Jess/ica Chapter 8 Of 11 [Inside Scoop: Picture of Victoria Henseley]

My eyes were blurred and turned puffy from tears. All I can hear are the rustling of the trees and his footsteps, towards me. I tried to clear my eyes from any remaining tear to see him clearly. I felt him gripping my hand. It was hard enough that I gave a moan of pain.

"What’s the big deal?" I asked him, raising the tone of my voice.
"What’s the big deal? You kissed a stranger in front of me!"
"Martin is not a stranger! I know his name, duh. And will you explain to me what’s with you and Vicky?"
"She’s my fiancée." I heard the drop of tone in his voice.
"She’s my best friend, Jess! Why didn’t you tell me before I fell for you?" I can’t stop my tears from falling.

"Because it’s you whom I really love! Her family arranged our marriage. Can I say no to the people who raised us?" I was speechless of what he just said.
"You’re the one that made me feel happy and complete. Isn’t that enough?"
"But why did you hide it from me?" I was still puzzled from what is happening.
"I never thought she would be back here. I sought for the perfect time where I could tell you, but she unexpectedly burst out from nowhere!"

I can’t think straight that time. Should I forgive him? If I did, will it change anything? No, they would still be together. Or should I let my pride reign this time? I have forgiven him for how many times, I’ve decided.

"What you did was unforgivable."

I walked past him, feeling strong, yet what I really feel is I’m weak. That night, I asked Victoria and Loise for a girl’s night out at their bar with, of course, 2 motives - enjoy with my friends and show Jess that I’m happy even without him in my life.

"For my long lost BFF! Cheers!" Victoria said, raising a shot of Tequila.
"For the newly converted party girl!" Now, it’s Loise with the same shot of Tequila.
"For my liberation! Cheers!" Instead of drinking just one shot, I drank the whole bottle.
"Drink! Drink! Drink!" cheered Vicky and Loise. I wasn’t contented then.
"Give me another bottle!" I did the same thing, finished the whole bottle in less than 5 minutes.

That time, I felt the real feeling of being drunk. Not just half drunk like the last time, but really drunk that I don’t know what I was doing that time. But what I know is I am carefree. I don’t think of anyone or anything. I am now free. Yet I knew I was climbing up the stage and I grabbed the mic, just like what Loise did on my birthday.

"People, I’m free! And I don’t need somebody to make me happy. Drinking Tequila makes me happy!"

Everyone in the dance floor was hollering and that made me happy. Raising the bottle of Tequila with my left hand made me happier. Not until I felt the same sting in my chest. I clutched it with my free hand, but the pain is too unbearable. My vision is blurred but I know I saw someone, Martin.

"Jess, Jess!" I know I saw Martin, but what my mouth yells for is Jess.
"It’s Martin, Jessica. Jess is on his way here." I heard his voice that made me hang on longer.
"Jess, I can’t take it."

I felt someone carried me. I heard the sound of the ambulance. And I saw somebody before I finally blacked-out.

~ End of Part 8 ~