Lost Me Gained Regret

She was simply craving a change of pace.

When she received a text from Clarence, she felt it was high time to set the record straight.

"Hey Clarence, given you're buds with Ford and I'm Jane's bestie, I don't wanna sound too harsh. I appreciate the gesture, really, but I can't reciprocate, sorry. You'll find your right match, no doubt. As for me, I've got a thing for this younger guy. Please, let's not make a big deal out of it. We're just friends, nothing more."

Even her dad couldn't sway her decisions, let alone Clarence.

The only voice she might consider was Jane's. Jane had always been her ride-or-die, sharing every high and weathering every low together.

Sure, she cared, but she wasn't the type to mother her, to control every move she made.

Life, with its ups and downs, was for living firsthand.

If she could have chosen, she'd rather have been born a stray dog than their daughter.

"Still, thanks for your concern, Clarence. Let's just stay casual friends, okay? If not, no hard feelings."

Initially, Clarence was attracted to Christine for shallow reasons.

over time, he genuinely

the others he'd met

not being outright rejected meant there was still

this time, she had

his group chat before

a couple of drinking

and Dailey had already reached the doors

was worried, "Sir,

fine, had an IV

couldn't

concerned for Dailey's well-being and his job with the Clarkson family, he pretended to leave only to

entering the private

lighting and the indescribable scent in the air made him

heir's idea of a private screening differed vastly from the average Joe's. "Are

with the air's aroma, making his head spin and stomach

picture along with one of

bustling, the

allure of