Eliana's POV
"Fine!" I began, trying to keep my voice casual, "I'll give you the short version. You can thank me later for sparing you the dirty details."
"Whatever. Tell us!" Sophia said.
They both leaned forward like predators, hungry for every word I was about to say.
"So...his name is Asa." I started. "Remember when I was dancing with you, right before you kissed that guy?"
"Yeah, I remember." Sophia replied.
"Immediately afterwards I bumped into Asa on the dance floor, spilling his drink on him. Then we moved to the lounge where I helped clean him up. We talked, laughed, kissed a bit, nothing too crazy… and then we ended up in his car for a little… privacy." I said, letting a faint blush creep across my cheeks. "And then he brought me home. Let's just say… he knows how to make a girl feel wanted."
Sophia's grin widened, and she tilted her head, clearly enjoying every word.
"Talked, kissed, went to the car… and that's it?" she teased, her voice echoing with disbelief.
I laughed, shrugging. "I told you, it's the short version. Trust me, I'm being merciful here."
"Intense is an understatement, I bet." Juliette smirked knowingly.
I leaned back, swirling the card between my fingers. "Yeah. Intense is definitely one word." I said, leaning back while swirling Asa's card between my fingers. "It was crazy… and honestly, I loved every second of it."
"Did he give you his number before leaving?" Sophia inquired, leaning closer.
"Yup." I answered, holding up the card slightly. "I tried calling him before you guys came over, but no answer. Typical, I guess."
Juliette chuckled, shaking her head. "Of course he didn't answer." Juliette chuckled, shaking her head. "But at least you've got a number. Who knows? He might actually call back. And...you've got a memory." She said raising her brows as if applauding me for having a one night stand with a total stranger.
"Yeah... it was one wild ride." I said. "He's… intense, but in a way that just works, you know?"
"Sounds like someone had their fantasy come true. Admit it. You loved it." Sophia said in a conspiratorial voice.
"Yeah you've got me. I did. I really did." I said, laughing softly while twirling the card between my fingers again. "And I'm not even mad that it was just a one-night thing. Sometimes, that's exactly what you need."
"Yeah. One for the books, huh?" Juliette nodded, smirking.
"Exactly." I said, holding up the card. "A little memento from last night. It's… perfect."
Suddenly, Juliette's phone buzzed loudly, pulling our attention. Her brow furrowed as she glanced at the screen.
"Ugh… it's my cultist ex," she muttered.
Sophia clapped her hands together, eyes lighting up.
"Answer it. Put it on loudspeaker." She said. "We need to hear this."
"Fine, but don't laugh too hard." Juliette said, rolling her eyes as she pressed the speaker button.
The room grew quiet for a moment, and then the caller finally spoke.
"Juliette… I know this is sudden," the voice on the line began, "But please just hear me out. When I came by yesterday, I just… I just wanted to see you. I missed you."
"Miss me?" Juliette's eyes narrowed immediately as she responded with a sharp voice. "You mean you wanted to use me. Don't pretend. Yesterday, like every other time, it was just sex. Nothing more."
The line went quiet for a moment, all we heard was the faint sound of his muffled breathing.
"I… I didn't mean to hurt you," he said finally, almost pleading. "I just wanted… to feel close. I missed us. I thought… maybe we could—"
"You missed 'us'?" Juliette cut him off, her tone almost cold as ice. "You never cared about 'us.' You only cared about what you could get. Every single time we met, it ended the same way. S*x. And yesterday… yeah, same story. Nothing more. Don't pretend otherwise."
There was a faint, almost defeated chuckle on the line.
"I… I guess I just wanted to see you. That's all." He said "Maybe to… reconnect?"
"Please." Juliette said as she rolled her eyes. "Every encounter was the same. You never loved me. You only loved having me. And yesterday? Just to prove the point again, wasn't it? Nothing more than sex, as usual."
The caller remained silent as if completely out of words.
"Don't ever come close to me again. And… maybe next time, actually care about the person and not just their body."
After a moment's silence, Juliette ended the call, leaving a quiet stillness in the room. Juliette lowered her phone, smirking at Sophia and me like a queen surveying her territory.
"Finally. Justice served." Juliette said.
"Amen to that!" Sophia clapped her hands together, ecstatic.
"Man, you really know how to handle him. That was brutal but effective." I shook my head, laughing softly.
"Practice makes perfect." Juliette shrugged with a smug little smile.
The energy in the room shifted as the reality of breakfast crept in. Sophia jumped to her feet, eyes glinting.
"Alright, enough drama." She said. "Eliana, get dressed! Breakfast out. My treat!"
I groaned, tugging at a sweater that had fallen onto the couch.
"Why not just stay here? I could make something quick. Home-cooked, hot, easy…"
"Nope. We vote. Breakfast out, ladies!" Juliette rolled her eyes.
"All in favor of leaving and avoiding kitchen disasters?" Sophia grinned, spinning slightly toward the door
"Yeah!" Juliette shouted.
Unbelievable. I let out a dramatic sigh, smiling wryly.
"Fine. You win. Breakfast it is." I said in agreement.
"Come on! Shoes, coat, whatever. Let's move!" Sophia clapped, clearly delighted with the victory.
"One day, I'll win this vote…" I tugged on my leggings, muttering.
"Dream on, Eliana. But maybe… next time, just maybe." Juliette winked at me, smirking.