Chapter 1 1

Stella stared down at her phone screen, her mind trying to decipher what was being written in the form of a text message.

She re-read the message again just to be sure that she wasn't reading wrongly. Apparently it was a break up text from her boyfriend, ex-boyfriend if you may choose to call him that, his name was Derrick.

It wrote: Stella, to be honest I don't think I can do this anymore. You don't never bother yourself to open up to me, heck you don't even try to discuss your feelings with me. And so I have decided to end things with you, I can't be with someone that's emotionally unavailable. This is goodbye.

She switched off her phone and placed it on her on the table, she felt tears pricked at the corner of her eyes but held it back due to her not wanting to ruin the make-up that took hours to create on her face. Plus it wasn't waterproof anyways.

She inhaled and exhaled, using her fingers to gently caress her temples and then softly run them through her hair. There was a knock on the door followed by a voice telling her that her break time was up, and she needed to get back on set.

She stood up from the chair, with her phone in her hand, she looked at the mirror and put on a smile, for everyone to see and think that she was ok.

You don't need him. You never needed him anyways. You only need yourself.

She kept on repeating it in her head like a mantra, even as she went outside, as the makeup artist retouched her face, as she stood behind the white background. Even as the camera man took her picture, she kept saying those words: You don't need him!

****

The photoshoot was over, and it was time for her to head on home. Anna Maple, her manager and also best friend, offered her a ride to her house, which she gleefully accepted, due to her being to drained to even order an Uber.

They both got inside the sleek black Mercedes-Benz that Anna own, she always took pride in the fact that she owned such a beauty. Stella would have bought a car of her own, if she knew how to drive that is.

Anna slowly backed away from the parking lot, and ease her car onto the street. There was a silence that emitted from the both of them which Stella was grateful for and also dreaded, cause the next traffic light would require her to talk to Anna, cause Stella was certain that Anna knew something was up with her, despite her best efforts to conceal the fact that there is nothing wrong.

As soon as Anna stopped at a red light, her hands were placed on the steering wheel, without looking at Stella, she said, "You know you can fool everyone in this world, but you cannot fool me. I can tell that something is wrong with you, so," she turned her head towards her. "What's up?"

Stella threw her head back and let out a groan, "Why are you like this?"

Anna let out a laugh, "Cause we both have been friends for the longest time." Then her voice took a concern tone, "Now tell me what's wrong?"

Stella let out a sigh, "He broke up with me." She whispered softly.

The traffic light turned yellow, Anna started the car back up.

"I am so sorry," Anna said eyes focused on the road ahead of her. "So, what do you want to do now?" She asked, as the light turned green she drove ahead along with the other cars.

"I don't know, I feel stressed. I am stuck between going into the comfort of my home and just laying about in my PJs and eating one big tub of ice cream, or going to the club and getting drunk off my ass and probably fuck a complete stranger." She let out a slight chuckle on the last sentence.

"Well, it's Friday, plus there is a club that just opened about a month ago that is gaining popularity each week." Anna suggested, her eyes casting her a quick glance, before it went back to the road.

"I genuinely don't know, do you want us to go together?"

"It doesn't seem like a bad idea."

"Ok let's go."

Anna took a different route and headed to the direction of the club.

She parked at a free parking spot, which she was lucky she even managed to find, due to how full this place was each Friday night. They both got out of the car and headed towards the front of the club.

After waiting in line for what seemed to be about 30 minutes they finally got inside the club and the loud music and strobing lights made Stella feel dizzy

Stella held onto Anna for support, as she led her to the bar, walking past people dancing and grinding on each other. When they finally reach the bar, they ordered for two shots of tequila.

"You get drunk off your ass tonight and if you are lucky enough snag a sexy looking man while you are at." Anna said as soon as the bartender brought their drinks for them.

Both her and Anna simultaneously took shots of the drink, Stella winced as the drink passed down her throat and settled in her belly.

She ordered for more drinks, and kept on drinking till she felt wasted. Her mind began reeling on how things could have been better with both her and Derrick if she was just a little bit more opened up about her feelings.

As she was resting her head on top of the counter at the bar, with tears in her eyes, she felt the presence of someone next to her.

She then heard a gruff voice saying, "Give me a shot of Bacardi."

Stella turn her face to cast a brief glance at the person, only to see one of the most sexiest man that she has ever come across. He had chestnut brown hair, was wearing a white t-shirt that hugged his well toned muscles, and black pants.

She sat up straight and began fixing her hair, while clearing her throat. Anna had gone to take a bathroom break, so she was left alone by herself.

She acted like she wasn't sneaking glances at him, while ogling at how good looking he was.

"You should take a picture, it would last longer." The man said in that deep voice of his, and Stella felt a blush creep up to her cheeks as he said this.

"I'm sorry," she said apologizing.

"Why are you apologizing?" He asked looking at her, and with a smile on his face. "The name's Damien."

"Stella," she said shyly, it was as if the alcohol wasn't even working. Well it wasn't surprising cause she always had a high tolerance level to alcohol.

"Stella, that's a lovely name you have." He said looking at her with a look of someone that wanted something from her.

"Thank you," she couldn't for the life of her understand why exactly she was acting shy.

"So, are going through a heart break?"

"How did you know that I was going through a breakup?"

Damien looked at the empty shot glasses lined up in front of her, and she followed his gaze and then shrugged.

"Well, yes I am going through a breakup. My boyfriend of three months just ended things with me."

"Who in their right mind would break up with a beautiful girl like you?"

"Well you would be surprised." She muttered underneath her breath.

"Well, if you need someone to get your mind away from what's eating you up, I can actually help with that," he said, his voice suddenly becoming low, that it send a shiver down her spine.

"I-i came with a friend, so I think I should inform her that I am leaving." She brought out her phone and texted Anna about her leaving with a hot sexy stranger she just met, Anna replied that she should be careful at least. Stella replied with no problem. When she was done she turned her attention towards him.

"Why don't we head over to my place?"