CHIARA POV
As Sanya's car pulled out of her driveway, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. Today was her birthday, and I had agreed to join her and Alexa for the celebration. I had no other plans, and I didn't want to miss out on the fun. It's just the three of us - Sanya, Alexa, and me. However, there was a possibility that I might run into my ex-boyfriend Xander, who also happened to be the owner of the club we were heading to, Club Z. It's not that I don't want to see him because I haven't moved on from him yet, but rather, I haven't had the chance to fully process my emotions and let go. The thought of seeing him made me feel a little nervous. I knew that seeing him would bring up a lot of feelings, both good and bad, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face them. Nevertheless, I didn't need a specific reason to feel this way. The mere thought of seeing him again was enough to make my heart skip a beat. I tried to push the thoughts aside and focus on the present moment, but my mind kept wandering back to him. As we drove through the city, I watched the streets pass by, my mind lost in thought.
Suddenly, Sanya broke my thoughts as she exclaims, "Happy Anniversary!" out of nowhere. She is sitting in the front seat with Alexa, while I am seated in the back. Confused, I turn to face her immediately, wondering what she means by her statement.

Alexa, furrowing her eyebrows, asks Sanya, "Who are you talking about?"
With a smirk on her face, even though I can't see it, Sanya replies, "Isn't it my birthday your anniversary with Xander?"
Raising an eyebrow, I respond, "So that's why we're going to Club Z?" I couldn't help but express my disbelief. "And what anniversary? We broke up, right? It's been months. I believe I've already moved on, unlike you, Sanya."
Teasingly, Sanya continues to grin and playfully says, "Okay! Okay! But why so defensive?" Sensing that I am becoming irritated, I decide to ignore her remarks to avoid losing my patience.
Soon enough, Alexa interrupts our conversation. "We're almost there!" She exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.I looked out of the window and saw the neon lights of Club Z in the distance. Bitterly smiling to myself, I realize that I can't fault Sanya and Alexa for choosing this venue, as they are unaware of the true reason behind my breakup with Xander. However, I reassure myself that this is no longer a concern for me, as I have supposedly moved on from that chapter in my life.
Sanya skillfully parked the car, and the three of us stepped out onto the bustling street. The noise emanating from inside Club Z was already audible and overwhelming even before we reached the entrance. Given its reputation, it was no surprise that the club was always packed with people. As we approached the entrance, Sanya looped her arm through mine, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She loved teasing me, and I could tell that she had something in mind.

"Are you ready?" Sanya asked with a playful smile on her face, her voice infused with excitement. I knew exactly what she meant, but I decided to play dumb, just to see how far she would go. "Ready for what?" I replied, pretending not to understand her innuendo, although it was crystal clear to me. Tsk!
Not wanting to dwell on the topic any further, Alexa hooked her arm with ours, interrupting our conversation. "You know what? Let's forget about that and just enjoy the party!" she exclaimed, her voice deafeningly loud. I took a step back, wincing slightly as her booming voice invaded my ears. Tsk!
Sanya, still holding her ears, retorted, "Yes, but you don't have to shout!" It was evident that Alexa's loudness had annoyed her too, as she moved away from her. I couldn't help but chuckle at the situation. Alexa simply laughed it off, undeterred by Sanya's reaction.
Pointing to a vacant spot, Alexa suggested, "Let's go there, no one is sitting there yet!" I followed her gaze, noticing the unoccupied area she was referring to. We decided to settle down in that corner and make it our little enclave for the evening.

