Chapter 3: Love and its complexities

Julianna's pov

"I hold my phone tightly, calling Liam as I try to keep my excitement in check. Today is his birthday, and I've planned to surprise him with a cake.

After two rings, he picks up. Hi babe. Happy birthday. I say with a smile, hoping he will be as excited as I am.

Yeah, thanks, he replies, his voice flat, lacking the warmth I expected.

I pause, frowning slightly. His response is colder than usual, but I put the thought aside. Maybe he's just busy. I wanted to wish you well and let you know that I won't be able to make it to your birthday celebration tonight. I have a lot to do. I'm sorry, but I will make it up to you.

Oh? There's a strange pause. That's fine, kind of disappointing, but alright.

Something about the way he says it doesn't sit right with me. There's no sadness, just a cold tone and…relief. I'm probably overthinking it. Yeah, I'm sorry, I add quickly.

Sure. Bye, he says, hanging up before I can respond.

I pull the phone away from my ear, staring at it in disbelief. What the hell was that? My gut twists, but I shrug it off. He's probably just busy, right? With a deep breath, I grab the birthday cake I spent hours picking out and head to his place to surprise him.

I arrive at Liam's house, and that excitement I felt earlier vanishes instantly.

I freeze.

Through the small crack of the door, I hear it–the unmistakable sounds of laughter, moans, and the low murmur of voices. My heart clenches in my chest, but i dont move. I can't breathe.

I push the door open slowly, not prepared for the sight that awaited me.

Her. My enemy.

Every inch of my skin burns with anger, my pulse pounding in my ears. But I don't say a word. I don't make a scene. I just stand there, watching the two of them, like some kind of sick joke playing out in front of me.

He finally notices me, his eyes widening with a mix of surprise and guilt. Julianna….

I cut him off with a single glance, holding up my hand to stop whatever pathetic excuse he's about to spit out. I don't need an explanation. My voice is cold, detached, like I'm commenting on the weather. You've made it clear enough. I turn to look at Nina and saw her smiling. Guess you are enjoying this? I smiled, glancing back at the cake in my hand and then back at Liam ‘’surprise’’ I said as I dropped the cake onto the floor, the box landing with a dull thud. No emotion. No drama. Just…done. Two years of relationship is over.

I'm numb.

It's like a switch flipped inside me, shutting off any feelings I had left of him. He's nothing. Just like love. Just like every damn promise I ever believed in.

By the time I reach the bar–where I'm supposed to work tonight–it's 8pm, and my legs are aching from the long walk. Damn, I feel stupid. I walk inside, putting on my usual smile as I see my friend and co-worker, Patricia staring at me in surprise. She's probably wondering why I'm here tonight since I told her I will be with my boyfriend–well, now ex–for his birthday.

‘’HI, I'm sorry I'm late, i said scanning the crowded bar and see the distressed look on my co-workers' faces.

No problem, please join the rest, Patricia said.

‘’After a long night of running back and forth, the bar is nearly empty except for a few drunk men in black suits. I recognize one of them–the son of spectra oil and gas , according to what Patricia told me earlier.

It's late now, nearing closing, and the bar is finally starting to clear out. I continue cleaning up when I notice Jake, the son of the owner of Spectra oil and gas, making his way over to me. I murmur under my breath,’’why is he coming here?’’

Before I can move away, he's in front of me. His breath stinks of alcohol as he grins down at me, his eyes clouded with the kind of arrogance only someone born in power would have. ‘’Why don’t you keep me company tonight?’’ I’m lonely. He slurs, a twisted smile forming on his face. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I keep my face neutral, forcing myself to stay calm. ‘’Hey, sir. You’re distracting me from doing my job. Why don’t you just get your friends and head home?’’ I snap, hoping my sharp tone will cut through the tension, but Jake doesn’t back off. His ugly grin only widens.

 You want money, huh?,’’He pulls out some bills and throws them at me like i’m a joke.’’

Before I can think of doing anything, his hands are on my waist, pulling me towards him as he drags me into the corner of the bar. ‘’Get off me’’ I shout, trying to push him away, but he’s too strong. His grip tightens around my neck, cutting off my air as he presses me off against the wall, kissing me on my neck, I feel disgusted.

I struggle to fight back, scratching at his arms, but he’s got the upper hand. ‘’Stop it’’ I try to scream, but the words barely come out.

As I fight to breathe, I see movement out of the corner of my eye. Ethan. He drops the money for his drinks on the counter, his face expressionless, bored even, as if the scene before him means nothing.

Our eyes meet, and to my horror, a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, he winks at me before he turns his back to me and heads towards the exit. 

That bastard. I can feel hatred boiling inside me, mixing with the panic, making me fight harder against Jake’s grip. I bite down on his hand, hard enough to draw blood. He curses, pulling his hand back, and in an instant, he slaps me across the face, sending a sting of pain through my cheek.

‘’You’ll pay for that, you damn bitch, he said while trying to tear my dress.

I look around and see his friends watching with a sick smile on their faces like this is some form of entertainment for them.

‘’Leave her alone, Jake.’’ my heart jumps as i turn to look at the owner of the voice–Ethan, i hate him but right now i’m pleased to see him.

Jake’s laughter echoed through the bar, loud and maniac. He let go of me for a moment, clapping his hands like he’d just heard the funniest joke. ‘His eyes glinted with malicious glee.

‘’Well, well. If it isn’t Ethan Frost,’’ Jake sneered, turning to face him.

‘’What are you going to do, Frost? Is she one of your little pets now?

Sorry, but i can’t let go of this one, he said as he hold my neck and tighten his grip.

Ethan’s expression remained the same–bored, indifferent. He moves closer to us staring at me intensely then looks at Jake as if he would want to be anywhere else but here, Leave. her. Alone.

Uncertainty was seen in Jake’s eyes, but his pride is still there. ‘’Make me. He glared.

Ethan chuckled coldly. I don’t mind harming you and guess what the police will be here any minute, i hate repeating myself jake, Let her go.

YOU S……before Jake could be done with his response, Ethan punched him, the impact making him leave me alone.

Fuck, Frost, how dare you, Jake said seething with anger. Mark my words Frost. You would regret this, so watch out.

Ethan chuckles like the threat is just a joke to him. He glanced at me without looking away, Jake, you’re not worth my time.’’

Jake stood frozen for a moment, seething, but he hissed and walked away with his friends who avoided eye contact with ethan.

Thanks, I said while adjusting my dress as I maintained eye contact with him. If he’s trying to intimidate me, he should get ready for disappointment.

He scoffed, i should take it that you love bringing attention to yourself, he said with an unreadable tone while looking down at my dress like I'm some trash.

Unable to control myself, Bastard, I never asked for your help and I never needed it anyway.

He looks at me clearly amused. Let's not meet again, little pet, you always put me in annoying situations. He leaves without waiting for my response, leaving me boiling with intense hatred for him.

******

After Ethan leaves, I stand there for a moment, frozen. My hands tremble as I adjust my dress, the fabric feeling suffocating against my skin. The bar is silent now. It’s past 10pm, and the last customers have already gone. Patricia left hours ago, and now I'm completely alone.