Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Laura stood by the window with her breath hitching as she whispered her silent plea to the night . The weight of her father's words pressed heavily on her chest . Let go ... it's about time you let go ... She leaned her elbows on the windowsill and rested her head in her hands . A single tear slid down her cheek but quickly wiped it away as if erasing the emotion could erase the truth . The stars twinkled above , indifferent to her pain , but she found herself speaking to them anyway . " I wish it was that easy to let go ... " Her voice was barely above a whisper . " I wish it were that easy to forget him . " The cool breeze kissed her face as if trying to soothe her , but the ache in her heart only deepened . She looked up at the sky with her throat tightening as she swallowed hard , forcing herself not to cry again . " I wish that my heart could just ... not love him , " she murmured , her voice trembling . And as if mocking her , a shooting star streaked across the dark sky . She blinked as her breath caught for a moment . Laura bit her lip and a bitter laugh escaped her . Wishes never come true , she thought . She had spent years wishing for Jonathan to love her back , and nothing had changed . The star disappeared into the horizon , leaving the sky just as it had been before . Laura sighed and stepped back , pulling the window shut . She collapsed onto her bed . And as if her mind was on cue , every bit of her memories of him came flashing before her eyes - Jonathan's smile , his laugh , his touch and every moment she had with him . And yet , he was never truly hers . She stared at the ceiling with her body heavy with exhaustion , but her mind wouldn't stop racing . Her father was right . She needed to let go . But how could she , when everything inside her still longed for him? When every beat of her heart whispered his name ? Laura closed her eyes , hoping sleep would bring some peace . Jonathan leaned back against the bar while his arm draped casually over the back of a chair . His eyes scanned the crowd . The pulsing beat of the music thumped through the club as its lights flashed in rhythm , casting his face in shadows and flickers of neon . He grinned with drink in hand , as another girl came up to him , her eyes wide with admiration . " Jonathan ! " She squealed , barely containing her excitement . " I didn't know you were going to be here tonight . " He flashed her a lazy smile , the kind that always got him what he wanted . " Surprise , " he said , lifting his glass to her . The woman blushed , giggling as she leaned closer , her perfume heavy in the air . She wasn't the only one . Around him , women flirted , laughed , and tried to catch his attention , but Jonathan was in his element , soaking it all in . His handsome features , tousled dark hair , and easygoing charm made him the center of attention - exactly where he liked to be . One of the women handed him another drink , and he took it without a second thought . He danced with a few of them , bodies moving in sync under the pulsing lights , the alcohol made everything blur together . He couldn't even remember the names of most of the girls , but it didn't matter . It was all about the thrill , the attention , the moment . As the night wore on , the drinks kept coming . The conversations were shallow , filled with laughter , teasing , and flirty banter . Jonathan reveled in it - the freedom , the lack of responsibility , the way everyone seemed to want a piece of him without expecting anything deeper . He pulled away from the dance floor for a moment , catching his breath . Leaning against the bar again , he downed the rest of his drink in one gulp , wiping his mouth with the back of his hand . The room spun slightly , but he didn't care . Another Chapter 8 +25 BONUS woman , with long blonde hair and a tight dress , sidled up next to him . " Having fun ? " she purred , her hand brushing against his arm . Jonathan smirked , his eyes briefly meeting hers . " Always . " They danced for a while , bodies pressed close , the music drowning out any other thought . For Jonathan , this was life . The parties , the attention , the fleeting connections. Everything was simple here - no complications , no feelings to get in the way . But somewhere in the back of his mind , an image of Laura flickered , the memory of her confession whispering through the haze of alcohol . He quickly shoved it aside , focusing instead on the woman in front of him , letting the night swallow him whole . Tonight , he wasn't thinking about anything else . Tonight , he was just Jonathan - the man everyone wanted . But then suddenly , Eunice , his girlfriend , stormed into the club , her eyes scanning the room furiously until they landed on Jonathan , surrounded by women , laughing and carefree . Without hesitation , she marched toward him , grabbing his hand with a sharp tug and pulled him out of the circle . " Eunice ! Baby ! You're here ! " Jonathan greeted with a sloppy grin , clearly still lost in the alcohol - fueled haze of the night . His voice slurred , and he swayed a little , oblivious to the storm brewing in front of him . Eunice crossed her arms tightly over her chest , her gaze hard and cold . " Didn't you say you were going to stop this ? " she spat , her voice laced with barely contained fury . " Clubbing , drinking , and hanging out with these women ?! What's wrong with you ?. You have a girlfriend , Jonathan ! " But Jonathan only chuckled , shaking his head as if her words were an overreaction . He straightened up , trying to appear more composed , but the smirk still lingered on his lips . " Eunice , baby , this is my life , " he said dismissively . " I've been doing this long before I even met you . What's the big deal ? " " The big deal ? " Eunice echoed , her voice rising in disbelief . " You're my boyfriend ! You promised me things would change ! " " Come on , even Laura never made a fuss about this . " He waved her off , shrugging casually . At the mention of Laura's name , Eunice's expression darkened , her jaw tightening . Without warning , she raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face . The sharp crack echoed in the air , startling the nearby club - goers . Jonathan staggered slightly , blinking in shock as the sting of the slap jolted him out of his drunken stupor . " Again with her ?! " Eunice's voice broke as anger mixed with hurt . " You keep bringing her up like she matters more than I do ! I'm done , Jonathan . Let's break up . You can have your fucking freedom back ! " Her words cut through the noise of the club , sharp and final . Before Jonathan could respond , Eunice turned on her heel and stormed away from the club , leaving him standing there , stunned . His cheek still burned from the slap , but the realization of what had just happened hit him harder . " Haa ... The hell is wrong with you , Jonathan ? " he muttered under his breath , rubbing his face as if the physical action would somehow clear his head . His thoughts were jumbled , the alcohol still clouding his senses , but the sting from Eunice's slap was sharp enough to cut through it . With a heavy sigh , he shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away as well . " The hell is wrong with you , Jonathan ? " he mumbled again , louder this time , the frustration building . He wasn't sure if he was angry at Eunice , at himself , or at the way his life seemed to be spiraling into a mess he couldn't control . Either way , it didn't matter . It was easier to not think about it . Easier to just move on like he always did . With another sigh , he pulled his car keys from his pocket and headed toward the parking lot . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!