Trapped by My Ex's Love Curse

"You see, Shienna! You'll never be happy in your life! You'll always fail at romance; no man will ever want you! You'll never find a soul mate-except for me!" said a man to his girlfriend who had unilaterally dumped him.

The reason? Because the man was just a burger seller, his girlfriend openly said that the man was no longer attractive because of his fat body.

The woman did not respond to the man's words but continued to walk away, hands-free in both ears and got into her private car and sped off from the campus.

***

Five years later...

"Happy birth-Dave? What the fuck are you doing!?" screeched a girl who intended to surprise her lover for his birthday. However, what happened was that the girl was the one who got a surprise that shocked and even broke her heart.

"Shienna? What are you doing here?"

"What is she doing here, Dave? Are you guys-" Shienna was unable to continue her sentence. Her eyes were staring at the man in front of her, who was naked and confused about covering his body. Neither did the woman, and Shienna didn't want to ask further about what and who the woman was enjoying the intimate moment the man was supposed to be having with her.

The girl looked at the man and woman before her, then grinned. "So this is how you behave when you're not with me, Dave?"

"Honey, you misunderstood. Listen to me first-"

Shienna shook her head and stopped the man. Her tears were already welling up in her eyes. "You have a heart, Dave. What did I do wrong to make you do this?"

David, the man, looked frustrated to be asked questions as if he was a criminal caught in the act. What's wrong with releasing a basic instinct that every human being has? He only made love to a woman to release hormones that needed to be regenerated. What the fuck is wrong?

It was wrong! Because David did it with another woman. Which meant he had betrayed Shienna, his fiancée.

"No. You're innocent, Shie. You're too kind. You're an angel who is reluctant to give me that pleasure."

"Who says I won't? You have to be patient for a while, Dave! Today is your birthday, and I'm planning to surprise you." The girl shook her head in disbelief. There was a disappointed look on her face. "From now on, we have nothing to do. We're done. Happy birthday."

Shienna threw the cake she had brought right into David's face and then turned to leave the man's apartment with an upset heart.

Back at her house, she called her best friend to come over and spend the rest of the day listening to her complain.

"Oh, I'm so sorry for what you've been through, honey. There are so many fish in the sea-not just David. I can introduce you to other men. Or maybe you want to consider my twin brother? You know, he liked you for a long time," a girl comforted Shienna, tired of cries for the past two days.

"Big NO! Your twin brother is just as perverted as Dave. I don't want to get my heart broken again." Shienna wiped her snotty nose, her eyes and face getting puffy. "I want to run away from this..."

"Huh? Where are you going to go? What about your concert preparation? What should I say to the committee and press, Shie."

Shienna shrugged, not understanding what she should do with her broken heart. "I had no idea. You're my manager. If they call you, say I'm in a quiet period. Please book a ticket for me. I don't care where it is. Or to the most deserted island in the world. I want to disappear!"

And Shienna's best friend complied with her request. Within a day, Shienna was on the loneliest island in the world that would only be visited by tourists who wanted some quiet.

Shienna looked around the room she had booked. A cottage meant for a family was now occupied by herself. She sighed loudly and tried to contain her annoyance that her friend had booked the wrong place for her to stay.

"Why are you calling me? Haven't you missed me for one night yet, hm?" her best friend teased as a disgruntled Shienna called.

"Seriously, are you making fun of me? Why did you book a place this big? I came alone, and seeing a room where I can play soccer makes me feel even more lonely," Shienna grumbled over the phone. Her friend, who was listening to her rant, just chuckled.

"Maybe you want to vent your frustration over your cheating ex-boyfriend," she laughed. "Anyway, it's a good thing you got a big room; you'll have more freedom, and your mind and heart will slowly improve. Calm down, Shie... everything will be fine. I made sure no paparazzi followed you there. You'll be fine. Enjoy your vacation and forget about that pervert man, okay?"

When her friend had ended the conversation with her, Shienna felt lonely again. She wandered around all the rooms in the cottage, trying to enjoy her vacation even though she certainly couldn't. The shadows of David lurking around the cottage were so strong. Images of David cheating on her kept flashing through her mind.

Her body sagged on the floor, crying bitterly and lamenting the fate of her love that had run aground once again. After so many times in love with several men who only lasted one year, this time, she and David managed to have a long relationship.

Three years is not a short time. They were even engaged and planning to get married soon. However, David's habit of changing partners has not disappeared despite being engaged to a girl as beautiful as Shienna.

