Shattered Day

Chapter TWO

"Barman! One more pint of beer and a glass of whiskey, please," Ariana said, downing the last bit of her drink. Drunken and oblivious to her surroundings, she sat at the counter, determined to seek in alcohol that numbing of pain which would dull the ache in her soul. And this dingy little pub downtown, where nobody knew her, was perfect just for that.

That day had shattered her. She drove home in tears, wishing everything was just a nightmare she would soon wake from. Three years with Ryan, years that had encompassed love, memories, and plans for their future together-all of it gone. The stinging betrayal hit her like nothing ever had. If that weren't enough, he left her for her best friend. That thought alone could have destroyed her.

Days passed by; Ariana secluded herself in her room, sending him text after text, none of which were replied to. Finally, she confronted the music-it was over. Two weeks of tears and isolation later, she called it time to move on: a fresh start, a new city, a new job. And here she was in a new place, drowning her sorrows in the buzz of alcohol.

"Here you are, ma'am," replied the bartender, and passed her the drinks.

"Good!" she slurred, reaching for the glass. She gulped heavily and banged the glass back on the counter with a loud thud. Her gaze swept the pub: people came and left, laughing and talking, oblivious of her pain. Memories of Ryan flashed through her mind-happier times that now felt like cruel jokes. She shook her head and let out a bitter laugh, a sound that soon turned into choking.

"Barman! More, please!" she called out again, laughing hysterically as she finished the last of her drink in one gulp.

"What's so funny?" a deep masculine voice asked, startling her.

Ariana looked up but her vision was blurry. She could barely make out his face in the dim light.

"Who are you?" she asked trying to focus.

"I'm Greg," he replied, his voice steady. "And why is a beautiful woman like you getting this drunk?"

She giggled, words coming out of her mouth incoherently. "Wow, didn't think anyone would find me attractive."

Greg raised an eyebrow, watching her closely. He sat beside her as the bartender placed another glass of beer in front of her.

"You do know you're really drunk, right?" he asked without malice, firm nonetheless.

"Am I?" Ariana said, reaching for her glass. "I don't think I've had enough yet. I mean, I just got here."

Greg took the glass before she could get to it. "Come on, you've had enough. You don't need more."

"Gimme that! Give that to me right now!" she protests, weak but stubborn.

"No, you need to go home," Greg said softly but firmly. "It's enough."

"It's enough?" she echoed, the tone bitter. "No, it's not. It wasn't enough when Ryan left me for my best friend. He freaking left me! After three years… " She belched loudly, her words trailing off.

Greg frowned. "Who's Ryan?"

"Ryan?" Ariana said with a caustic laugh. "He was supposed to be my husband. We were supposed to get married today. But you know what? He chose my best friend instead." She sounded slurry and her face was contorted in pain.

Greg let out a sigh. "You really need to go home."

Ariana talked nonsensically to herself as she reached for her purse. "Take me to my car."

Greg helped her up, but not before she grabbed the glass and took one last swig of her drink.

"Really?" Greg asked, his head shaking in disbelief. Ariana just laughed, almost hysterically this time.

He led her to her car, but as they walked, Greg knew he couldn't let her drive in this state. He was thinking quickly and decided to take her to his apartment instead.

---

Greg opened the door with one hand and supported Ariana with the other, as she slumped against him. After getting inside, he laid her gently down on the couch, removing her shoes. He went to get a blanket and returned to find her sitting up and smiling at him in a way that made his heart speed up.

"You really need to sleep," he said, holding the blanket out for her.

Ariana just smiled and said nothing.

"Here," Greg repeated, laying the blanket over her shoulders. "I'll see you tomorrow."

He turned to leave, but Ariana reached out and jerked his arm back before he could take even a step. They were close now; he could feel her warm breath against his skin. Her lips met his in a soft, sudden kiss that caught him off guard.

Before he knew what exactly was happening, she deepened the kiss, pushing him down onto the couch as she climbed on top, her kisses becoming more urgent. His immediate instinct had been to stop but something in the desperation of hers stayed his hand. Then, out of nowhere, he gave into the kiss, returning it with just as much passion.

Greg stood, lifting her into his arms as he carried her to the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed, wrapping his arms around her waist. Pulling her close as they kissed. His hands moved swiftly, unbuttoning, caressing, exploring.

Ariana broke away for a moment pulling her blouse over her head, and the sight if her bare skin spurred him on.

Ariana's alcohol-soaked brain was registering that she was about to sleep with a perfect stranger. Part of her thought she should stop, while another part was telling her this was just what she needed to feel good, to forget.

And so she let go, letting the touch of Greg drown out the pain as they lost themselves in each other under the dim light of the bedroom