With a giggle and a clap of her hands, Sanya chimed in, "Go ahead, I'll grab the drinks!" Clearly, she was in high spirits. Alexa and I sat down, watching the energetic crowd dancing in the center of the club while we waited for Sanya to return with our drinks.
Suddenly, Alexa's question caught me off guard. "What if you see him tonight?" she asked, her words hanging in the air. I turned to look at her, but she had already shifted her focus elsewhere, leaving me to grapple with her question. Instinctively, I averted my gaze, feigning ignorance, although deep down, I knew exactly who she was referring to. Despite my best efforts to convince myself that I had moved on, that he no longer held a sway over me, the truth remained uncertain. After all, the wounds of our breakup still lingered, reminding me of the pain I had endured. Alexa's curiosity seemed to overpower her as she pressed further, compelling me to reveal the reason behind my split with Xander.
"Why didn't you tell Sanya and me the reason behind your breakup with Xander? We're best friends, aren't we?" Her gaze bore into me from the corner of my eye, yet I found myself at a loss for words. The details of my breakup remained shrouded in secrecy, known only to me and Xander. All Sanya and Alexa knew was that we had ended things and that I hadn't seen Xander since. In truth, I was relieved that they're not asking me before about our break up. Now, I'm unsure if I was ready to confront him again. The reasons for my hesitance eluded me, a mysterious mix of fear, vulnerability, and the remnants of a broken heart.
Before either of us could delve deeper into the topic, Sanya approached with our drinks, providing a welcome interruption to the building tension. Gratitude washed over me as I offered her a sincere smile, thankful for her impeccable timing in diverting the conversation away from my past with Xander. "You know what, let's not allow ourselves to be burdened by those troubles tonight. After all, it's my birthday – a day meant for celebration and joy," Sanya chimed in, her voice brimming with warmth and excitement. With a generous gesture, she distributed drinks to both Alexa and me, extending a genuine invitation to immerse ourselves in the festivities. In that moment, Alexa and I exchanged a knowing glance, understanding the unspoken agreement to set aside our worries and embrace the night unfolding before us.
As Sanya raised her glass, proclaiming, "Cheers!", the atmosphere buzzed with a gentle proclamation of unity and friendship. Meeting Alexa's gaze once more, a shared understanding passed between us. It was time to cast aside our troubles, at least for this night, and fully immerse ourselves in the celebration. With a smile tugging at my lips, I lifted my glass, joining Alexa and the rest of our friends in a toast, allowing the liquid to ignite a sense of camaraderie and merriment within us.
Yet, amidst the laughter and the clinking of glasses, an apprehensive part of me couldn't help but harbor a faint hope that I wouldn't cross paths with him tonight, despite the fact that we were in his club. My heart still bore the scars of our past, for he was not just any ex-boyfriend, but rather my first heart break, the one who shattered my trust.
I never thought that my heart could shatter into a million pieces. But when I discovered that my first boyfriend, the man I thought was my soulmate, had betrayed me, my world came crashing down. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. The pain was excruciating, and I couldn't believe that the person I had trusted with my heart could be capable of such deceit. The memories of our time together haunted me, and I couldn't help but wonder if I had done something wrong to drive him away. I struggled to come to terms with the fact that if he had moved on so easily. I tried to numb the pain with distractions, but it was a constant presence in my life, a reminder that what we had once been so pure and innocent. I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever be able to trust again, or if the betrayal had left an indelible mark on my heart that would never fully heal.
My heart was broken, and I didn't know if it would ever be whole again. I knew that I needed to process my emotions and let go, but it wasn't going to be easy. The road ahead was uncertain, but I was ready to face it head-on, one step at a time. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew that I deserved to be happy, and that I couldn't let someone else's betrayal define me but I know that someday this would heal.
However, as I surrounded by my closest friends, I couldn't help but feel a spark of determination ignite within me. It had been months since my heart had shattered into a million pieces, and I was tired of letting the pain consume me. I reminded myself that I deserved happiness, that it was time to release the grip of the past and embrace the present.
The night was filled with laughter and celebration, and I made a silent vow to seize the joy of the moment. I looked around the club, taking in the sights and sounds of the evening. The clinking of glasses and the sound of cheerful chatter filled the air.
I couldn't help but feel grateful for the people who had stood by me through thick and thin. They had been my support system during the darkest days of my heartbreak, and I knew that I couldn't have made it through without them. I thought about the past, about the betrayal that had shattered my heart, but I refused to dwell on it. I knew that holding onto the pain would only hold me back from moving forward.
Instead, I focused on the present. I reveled in the beauty of the moment, savoring every laugh, every smile, every moment of joy. I knew that life was too short to waste on regret and sorrow.