Lahat ng Kabanata ng Treasured Yet Discarded: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

“Who wants margaritas?!” Irina cheers from the kitchen.Áine and I look over as Irina expertly picks up all three glasses at once and carries them to the living room, distributing them like a professional. I guess working at a club taught her a few tricks over the years.“Thank you.” I take my glass, take a sip and lick the salt from the rim off my lips.“Thanks a million,” Áine says graciously as she takes her glass.Irina sits down among the cushions, joining us on her living room floor. I am not a jealous person by nature, but I have to admit that whenever I see Irina’s loft, I get a little envious. I don’t know how she is able to afford such a beautiful loft in West Hollywood, but she figured it out. It’s so big you could fit my studio apartment in here four times and still have space left over.“When was the last time the three of us were able to get together like this?” Irina quizzes, taking a sip of her drink and leaning back against the couch. “Just us girls, getting together,

Have you ever been so drunk your limbs don’t even feel like they belong to you? Because that’s the state I’m in right now as I zig-zag my way to my apartment. I thought I was doing a pretty decent job at walking a straight line, but the suddenly ending up falling into a potted plant proved me very wrong.I get up, poking my tongue at the rude plant for jumping out at me like that and make my way inside. As I turn down my hallway, I walk right into the wall, but it’s not so bad because I realise this mighty fine structure made from plaster is good at holding me up. I slide my way across the wall, stopping when I get to my door and fish my keys out of my purse. As I manage to retrieve them I notice a bouquet of yellow roses in front of my door. I hold onto the doorknob as I reach down and pick them up.“Nice try Mr Hollywood,” I scoff.I try several times to fit my key into the lock, but finally, I find success! As I walk in, I toss the flowers and my purse over onto the kitchenette and

I pull up to Julian’s apartment building with one minute to spare. I’m so glad I made the smart decision to leave a bit earlier than I had originally planned because the gridlock I encountered on the drive here was absolutely insane. Days like today I completely understand why some people get road rage. I used to think road rage was just something they put in Hollywood movies for dramatic effect until I came to the US. Traffic like this is just not a thing where I’m from.I jump out of the car while I text Julian to let him know I’m outside, leaning against the hood of my car. I take a breath and do the usual once over to make sure I don’t have stains, or anything stuck to my butt. I want this date to be fun and casual so we can enjoy each other’s company without Julian feeling like he needs to impress me. Fortunately, the weather is perfect today, so I’ve dressed in high-waisted baby-blue cotton shorts with a matching oversized elbow-length button-down, left open showing my mini, whit

For five years my life felt stagnant; stuck in a routine, too afraid and guilty to step out from my day-to-day. Now I’ve been swept up in a romantic whirlwind and I’ve never been happier.These past few weeks have been the most exhilarating of my life. Julian took me to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which I thought I’d hate or find boring, but I actually loved it! I walked a red carpet – it’s something the museum offers visitors – held an Oscar and delivered an acceptance speech that made Julian emotional. I learned the history of moviemaking and found the entire experience fascinating. It also allowed me to see Julian’s passion for the art form he has chosen as a career. I even got to see the real shark from Jaws! Who is apparently named Bruce. That was new information. I don’t think I’ll ever watch Jaws the same way now.At my suggestion, we went to Echo Park Lake and rode on those swan paddle things, and on another date, we had a day of fun at the Santa Monica Pier. Just th

Julian walks over and holds a chair out for me. I eagerly take my seat as he pushes my chair in, while I place my purse on the table settling into the luxurious cushions. Julian gets to work popping open a bottle of champagne and pouring us each a glass.“You really do look stunning tonight,” he gushes.I smile as my cheeks once again burn at the sound of his words. “I have you to thank for that. How did you know my dress size though?” I ask suspiciously.“I took a look at the tag on your shirt when I hugged you the other day,” he smirks mischievously, handing me a flute of champagne.I snort with laughter as I take my drink. “You get creepier and creepier by the day.”“And yet you came tonight,” he says victoriously, sitting down beside me.“Nowhere else I’d rather be,” I say sincerely. “When did you need everything returned by?” I ask, taking a sip of my champagne, the bubbles tickling my nose and going straight to my head as I feel the cold liquid travel to my stomach. I shouldn’t