IN THE PAST

ZOE SWALLOWED THE food and gave her full attention to Cindy when she heard the name of Hans.

"I don't want to hide something from you so I want to tell it to you, especially for you babe," Cindy looked at her.

"Don't make me nervous!" Zoe laughed anxiously.

"Say it already!" Fern can't also wait.

"It's not a big deal and there's nothing to be nervous about," Cindy paused and looked at the impatient expression of her friends.

Cindy took a deep breath.

"Oh come on! Don't suspense things!" Fern complained.

"Okay, here's the thing," Cindy was low-key nervous because she doesn't know what will be the reaction of Zoe, "Me and Hans were..."

"You're what?" Her two friends asked in the same time.

"We were past lovers. Hans was my ex-boyfriend," she took Zoe's hand, "But Zoe you don't need to worry! It happened so many long years ago and we were completely done. I have no feelings for him already and I'm sure it's the same case with him!"

Zoe was shocked that her bestfriend had a past relationship with her husband but she trusts Cindy. Her friend gave her assurance that she already had nothing with Hans and it is enough for her to feel relieved.

"It's fine. At least it was in the past already," Zoe gave her anxious friend a reassuring smile.

"Thank you babe," Cindy sighed in relief.

"Oh, I thought it was something serious," Fern whispered, "so you two did the thing?"

"Fern!" Zoe and Cindy know exactly what he meant.

"What? Just asking."

"We didn't get to that point, just so you know! We also didn't kiss on the lips, only on the cheeks and some hugs. We were so young back then and we thought we love each other, but it's only an infatuation. Babe, please believe in me."

Zoe chuckled, "Of course, I believe in you. But I just want to know, how long have you dated each other?"

"We dated for almost three years, but as we grew up, we found that our relationship will not work because we are not for each other. That's why we mutually agreed to end it."

"That sucks. Three years is long," Fern said.

"Not really, that three years of relationship taught me a lot and helped me grow. I am, atleast, glad that it happened. But babe, it has nothing to do with Hans today, it's just the experience," Cindy wanted to clear things to Zoe.

"Mmm. I understand and babe, I know Hans had a special place in your heart and it's fine with me."

Zoe understands her friend, she was with Hans when Cindy was learning about love and she knew that the two of them grew with the help of each other. They once cared and loved each other.

"Well, just a bit spot. I always considered him as my teacher in love and I'm always grateful of him. When I saw him earlier, he grew up into a different person. I just hope he treats you well, babe."

"He's a bit distant but I'll work for his love," Zoe said sadly. Cindy already knew that they had an arranged marriage.

"I can tell you, babe, Hans will let you in his heart."

"If not, then we'll find someone else, right boo?" Fern winked at her.

"Yes, if fate is really against us."

"Well, I don't want to be sad now, and since we are talking about love, I already found the love of my life!"

"What, really?!" Again, Fern and Zoe asked.

"Yup. I saw him last night," Cindy said while tucking a hair behind her ear.

"Spill the name so we can have a look!" Fern excitedly took his phone and opened his social media.

"I don't know his name."

"What?!!"

"I wasn't able to get his name. I was running away from paparazzi last night and he covered me until they were gone. When I was about to thank him, he mysteriously vanished in the dark!"

"Omg! Is he a ghost? A vampire?" Zoe asked.

"Silly, he's a human."

Fern tapped his chin like he's deeply thinking, "Did you saw his face?"

"Yes! He was very handsome and I can't forget his shining blue eyes!" Cindy squealed.

"Blue eyes! Let's hunt that love of your life!" Fern raised his glass of pineapple juice and they gladly did a toast.

"I want to see him again and asked if he's okay. He had this broken look on his face when I saw him that night," Cindy smiled sadly.

Zoe patted her, "Fate will lead you back to him, babe. And you will help him heal."

The three of them chat a little longer before preparing to attend the after party.

Zoe wore a simple knee-length black strapless bodycon dress with a slit on the side and did her hair into a high ponytail.

"I reckon I looked decent enough."

At the after party...

"I can't have hard drinks."

Zoe refused the glass that Fern gave her. She has low tolerance in alcohol and she knew she couldn't handle a shot of vodka.

"Just try it. I and Cindy were here so you don't need to worry," Fern insisted.

"Fine! If something happens to me, I'll sue you, Fern!" Zoe took the shot and drank it once.

As the alcohol did a stinging effect in her throat, she grimaced uncomfortably.

Fern handed her a chaser and she immediately gulped it down.

Fern laughed, "How was it?"

"Not bad," Zoe coughed a bit.

"Good. You need to enjoy the night boo."

"Okay. Give me another shot."

"Hey, you sure? You don't need to do it if you can't," Cindy worriedly stopped her.

"It's fine, babe. I know when to stop."

Fern gave her another shot which she finished in one gulp. She endured the pain in her throat.

"Arghh, I can't. Just two shots." Zoe said when she felt dizzy for a moment.

Fern chuckled, "Alright, I'll get you a juice instead. Just sit over there."

"Mhmm. Thanks, boo."

"I'll help you," Cindy offered her hand.

"Babe, I'm fine. Just socialize with others, I can handle myself."

"Promise?" Cindy wanted to make sure.

"Yeah, promise."

"Okay. See you later."

Zoe walked over to an empty couch and took a seat. She just watched the hall full of celebrities, influencers and many famous personalities. She knew many faces but some weren't familiar.

All of them were smiling as they talked to each other. Zoe could spot some fake and forced smiles in the crowd.

This is the difficult part in the industry. You need to mingle with others and you didn't even know which of them are genuinely true or who were secretely killing you in their minds.

