10 CHAPTER 10: AFFECTED

Michelle’s POV

As we enter the bar, Xander and I argue. This man has no intention of leaving me alone. He even knows my parents' contacts, so he found out where I work and is now acting as a bodyguard. I think he has a wild desire for me.

"You don't have to come, Xander!" I said

"I don't have to but I want to. You might end up getting drunk. "

"Aish! I won't get drunk. I'll just take a few shots, then I'll go home, " I rebut.

"Alright then, I'll stay with you, just do your thing and I do mine." He said he would still accompany me. He sure knows not to give up.

"Whatever! Black is coming, so you can leave! " I shouted at him because the sounds inside the bar were loud, but he just smiled at me.

I ordered a margarita for myself and water for him. He looked at me when I handed him the glass of water.

"What? Don't you want to babysit me? Then don't drink!" I said as I rolled my eyes and continued drinking.

That Black!

She's freaking late. There's nothing much to do in the office, and she even left earlier than me.

"Hi Mich!"

"It's been a long time, Mich!"

"Come on Mich! Lets kick some balls "

"Let's dance, Mich!"

"It's party time!" My acquaintances greeted me. I refused all their invitations. I'm not in the mood to have too much fun, especially since someone is acting as my babysitter.

"Famous, huh?" Xander remarks.

"In nightlife, dear!" I answered simply.

A moment later, a feisty woman named Black arrives, and based on her Aura, her Bitch mode is on.

"What's up, my dear best friend?" I asked her, looking surprised due to her grumpy face, but she just stared at me and sat down next to the counter.

"3 hardest drinks, Rick," she told the bartender, who immediately obeyed. We're friends with the owner, so she can act like a boss. After finishing her shots consecutively. She tried to pull me to the dance floor, but I was not really in the mood

.

"Go ahead! "I don't want to flirt tonight," I said jokingly. She glared at me then turned her gaze to Xander.

"Don't dare to play with my best friend's heart or else I'll make your life a living hell! And Mich, don't let yourself fall, " after she said that, she walked towards the crowd.

I just laughed at what she said. She's already drunk because the normal Black won't let anyone notice that she actually cares. And as if I will fall for this guy,

"You have a very nice friend!" Xander said, while looking at Black.

"Is that sarcasm?" I asked while my eyebrows creased. Before he answered, he smiled at me and looked back at Black.

"She's totally cold outside, scary, snob, and a little bit rude but she cares for you" when he said that, I smiled and gazed at Black. My forehead furrowed as a man groped Black's butt, but she just let it go and continued to dance. I was about to stand up when Xander stopped me.

"Don't! I think there's someone who will save her!" After he said that, the crowd became chaotic. Xander pulled me out, so I immediately took Black's belongings.

"Damn it! Where's Black?" I said worriedly because a lot of people are coming out but I can't see her.

"Patience!" Xander said, so I rolled my eyes.

When I saw Black, I immediately ran towards her, but I noticed that a man was holding her hand while pulling her somewhere, so I hurriedly chased them!

"Hey! Where are you taking her?" I asked and held Black's other hand.

"I'm James, Black's friend. You must be her best friend. Is it okay if I'll take her home already?" He calmly said, "She's too drunk to go home alone,"

I agreed and handed Black's belongings to him. I remember him. He's the guy I saw hanging out with Black. He must be her secret boyfriend. But how about the guy named Daze?

"Please take care of her," I said.

"Of course. Give me your number, I'll text you when I safely drop her off in her unit, " He said. I gladly gave him my number and bid goodbye.

"Let’s go, Xander! Take me home!" I said and walked towards his car first.

The trip was a bit long but I wasn't bored because Xander told me a lot of stories about himself and his jaw-dropping experiences. I think I know his whole life story, from family to exes.

He's like an open book. He's too vocal and fun to be with, but sometimes his arrogance was visible in the way he talked.

"I had a fun talk with you, Xander! Thanks for the night, " I sincerely said

"Thank you too, Mich! Night."

"Yeah Night," I said as we both smiled at each other.

James' POV

I went to a bar for a drink. Because every time I felt like my emotions were getting the best of me, I feel like I was going to explode with anger and I don't want that to happen. I won't let it happen in front of her. It will just trigger her sickness.

I ended up doing what she wanted and agreeing to everything she said, even if I didn't want to.

I stood at the side of the bar where it's not crowded. I just watch people having fun in their lives, not because I am anti-social, It's just that it's not my thing. I'd prefer drinking alone.

While I was drinking my beer, I overheard a very familiar name.