Indeed, Shienna never gave David what he wanted. During their relationship, even after getting engaged, she still didn't allow David to touch her. And it seems the man can't wait to keep waiting.

"I've prepared a surprise for you, Dave. Why? Why won't you be patient?" she moaned, monologuing. Shienna cried for David, the man who had hurt her feelings. She cried until she was exhausted and fell asleep, not hearing the knock on the room door she had rented.

Such incidents kept repeating until, for two days, Shienna locked herself in the room. She was reluctant to come out, not only because her face and eyes were puffy but also because she was still heartbroken and didn't want to see anyone.

However, today, she had dressed up and intended to enjoy the scenery or go for a walk. She would shop to stock up on food while she was at the hotel. Perhaps a bottle of wine wouldn't hurt, either.

Shienna went shopping alone, enjoying the solitude that would be her companion for the next few days. To hell with the fans, the organizers, or the impending concert deadline. She would not get it done, even if she didn't go anywhere. A broken heart left her brain deadlocked and reluctant to think.

The girl arrived at the hotel after buying everything she wanted and then began to sink into the room with wine in hand.

"You asshole, David!" Shienna swear. "No, no, no! It's not fucking David; it's my life." Once again, the girl wailed. "This is since that bastard Bryan swore at me. I don't believe that it's my fault that I'm no longer attracted to him. He turned fat and unattractive, and I left him. Was it my fault? Even during his relationship with me, that son of a bitch never mentioned that he was just a burger seller. It certainly doesn't go well with me being the daughter of a respectable family."

She recalled the past, which she considered the beginning of her bad love story. Shienna babbled to herself as she sipped the drink in her hand. Her eyes began to feel stale, and she could not stay awake.

The half-drunk Shienna forced her body to get up and lie down on the bed without caring whether she had locked the door or not. And one more thing, Shienna did not realize that she was not alone on the bed but with a man who was in a similar condition to her.

Shienna turned around, finding a beautiful face in front of her who was now looking at her with a loving gaze.

"You are gorgeous today. I love you so much. Please, don't leave me again," the man said.

"Dave? I knew you wouldn't betray me. You will come back for me. I love you, Dave. You can do anything; I'm yours now." Shienna removed her clothes one by one and pulled the man over her.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Shienna nodded. "Just take it slow. I'm still a virgin." she chuckled. The man looked at the pair of eyeballs framed by the girl's delicate eyelashes that were resigned to her imprisonment. He then came closer and kissed Shienna's luscious lips.

"Oh ... your lips are so sweet, baby." The man praised in his moan. "Damn! You're so intoxicating, like an opiate. You're mine forever."

The thing that Shienna had never imagined at the time finally came. The man on top of her came into action, moving rhythmically and taking what the girl had to offer without exception. At the end of their play, they both reach their peak and are released together, without coercion but out of willingness.

"I love you, baby."

"I love you, Dave. Happy birthday, baby."

"Dave, I love you..." Shienna babbled and slowly opened her eyes, turning her head briefly to find a man still sleeping beside her. Her eyes traveled down from the man's head to his bottom; he was not wearing any clothes and was only covered by a waist-length blanket. Shienna widened her eyes and checked herself.

"Oh my! Why didn't I wear-" Shienna's sentence was cut short when she heard the man beside her moan.

"Selena, I love-" The man turned, and his face was now facing Shienna, whose eyeballs were almost stroking.

"Bryan?!" she screeched, waking the man who was just as shocked as she was.

"Shienna? What are you doing here?!"

"Shouldn't I be asking you? What are you-no way!" Shienna covered her mouth with both hands.

The two simultaneously looked at their respective bodies. Shienna pulled up the blanket to cover her bare chest and body while the man did the same. One blanket was a struggle between Shienna and the man she had probably spent a hot night with.

"Take it off! It's my blanket! What are you doing in my room, huh?!" Shienna screamed, still trying to maintain a blanket to tip over her breast. "You must be looking for an opportunity in a tight spot because you know I just broke up with my boyfriend-ooh... that's right. You're the cause of all the bad luck in my life, you bastard!" Shienna attacked Bryan brutally, beating him until she didn't realize that the cloth covering her chest was now open and revealing his naked body.

Bryan, who originally tried to protect the part of his body that Shienna attacked, no longer cared whether the girl beat or even killed him because his gaze was now fixed on the beautiful scenery before him.

