CHAPTER 6: The New Beginning

It had been months since Alex left Kira. Tess had been her only companion during her tragic phase.

Tess was indeed a friend in need.

Tess was the only one who was available to soothe Kira's pains, though it wasn't an easy task on Tess's side. Tess made her realize that Alex only wanted her to satisfy his sexual desires and when he was done with her, he had to do away with her. Besides, the man had specifically requested a sex-only relationship they were the ones who had foolishly hoped for a miracle.

Just as Tess hoped, Time healed Kira. Kira was finally able to pick the pieces of her life together. She gradually went over the trauma Alex caused her.

It was a bright morning. Kira had just got up from bed and she sat up on the edge. She stretched her body and yawned. She felt so tired and useless all at once. She had given up her job when Alex was with her because he gave her everything she needed and more. Now that he was gone, she was left lonely and empty with nothing to do but stare at herself.

She sighed and looked at her phone. Her attention was drawn to her open drawer, she found a necklace given to her by Alex on her birthday. She picked it up and played her thumb around the silver pendant.

Tears were almost brimming in her eyes again as she remembered how excited she had been when he brought out the box that day. She was so foolish, she had thought it was a ring.

She returned it and closed the drawer. That was the only memory of Alex she had. There was still an iota of Alex's affection in Kira's heart.

A part in the depth of her heart would still melt if she saw Alex but it was overshadowed by the hurt, the pain Alex caused. She was way past that now, she had to get back on her feet now.

She got up and started humming a song to ease the tension that necklace had caused her heart.

Tess stood by the corridor and watched her friend getting up from the bed, humming her sweet voice as she spread the curtain open.

"Good morning Kira," Tess said, diving into the room.

Kira turned and greeted her. "Oh Tess good morning," she responded with a smile.

"Nothing can ever make me happier than seeing you happy. And I'm glad you've finally put your past behind you," Tess stated.

Kira smiled again as she took a few steps toward Tess. "Well, Alex is now in my past and I won't allow his memories to affect my present." She placed her hands on Tess's shoulders. "Tess, this is a new Kira, and this new me has sealed her heart on men. I just want to work on myself and be successful."

Tess placed both of her hands on Kira's shoulders and sighed with a smile on her face. "That's it, Kira, you need to show every one of those men that you're doing fine without them in your life. Men should be the ones running after you, not you running after them."

"Thanks for always being a good friend."

"Come off it Kira, we're here for each other and would always have each other's backs," Tess said while patting Kira.

"Like you're doing right now," Kira said sarcastically.

They both chuckled.

"Oh I'm running out of time, I'm off to work. I've prepared breakfast already it's in the kitchen, serve yourself," Tess said as she hurriedly left the room.

Kira went over to the kitchen and served herself. She hadn't eaten well in a long time. Whenever Tess cooked, it was either she met leftover or she met it untouched whenever she returned from work. But not anymore. It was the start of something new.

"Hmm, Tess, what a great cook!”

She ate the meal like a hungry lion. Her determination was becoming stronger with every spoon.

During the past few months, Kira would lay on her bed, cuddling her pillow and brooding over Alex. Most times, she would dress in one of her most sexy dresses, and sit outside, waiting for Alex's chauffeur to pick her up.

She called his phone but Alex wouldn't pick up. She could remember a day she called, which elated her, she thought her hopes would be restored once again when Alex picked up. If there was a more exaggerated word for broken, it would have described how Kira felt when she heard another woman’s voice, telling her not to ever call Alex again.

"Alex is my man now and he doesn't want to have anything to do with you anymore so get that and don't call this line anymore." The woman’s words had cut through Kira’s heart like a sharpened sword.

Kira had burst into a scream, it sounded like the wailing of a siren. At that moment, Kira couldn't recognize herself anymore. She turned the whole room upside down out of annoyance and frustration.

She had felt like unleashing her pains and agony on someone and something and that moment was a perfect time. It was noon, and Tess wasn't home if not she would have held her back. She had the whole room to herself.

It felt like there was a coalition in her head that didn't allow her to think straight. All she thought of at the moment was smashing, throwing, and breaking objects and it did help.

Her nerves had relaxed after she expressed herself the only way she could. Tess returned earlier than usual but too late to stop Kira. Tess met her panting, sobbing, and crying, she became confused. The only thing Tess could do was to keep pacifying her. Tess knew the period was a devastating one for Kira.

Tess had to take a break from work so she could attend to her friend. She took her out. They went to different places. Kira met new people, and Tess tried to replace Alex's memories with interesting ones.

But as it was said, scars of the injuries created in one's heart still hurt no matter how long. In as much as Kira tried getting over Alex, there were times she would sit alone and brood over him. This time wasn't an exception.

After she had her breakfast, she sat and thought of the good times she had had with Alex, she remembered how they had both met at the club. She thought he was a gentleman who respected women, the very first night she spent at his place. She was drunk on that day, she threw herself at him, and any man would easily take advantage of her. Alex left her untouched all through the night. She thought things would work with Alex but things never did.

None of her relationships ever did. Alex was supposed to be the final man. But that too –like the rest– failed.

She got up from the chair and smiled.

"It's all in the past. I have to focus on myself and be a better person." She whispered to herself like a mantra.