Ex-boyfriend, New Beginning

Eric's ragged breathing grew louder.

I pressed my hands against his chest, trying to keep him away.

But he pinned me against the door, one hand holding me in place, the other clutching my wrist, forcing me up against the wall.

His gaze was so intense, like he wanted to devour me.

"Eric, have you lost your mind?"

Our nearly touching bodies felt like a thunderclap, and I desperately tried to pull away.

But I couldn't escape.

"Yeah, maybe I have."

For the usually calm and restrained Eric, he had completely lost control. His lips crashed into mine, muffling my cries.

The familiar taste of him filled my senses, making me shudder.

Our breaths mingled, the heat between us unbearable.

I could even taste the faint sweetness of blood.

Then I heard him mutter softly, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Sofia, you're ruthless."

"You really just broke up like it was nothing."

"I looked for you for a thousand and one days. A thousand and one days I spent thinking about you."

A thousand and one days.

Yes, from the day we broke up until yesterday, it had been exactly a thousand and one days.

The sadness, frustration, and longing finally broke through my defenses.

I looked up to see his tear-filled eyes, the flood of tears streaming uncontrollably down his arms.

He frantically tried to wipe them away, only to notice the scars snaking up my wrist.

I quickly tried to hide my hand, but he grabbed it.

"What's this?"

He asked me.

"None of your business."

I shot back.

"Sofia, I'm asking you—what happened?"

His jaw clenched, his eyes filled with guilt and unease.

"Eric, are we familiar with each other?"

I watched as his face shifted from red, to white, to an angry black.

He suddenly laughed, tears brimming in his eyes.

"But we didn't just sleep together, you also said I was bad at it, remember?"

With that, he pulled me into his arms, ignoring my struggles.

Eventually, the alcohol hit me hard, and I pointed at him, shouting.

"Eric, you scumbag!"

"You're married and still fooling around! You're not just bad at it, you're a total scumbag!"

When I woke up, the unfamiliar ceiling startled me, and I bolted upright.

The sudden chill made me realize I was sitting stark naked on an unfamiliar bed.

The space beside me was empty.

At the foot of the bed, my clothes were neatly folded.

I also didn't miss the faint smell of Eric in the air.

Groaning from the soreness, I stumbled into the bathroom, mortified.

Especially when I saw the marks scattered across my body.

On the sink sat a new set of toiletries, labeled "Sofia's special."

My fingers trembled.

Scenes from last night in the bar bathroom replayed in my mind.

I struggled to remember what had happened after I cursed Eric.

It seemed like he had thrown me over his shoulder.

Then he stuffed me into his car.

After that, everything went blank.

When I found my phone, I saw it had been blown up with calls from my best friend. Hundreds of texts flooded my screen.

The last call had been answered, lasting 15 seconds.

I closed my eyes and called her back.

On the other end, she was busy with wedding prep.

They were discussing where to hide the wedding shoes for tomorrow's ceremony.

When she heard my voice, I could tell she was relieved.

"Sofia, why did you leave with Eric last night?"

"I kept trying to call you, but you wouldn't pick up. I checked the bar's cameras, and saw Eric had taken you."

"What's up with that guy? Isn't he married? Why did he tell me he is your boyfriend?"

"Sofia, are you still there?"