"I can finally see the part you've been covering up all this time. Hmm... you're not bad. I didn't expect that even though you are a spoiled and fierce girl, you have well-arranged curves," Bryan complimented with a flat look that made Shienna stutter and covered her body immediately.

"You bastard! You perverted bastard! Even without meeting you, I already feel unlucky. Now I have to meet you after being free for so long and feeling happy. Do you know why? Because your swearing is unproven, and now-damn it! You must have been stalking me on purpose! You maniac! You must have followed me everywhere I went! What's your purpose, huh!? Are you trying to make fun of me for being cheated on and having my heart broken again?!" Shienna nagged at the man and then rubbed his forehead. "Get out of here, asshole! Get out!"

Bryan seemed undaunted by Shienna's wrath and moved closer to the girl cause Shienna's words instantly disturbed him.

"Cheated on? What are you talking about?" asked Bryan.

"You pretend you don't know, now, huh? Get out of here!"

"Ouch! Shie, I don't know what happened to us, but while I'm still here and the junior will rise soon, how about we reenact what happened last night?" Bryan teased, raising his eyebrows. Hearing the words of him, who was now cutting the distance from her, Shienna backed away with a worried look. "Why? Are you scared?"

"Leave! If you don't, I'll call the hotel security to arrest you!" the girl threatened, making Bryan chuckle.

"Calm down, calm down. I'll go." He got off the bed and put on his clothes before Shienna, who turned her head the other way. "No need to look away. You saw everything last night. And must have felt how fierce the junior is."

"Ewh! Disgusting! You must be bragging! There's no way I'd do that with you!"

Hearing Shienna's harsh words, Bryan only gave a crooked smile. "You don't even remember how naughty you were last night. Naughty and fierce. I like that." He finished putting on his clothes and stood straight to face Shienna, still on the bed, clutching the blanket to keep her body from being exposed. "Alright, tell me, how much did you charge me for last night, hm?"

"Wh-what? Charge you? Do you think I'm a slut, huh?!" shouted Shienna intending to provoke his reaction, but to no avail. Bryan, with his firmly chiseled jaw and athletic curves, stared at Shienna with a sharp, unfeeling gaze.

The sharp and hilarious look in Bryan's eyes instantly turned cold and seemed to portray the pent-up anger in his heart that he was reluctant to show in front of Shienna.

"Don't you like men with money, huh? What else is there to do if not give them pleasure? Oh, of course, on me too. Because I already felt it last night." Bryan grinned sarcastically. The look on his face that had originally shown a mischievous and lascivious character suddenly changed drastically. He then took out his cell phone and contacted someone. "Come here quickly and bring clean clothes for me. I'm in room number... just found out via GPS; I don't remember this room number. Yeah, you know-business as usual. The rate is too expensive. Maybe you can find another woman for me later. Okay, I'll wait."

Bryan ended the call, which left Shienna dumbfounded. What did too expensive mean? Was he referring to her? And again, he calmly waltzed away, leaving Shienna, who was still pensive, trying to collect memories of what happened last night. Not long after, however, footsteps returned to her room.

"Take it! Is it good enough for you? This is my business card. You can call me at the number above if you feel like what I gave you wasn't enough-or if something happens to you. If you don't get an answer, call the number below. That's my assistant's number." He tossed a few hundred-dollar bills and a business card onto the bed.

"What do you mean? Are you consider me a whore? After all, what did I contact you for?"

"Well, just in case you wanted me to take responsibility. Because from what I remember, we didn't use protection at all. If you don't want to, that's fine. But I assure you I won't believe you, let alone take responsibility if you come and claim to be carrying my child. Offers don't come twice. Bye."

Bryan left, leaving Shienna, who was again uncertain. After ensuring he would not return, Shienna checked her lower body and the clean sheets without any stains. She sighed with relief when she realized there was no trace that she had made love to the man.

"Thankfully, there are no blood spots. They say that if it's the first time, it will bleed. That means I didn't do anything with that bastard last night. What a bastard! I must never see that pesky man again." Shienna grumbled to herself amidst her relief at discovering that she did not do anything with that man. It could be that the effect of the wine she drank made her overheated and undressed last night.

She then put her clothes back on and pensively thought about Bryan, who was her ex-boyfriend when she was in college.

"What is he doing in this country? It can't just be a coincidence, can it? He's changed so drastically, and so..." Shienna shook her head violently, trying to drive away the shadow of Bryan, and slapped herself on the cheek. "Wake up, Shienna! He's the least okay ex-lover. He probably came to try his luck. There's no way he has that money to go abroad and pay me. Shit! He paid me like a whore! Or maybe..."

