Daina was working up a good sweat. After she’d stuffed herself and fallen asleep by Jaycie on Christmas Day, she needed to burn those calories if she was going to fit into her uniform. She’d taken the week off, and was looking forward to the New Year.

Damien should have been coming home Ole Year’s Night, but couldn’t get a flight. She was disappointed, but didn’t let on. So she ate, and exercised and ate a little more.
Putting away the last Muscat, she’d decided that she was going to save that for Old Year’s Night, bring in the year just right.
Ejecting her Taebo DVD, there was a knock on the door. Expecting Kyle, she shouted “It’s open.” Packing away her exercise mat, she continued to talk, thinking that it was Kyle standing behind her. That is, until she felt the familiar arms slip around her waist.
Jumping forward, Daina turned to see a smiling Khalid staring at her. Licking his full lips, he smiled at her. She knew what was on his mind. “You know you can call me to give you a good work out ... you don’t need all these things here.” He smiled. She didn’t.
Writing Khalid off was on her New Year’s resolution list. She could feel the tension mount, and he came closer. But she was determined to fight.
 “Look, I’m seeing someone …” she began as he planted a kiss on her mouth. Pushing away, she felt herself give in. What the heck am I doing?
Pushing with all her might, she moved away from him. “I need you to leave.”
“Oh come on ... I’m here to see you and you’re throwing me out?”
 “K, for real ... I’m with someone.”
“And how long you think that’s going to last?”
She could feel herself getting angry at his arrogance. “I don’t know... but I’m willing to find out.”
Just as he was about to respond, Kyle walked in. “Boy Daina... if I only tell you what happen to me and Jay –” Seeing who he realised was Khalid, Kyle stopped short in his tracks.
Khalid, kissed Daina on her cheek, nodded at Kyle, and left.
“Don’t ask,” was the only thing Daina could tell Kyle. She began to miss Damien even more.
“You know what? Let’s go out tonight. ... I know you wanted to stay home ... but I really want to get out and just party.”
Before she answered, she weighed her options. Staying home and pining away while Damien and his cousins were partying ... or hanging out with a good friend and dancing her way into the New Year. It wasn’t a tough choice. Besides, staying home would only give Khalid another chance to pop in, and Daina wasn’t about to fool herself with her defence against him.
Opting for a sheer black top that hugged her upper thighs and black leggings, she spent a little extra time on her makeup and hair. Strapping on her black stilettos, she was ready to go.
They headed to Rush. Between the champagne, tequila and music, she really was enjoying herself. Kyle spun her around, and she laughed her way as the time counted down. That was when she saw them.
Just on the outdoor terrace, a girl was seductively dancing with her man, a man who was whispering or kissing her ears. Daina felt the tears stinging her, and froze.
“What wrong?” Kyle asked, following Daina’s eyes. “Let’s go.”
As the crowd started the countdown “10-9-8-7”, Daina and Kyle pushed their way through the entrance “6-5-4”. Just as they reached the exit, she strained her neck to look back.
“3-2-1 ... Happy New Year!!!!” Daina felt her chest tighten as she watched Damien kiss another woman.