As Vivian staggered through the front door, she looked like she’d just crawled out of a warzone.
Hair a tangled mess, makeup smudged in dark streaks under her eyes, uniform twisted and wrinkled as if she’d been wrestling ghosts.
Her hands clutched her bag in a death grip, knuckles blanched white, as if letting go might shatter her into pieces.
Her eyes stared vacantly ahead, unseeing, haunted. Her mind churned with flashes—Thomas’s face, Genevieve’s laugh, the way they looked at each other when they thought no one was watching. Each memory is like a fresh slap, bruising her mind. Why him? Why her? Why did I ever trust him?
“Vivian?” Lola’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and full of concern. She’d been adjusting her hoop earrings, putting on the final touches to her going-out look, her dark, red dress hugging every curve. But the moment she saw Vivian, her eyebrows knitted, and she let the earring drop from her hand, forgotten. “Girl, what in the hell happened to you?”
Vivian’s gaze finally met Lola’s, but it took her a second to register the question. And then, like a dam breaking, her face crumpled, a fresh wave of tears carving paths down her already tear-streaked cheeks. Her voice was a strangled whisper, barely holding itself together.
“He… he cheated on me, Lola,” she choked, her words almost swallowed by the bitterness flooding her throat. “Thomas cheated on me… with Genevieve of all people.”
Lola’s jaw dropped, her eyes narrowing like a storm gathering strength. “That rat-bastard did WHAT?” Her tone, low and dangerous, ignited something in Vivian, fueling her anger. Lola’s hands clenched into fists, her carefully painted nails digging into her palms. “He actually had the nerve to cheat with that... that desperate little nobody?”
Vivian’s head nodded in silent agony, every inch of her radiating betrayal. “I saw them, Lola. They were f*****g Lola! She sucked his d**k in front of me! That b***h gave him a f*****g blow job in front of me! Arghhh! She broke off, squeezing her eyes shut, her face twisted in raw agony as she pushed the air.
“I was so stupid to believe him. I thought he actually loved me. I thought we were gonna get married! Eight f*****g years! Eight whole years! That mf still cheated on me! He said I wasn't good in bed! Me! A whole me! ” Her voice trembled, barely audible. “Guess I was just a convenience.”
Lola’s mouth tightened into a sharp line, her hands on her hips, fury blazing in her eyes. “Thomas? That limp excuse for a man? He’s nothing but a joke, Vivian! How many times did he go on about his big plans and important dreams when all he did was talk in circles and act like the world owed him something?”
Lola stepped closer, her gaze fierce as she placed a hand on Vivian’s shoulder. “Oh, they have no clue what’s coming for them. If they think they’re going to walk all over you and get away with it, they’re dumber than they look.” A slow smile spread across her face, wicked and full of fire.
“And just so you know, you’re not alone in this. I’ll be damned if I let some basic wannabe and her spineless catch-of-the-day hurt my girl.”
Lola’s eyes gleamed with determination as she took Vivian’s hand, squeezing it tight. “Now enough. Don't cry anymore.
“ Do you know what I want you to do for me?” She raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Go to that room, pick out the hottest outfit you own, and come out ready to turn heads. Let’s go clubbing, girl! Let’s show Thomas exactly what he’s missing.”
Vivian hesitated, her smile fading as she thought about curling up under the covers and drowning in her heartbreak. “I don’t think I wanna go to the club, Lola. I just… I just wanna stay in bed, cry myself to sleep, maybe binge on bad movies.”
Lola clicked her tongue in disapproval, crossing her arms. “Nonsense, baby girl. Not on my watch! You’re not wasting one more tear over that loser. We’re going out, and you’re gonna have some real fun tonight.” She grinned, an almost mischievous spark lighting up her eyes. “Hell, you need to get laid! Trust me, you’d feel a whole lot better.”
Vivian let out a small laugh, shaking her head as Lola’s playful attitude washed over her like a soothing balm. Lola had this way of lighting up even the darkest corners, pulling her back up whenever she stumbled.
That’s why Vivian loved her. Lola was as fierce as they came—a girl from the streets who wasn’t afraid to break a bottle or throw a punch if she needed to. But under that hard shell, she was the sweetest, most loyal friend Vivian had ever known.
“Alright, alright!” Vivian surrendered, rolling her eyes as she brushed the last tear from her cheek. “Give me ten minutes.”
Lola’s grin widened, satisfied. “That’s my girl! You better come out looking like a whole damn snack, ’cause tonight, we’re gonna make ’em all regret. You're f*****g gonna get laid b***h! She winked, already hyping up the night ahead.
As Vivian headed to her room, a new kind of thrill tingled through her. Maybe tonight would be the start of forgetting Thomas, one dance at a time.
****
As they entered the dim, pulsing club, the atmosphere wrapped around Vivian like a velvet glove, thick with the scent of alcohol and a heady mix of perfumes.