Shienna was still lost in thought about her ex-boyfriend when her cell phone rang. She had sent a text message to her best friend before she finally got a call from her friend.

They talked for a while before Shienna decided to go outside for a breath of fresh air. Not fresh, but cold and bone-chilling. She regretted going outside without a layered coat. Her bones felt like they were being stabbed, and her teeth began to chatter. Shienna entered a convenience store to warm up, and unexpectedly, she met the man she had spent the night with.

Don't tell Shienna that night was beautiful because for her, it was still a nightmare.

"You changed your mind?" Bryan taunted, flashing a crooked smile. Shienna didn't know what dream she had last night that she had to spend the night with that man and in a matter of hours have to meet him again.

"Don't be so confident, Mr. Sanders. I'm unwilling to hold you accountable because nothing happened last night!" Shienna snapped with a serious look. Bryan just snorted, grinning mockingly.

"Why? Am I not filthy rich by now? You shouldn't be ashamed to take me everywhere you go and take me on top of you simultaneously."

"Watch your mouth, Bray! Or I'll scream at you for harassment!" snarled Shienna in a half-whisper, making Bryan laugh even more at her attitude.

"Alright, I'm sorry. I'll get serious now." Bryan stepped up to erase the distance between himself and Shienna, who was about to retreat, but he quickly wrapped an arm around her waist. "Don't run away again, Shie. Come with me. Let's see if you're pregnant or not."

"I'm not going to get pregnant because making love with me was your fantasy a long time ago. I won't wonder why you're in this place. A sociopath like you would not be at ease if you did not interfere with my life," Shienna retorted.

"Let's stop this bickering because the one who should be angry and resentful is me after you broke off our relationship for absurd reasons. And I meant it when I asked you to come with me. I know you still have a feel for me."

"Dream on, Bryan!" Shienna was about to leave Bryan but turned around, reached into her bag and pulled out the money she had been carrying, and handed it to him. "Take your money because I don't need it!"

Shienna stepped away from the stunned Bryan for a moment. He then realized that he couldn't let the opportunity slip away again. Bryan hurried after Shienna, who had already left the shop.

"Shienna! I only have one chance. If you don't come with me, you'll have trouble finding me for the next few months. Let's stop this pointless bickering and come with me. I'll wait for you at the airport until ten o'clock. I hope you come because if you don't, there won't be another chance for us."

Three months later...

"Shie, how are you feeling? Are you still thinking about Bryan and your passionate night with him?" Shienna's assistant asked as she found her holding Cello, but her gaze fixed blankly ahead. Shienna was deep in thought, seemingly transported to another place and time, even when her assistant tried to snap her out.

Shienna still couldn't believe that the man she had slept with was Bryan, her ex-boyfriend from college. She only remembers the bad things about him: his bulky body, odd jobs at a fast-food outlet, and being able to attend college because of a scholarship.

Shienna started dating Bryan two years ago, and they continued their relationship for a considerable time. Bonding of their hearts must have happened during these two years. Two years is not a short time or a flash in the pan, as their hearts should have bonded over time. Unfortunately, this was not the case for Shienna.

As the youngest daughter of a wealthy family and one of the richest business owners in the world, she didn't want to accept just any man. Even though Bryan was not a man with an ordinary level of handsomeness, he was also not a man whose intelligence was perfunctory nor a man with a lot of style. Bryan was the complete package-if only he weren't so overweight.

"Shienna Miller, are you still here?" snapped the friend and assistant who had repeatedly called her name, only to realize when the woman with the tablet tapped her arm.

"Uh, you... What's wrong? Did you come to tell me my schedule for this week?"

"Yes, I think so." The woman scrolled through the screen of the object in her hand. "The most important thing is tomorrow's weekend. There's a party at the Gladiola Palace. It's the biggest hotel and culinary company party, and they've invited you to perform."

"How much are they willing to pay? I don't want to lower my rate."

"Don't worry, they'll pay whatever you ask."

"Good. Please call our regular fashion designer. I want the best. If they're willing to pay a high rate, we can't let them down."

"Yes. Anything else?"

"Um... can you buy me something?" Shienna paused before saying what she wanted the assistant to buy for her. "Chinese food. I'd love to eat seafood."

