The Cure to My Scar

Ill-fated

I was in the middle of a presentation when my phone keeps vibrating from the messages I've been receiving but I just ignore it since it's just from Brent. I'm pretty sure it's not that important.

As soon as I'm back at my working station, I checked the messages to see what's with the consecutive messages from Brent. Of all the Doctor I've known, he's the only person who has a lot of time in his hand.

"Hey, it's Jeff's birthday. Be there or else he will be melancholic the entire day."

I looked at my calendar and was kinda surprised that it's already Jeff's birthday. Time flies so fast. It feels like it was just yesterday when we celebrated his birthday.

I checked his other messages and it's all about the address where we will gonna celebrate Jeff's birthday. And as usual, we are gonna party at a bar. This must be a sleepless night. Good thing, it's Friday.

I checked another message and it was from Jeff.

"Have you heard about Brent's message? He is planning for a party when I barely have money for my living expenses. I guess it's about time to tell him about my real situation so he will stop doing things like this."

I was about to respond to his message when I received a call from this one girl who kept pestering me this past few days, insisting on returning a favor even though I didn't ask to.

I just let my phone ringing and didn't pick up her call. It's annoying. Why do people always insist on what they want instead of respecting the other party's decision? When somebody says that's fine, then you should take it as it is. Why bother doing something against their free will?!

After the call ends, I received a message from her.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, I guess you're working."

Why bother telling something you already knew?! That's useless.

"Please let me know when will you be free to talk bout it. I just can't stand being indebted to someone without returning the fair." -Chloe

I just smack my palm in my forehead from the frustration I feel right now. Why the heck she kept asking to take some time and returning the favor I never want to at all?! She's so annoying.

"No need. Please take it seriously when I say it's fine. I'm not the one who saved you and all I did was to drive you there. So that's fine. Thanks for taking my words seriously." I replied.

She's the type of person who will keep insisting on what she wants unless you have to say it straightforward. She is frustrating. That's why I hate girls and their clingy attitude.

======

Everyone's clocking out on the dot since Friday night. I guess it's time for some breather for the stressful week at work. I was left alone in the office and finishing up some jobs so I'll have a light Monday next week. I hate seeing my workspace being overpopulated with left-over jobs from last week.

I suddenly felt hungry so I checked my clock and I gasped to see how late it is. I'm still working at 11 pm without even grabbing something for dinner. I organized my area and prepares to leave when my phone suddenly rings. It's Brent.

"Hey, what's taking you so long?! Don't tell me you're overworking yourself on a Friday night. Or don't tell me you forgot about Jeff's Birthday?!" Brent sounds tipsy based on his voice and the way he speaks. I wonder how long they were there that he gets easily drunk as early as now.

"Hey, what are you doing?! I'm still talking to him." I can hear Brent's shouting from the other line.

"It's Jeff. It's fine. No need to worry. Take your time, no need to rush. We need at least one person who will remain alive and alcohol-free so you can drive us home." He chuckled.

"Just kidding. But I mean it when I say you can take your time." I just smirked while listening to them. Even if I didn't utter a single word, they can easily understand that. I guess that's how real friendship works.

I dropped by the nearest coffee shop to grab some sandwiches and some coffee to relieve this fatigue from over-working. Since that day, I didn't do anything aside from working. There are only four day-offs I take the whole year: Hana's, Jeff's Brent's, and mine. The rest of the three hundred sixty-one days of the year, they were all allotted at work.

After half an hour of driving while eating, I finally arrived at the venue. I don't get why Brent never gets tired of these loud and crowded places when we were so into it during our younger years. And why do we always have to celebrate this way? But for the sake that it's just twice a year event so I just go with the flow.

I was surprised to see that there are unfamiliar girls who were joining the party as soon as I entered our reserved room. I clenched my jaw from annoyance but for the sake of Jeff's birthday celebration, I hold it in and act like everything's fine.

"Jaaaace! You are finally here. The girls were waiting for you the whole time. I guess your irresistible charisma never fades. Girls were head over heels as soon as they saw your photo." The drunk Brent greeted.

I ignored his greeting and sits right next to Jeff and offered me something to drink. He just smirked at me as looks at my expression.

"Hold it in. You know him more than anyone else. He's just uttering nonsense out of the influence of alcohol. He wouldn't remember any as soon as he wakes up the next morning."

"I almost mistook this celebration as his Birthday," I commented and raise my glass as I offer a toast. He bumps his glass and smiled at me brightly.

A girl slowly sits right next to me and starts linking her arms to me. I looked at her arms wrapped around my arms then looked at her with an ice-cold gaze. She just smiled at me brightly but all I did was stare at her blankly. I'm not sure if she's so clueless or has a thick face that she never cares about how I'm uncomfortable with her action.

Jeff cleared his throat and shook his head slightly to send a signal to the girl but she didn't move a bit. I'm starting to get annoyed. This is why I hate going to places like this. There will always be these annoying clingy girls who will do whatever it takes to grab your attention as if they are the most woman in the world.

I chugged the glass of whiskey and stand up vigorously which made the girl shocked at how rude I acted. I just looked at her intently with furrowed brows and couldn't move ut from shock.

I was about to left the room when Brent call out for me.

"Hey!! Where are you going?! You arrived late and now you're leaving already?!" He exclaimed.

"Just gonna breath some fresh air," I replied and walk hurriedly outside the pub. I hate making a scene like that when we are supposed to be enjoying the night but I just can't stand that kind of behavior.

I was about to lit up a stick of cigarette when an unwelcomed familiar voice of a woman called out my name. I hate that I can still distinguish that voice despite all these years. And of all places, why do we have to bump on each other.

"Jace? Is that you, right? Jace Vinson del Castillo?" And I hate how she still remembers my name as if she doesn't feel any guilt after she has done.

I crushed the cigarette that I've been holding as I clenched my hand into a fist. It's been years yet my blood still boils every time I hear anything about her. Who would thought that we will gonna meet in this place? What an ill-fated, isn't it?

"It is. It's you, Jace! I didn't know I would meet you again. It's been years." She exclaimed as if she is so excited that we meet again. Well, I feel the exact opposite of her. I despise that we have to meet again this way.

I just looked at her blandly and remove my gaze immediately as I can't stand looking at her as if everything's fine. Where did she got the nerves to be so shameless and greets me as if we're good? It may have been years but the emotional scar is still there. And I doubt that it will heal at all.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't think that you will still hate me. Though I know that what I did was unforgivable but I thought you could at least be civil when we meet this way." She mumbled.

"You're wrong. I... despise you. Hate, anger, or rage will never be enough to explain what I am feeling right now."

Then I walked past her and left her dumbfounded with that comment. Where the heck did she got the nerves to greet me as if I can easily erase it from my memory and forget about it after how many years.

I will never forget how she insulted me in my own house, in my own space. What she did is unforgivable and I will despise her even when I'm on my grave.

I loathe her until the last breath I take. For she... is disgusting.