"Still the Great Black we knew. She's hot, man" I looked at the men laughing.

Their eyes were looking at one spot, so I followed their gaze.

When I set my eyes on the dance floor, I saw a woman who was throwing her body around with those guys circling her.

She's dancing carelessly then a guy holds her waist down to her butt.

I closed my eyes and balled my fist tightly before rushing to the dancefloor.

I punched the guy straight in his face. Other people were alarmed, too, so there was a commotion. I immediately pulled Black outside.

"Hey! Where are you taking her?" I looked at the woman who stopped us.

"I'm James, Black's friend. You must be her best friend. Is it okay if I'll take her home already? She's too drunk to go home alone" I said calmly.

"Please take care of her!" She said

"Of course. Give me your number, I'll text you when I safely drop her off in her unit, " I said and let her dial her number on my phone before leaving.

Black was not talking, so I guess she agreed too, so I immediately got her inside my car.

When I got in the driver's seat, I looked at her. She's still not talking, but she's fully awake.

"Black? You okay? " But she did not answer my question. She just looked outside. I noticed that she was still not wearing the seatbelt, so I did it for her.

I could smell alcohol all over her and I knew what kind of drink it was.

Before I started the car, I looked at her again. She's still looking outside, so I keep my peace and just let her unwind, even a little.

The trip was quiet. No one dared speak between the two of us until we passed a long bridge.

"Can you pull over?" she said with a sad tone.

"Why?" I asked worriedly. She sighed and paused before answering me.

"Just please, pull over" I couldn't do anything but to stop the car. She immediately went out, so I followed her

"Hey, are you okay? What happened?" I asked as soon as I reached her side,

She closed her eyes and faced the river. The wind was blowing her hair and covering her face, and I couldn't help myself but stroke it behind her ears but before I could do that, she spoke.

"I fucked with random guys. I'm a bitch, whore, relationship wrecker! The guys want me because I gave them pleasure. Now I'm asking you, Will you still stay with me after knowing it?" She said it without emotion, but still facing the river. I couldn't figure her out. She's like a mystery, she's good at hiding her emotions.

"I'll stay with you!" I answered unconsciously that it even surprised me. She opened her eyes and glanced at me.

"Stop comforting me with lies! I know what you're thinking right now." She was not crying, but her eyes told me everything I wanted to know. I slowly approached her and locked her in my arms.

Black's POV

I'm standing at the side of the bridge while my eyes are close to at least breathe and calm myself because anger is overtaking me. The cold breeze is touching my skin and messing up my hair, but I felt comfortable.

I felt James's presence beside me, so I said non-sensical things that I wished to take back.

"I fucked with random guys. I'm a bitch, whore, relationship wrecker! The guys want me because I gave them pleasure. Now I'm asking you, Will you still stay with me after knowing it?" I said it and later regretted it. I bit my tongue with annoyance. The hell's wrong with me? Getting so worked up over some dude telling shit about me!

"I'll stay with you!" He answered that surprised me, so I ended up glancing at him and saw his smile. An encouraging one. I sighed and stared at him.

"Stop comforting me with lies! I know what you're thinking right now." I fearlessly declared as if I were some sort of mind-reader.

I hate comforting lies. I freaking hate lies the most. It just makes things worse.

It's okay if I hear bad words about myself, it's okay if they judge me, it's okay if they hate me. The fuck I care what society thinks. I just don't think it's okay when people act nice but then turn on you.They could be honest if they don't like me rather than pretending to be a nice person. It's all my fault anyway, because I knew he was trouble yet befriended him. I should be ashamed of myself!

I was surprised when he removed the spaces between us and suddenly hugged me as if I was glued to where I stood.

"Saying lies won't push me away, I will still stay with you" and he kissed me on my forehead.

I was stunned at that moment. I couldn't even give any reaction; I just remained standing while locked in his arms.

___

We arrived at the condo without talking. I never spoke again after what happened on the bridge.

I felt ashamed. I normally don't act that way. I care less about what people think about me, but why the hell am I so affected by what I hear?

I even include James, who did nothing wrong, just because some bastards disappoint me.

I am grateful for what he did, It's a simple gesture and word, but it's really worth hearing.

"I owe you." I whispered and immediately got out of his car, but before I could walk away, I heard him speak.

"By the way, I'm a psychologist. Good night, Black, sleep well. " He said and left, but I remained where I was.

I laughed to myself. That's why he was always calm. That's why he knew that what I told him earlier was a lie! That's why he's good at comforting, he studied and got used to it.

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