Allen had always been honest. A straight-laced guy who believes in chivalry. And, that night he was supposed to be the happiest man alive, proposing to his girlfriend of six years.
He could see his future in her. A house by the lake, surrounded by children that looked like a mix of him and her, and a lovely garden.
But, all of his dreams were shattered in a single moment.
"Anna?" He couldn't help but choke at the sight of his girlfriend riding another man's entourage.
"Allen!" She exclaimed, covering her naked body with his sheets. The nerve of this woman to sleep with another man in his own place.
"What are you doing here?" Anna questioned. Her eyes fell on his hand, where Allen clenched a velvet box. Anna's lips formed a small 'o' in understanding.
"I thought—Did I do something wrong?" Allen stammered, brushing his hair back. It was taking him everything to keep himself from crying.
"I'm sorry, Allen. It's not going to work. I—"
"Listen, Anna. I just what to know one thing." Allen cut her off. "Were you... already married?" Allen asked, pointing to the man on his girlfriend's bed.
Anna sighed. "See, this is the problem with you, Allen. You're too naïve. I'm not married. I cheated on you with this guy." The man from inside the room snickered.
"What?"
"You're too much of a prude, Allen. I got tired of waiting for you to make a move. So, I found a man who knows how to take care of my needs. A real man. Not a guy who's stuck up on his beliefs."
Ouch. Anna's words stung. At this point, Allen couldn't take it anymore. He ran out of his own condo, sobbing. As soon as he closed the door, he could hear the other man talk.
"What a wuss. I can see why he's never been able to satisfy you, babe."
Allen squeezed his eyes shut, running as far away as he can. His feet brought him to the nearest bar, a place he's never really frequented. But tonight, he was willing do to anything to get his mind off the pain and everything else. He continued to down drink after drink, until his mind was numb from the pain.
Then, he blacked out.
The next thing he knew, he was awake on a hotel bed, a hangover hammering his head.
"Mmm..." To his surprise, he wasn't alone on the bed. Beside him, was a woman he never saw before.
"Who...?" He trailed off. Allen was shocked. He tried to recall what happened last night, but nothing came to him. In the first place, it was his first time getting drunk. But the idea that he tarnished a woman's honor in his most vulnerable time was a huge hit to Allen.
"Allen...? Are you awake?" Allen flinched at the mention of his name. Does this woman know him...?
Quickly, Allen got off the bed and got on his knees. "H-hello. I'm so sorry. I didn't know what came over me and I was drunk. I know it is no excuse, but I really am sorry that I slept with you. So, if you're willing, I'd like to take responsibility and—"
"Hahaha!" He was cut off by the woman laughing.
"Excuse me, miss?"
"You really are such a prude." She commented. At her words, Allen couldn't help but feel hurt. Anna said the same thing.
"Oh, my bad. Your ex told you that too, right?"
"Huh?" Allen couldn't help but be shocked. How did she know?
"By the look on your face, I gather you don't recall anything, huh?"
Allen nodded his head.
The woman chuckled. "Really, you're such a cute guy. My name is Ella. Last night, you opened up to me and started ranting about your ex-girlfriend. Then, you passed out. I took you to a nearby hotel, where you proceeded to puke all over our clothes. Hence, why we're naked." She explained.
Allen turned beet red. "Oh... So, we didn't—"
"Nope. Do you honestly think you're the type of man who'd do something?" Ella taunted. At her words, Allen shook his head vigorously, earning him a headache. "But, I gotta say, Allen. You're really such a gentleman, huh. To think I'd hear someone propose to me just because he thought we did something last night."
"I—! It's only proper!!" Allen defended, blushing profusely.
"Hahaha!" She laughed at his expense.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Stop saying sorry, idiot. You didn't do anything wrong. It's that girlfriend of yours who can't even see the good in you. Besides, last night was fun."
"Fun?" Allen nervously asked, trying his best to avoid looking at Ella's cleavage.
"Really, you're so fun." Ella mused. "Makes me want to tease you." She lowered the sheets covering her body. At her move, Allen covered his face with his arms. But it didn't hide the redness of his face that reached his ears.
Ella laughed. Picking up her clothes, she let the man be.
"Well, so long Mr. Good Guy."
It was an encounter that certainly left a mark on Allen. After that night, he never met Ella again. It was partially his fault. He never did ask her number or where she lived for that matter. Who knows where she lived?
Five years passed by in a flash.
After spending his time abroad, he went home to attend his twin brother's funeral. Imagine his surprise to see Ella at the procession. What's more, trailing behind her was a child who looked exactly like him!
Allen was too shocked.
"Ella...?" He called out to her. The woman turned to him, and there was no doubt. It really was Ella. Only, her eyes were lifeless—contrary to the bright woman he met, years ago. There was nothing but sadness in her eyes.
"Allen." She spoke softly. Her expression shocked no surprise, as if she had expected this meeting from the start.
"Why are you here?" Allen asked.
"I—"
"Allen, dear. You're here!" It his mother. The old woman ran up to her son and hugged him.
"Mom..." Allen trailed off. "Why is she here?" He asked, pointing to Ella.
"Why? He's your brother's wife, Allen. Of course she's here to attend her husband's funeral."
"My brother's... wife?"
Thunder clapped outside, almost as if to match the dramatic situation. Looking at the two women in front of him, and the casket of his dead brother, Allen felt it—
Dread.