I tried writing this differently than how I wrote Intoxicated with you. If anyone came from it, I'll appreciate it if you could let me know once you've read a few chapters if my writing is better this way. Listen to music if you want, its Coldplay - fix you. Thank you and enjoy reading.

This chapter is dedicated to BEAUTY_OUTOF_ASHES

Lianna pulled her sweater tighter around herself. She hated the cold and wouldn't be caught dead outside now if it wasn't for her mom craving cheese puffs.

The freezing wind blew in her face making her eyes instantly water and her nose redden even more. Why did she want cheese puffs now? On one of the coldest days this winter.

Lianna, of course, thought it was a wise choice to only wear a thick sweater alone without a jacket or even a scarf. While she's considered one of the brightest in her family, she still has moments of bad decisions. This being a prime example of one.

Quickly she walks at a brisk pace to the corner store to not freeze to death. Lianna dragged her cold body down the sidewalk. When the Deli came in sight Lianna thanked the universe she made it. Any second longer she felt her fingers would freeze permanently.

Lianna pulls open the door and felt the immediate flood of warmth from going inside. She went over to the left by the rack of chips from lays to Cheetos and spotted the cheese puffs. Grabbing two bags because once her sister Jaye saw them, there wouldn't be enough for her and their mom.

She went back to the boy at the register to pay. He looked about her age, maybe a year younger. His eyes were a warm brown and his hair cut really low. He had really long eyelashes and a medium skin tone.

"Is that everything?" His friendly tone questions not looking at Lianna's items but on her face.

"Yeah," she says lowering her eyes to not make eye contact with him. Lianna didn't like whenever attractive people paid her attention because it made her feel bad about herself. She wondered what they were thinking when they looked at her acne-prone face.

She has suffered from acne since fifth grade and still dealt with it at age 23. It shattered any confidence left. The acne alone made her despise her appearance but added with people who constantly reminded her of how bad it looks, makes her feel even worse about herself. It made her love herself a little less.

"Four dollars."

She gave him a five-dollar bill and waited for him to pack her things into a plastic bag and hand her the change.

Lianna uttered a silent "thank you" and left the store wanting to rush back home and huddle into darkness under a thick warm blanket.

Later that night after dinner Lianna laid in bed underneath those covers. She could hear noise coming from the living room. Her mother Carolyn and Jaye snacking together in front of the TV on those cheese puffs. However unannounced to them Lianna laid crying herself to sleep. Thinking only thoughts of self-hate and feeling bad about the way she looked.

All she wanted is to feel comfortable in her own skin. Was it too much to ask?

°°°

Lianna woke up the next morning feeling groggy, her eyes puffy and probably red like ripe tomatoes from all the crying she did the night before. She didn't need to look in a mirror to know, not that she would anyway.

She got rid of all the mirrors in her room years ago when she realized they did more harm than good. The only time she saw her face now was when she passed by the wall of photos by the mantel in the living room. And those pictures were very old from another time when Lianna hadn't yet gone through puberty and was still happy.

Getting up out of bed Lianna started her day by going into the adjoining bathroom between her and Jaye's rooms. They each had a door connecting the bathroom to both their bedrooms.

She went and grabbed her toothbrush and the toothpaste being mindful to not look at the vanity. After her teeth were clean and face washed, Lianna made use of the free shower because Jaye had already left for work.

Jaye is doing her residency to complete her hours needed to be a full-fledged surgeon. At age 26 she has accomplished nearly all her career goals. Meanwhile, Lianna is still in school trying to get her masters in both psychology and art therapy.

It wasn't easy having a double major and working part-time as well. She barely had time to study but her grades were still where they need to be. School always came easily to her.

Stepping out onto the mat Lianna took a clean towel off the stand and wrapped it around herself. She was glad the heater was on full blast because if not she'd feel cold from the air after getting out the shower.

Walking back into her sanctuary Lianna searched for something to wear to class that would be warm enough for the harsh winter day ahead. Deciding on a pair of grey thick sweats and a black sweater, paired with her black winter booths, she quickly got dressed. It's supposed to snow a few inches today in the afternoon, she wanted to be prepared.

Once dressed Lianna got her books, and textbooks in her bag, jacket and metro card in hand. Going downstairs Lianna took a cereal bar and a bottle of water for breakfast in the kitchen. She couldn't take too long because she needed to go catch the bus. For if she missed it, it would be another half hour before she got the next one.

As she waited for the bus Lianna wondered what today had in store for her.

°°°

Alezorio rolled over from the supermodel looking brunette underneath him. They'd just finished fucking and his mind was already forming a wall against the woman panting next to him. He wasn't even into her but he needed to release some of his pent-up desire left from her.

Who wouldn't after walking in on their girlfriend of two years sucking another man's dick in his office. He'd end things as any sane person would and stayed away from women for 4 months. After four months without sex, he had to set himself straight somehow.

So, with that intention in mind, Alezorio had gone to the new bar 'Red' that opened in town to see if he could find someone willing. She was who he found.

It's probably late now and he has work early in the morning so Alezorio got set on locating his missing clothing and swiftly got dressed. The brunette that he didn't even remember the name of shifted on the bed.

"Handsome can't you stay the night?"

He could but did he want to, no. He didn't need her developing feelings for him and this was just a one time deal.

"Sorry I can't I have work early in the morning." He was using work as an excuse of course but frankly, he didn't want to stay over. She looked upset at this but she knew from the start what this was. He made it very clear that it would be a one-time thing.

It was for this very reason he didn't usually have one night stands. They were always on the same page at the start but after the fact, they forgot the agreement.

Finding everything but his shoes Alezorio went downstairs to see if they were by the door. He didn't hear the brunette make another plea for him to stay when he walked out the door.

Guess she finally got the message.

Downstairs his shoes were where he thought they would be. By the entrance where he must have kicked them off earlier in his rush to undress. Being that he was sober enough now he didn't worry about driving home.

Walking out the house Alezorio felt the cold air of the night on his face. His car was waiting where it was parked and he went over to it. He took one look up at the night sky and saw only a few stars. The neighborhood is well lit from all the street lights so he had no problem inserting the key to unlock the door.

Getting in Alezorio brought his sleek midnight blue Lamborghini to a purr and felt it's engine come to life. He put on his seatbelt and drove off towards home. He wondered how much longer the one-night stands would continue and if he'd ever find another woman he could trust with his heart again.

Unbeknownst to him, there would be one woman he'd be able to trust but it would be a task gaining her heart in return.

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