Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 61

After dinner, Stella was still raring to go, dragging Barbara, Alicia, and me to a bar. She declared that she'd forever be a bachelorette, with bars and nightclubs as her second home.

"Hey, they're just men, right? Look around, they're everywhere." She swirled her drink and casually gestured with her chin to all the men coming and going in the bar.

If I had Stella's carefree attitude towards men, I wouldn't have had trouble sleeping and experiencing nightmares last night. I dreamt of my wedding day with Neil, except my face was replaced with Bonnie’s, and Neil was all gentle and tender with "me". His gaze was enough to drown in.

What else could that be if not a nightmare? Just thinking about it made me sick.

"Rena, your dance at the bar last time was super sexy. Are you going to dance again tonight?" Barbara suddenly smiled heartily.

"And didn’t Neil take you home afterward?" Stella chimed in, her eyes sparkling. "Men are so conflicted. They always think the grass is greener, but once they divorce their wives, they realize they had it good."

Alicia, however, had a different focus. "Wasn’t the girl that day the college student Neil's been chasing? She seemed so innocent. Isn't innocence what everyone is after these days? She fits the bill."

I didn't know what happened after Neil and I left the bar that night. All I knew was that Bonnie kept ringing and texting Neil.

Stella sneered, "If someone's character is rotten, nothing else matters. She didn’t set her boundaries with a married man and even drank with him at a bar. She's nothing but a skank."

"You shouldn't say that," I took a sip of my drink and gave a bitter smile. "Don’t you know what kind of guy Neil is? Bonnie is just a college girl from a normal family. She can't resist him."

Stella put her glass down and took my face in her hands as she said with widened eyes. "Rena, how could you defend a home-wrecker? Whether she’s forced or willing, it's just immoral!"

Alicia added, "Exactly, we should be lenient with ourselves and strict with others."

Their words made me laugh. They didn't understand my mentality. For things that were destined, I didn't want to fuss or resist too much, because it would only harm my physical and mental health, and make me leave this world prematurely.

Just as we were chatting and drinking, a familiar voice suddenly appeared from behind. "What would you like to drink? It’s on me."

We all turned around and saw Mitch, dressed like a peacock, propped against the bar and trying to pick up a woman with his deep voice.

"Why don't you join me for a drink." The woman, an obvious pro at picking up men, cooed suggestively.

"I won't be responsible if you get drunk." Mitch hadn't noticed us yet and was still focused on the woman.

"If I get drunk... just find me a place to sleep, okay?" The woman laughed flirtatiously.

Just as they were about to enjoy their night, Stella suddenly shouted, "Mitch! You just got your ED cured and you're already out partying? Didn't your doctor tell you no sex for three months?!"

The shout startled Mitch so much he almost dropped his glass. His face turned livid, and he looked around for who was accusing him. When he saw Stella, his anger turned to fear.

The woman gave Mitch a dubious and scornful look. After a glance at Mitch, she scoffed and turned to leave.

Barbara, Alicia, and I couldn't help laughing. Stella was hilarious.

Despite his fear, Mitch came over and pointed at Stella angrily. "Stop spreading rumors, you're ruining my reputation!"