malfunction, I swear.”

He chuckled, stepping back just enough to give me space, but that glint in his eyes said he was enjoying the view a little too much.

“Whoever that is,” he said, voice all teasing silk, “they have the worst timing.”

I finally fished my phone out, heart hammering, and froze.

The screen lit up with Alec’s name. Shoot. I forgot to tell him I wouldn’t be home early.

I opened the message box, and the words hit me like a truck.

This is the ER at Saint Mary’s Hospital. Your brother, Alec, is currently in critical condition. Please come immediately.

My chest went cold, and my stomach twisted. I couldn’t… I couldn’t believe it.

Kev’s laughter faded behind me. His hand reached for mine, but I didn’t even notice. I just stood there, trembling, staring at the phone as the room around me blurred into nothing.