She may be suffering inside but she tried to put on a face of enthusiasm in the office. She has to act professional at all times for herself and also for Nicole.
But Zoe could see right through the Lola's outer self. He has known Zoe for a long time. He paused his thoughts and said, "Lola, if you are free tonight, why not have a drink with me to relax?" Zoe painfully stood in front of the window and looked at the view outside.
Whenever Lola was sad, he was even sadder.
Zoe wanted to say it even louder: Lola, please allow me to protect you for the rest of your life!
But her mind was full of that man anyway. That man has everything one can ask for. Power, wealth, and fame among many others. Besides, what could he possibly give her to ensure her happiness when he himself was at a mess?
He did not have the courage to tell her his feelings. He feared that once he opened his heart to her, everything would change between them! He could not risk letting her go.
The office door slowly closed from the inside. Harry looked at the mess on the floor and instantly felt sorry for her.
He was here to commence the turnover of command but ended up trying to fix all of these. Lola looked so upset while talking to someone in the phone. She has been like that whenever she was alone.
Lola laughed dryly. She and Zoe could still hang out like the old times, merrily drinking in the bars in D City. However, she and Harry could no longer go back to the times when they were intimate with each other, passionate about making one another happy.
In a burst of harsh reality, her dry laugh finally broke into a sad weep. No matter what she do and will do, Harry was no longer hers to keep.
"Zoe, I really love him. I love him very much." Her voice was incredibly weak and the words hurt both of Zoe's and Harry's hearts deeply.
"Lola, I love you very much as well." Both of them had a moment of comfortable silence.
"Lola, sometimes stepping away is also a way of expressing love." There are different ways of showing one's love. Some would show it by being faithful and loyal companion. Others express it by stepping away for greater courses.
Lola paused, looked at Zoe with tears in her eyes and then said, "Stepping away?" She murmured to herself, "I thought of it, you know, I tried to let go of him. But it never worked. Never once did I successfully let go of him." She was really happy whenever she was with him. The happy feeling was the most genuine feeling she had in her lifetime.
Sometimes, they get into heated argument. Even then, she still felt safe and at home when her eyes linger on his handsome face.
Zoe heard how her voice has been so weak and his heart became filled of sorrow as if someone was cutting his flesh with a sharp knife. If Lola was unhappy, how could he just stand right here and do nothing about it?
"Don't be sad. Do not give up until the last moment!" In his mind, Lola is a tough, strong girl who would never quit. She never gave up!
Do not give up until the last moment? She knew that. She was just very heartbroken right now.
"Let's find a place and drink all these sorrows away!" She refused to keep her feelings inside. The loneliness will just burn her from the inside. It will slowly kill her and she needs to stay sane for Nicole. She needed to find a place to drink and dance, so that she could feel better and vent her sadness out.
Somehow, she sensed that there was someone else in the office. She could trace a scent she was very familiar with. Lola quickly looked up and found no one but her own reflection on the office window. The office was empty and she was still alone.
Only the sign that read "Knock before you come in" hung on the doorknob and it was swaying slightly. She was too caught up in her thoughts. She could not even be aware of her surroundings anymore. She has to do something about this.
In the night club.
The dance floor was full of beautiful people. It smelled of sweat, but the lively music made you forget that. Lots of women and men were dancing their hearts out on the floor. The music was becoming so loud and fierce. The whole floor was boiling with excitement.
Lola was in the booth seat at the corner. She was holding a liquor bottle and there was another empty bottle lying in front of her. She had been drinking nonstop since they arrived here.
Zoe lit up another cigarette and gazed at her in silence. He did not drink anything tonight.
He could not afford to drink as he still needed to drive her home safely later. He might not have the attention of Lola but he had promised himself that he will protect her at all times.
Lola finished another half bottle of liquor and was now too drunk to understand anything.
Lola was now completely drunk and Zoe grinned bitterly. She had been uttering the word "douchebag" for so many times tonight and had gradually becoming her favorite word.
He knew very well who she referred to. Until the last moment of her passing out, she was still murmuring one name: Harry.
He envied Harry so much. Not because of his wealth and power, but because of all the love and attention he got from Lola. He thought Harry did not deserve all of these.
Zoe put out the cigarette and carried the sleeping Lola out of the club.
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