"But you're allergic to seafood, Shie. How about I order it from your favorite restaurant? Veggie seafood! It's your favorite, right?"

"No." Shienna waved her hand. "I'm bored and want to throw up at the thought of having to eat that again. I want seafood. Period."

The assistant gaped in disbelief. Shienna was very rigid when it came to food. It was unusual for her to be desperate to eat anything that she had long abstained from and disgusted by her favourite food. What was happening to her?

"Alright. I'll buy you what you want. Anything else?"

"The designer, don't forget. And buy my food right now."

The girl nodded, then went to carry out her friend's orders. However, her lips couldn't help but murmur in response to Shienna's strange behavior. "How strange..."

***

After deciding what kind of dress design she wanted, the big day she was looking forward to finally arrived. Shienna and her assistants and a few personal bodyguards protected her from the media. She had become the target of gossip due to rumors of breaking up with Dave and spending a night with someone else.

Shienna ignored the news but kept mum and wouldn't give any details. She felt secure when she arrived in the room. The security was so tight that reporters couldn't break in.

Shienna began to perform to a large crowd of guests from several companies. Her performance was mesmerizing when she played the violin, occasionally holding her cello and switching to the piano. At the top of the show, she played the piano and sang a song that she composed herself.

She ended the song beautifully. Everyone applauded. Her eyes widened with a radiant smile on her face. She then found a figure staring at her with a crooked smile, walking slowly towards her.

Shienna was wide-eyed, rose from her seat, and seemed to be waiting for the man to be before her.

"You look stunning, as always."

Shienna could not reply as her tongue turned numb. She did not expect to see the man now when she had even managed to forget the last incident that made her want to disappear so she would never have to see him.

"Take it easy. I don't want to bother you. I only invited you because I know you're the only one who can entertain us well at this big event."

Shienna circled the room as if looking for something. And when her eyes caught a banner that read 'Shines Hotel and Culinary'. She was familiar with the name but couldn't remember where she had seen it. And this man's presence... for what?

"Taste our banquet, Shienna. I know you'll like it. Do you still like cake? You can eat as much as you want during the feast."

Shienna couldn't stand it. She stumbled and collapsed as her chest tightened and her eyes rolled.

***

"Shie, are you okay?" asked someone fanning and applying aroma therapy to her ears and closer to her nostrils. Shienna slowly blinked, casting her eyes around and not finding the man who was like a scourge in her life, especially since three months ago.

"What happened?" she asked.

"You fainted. That's why I was forced to bring you back home," she replied. "She... I'm sorry about this. I didn't know that the event was-"

"Bryan's? I know. I'm sure he did this on purpose to upset me. Never mind, let it go. All that matters is that I'm home."

The assistant nodded. Then noticed Shienna's paled face. "Seriously, Shie. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I guess. For some reason, the last few days, I haven't been feeling well."

"Do you want me to call a doctor?"

Shienna didn't answer but got up, held her foggy head, and staggered to the bathroom. The ball gown still clung to her body, making it difficult for her to move. But she didn't care and quickly squatted down to face the toilet so she could vomit the contents of her stomach that had been churning.

HOEKK!

The assistant just watched with a furrowed brow. She waited in front of the bathroom door with anxiety. Not long after, Shienna came out with a weak body and a pale face.

"Oh my! Shie, what happened? Why are you-"

"I have a terrible headache, J. Can you buy me some med? Or a nausea reliever, or anything that will make me feel better."

Shienna's assistant and best friend nodded, then hurried out of the room and returned with a doctor.

"I asked you to buy medicine, not call a doctor!" snapped Shienna.

"But this is serious, Shie. I'm asking you, have you had your period yet?"

"What do you mean?"

"I checked your tampon, and it's intact."

Shienna was instantly stunned. The hectic schedule after her return from vacation made her not notice how much time had passed. It seemed like only a minute, and when she met the man who had disturbed her peace, time stopped, and she realized that she had been traveling in a different time zone.

... or maybe she deliberately forgot all about Bryan.

"Let the doctor examine you. Please..." The assistant added, and Shienna reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"To make sure, please use this," the doctor said as he handed over a long box, which Shienna hesitantly accepted.

She took a step towards the bathroom and did as the box said to do, waited a few minutes, then came back and handed the box to the doctor.

"Well, then, our hunch was correct. I'll prescribe the vitamins you need."

"Wh-what do you mean, Doc?"

"You are pregnant, Miss Miller. Regarding your gestational age, you can check with a specialist for further answers."