She called me back later that evening, "I saw you called me,"
"Yeah, you want to come over to a party with me? My friend Giselle is organising it,"
"When is the party?"
"This Saturday, 9 o'clock,"
"Okay, I will be there. Pick me up from my place,"

"Daffine..."
"Yes?"
"We're still friends, right?"
"Of course we are,"

Saturday came. A week has never been this slow. But this is my chance to know. Would you stay? Or would you leave like you always do. As I stood outside her apartment in my car, I wondered if she'd even show up. I waited for an hour, until she finally showed up on the entrance in a beautiful blue dress, "I am so sorry. I just had to get this tailored at the last moment. It got too loose,"

"That's alright," I smiled at her. I was glad she was there. In that blue dress, she looked as if she was sitting on a blue rose, with pearls all around it. Like a beautiful mermaid, turned human, just for me. Giselle, as expected, had thrown a great party, with lights and food and drinks. Everyone was dancing. The music was loud. Th people were louder. Some people were high, some drunk. There was cigarette smoke everywhere. 

I wanted to take her away from all this. I shouldn't have come to this party. I should have asked her out for a coffee or a picnic date. Why am I so afraid of showing her that I'm interested in her? What would go wrong if she thought I loved her? I do love her. 

In the crowd, I saw Femke. She wore a red dress and black heels. 
"Oh hi, Daffine! You look amazing!" She compliment Daff.
"Thanks! You too," She smiled. 
Femke looked at me, "Really? Getting such a beautiful girl with you, and yet so plainly dressed,"
"You know I don't like too extravagant suits. By the way, I heard you broke up with your boyfriend,"

"Yes, I did. It was just not for me. We are still friends though,"
"I see," I was looking at Casper. He was talking to other girls and soon, as the party moved deeper into the night, he disappeared. Maybe he took them to a hotel. So, I take Daffine back again tonight, alone in that little apartment that smells like coffee and her shampoo. I hope she's not intimidated by this crowd. I hold her hand as I navigate through the crowd, I get us some drinks, and we look at each other as we drink. 

She decides to take a bathroom break. I smoke while I wait for her. But she never comes back, so I get up to check up on her. She wasn't there. I looked outside and I found her, near a taxi, leaving hurriedly. I ran after her, "Daffine!" I yelled but she left. I can't believe it. Again?! You've left me stranded here like a fool. 

"You will be left running after her like that for the rest of your life," Femke stood behind me, "Admit it, Max, it was an experiment and it failed. Move on. So many women out there, so much better than her,"

I looked at Femke and she looked at me intently. I knew what she wanted. And I knew she wouldn't go away. She walked closer to me, and we stood away from the crowd, on the road. Daffine's taxi had disappeared, "So, who are you taking home tonight?" She asked as she pressed her fingers on my collar.
"I am not taking anyone home tonight,"
"Then, do you want to come home with me instead?"

We got inside her apartment, the lights were dim just the way she used to leave them whenever she wanted to have sex. I pushed her on the wall and made out with her. Her voice was so different from Daffine's voice, they sounded nothing alike. Her hands are softer, her fingers longer, and her hair is shorter. Even in another woman, I am finding you, Daffine. 

"It is brave to love"

Liar

"I keep liking you more and more"

Liar

Why did you fake how you felt? Why could you not tell me that it would never work and just let me give up? And what the hell am I doing? Am I going to hook up with my ex as the love of my life drives away from me tonight? Was I not a man enough for you, Daffine? I'm so sad right now, I don't want to have sex with anyone anymore.

"Max, are you crying?" Femke asked as I abruptly stopped my fingers on the buttons of her dress. "What's wrong, Max?" She asked me.

"Femke, I love Daffine. I don't love you. I don't want you!" 
Femke looked so shocked, her blue eyes were popping out of her skull. "What do you like about her?! She's ugly! I am so much better than her!"
"You think that, Femke," I picked up my jacket and he left as fast as I could, hearing her scream at me, curse me and cry just like she used to. 

I took a taxi to Daffine's place. On my way, I blocked Femke and deleted her contact. I want her to be free of me. I want to move on from the past of mine that she holds within herself. 

-To be continued