Always the Second Choice (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 3: Exhilarating Encounter

Autumn’s P.O.V.  

The moment I woke up, I groaned. I raised my forearm to my eyes to shield them from the glaring sunlight. 

God! My head mother freaking hurts.  

I’m never going to drink another drop of alcohol in my life. 

I sat up and slowly opened my eyes. I blinked numerous times and looked at my surroundings. I frowned. I was in an unfamiliar room.

Where the hell was I? 

What the hell happened last night?

I brushed my fingers through my hair and pulled on it slightly to try and remember something. I closed my eyes and started to think. 

After a couple of minutes, my mind cleared a little and I ended up remembering fragments of memories that happened last night. 

I couldn’t remember everything but I did remember the most important thing that happened.

I ran into her. 

The one that I’ve been hiding from. 

The one person that my heart couldn’t forget for all these years. 

But I can’t remember what happened after that. Did I run off and went home with a random stranger or something?

With the sudden realization, I hastily got up from the bed. I looked at myself and saw that I was only wearing a tank top  and shorts. I looked around the room to search for my clothes from last night but they were nowhere to be found.

I guess I’m going home like this. I found my heels and slipped them on. 

I walked out of the room and found myself in a luxurious penthouse. I can see the whole view of the city through the large windows. I was on the second floor so I made my way down the spiral staircase.

I started looking for the front door but then I stopped abruptly and released a soft gasp.

I was in the kitchen area and I’m staring at the back of a woman who was cooking on the stove. I could see through her short lace robe and she was wearing only underwear under it. Her blonde hair was wet so must have just gotten out of the shower. 

Goodness! This woman has a very enticing body. 

I was too busy gawking and before I could make a dash for the front door, she turned around and saw me. 

“Hey Kitten, good morning. Come! Join me for breakfast.” She said with a smile on her face. She walked towards the kitchen counter while holding two plates of french toast with berries and scrambled eggs. 

My eyes went wide when I finally saw her face.  I immediately tried to keep a poker face to avoid embarrassing myself.

Freya!

Goodness gracious! 

She became even more gorgeous all through these years, if that was even possible. She is an absolute Goddess. Her bad girl aura was now replaced by a more mature sensuous vibe.

I was shaken up and I couldn’t speak so I just made my way to the counter and sat at the bar stool. 

I wanted to get out of here but I couldn’t let her find out that I was still affected by her. 

She was pouring herself a cup of coffee when she offered, “Water? Orange juice?”  

“Orange juice, please.”  

She returned to the counter and sat across from me. 

“Here, take this after you eat. It will help with your hangover.” She handed me aspirin and I gladly accepted it.

We started eating. I took a bite of the French toast and moaned. Tastes so fluffy and yummy. 

I looked up when I heard soft chuckling. She was looking at me while laughing. I could feel my face heat up. I avoided her gaze and went back to devouring my food.  

I could feel her staring at me but I tried my best to ignore it. 

Halfway through my meal, I decided to break the silence. I drank my juice to clear my throat.

“Uhm.. Can you tell me how I ended up here?” 

“Well, it was just a big coincidence. You were on your way out of the club when we bumped into each other. You were really wasted and then you suddenly passed out. It was a good thing that I was there to catch you or else your pretty face would have been on the floor…” 

Me? Pretty? 

I think someone needs to visit an eye doctor…

“I decided to bring you home since I didn’t know where you lived and it wasn’t safe to leave you anywhere.” She stood up and went to the fridge then poured me another glass of fresh orange juice. 

“Oh God! I’m sorry to be such an inconvenience.” I covered my face with my palms in embarrassment.

“It was no big deal and it was great to see you again. I missed you! I know that we’re both busy but you could have kept in touch with me, you know? I still have the same number.” She said while pouting.

I stared at her, “I missed you, too. I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to keep in touch. I changed my number and lost my contacts. I’ve also been so busy with moving and work.” 

Hopefully, she buys my excuses. I can’t really tell her that I didn’t want to contact her because she broke my heart, can I?  

“Oh I see. Well, give me your phone. I’ll give you my number so you can call me anytime.” She said while holding out her hand. 

It seemed like I didn’t have a choice. I pulled out my phone from my clutch and handed it to her. After typing her number in my phone, she returned it to me. 

After eating our breakfast, she started cleaning up. I tried helping but she stopped me.

“Sit there and be a good girl. I can handle this. It looked like you drank quite a lot yesterday so you must be feeling horrible right now.” 

I obeyed and just watched her strut around her kitchen like a lingerie model.

Before she caught me gawking, I pried my eyes off of her and focused my attention somewhere else. 

