A bastard and a liar

Hera

Today is my last day here in Vegas and the second day I haven't seen Mason. After our last encounter at the club, he disappeared into thin air.  I'll be lying if I say I haven't been looking forward to seeing him again. After his declaration, is he trying to play hard to get or was his confession nothing but bullshit? 

" Are you even listening to me?" Chloe's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I lift my eyes to meet her glare. 

" Of course I am listening." I reply, smiling at her. Chloe doesn't buy my act though. 

" You have been distracted since we met. What are you thinking about?" She probes and I swallow. I admit Mason has been all over my head but I am not admitting any of that to Chloe or I won't hear the end of it. 

" Nothing." I deny her claims. Chloe raises her brows, her eyes screaming suspicion. 

" Hera, are you keeping something from me? Maybe a loverboy you had a one night stand with these days?" She inquires and I almost choke on my saliva. 

" What nonsense are you spouting?" I hiss but my face is already covered in blush.  " You have a wild imagination Chloe." I add, flustered. Of all things I can think about, that was the only thing she suspected. Of course, she won't be Chloe if she doesn't come with the wildest and most absurd suggestions. 

Chloe rolls her eyes at me. 

" What's wrong with having one night stands from time to time? Are you planning on taking your v- card to your grave? " She snorts. " Besides, the way you are blushing, I can tell something happened."

" Chloe, shut up." I grumble and she laughs. 

" It's okay if you don't want to tell me who got you looking like a teenager falling in love.  You know what, I have some exciting sexcapades to share." She giggles, wiggling her brows mischievously. 

I roll my eyes, knowing that there's no escaping hearing how she and her new husband fucked like bunnies on heat. 

After almost an hour of being traumatized by Chloe's tales of how her husband is skilled in bed, I finally bid her goodbye and make my way to the airport. 

" I'll visit you soon in Chicago after I get enough of my husband's dick." Those are the last words she shouts before I slip into the cab. 

***

My life here in Chicago feels more like a routine.  Waking up, working at the clinic, coming back home to pen down more words to my story. It's too monotonous and boring. Just like each day, today is Tuesday and after dealing with tons of patients, I am ready to head back home. 

I skip to the parking lot, slipping into my car before I start driving home. Halfway through the drive, I change my mind and decide to head to the club. 

Club image is like a little solace to my loneliness. I come here several times when I feel down. My car pulls up outside the club. I take my time to survey the area. Since today is not Saturday, I can't use the private parking lot. 

After making sure the coast is clear, I make my way inside. I avoid the club arena as I head to the workers wing. 

I am about to push the door open when it's pulled open from inside. My eyes come into contact with his blue mesmerizing ones. 

 My body goes into shock, eyes widening and legs rooted in place. 

“ Hera?” Mason asks, seemingly shocked as I am. He looks behind him and my eyes follow him, catching a glimpse of a half naked woman with roughly tousled hair. 

I recognize her. She is one of the club dancers. 

Mason turns to look at me, swallowing as guilt paints his face. 

My mind sums up what transpired inside and my heart clenches. A bitter feeling crawls from deep inside my stomach, rising up and scorching in its wake. 

“ What are you doing here, Hera?” Mason asks, his gaze fixed on me. 

“ I didn't expect to see you here.” I reply, aware of what it means for a man to come to such a place. 

“ Oh yeah. I had something to talk about with Linda.” Mason replies and I fight the urge to scoff at his words. 

Talk about my feet. 

“ What about you? Why are you here?” He probes and I fight to find the right excuse as to what I would be doing at a changing room for club workers. 

It would have been easy to slap a random excuse if Mason didn't confess to stalking me the last time we met. I don't know how much he knows about me. 

Now that I think of it, I feel my anger rising. Did he stalk Linda just like he did me? Was he here confessing like he did to me at Vegas? My hands tighten into fists and my annoyance resurfaces. 

“ I was looking for someone and was told she was here.” I reply, praying he doesn't probe further. 

“ Maybe you went in the wrong direction.” He offers and I nod. Indeed, I got the wrong direction from the start. I should have gone home in the first place instead of coming here and having such an awkward encounter. 

I nod and turn around with every intention of walking away. 

“ Hera… wait!” Mason calls, grabbing my wrist forcing me to a halt. I turn around and regard him with raised brows. 

After catching him with another woman doing god knows what, what else is there to stop me for? 

Linda, who had been busy changing into her work clothes walks out. She gives me a curt nod before walking away. 

I turn my attention back to Mason. 

“ Don't you have anything to tell me after what happened in Vegas?” He asks, further fanning my anger. The nerve of him to remind me about what happened in Vegas. 

“ I do have something to tell you. You are a bastard and a liar. Don't ever come close to me again.” I spat, snatching my hand before walking away.