A Second Chance

Chapter 36

Nicola's POV

I opened my eyes and the first thing I realised was that it's not my room. I looked around quickly, realizing that this was Gabriel's room. I recognized it from the other night.

I was alone in the room. I had no idea where Gabriel was, but I do not want to be here when he comes back. I'm not ready to see him yet. I thought as I hastily threw the blankets off of me and jumped out of bed.

I ran to the door, but realized, I can't open my room without the keys. I looked around in panick, as I remembered I had forgotten my bag last night.

But discovering my bag on the nightstand, I sighed in relief. Some angel must have brought it back for me. Namely, Sophie. I ran to the nightstand, grabbed my bag, and checked if it had the keys.

As soon as my fingers touched metal,I grabbed them, racing out the room towards mine.

Opening the door, I went inside, locking it, finally being able to breathe.

Now that I was in the privacy of my room, I could finally allow myself to recall what happened last night.

Starting with going to the club, dancing with a stranger, who found me attractive and desirable, and then him asking me to sleep with him, and the pathetic me wishing Gabriel would feel the same about me.

I had been overpowered by sadness and self-pity, which had left me vulnerable and in no control of my emotions.

And then the most disastrous thing that could happen at that moment, happening.

Gabriel showed up! And seeing him there at that moment had made me into an emotional mess because he shocked me by showing up there while I was in the midst of my own misery.

Now that I have calmed down, I realized just what I had let be revealed to Gabriel. What am I going to do? Last night was bad, really bad.

I had decided last night that I couldn't be here. I had planned on making up an excuse today and going back home. But now...

But why had he come anyway. Why couldn't he have just let me be. He had gone out with Camille. He had made his choice, and I had made mine.

Camille was his choice, and my choice is to go home, get over Gabriel for good, find someone who would love and appreciate me for who I am, and live happily ever after.

I am done allowing Gabriel to own my heart. He has had my heart for about fifteen or so years now. I only thought I was over him by moving to another city and making something out of myself, but I had never bothered about men. I had poured my entire self into my career. I had something to show for that, but still, that's just existing. I had never actually lived.

So now I am done just existing. I want to find my happiness, and I can't find it being near Gabriel. I needed him out of my sight so I could start getting him out of my mind.

Taking that decision, I went to the wardrobe, dragging out my suitcase and opening it on the bed. I grabbed all my clothes, stuffing it in the suitcase, leaving one on the bed for me to wear now.

I will pack my toiletries after I shower. I decided, looking down at my clothes, an oversized white t-shirt, which I do not remember changing into. And no, if it wasn't me who changed myself into this last night, I don't want to know who did!

I went to the bathroom taking a quick shower because the sooner I was ready, the sooner I could get out of here.

I felt guilty for having to run out on Livy and Bella. I will be completely ruining their holiday by doing this. But I really hoped Emma and Sophie could make up for it in some way. I didn't want them getting hurt in all of this. But I really couldn't stay. I just couldn't.