She clung to Lola’s hand, feeling slightly out of place. Clubs weren’t her scene; her usual nights consisted of late shifts at the hospital or quiet evenings with a book or a movie. But tonight, she was trusting Lola to pull her out of her shell and help her forget.
“Lola!” A deep voice cut through the music, drawing their attention. A towering figure approached—a muscular man, at least seven feet tall, his powerful frame stretching his clothes. Vivian’s eyes widened as she caught sight of his smirk, and though he was handsome, there was a raw intensity in his gaze that made her instinctively take a small step back.
“Hey, Marcus,” Lola greeted casually, giving him a quick side hug. But as soon as his eyes landed on Vivian, his gaze darkened, and a mischievous grin spread across his face as he openly trailed his gaze down her body.
“Damn…” he murmured, his voice dropping to a sultry, gritty tone. “Just looking at you, baby… It's already getting hard.” He leaned closer, making her skin tingle with a mix of intrigue and discomfort as he gently guided her hand toward his pants.
“Feel me,” he whispered, the roughness in his voice sending a shiver down her spine. “I so wanna take you, sweetheart. Let me, Lola—just this once. I swear she’ll thank me.”
Lola yanked Vivian’s hand back before she could react, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Marcus. “Not tonight, Marcus. And not ever. Vivian’s not some prize for you to claim.” With a defiant smile, Lola pushed him out of the way and guided Vivian past him.
As they walked away, Vivian cast a glance over her shoulder. Marcus met her gaze, blowing her a kiss with a wicked grin, his fingers making a suggestive motion that left little to the imagination.
Vivian’s cheeks flushed as she turned back to Lola. “Damn, Lola, that guy is… massive.”
Lola laughed, giving her a sly smile. “I know, honey. We’ve had our fair share of fun in the past, and trust me—he knows what he’s doing.
But Marcus is a player, a womanizer through and through. I don’t want you getting tangled up with someone like him. Tonight’s about having fun and feeling free, no strings, no drama.” She gave Vivian a reassuring squeeze on the arm. “Let’s find someone who deserves you.”
Vivian couldn’t help but smile, feeling a rush of excitement at Lola’s protective nature. This night might be exactly what she needed.
***
At the bar, Lola’s energy was electric. She leaned over, catching the bartender’s eye. “Hey, Zuki! Give me a s*x on the Beach—and make it strong!”
Vivian’s eyes widened slightly as she watched Zuki prepare the drink. She leaned closer to Lola, her voice a bit wary. “Uh, Lola… I’m kind of light-headed, okay? I don’t want to get wasted and do something crazy.”
Lola flashed her a wild grin, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Girl, don’t worry! I’ve got you!” With a mischievous wink, she handed Vivian her drink, and together they took shot after shot, the warmth spreading through them as the night took on a hazy, magical quality.
By the fifth shot, Vivian felt the world spinning just a little, her cheeks flushed with a newfound boldness. Meanwhile, Lola still looked unfazed, her expression more vibrant than ever.
Lola nudged her, pointing across the bar. “Vivian, look at that guy over there. He’s been staring at you since we got here—hasn’t looked away even with those dancers all over him. I swear, he’s only got eyes for you, girl! Go talk to him, have some fun!”
Vivian squinted, taking in the man Lola was talking about. He was seated confidently, a little older than her, with an air of composure that stood out in the crowd.
He wore a fitted black dress shirt that hugged his toned chest and broad shoulders, his muscular forearms resting on the bar as he sipped his drink. Even from across the room, she could see the way his dark, intense gaze lingered on her, as if she was the only person in the club.
“I don’t know, Lola… he’s a bit older, He almost looks like an elder brother to me! And trust me I've never been with older guys.”
Lola rolled her eyes, giving Vivian a playful shove. “Even better! He would make you squirt like an ocean. Come on, he looks hot. Look at those abs pressing through his shirt, the way he spreads his legs like he owns this whole place. Go talk to him! You deserve a little adventure, and he’s the perfect candidate.”
Vivian laughed, shaking her head, but she couldn’t ignore the thrill bubbling up in her chest. Her cheeks turned pink, and she gave Lola a playful shove. “Lola, oh my god!”
But Lola wasn’t finished. She grinned wickedly and held Vivian’s gaze. “No, seriously, you need to let that man go to town on you. I’m talking about him licking that p***y until you’re shaking.
" Older guys don’t mess around—they know exactly what a woman needs. He’ll know how to get those hands all over you, touch those titties just right, take his time making you feel things you didn’t even know you could.”
Vivian covered her mouth, laughing as she tried to recover from Lola’s bold words. But despite her blush, she couldn’t help feeling a thrill pulse through her, ignited by her friend’s relentless encouragement.
“You’ve got this, babe go meet him! I’ve got my own mission.” Lola winked as she spotted a familiar face in the crowd. “I need some action myself—been craving a hot s*x all week. Byeee, gorgeous! Don’t wait up!”
Before Vivian could reply, Lola was gone, strutting into the crowd with purpose, leaving Vivian alone with her drink and the dark, smoldering stranger watching her from across the bar.