“Do you have work today?” I asked cause I was curious.

“Yes. Just for a short while. I need to visit the company and sign some papers. How about you? How’s work? You do research, right?” 

“No work during the weekends. It’s fine. Work gets really crazy but I love what I do, so I can bear with it.”

“Have you been in touch with your family lately?”

“Not so much. Why?” I said while drinking the Advil and my remaining orange juice.

“You’re brother is getting married, did you know?”

I choked. My drink went down the wrong pipe and I coughed in succession.

“WHAT?!” 

“He called and told me this morning. He sounded really excited about it.” 

“Why didn’t he tell me? I’m going to call him right now.” I said, annoyed with my brother.

I heard her chuckle then walked away.

It rang for a few times, “Hey lil sis, what’s up?”

“What’s up?! What’s up?! My Ass! Why didn’t you tell me you were getting married?”

“Oh come on, Autumn. Even if I did call you, would you really answer? 

Well he was right. I don’t think I would answer because every time he called in the past, it was to annoy me or to tease me about Freya so I started avoiding his calls. 

“Ok. Fine. Maybe you’re right or maybe you’re wrong. We will never know. You could have at least texted me.”

“Fine. I’m sorry, Sis. Can you believe it? I’m getting married.” He said while laughing happily like a fool.

“No, I can’t believe it. Are you serious about this girl?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t ask her to marry me if I wasn’t. If only you came home from time to time you would have met her already.”

“Fine. Fine. I believe you. When can I meet her?”

“We’ll have an engagement party next week, Saturday. Can you attend or are you “too busy” for your dear brother?”

“I’ll go. Just to make sure that you’re serious.” I said teasing him.

“You are mean, My Dear Sister. How did you know, anyways?”

“Oh..Uhm… Freya told me.” I said in a low voice and looked at the direction where Freya went. 

I heard him laughing out. “Wow! It’s early in the morning and you’re with Freya. Am I right to assume that things are going well for the both of you?”

“Shut up, Hunter. There’s nothing going on. Something just happened and we happened to meet last night.”

“Uh Huh. Sure. Whatever. Well, I got to go, Sis. I’ll see you next week, okay? Love you. Bye!”

He hung up before I could reply and I shook my head.

Freya came back all dressed. She was wearing a striped blazer over a black camisole top, black skinny jeans and stilettos. 

“Done speaking with your brother?” She said while looking at a mirror and putting on her earrings.

“Yep. Looks like he’s serious.”

 I looked at her and walked towards her, “How about you? Any plans to get married?” I said while leaning on the couch.

Surprising myself, I didn’t know where I got the confidence to ask that question.

She looked at me and smirked, “Sure, when I find the right woman.”

“Oh.” I said for the lack of better words to say.

Does that mean that she has broken up with Bella? The woman that she said was THE ONE for her.

“Come. Let’s go. I’ll drive you to your apartment.”

I shrugged and made my way to the front door. But I halted and looked at my attire then suddenly realized something.

“Were you the one who changed my clothes last night?”

“Yeah. Do you see anyone else here? ” She said with a smirk.

I blushed furiously.

“Don’t worry, Kitten. I didn’t look… that much.” 

I groaned and pouted with my arms crossed.

She just chuckled and we made our way to the elevator.

 Why do I keep embarrassing myself in front of her?

Arghhhh…

***

The moment I got back to work on Monday, Cleo interrogated me. She asked me if I finally got to hook up with someone in the club. While, she didn’t fail to mention that she had a great time with the woman that she picked up from the club. She was on about how freaky the woman was in bed.

I stopped her from revealing any more perverted details from her exploits and immediately told her that I didn’t sleep with anyone but something big did happen. 

I told her that I met Freya once again and I even stayed over at her place. 

She wouldn’t stop teasing me the whole day. Telling me that my second chance has come and to take advantage of it. 

I don’t know if I’m courageous enough to take a chance. 

The first time I tried my gamble at love, I was rejected and left broken. 

There’s no doubt in my mind that I still love and want her with all of my heart but what if she rejected me again, would I be able to handle it?

She might have broken up with Bella but that doesn’t guarantee that she’ll accept my love this time around.

***

The days passed by swiftly, it was already Friday once again. 

I did nothing but work and think about Freya for the whole week. 

I was on my computer typing data when my phone suddenly received a message. 

I picked it up from my desk and saw that the message was from Hunter, it was about the details of the party tomorrow. 

After giving a quick reply, I set down my phone and went back typing. 

But after a few seconds, I received another text. I assumed that it was just from my brother so I decided to read it later and focused on my work. 

