Chapter 2 2.

For what felt like an eternity, I stood there, frozen under Raymond's gaze. His hand still gripped mine, and the weight of his touch sent a chill down my spine. It was like I was trapped, staring into the eyes of the man who had broken me, the man I wasn't ready to face.

Finally, I snapped out of it. I yanked my hand free, my heart pounding in my chest. I could barely breathe. Without another word, I turned and bolted, weaving through the crowd as fast as I could. The noise of the lounge faded behind me, replaced by the sound of my own shallow breaths.

I pushed the door open and stepped outside, the cool night air slapping against my skin. My legs were shaking, but I didn't stop. I didn't care where I was going-I just needed to get away.

"Ava, wait!" Sophie's voice echoed behind me. I heard her footsteps growing louder as she ran after me. "Ava, stop!"

I kept walking, my body tense, my mind racing. Why did they do this to me? Why did they trick me into seeing him?

"Ava!" Sophie caught up to me, grabbing my arm to pull me back. I stopped, whipping around to face her.

"What the hell, Sophie? What the fucking hell!" I shouted, my voice breaking with a mix of anger and hurt. "You tricked me! Why would you do that? You knew what this would do to me, but yiu did it regardless"

"I'm sorry Ava! It wasn't my intention to make you feel this way. I didn't want to, but... I thought-no, we thought it would be good for you to talk to him," Sophie said, her eyes pleading.

"Talk to him? Are you serious? Can you even hear yourself? After everything he's done?" My voice shook with frustration. I pulled my arm free from her grip, taking a step back.

"Ava, please." Sophie stepped forward, her voice softer. "I know you're upset. And I'm sorry we tricked you. But just hear me out, okay?"

I crossed my arms, my chest still heaving from the emotions raging inside me. "You have no idea what I'm going through right now, Sophie. And bringing me here, making me face him like this-it's cruel."

"I get it, Ava. I do. But Raymond... he's been trying to talk to you for weeks. He told us everything." Sophie's tone was desperate now. "I'm not excusing what happened. I just think you should listen to him. He... he regrets it. He wants to explain."

"Explain what? That he broke my heart? That he dissapeared when I needed him the most?" I scoffed, wiping the tears that had started forming again. "Sophie, I just can't ... I can't."

Sophie sighed, stepping closer, her hand resting on my shoulder. "Look, I know it seems impossible right now. But maybe hearing what he has to say will give you some closure. If nothing else, you can walk away knowing you gave him a chance to explain."

I swallowed hard, my mind spinning. Part of me wanted to run, to never look back. But another part of me-the part still aching from what Raymond had done-needed answers.

Sophie looked at me, her eyes softening. "I'm really sorry, Ava. I didn't mean to hurt you by bringing you here. I just think you need to hear him out. If he does anything stupid, you can walk away. You don't owe him anything. But at least listen."

I let out a long breath, my heart pounding in my chest. Every fiber of my being wanted to scream no. But there was something in Sophie's words, something that tugged at the broken pieces of me. Maybe hearing him out would finally give me some peace. Maybe it would help me move on.

"Fine," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "But one thing is for sure, if he tries or says anything stupid, I'm out of there. I am not here to gratify his dubm ass ego, and also I am not doing this because y'all want me, I am doing this because I want to, are we clear?"

Sophie nodded, a relieved smile crossing her face. "Of course. We're right here with you."

I wiped away the remnants of my tears and took a deep breath. My heart felt heavy, but I knew what I had to do. If this was the only way to put the past behind me, then so be it.

**************

I picked up a wine glass from a passing waiter and went straight to him. I stood in front of him and looked into his eyes.

"You have until I finish my glass," I said, gathering all my courage together.

"Thanks." He smiled indulgently.

"What for? Please Don't thank me yet," I replied tersely.

"So?" I asked with less care and crossed my hands on my chest.

"I miss you," He said softly. I pressed my nails on my forearm to control my overwhelmed emotions. "Terribly." He added. My nails made a crescent mark on my skin. I took a sharp breath.

"Hey Listen Raymond. I am not here to entertain any of your bullshit. Alright? Lets get right into it" I replied angrily.

"Alright alright . I am sorry. I am just....I don't know how to or where to start." He looked at me sadly. "This is the first time I am feeling this nervous."