The Don's Mistake

Emily's POV In the tough world of love, I learned a painful truth: It’s not a journey everyone is meant to take. Some people find their soulmates easily and live out their fairy tale endings, while others, like me, keep falling into a cycle of heartbreak and shattered dreams. Even with all the disappointments, I kept holding onto hope. It was fragile, always torn by every setback, but somehow, I couldn’t let go. I convinced myself that the universe was just testing me and that my true love was still out there. But even the strongest hope has its limits. Mine ran out when I was hurt by the one person I trusted most, the man I thought would finally make me happy. He wasn’t just anyone. He was my boss, someone I looked up to, and someone I couldn't resist. I knew the risks, the warnings in my mind, but in my naivety, I believed in his promises and gave in to the charm of his words. His betrayal hurt more than anything else. It shattered everything I had hoped for. Was it foolish to believe in love, to long for something that made sense in my heart but didn’t in reality? After he deceived me, I found myself lost in a sea of despair, overwhelmed by the broken dreams he left behind. The scars weren’t just on my body; they were deep within me, a constant reminder of why I shouldn’t trust so easily. Standing on the edge of giving up, I wondered, is there any peace in a world this cruel? “Love’s not for me.'' “It’s time to give up on it.” (*) “Layla, come on, we need to get out of here. I need a drink,” I said, practically begging my friend, frustration building inside me. “I’m not up for it, Em. We’ve been out every night for the past two weeks. I’m tired, and I’ve got work tomorrow,” Layla groaned, still lying on the bed. “Are you trying to rub it in that I don’t have a job anymore?” I shot back, the bitterness in my voice clear. Layla’s response hit harder than I expected. “I didn’t tell you to have an affair with your boss,” she said, and her words stung more than she probably meant them to. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. Layla quickly wrapped me in a tight hug, offering me comfort in my vulnerable moment. “I’m sorry, Em. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I know how much you cared for him,” Layla whispered, regret in her voice. “Okay, okay,” she added, her tone shifting to something more determined. “But you need to wipe those tears away. We’re going out for that drink.” I sniffled and wiped my tears away. “Are you serious?” I said, surprised at her persistence. “Yes, I’m serious. So wipe those tears, or we’re not going anywhere,” Layla insisted. I took a shaky breath, trying to compose myself as best I could. “Oh, Layla, you’re a pain sometimes, you know that?” I managed to joke through the lingering sadness. “I know,” Layla laughed, a mischievous glint in her eye. “But that’s why you love me.” And at that moment, despite everything, I couldn’t help but smile. With Layla by my side, I knew I wasn’t alone in facing life’s challenges. “Alright, let’s get going,” Layla said, grabbing me and pulling me up from the bed. We headed out, ready to forget our worries for a while. After all the places we’d been over the past couple of weeks, I was pretty sure the clubs knew us by now. “The usual!” I shouted to the bartender, the words a little too loud for my liking. Our drinks were served quickly, a small comfort for my aching heart. “Time to drown my miserable life in alcohol,” I said, taking a long sip and feeling the familiar burn slide down my throat. “Emily, don’t you think it’s time to move on? Find a new job, start over?” Layla’s voice cut through my drunken haze, but I waved her off with a dismissive gesture and took another shot, as if defying her. “Let me wallow in my misery,” I snapped, the bitterness of betrayal still fresh. “You have Danny, Layla. You don’t get what it’s like to lose everything.” But Layla didn’t stop. “You need to look forward, Em. Find something to live for.” “Relax, Layla,” I shot back, my voice edged with desperation. “Tonight, we’re here to forget, not to talk about the past.” So we drank. Well, I drank. Layla stayed by my side, quietly watching over me as I sank deeper into my alcohol-fueled fog. At some point, I felt someone beside me, a warm presence that made me shiver. “Can I buy you a drink?” The voice was smooth, pulling me out of my stupor. I looked over to see a stranger with icy blue eyes, and I was unable to tear myself away from his gaze. My heart raced at the sight of him. “S-she would love a drink.” Layla’s voice cut through my trance, breaking the spell and giving me something to hold onto. The stranger ordered tequila, and Layla left us with a vague excuse. Before then, she whispered into my ear. '' This might be your chance, for another Love, ,'' before leaving me alone with this intriguing man. “Another love?” I scoffed to myself, the bitterness from my past still on my tongue. “I don’t want to fall in love again.” But as his eyes locked onto mine, I felt something stir, maybe a flicker of hope amidst the pain. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his words like a soft touch to my soul, and for a second, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to believe in something more. Yet, the doubts screamed in my mind, warning me to guard myself against more heartache. But as I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t help but wonder: was it worth the risk? Summoning all the courage I had left, I asked the question that had been lingering between us. “Take me to your place.”