(JARED’S POV)
I slowly opened my eyes, and found myself lying on my back. As I looked around, I realized I was lying on the bed, in the bedroom. But something felt off. I tried to sit up, but a sharp headache hit me, and I winced. Still, I defied the pain and sat up, rubbing my temples. Where was Arielle? And what time was it? A glance at the wall clock and I gasped, 9 am. Why was I still at home and not at work? Why didn’t Arielle wake me up for work?
Additionally, I felt weird. My mouth tasted bitter, and I felt tired despite just waking up. I tried to think, but my head ached more with each passing moment.
What the hell happened?
Just then, the door swung open, and Sofia walked in, carrying a tray. She flashed me a bright smile. “Good morning, sleepy head.”
I forced a smile, still confused.” Good morning. What’s going on?” I asked. “Why are you bringing me food in my room? Where’s Arielle?”
Sofia’s smile faltered. “Don’t you remember?”
“Remember what?” I asked, my frustration growing.
“Don’t you remember Yesterday?”
I shook my head, confused the more. “I don’t remember a thing. What happened?”
“We were -” she started to say, but I suddenly felt a sharp jab in my head, and I grabbed it in pain. Groaning, I felt the memories hit me.
I remembered returning home from work to get an Important file I forgot. And while searching for it, Sofia came into the bedroom and began talking about divorcing Arielle. I tried to brush her off as I was more concerned about the file, but she offered me a drink. I was feeling quite thirsty having driven home in a haste, and so I accepted the drink.
Everything after that was hazy until…
Oh, God, I remember feeling dizzy after taking the drink and when I voiced it, Sofia led me to the bed to rest.
And, and, shit! She kissed me.
My eyes bulged in horror as I turned to her.
“Please, tell me we didn’t do anything stupid.”
Sofia hesitated and my stomach churn at the expression on her face. I didn’t wait for her response but scrambled out of bed. That was when I realized I was in my pajamas. “Did you change my clothes?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Shit! Why?”
“Come off it, Jared. I only stripped you to your briefs before putting the pajamas on. It was no big deal.”
“It is! You’re not my wife!”
Sofia shrugged. “Oh well, the deed has been done and there’s nothing we can do.”
“Did we, um, you know…” I scratched my head, the words too heavy to say.
“Did we have sex? No, we didn’t. You were so weak that your dick was so flaccid.”
“Shut up, Sofia,” I growled, but relieved at the same time. I could explain a kiss to Arielle, but not sex. Speaking of explanation, how do I explain to her when I don’t know where she is? “Where’s Arielle?” I asked, turning to Sofia. “Did she return yesterday?”
Sofia placed the tray on the table and approached me, her voice calm. “Forget about her. She’s been sorted, you and I can now be together.”
I glared at her. “What do you mean?”
“She saw us,” Sofia announced, matter-of-factly. “Saw us making out, and she ran off. She hasn’t returned since then.”
I staggered backward, dazed. “What? How come I wasn’t aware? And did you just say we made out? How? Didn’t you say we didn’t have sex? Oh God, tell me you’re messing with me right now.” “I said we didn’t have sex, but we made out.”
I was feeling sick at this point. Jared, what have you done?
“Fine, did you try to stop her? To
explain. You know, I was under the influence of alcohol and I didn’t
realize what I was doing. Hell, I didn’t
I
even see her. I didn’t even knoidn’t
she
returned home.” By now, my heart was racing.
Sofia scoffed and glared at me like I said something incredulous. “Stop her? Of course not. What was I supposed to tell her? She saw us, that’s enough explanation.”
Panic overtookme. Arielle saw Sofia kissing me because I was well aware that I wouldn’t kiss her back if I was in the right frame of mind, and then she ran off. Oh, God, she might assume things. Assume that was having an affair with Sofia
“Shit!” I exclaimed, glancing around for my phone. I had to find her, to explain things to her. I spotted my phone lying on the bed stand and I grabbed it, but it was switched off. How’s that possible? My phone was fully charged, and I don’t remember turning it off yesterday.
“How come my phone is switched off?” I asked, turning to Sofia.
She shrugged. “I turned it off.”
“Why?” I demanded, anger rising.
Her expression remained nonchalant. “I didn’t want you disturbed.”
I was seething with anger on how she handled the whole situation with levity, but I decided to focus on reaching out to Arielle first. I turned the phone on, waiting impatiently for it to boot up.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to call her.” Sofia said, but I ignored her.
The phone screen lit up, and I tapped on it. I went to the call log, but there was no call from Arielle. What was I expecting? That she would call me after what she saw?
I sighed in exasperation as I dialed her number, hoping she would pick. I know I failed her, but I hoped she would hear me out.