Chapter 2 HAUNTING MEMORIES

THE NEXT MORNING

Ginny's eyes fluttered open, her head pounding fiercely. But the headache was nothing compared to the pain she felt between her legs. Her eyes frantically scanned the room as the memories of the night before came rushing back to her. Her eyes widened in horror as she peeled the sheets off her body. "Damn it!" She cursed, staring at the bloodstain on the bed.

Her eyes suddenly caught sight of a note, and she grabbed it, her anger boiling as she read the contents aloud:

"Sorry, Sugarplum, I would have stayed a little longer, but I had to catch my flight. Just wanted to let you know... you're naughty for a virgin."

She crumpled the paper and tossed it away angrily. "Damn you!" She groaned, running her hands through her hair. "I was saving it for Mr. Right, and you have the nerve to take it in one night! Damn you!" She yelled, though no one was around to hear her.

'Flight' The word suddenly rang in her ear, her eyes widened, and she jumped to her feet immediately.

Just then, her phone rang. Her eyes frantically searched the room before spotting it on the table beside her. She grabbed the phone and quickly silenced the alarm, which clearly stated, 'An hour to flight.'

She tossed the phone onto the bed and dashed toward the bathroom. In less than twenty minutes, she was done, fully dressed in a long pink gown with a white strap that slightly exposed her back and a slit up to her knee. Her lips were painted a vibrant red.

Ginny yanked the wardrobe open, pulled out her traveling box, and rolled it out, securing her handbag with her other hand. She stopped at the reception desk and dropped off her key.

"I'm signing out," She said, pushing the key onto the table and flashing the receptionist a smile, which was returned.

"Thanks for patronizing us," The receptionist replied.

Ginny nodded and quickly walked out, rolling her bag behind her. She stopped right outside and waved down a cab. She immediately got in, and they drove off.

Her phone beeped suddenly. She glanced at the screen to see a message from Jane:

"Hey, love! Sorry for ditching you yesterday. I got drunk and almost ended up in someone else's bed, but I ran home before he could do something stupid. I'm sorry I couldn't see you off. I've got a crazy..."

She groaned, shoving her phone back into her purse, not reading the entire message. She still couldn't believe she had lost her virginity so carelessly, like a precious gift discarded without thought, especially when she had been saving it for Mr. Right.

It was supposed to be a celebration of her breakthrough from college, and she had urged Jane to go with her in booking the hotel and also clubbing, but now it felt like a nightmare. The pain between her legs and the bloodstain on the bed were harsh reminders of her mistake.

Why did I meet him?" She muttered angrily. "I hate him!" She mumbled,

face-palming herself.

"We're here, ma'am," The cab driver informed her, jolting her out of her thoughts.

"Thanks," She muttered, pulling the door open and dragging her luggage out before grabbing her handbag.

She headed into the airport, and just then, an announcement echoed through the halls:

"The next flight to New York is about to take off in ten minutes. All passengers should be on board now!"

Ginny tightened her grip on the handle of her luggage and quickly rushed toward the reception desk. She dug into her bag and pulled out her passport and ticket, handing them to the receptionist.

"You're just in time, ma'am," The receptionist said with a smile, checking her documents.

Ginny kept tapping her feet on the floor repeatedly, impatiently waiting for her to be done.

"Your documents aren't completed, ma'am. I can't find your passport," The receptionist pointed out.

"Is it that you're blind, or can't you see I'm standing right here? What do I need a passport for...?"

She smacked her hand hard against the desk, and the receptionist flinched backward, not expecting the impact.

"I'm sorry," She quickly apologized, realizing her mistake.

She sighed before stuffing her hand into her handbag and brought out a passport, handing it over to her. The receptionist scanned it before handing all her documents back, this time with a frown.

"You can proceed to Gate 5."

"Thank you," Ginny replied, grabbing her things and making her way through the bustling airport.

Her mind was still swirling with the events of the previous night. She couldn't shake the feeling of regret and confusion.

How could she have let things spiral out of control so quickly? She had never been the type to lose herself in the heat of the moment, especially not with a stranger. The encounter had left her feeling vulnerable and exposed.

The fact that the man had simply vanished without a trace, leaving nothing but a hastily scribbled note, made her feel used and discarded.

As she reached Gate 5, Ginny took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She handed her boarding pass to the attendant and walked down the jet bridge to the plane.

Once inside, she found her seat by the window and settled in, placing her bag under the seat in front of her. She stared out the window, watching the airport staff bustling about, but her thoughts were miles away.

The plane took off smoothly, and Ginny leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes.

Despite the noise of the engines and the chatter of the other passengers, she felt a deep sense of loneliness.

The excitement of graduating and moving to New York, which had been her dream for so long, was overshadowed by the emptiness she felt inside.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her out of her thoughts. She pulled it out to see another message from Jane:

"Hey, babe, are you on your way? Call me when you land. Let's catch up soon!"

Ginny sighed, staring at the screen for a moment before typing a quick reply.

"Yeah, I'm on the plane now. I'll call you when I land. Take care."

She put her phone back in her pocket and closed her eyes again, trying to push the negative thoughts out of her mind.