AN:
Hi guys, I can't express how much I'm grateful that you're all reading this book, voting, commenting and adding it into your reading list. Thank you so much for your support.

Things are getting pretty intense in this story, and it's still nothing compared to what will happen in the future. I hope you'll continue to be on this journey with me.

***

My fingers press the keys on the piano as I play the melody of another Chopin's song, spending the night alone in my living room. A sigh leaves my lips as I think about what happened yesterday.

That night, after I said to Vaughn that I trusted him, he told me to go home without him. And as usual, he came back very late.

It's crazy how my thoughts keep playing in my mind. It's so frustrating. Why wouldn't he tell me what really happened if there's really nothing more between him and Camila? Why would he keep a secret from me? I'm starting to question my own judgement.

Some say that love makes you strong. But now, I wonder whether I'm being strong or stupid. I feel like a lovesick fool.

My phone suddenly rings, making the melody from the piano abruptly vanishes as I stop playing. I lean closer to see the caller, hoping that it's Vaughn. A frown touches my lips as I see an unknown number calling me. Usually, I would just ignore it. But somehow, I decide to pick this one up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Melanie," a guy's voice speaks from the other line. It sounds strangely familiar, but I can't remember who it is. "This is Austin."

My mind is immediately on alert. I wonder what makes the guy call me out of the blue.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but--" he pauses. The sound of thumping music and people talking in the background makes it difficult for me to hear that I have to press the phone closer to my ear. "I'm with Vaughn now, and dude's in trouble. I don't think anybody could make him stop now if it weren't you. I've never seen him drink this much--" There's some disruption again from the people laughing around him.

I stand up from the piano bench and begin to pace around.

"He came here with his motorbike, and I didn't bring my car," Austin continues speaking. "We can't ask somebody else to drive him to your place because... You know, they'll figure out something..." he falters.

I totally understand what he means. No one should know about us living together, unless we want Jake to hear about it.

"I can just ask somebody else to drive him back to his apartment, but I just want to make sure you're okay with that," Austin says.

Now that makes me ponder on what to do. I'm positive that I won't be able to sleep until he comes home to me. Besides worrying about him, I'm still not good with this whole paranoid thing about some lunatic breaking into my house.

"No, I think I can help," I say to Austin. "I'll go there."

"Are you sure about that?" he asks me to make sure I'm not troubled.

"Yeah. Can you send me the location of the club?"

"Sure."

I know that I'll still draw some attention to us if I go there, but I'll figure out what to do. Maybe Austin can come with us to reduce suspicion.

Nevertheless, I'm grateful that Austin apparently cares.

After we hang up, I rush to my room to change clothes and grab my purse before leaving.

The ride to the club is such in a hurry because I'm worried about Vaughn. I hear my phone ringing inside my purse, but I can't pick it up because I'm driving. Probably, Austin is calling to ask where I am.

Once I reach the parking lot of the club, I pull in. I check my phone again before getting out of the car, and just like I thought, there are a few missed calls from Austin. He sent me a text too, so I look it up.

I freeze as I read:

Hey Mel, we've got things under control here. I don't think you need to come.

What makes Austin suddenly change his mind? But I'm already here.

"I don't think anybody could make him stop now if it weren't you."

I still remember his words when he told me on the phone, so what's with the sudden change? Vaughn is drunk, and he needs me.

Without any clue of what's really happening, I step into the club. I get a glimpse of Austin as I walk through the people dancing on the floor. Once I pass through the crowd, I spot the football buddies. As usual, their table is always the most eyecatching.

And as I walk closer, the sight before me makes me freeze on the spot.

My heart feels like it's being stabbed by a knife, and the world seems to stop.

Vaughn is kissing with another girl. A girl I don't recognize.

She's a black-haired girl wearing a glittering party dress, sitting on his lap, her hands on his shoulders. She leans closer to him, grazing her lips against his before starting to kiss him slowly.

And Vaughn doesn't object. He doesn't make any attempt to reject her or to move from that place.

I turn my head to Austin, who sits at the same table, the color draining from his face as he sees me coming over.

"I'm so sorry, Melanie," he says, shaking his head, guilt skating all over his face. "I didn't mean to..."

Now I know that he was trying to warn me, but it's too late.

I feel my body shaking with anger that I never thought could ever consume me, and pain that I never thought I could bear. My voice is shaking when I speak to the only person I've ever given my heart, soul and body. "Enjoying yourself?"

Vaughn's eyes snap open as he hears my voice. He abruptly stands up, eyes wide as he sees me, causing the black-haired girl to yelp in surprise as she falls off his lap.

"Melanie," he whispers.

I see. He might be drunk, but he still knows what's going on, doesn't he?

Tears blur my vision. I want to explode. Seeing him kissing with another girl makes me feel nauseated. There's no other thing I want to do than to leave this goddamn place.

When I'm about to turn around, Vaughn grabs my arm, and I glare at him.

"Melanie, it's not what you think." His eyes are now filled with fear.

Strange. That's all I can think about.

I pull my hand from his grip with such force, like his touch is poison. And therein those amber eyes, I see more pain. But I don't want to believe it. As far as I know now, I am blind.

Blinded by my love for him. Blinded by my own delusions.

All eyes are on us, his friends watching us with mouth agape. Our secret isn't safe anymore. Only an idiot wouldn't realize what's happening. That there's a thing going on between us. It's not even just thing. A big thing.

Turning on my heels, I storm toward the exit door, ignoring the fact that Vaughn is now chasing after me.