When it was lunchtime, I was making decent progress with my work. My back was straining from prolonged sitting on my desk chair so I stretched my back and stood up.

All of a sudden, the door opened and Cleo barged in without knocking, startling me.

I held my hand to my chest. “You can knock, you know?”

She rolled her eyes at me. “Let’s go out for lunch.” She said then walked out.

I got my satchel and followed her. 

We decided to go for sushi and walked to the restaurant since it was nearby.

We went into the restaurant and sat at the sushi bar. The chef greeted us then we ordered our food. The chef started skillfully making our sushi.

While waiting, I remembered that I had received a message so I decided to read it.

From: Freya Wright

Hey Kitten! Do you mind if we go together  to your brother’s engagement party tomorrow? I’ll pick you up at six o’ clock.

I stared at my phone for I don’t know how long. I was pulled out of my trance when Cleo started shaking me.

“Autumn! Helloooo. Are you there?” I gave one last glance to my phone and looked at Cleo with a face that was obviously shocked.

She looked at me like I was stupid and snatched my phone from me.

“Hey! Give it back!” I said trying to reach for it.

She placed her hand on my shoulders to keep me in place while looking at the screen of my phone.

After reading it, she looked at me and smirked. 

She returned my phone and grabbed a hold of her chopsticks and started eating her sushi.

I looked at the message once again, then locked my phone and put it back in my bag. 

We ate in silence for a few minutes. 

“Soooo… She calls you KITTEN, huh? That’s pretty hot. Is she into pet play or something?” I could tell that she was forcing herself not to laugh hysterically.  

“Oh God! Stop it, Cleo. It’s an innocent pet name. Don’t make it sound dirty.” I said and gave her a weak slap on her arm.

“Based on that text, She clearly has some type of interest in you. You should do your best to make her fall for you.” She said while taking a sip of her green tea.

I shrugged and frowned, “I don’t know. I don’t want to get my hopes up. Maybe she was just being polite since we recently saw each other.” 

“Just be sure to keep an open mind. It’s been years since you’ve seen each other. Both of you are adults now. Stop thinking about the past. Stop thinking that you’re not worthy of her. Just show her that you can be more than a “little sister”. Make her see you as a woman.” She looked at me seriously.

“It’s not that easy. I’m still scared of her rejecting me once again.”

“Fine. Be scared for the rest of your life. Autumn, love is all about taking risks.  No pain, no gain, sweetheart.” She said in a matter of fact manner. 

I chuckled a little at the “no pain, no gain.” part but I knew that everything that she said was right. 

“I’ll come to your apartment tomorrow and help you get ready for the party. I’ll make you look irresistible. I’ll make you so sexy that she’ll want to eat your “kitten”. She came near me and whispered her last sentence in my ear. 

I could feel my face heat up and I was sure that my face was red.

I glared at her and slapped her on the shoulder. “Stop making everything dirty! I hate you!” She just laughed at me.

“Speaking of the party, don’t you want to come with me? I’m sure that my brother will allow me to bring a guest.” 

She looked at me like I was crazy. “Why the hell would I do that? I don’t want to be a third wheel. Can you imagine the car ride with the three of us? I’m pretty sure that she invited you because she wanted you for herself.”

“That’s the point. I can’t trust myself alone with her. I need you there to stop me from making a fool out of myself and besides, I want you to assess if Freya is really interested in me.”

“I. Don’t. Want. To. Go.” She said with her arms crossed.

“Please? For me?” I put on my best pouty face.

“Urgh. Okay, fine. Be thankful that I’m a very supportive friend. But remember, you owe me one.”

I smiled. I knew that she would always be there to support me.

“I’m sure that there will be a lot of hot women attending. You can work your charm and take home one or two of them.” 

“Well, why didn’t you say so earlier? I would have agreed to come with you instantly.” She said with a smirk. 

I rolled my eyes, “But who knows, maybe you’ll find someone that will make your kinky dominant heart skip a beat.” I said with a teasing smile.  

“Ha.Ha. Very Funny. Even if I did find her there, I’m pretty sure I’ll run away from her. I’m still enjoying the life of a free woman. Commitment is boring. One night stands and temporary submissives are fine by me, for now.”

I laughed at her face. She looked genuinely scared of being tied down. 

After finishing our dessert, we paid our bill and made our way back to the lab.

As we were walking back, I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text.

To: Freya Wright

Sure. I’ll be waiting.

| Dec.14-15.20 |

“Better to put your heart on the line, risk everything, and walk away with nothing than play it safe. Love is a lot of things, but “safe” isn’t one of them.” -Mandy Hale