Envy and competition is not uncommon in every work and fashion industry is not an exception of it. These two negative energies were always present that cause a toxic environment for all. It's hard to deny but it's really happening in the society and no one really know how to solve it.

If we only have love and appreciation for each other, Zoe bet that the world will be a better place for everyone.

"Can I sit here, Miss Zoe?"

Zoe was pulled out of her deep thoughts. She looked at the person standing in front of her and nodded, "Sure, Daniel."

"Thank you! I got a shot of vodka for you, Miss Zoe."

Zoe accepted it with a smile, "Thanks, but it's my last shot, okay?"

Daniel smiled, "Yes, Miss Zoe."

Zoe drank it and coughed the pain in her throat, "Sorry, I am not used to these drinks."

Daniel seemed to be shock, "You could have told me, Miss Zoe! I'm sorry."

"No, no." Zoe dropped it of and asked, "So, how was your career doing?"

"You won't believe it Miss Zoe! But I got invited to model internationally!" Daniel boasted humbly.

"I'm happy for you Daniel, and why did you think that I wouldn't believe it? I always knew you got the skill and potential to be an excellent model."

"It's all thanks to you, Miss Zoe," Daniel watched the people in the hall but he looked like he was reminiscing his past, "I learned a lot from you as my senior and you encouraged me to keep fighting in times I almost give up. I owe it all to you, Miss Zoe. Thank you so much."

Zoe smiled and patted Daniel's head. She used to do it during their training and it always calmed him.

"It's all your hard work, I just did what I can do to help you."

Zoe saw a waiter with shots of drink so she stood up, took two glasses and give one to Daniel, "In order to celebrate your booming career, let's have a toast."

"Miss Zoe, thank you but you don't need to have another drink."

Zoe frowned sadly, "Are you rejecting me now?"

"I dare not!" Daniel panicked when she saw the sad face of his senior so he accepted the drink.

Zoe finished her fourth shot of alcohol and her world spinned but she still managed to stand on her feet, "Why is this stronger than the other?" She groaned as she felt the burning feeling in her throat again.

Daniel took the shot glass from Zoe and answered awkwardly, "Uhmm, they were exactly the same drink, Miss Zoe. I'll look for Mr. Fern so he can already bring you to your room. You stay here for a while."

Daniel was about to approach Zoe to help her sit back on the couch when he was stopped by someone who grabbed his shoulder.

"No need, buddy. I'll take her back."

"Mister! Thank god you came. Miss Zoe seemed to be drunk already."

"Daniel! I'm not drunk and who do we have here?" Zoe squinted her eyes, "Oh! Hubby!"

Zoe staggered in her feet when she tried to approach him. Hans quick reflexes caught her in time, preventing her to fall on the floor.

"Sorry. I'm just a little tipsy," Zoe chuckled.

"Let's get out of here."

"Wait! My friends!" Zoe looked around with her blurry vision, hoping to find Fern and Cindy.

"I'll tell them that your husband already took you back, Miss Zoe. Don't worry."

"Hehe, thanks Daniel! Hubby, let's go~" Zoe clung on Hans' arm with a grin.

Hans help her walked out of the hall and brought her to his car.

"Hubby, my room is up there!" Zoe pointed the resort's building where she was staying with Fern and Cindy.

"I'll bring you to my place," Hans said in a pissed tone.

"Hehe, okay~ if you insist."

She got inside the car and when Hans finally seated on the driver's seat, he buckled her seatbelt.

Zoe who's head was aching, closed her eyes and leaned her head on the window. She's not very drunk but she felt dizzy. She still know what's happening around her but her world spins everytime she opens her eyes.

She was also aware when Hans secured her seatbelt.

"Just how many shots did you had?"

"Four only~"

"Stupid woman."

Zoe heard it so she automatically pouted her lips and remained quiet. He's still insulting her in this state.

She hates him! But she loves him, too.

"Drink this."

Zoe slowly opened her eyes and saw a bottled water on her lap. She drank from it and somehow she felt a little better.

Hans drove away from the resort and Zoe didn't know where they headed. The ride was quiet as usual so Zoe started a converstation.

"Cindy told me you two were past lovers."

"Yes, she was my first girlfriend," Hans answered emotionless while staring straight on the road.

Zoe was stunned knowing it. Cindy didn't told her that she was the first love of Hans.

"Your first love?"

Hans didn't answer so Zoe took it as a yes.

"I see. So how was your relationship with her?"

Still no answer from Hans.

"How was my friend when she was your girlfriend?"

Hans didn't bother to answer again so Zoe got irritated.

"Hans! I'm asking you. Why don't you answer me? Don't tell me that you still got feelings for her?"

Zoe felt guilty for not trusting Cindy that everything's over between them but she needs to make sure.

"Stop. It's all in the past," Hans calmly said as if he was not bothered by Zoe's sudden outburst.

"Oh, is it because you have Dhonna Diez now?" Zoe bitterly mumbled.

Hans parked the car on the side of the road and looked at her, "What did you just said?"

Zoe met Hans' confused eyes and asked again in a clear voice, "I said, is it because you have something with Dhonna Diez? Don't think that I didn't saw how you smiled at her! What's your relationship with her, huh? First name basis? Let's see each other again? What? Did you two met already while I was working?"

Zoe breathe deeply after telling all her kept emotions since that day. She doesn't know if it's the alcohol in her system that gave her courage to speak at Hans like that.

Hans stared at her a couple of seconds then he pursed his lips like he was stopping himself from laughing.

It irked Zoe more, "Hans! Don't laugh at me! I know you're not happy with this marriage but all I ask is don't play around with other wom-!"

Her uproar was stopped when Hans grabbed her by the neck and claimed her lips.

Hans mumbled against her lips.

"Shut up."