Destined To Be Together.

Why am I feeling so hot? Victoria Underwood wondered why she felt this way. Her face and ears burned intensely, and her entire body felt on fire. She couldn't decide if she needed an ice-cold bath or a glass of water, but touching herself eased the irritation somewhat. Upon rolling onto the bed, she quickly felt someone else alongside her.

In that moment, she realized she was with a man and began caressing him all over. She found solace in hugging him, feeling the warmth of his body. To her, it felt like the ultimate healing touch. What kind of a dream is this? She began thinking deeply.

During her dream, she had an intimate encounter with a man whose face she couldn't make out. He treated her with great tenderness, and they spent hours together, completely devoted to each other. She initially struggled with discomfort and pain but eventually recognized her longing for him.

"Can this dream never end, please? I never want to wake up from this dream. She repeated, with tears streaming down her face, 'Please, promise you'll never leave me.' The man assured her he wouldn't leave, so she felt content and fell asleep. She found herself naked when she woke up, her leg draped over a man's leg. She panicked, leaped from the bed, and fell onto the carpet with her clothes scattered around the floor. In her haste, she grabbed her stuff and rushed to the bathroom to put on her clothes. Everything clicked now, 'Was it not a dream?' "She wondered, Did I really loose my virginity? Oh my!

Without glancing back, Victoria dashed out of the hotel room, trying to piece together what transpired the night before. She last remembered being at the club with Serena, her best friend, sharing her heartache after her boyfriend Mark cheated on her, all because she wasn't ready to have sex with him. Moreover, she didn't come from a wealthy family.

Mark cheated on me because I didn't want to sleep with him, but then I lost my virginity to a stranger. Who is that man? I didn't even glance at his face,

Everything from the previous day hit her like a freight train. She went to Mark's apartment and found him in bed with her greatest enemy, Sophia. Ambitious Mark saw Sophia as his pathway to a better life. Sophia always liked him, but he insisted she wasn't his type because of her arrogance. Vicky felt both torn and humiliated. After leaving Mark's apartment, she headed directly to a bar and asked Serena to meet her there.

One thing led to another, so they went out to a club. This led her to end up in an unknown person's bed. She despised Mark, but she loathed herself even more for losing control of the situation. She realized she couldn't hold anyone responsible for her careless actions, not even her best friend.

She rummaged through her purse to find her phone, realizing she missed 27 calls. She called Serena, who answered on the first ring and said, 'Girl, where have you been?' Your mother has been calling nonstop looking for you. Tell me, how did things go with Mr. Handsome? You were all over him last night."

Serena, don't tell me you left me alone at the club when I was drunk. I have no idea who that guy was. How could you do this to me? Vicky yelled. She knew it wasn't right to blame her friend, yet she found it impossible not to. She had to vent her frustration. Serena completely understood her friend.

You said you were in good hands and that I should go back home. Mr. Handsome showed gentleness toward you as well. Even though you were drunk, I was confident he wouldn't do anything bad; he seemed like a decent guy. Babe, I really hope I wasn't wrong about him. Tell me that everything is all right and there haven't been any issues. I'm so sorry, Serena said. She began to regret leaving her dear friend in the hands of a stranger.

All she wished for was Vicky to get even with the useless Mark for his betrayal. She always knew he wasn't a good person, but she stayed quiet because her friend liked him a lot, even though he didn't deserve her. The man whom Vicky left with seemed very wealthy and was also quite handsome, like a prince. Mark could not even compare to him. To top it off, the gentleman and her best friend seemed like a match made in heaven.

It's okay, girl. Nothing went wrong. I surrendered my innocence to him. It felt like a dream, and while I can't remember every detail, the experience was delightful as he showed me such tenderness. But I left before he woke up; I felt so embarrassed. I'll tell you everything when I see you. I need to go home and face my mom's yelling.

Why didn't you talk to him before leaving? What if he's the right person for you? You two looked amazing together! Did you give him your number? Or at least have his? Tell me it wasn't only about spending one night together, please. Serena struggled to understand her friend completely.

Victoria told her that she didn't have his number and hadn't left hers. Thus, they will remain strangers forever. Every time she thought of him, she smiled uncontrollably. She yearned for another scenario.

Vicky reflected on whether returning home so soon was a must, since she hadn't clarified her thoughts yet. Her forehead glistened with sweat as concern over her mother's potential reaction consumed her. Though her mother had a good heart, she rarely stood up for herself, remaining quiet even when something bothered her. Her stepdad and stepsister constantly trampled on her feelings, and she never spoke up. That's why Victoria worried so much about her. She knew she might have gotten herself in trouble by not sleeping at home.

Despite her hesitation, she decided to go home and finish what needed to be done. Why should it matter if my mother yells at me? Even while feeling down, she decided to confront her problems directly, and she smiled at the thought of mocking herself for her past stupidity and irresponsibility.

When Victoria arrived home, she immediately heard her parents arguing about her. Her father angrily slapped her, then stormed out, leaving her mother in tears and her stepsister Mara with a smirk on her face. Her encouragement drove Sofia to pursue Mark because she knew it would deeply hurt Victoria. She blamed Victoria and Helena for her family's average financial situation. She believed that with only her and her father at home, their finances would be better, but now they had to support two more people.

Mara smirked and said, 'Didn't I tell you your daughter is good for nothing?' " Like mother, like daughter . Ever since you entered our lives, you've only caused problems. I hope my father kicks you out of the house too.

Just look at the mess she left for you to clean up, just for being lose. Helena glanced at Mara and remained silent. She took Vicky to her bedroom and passed her the luggage. 'Your father wants you to go abroad. He is very angry with you. I don't want him to harm you, my child. So please, go study, make something of your life, and return educated and independent.' That will make me feel at ease, knowing that when I die you will be okay.

He said you need to be more like your sister, you need to grow up and respect our home. You are nothing like your sister; I know you have a kind heart, though he chose to ignore it. Victoria stared into her mother's eyes and saw pain and sorrow. Neither shouting nor reprimanding her as she expected, her mother appeared resigned, and this realization pierced Vicky's heart like a knife.

She grabbed her luggage and flight ticket, leaving without a backward glance, feeling hurt that her mother hadn't fought for her. But she knew her mother had no standing in that house. One day, she will earn enough to support her mother and persuade her to leave her husband.

She didn't even have a moment to visit Serena and vent or discuss the events of the previous night. Note to self: Work hard and become someone independent from my family.

She texted Serena to explain the drama at her house and mentioned she was being sent off to an unknown location. I will be in touch with you. I'll be back before you know it. She reassured her friend with a heavy heart, 'Don't worry about me, I'm grown up.'

Serena felt an urge to confront Vicky's family, but she knew it wouldn't make a difference since her friend had firmly decided to leave. She just hopes her friend will be okay wherever she goes.