The silence between them after Milan's statement was stifling. Judith was grateful for the noise from the arcade machines that filled the air.
What did she just say?? Judith was panicking inwardly.
She didn't know what to say or do so she stuck to what she knew how to do best, pretend.
Milan watched the emotions on Judith's face switch from slightly anxious to worried. The change was precise and fast like the flip of a switch.
"Sexual assault?... As in ...r-rape?
Oh my goodness I can't believe this happened to you.... Now I know why you couldn't tell me initially" staged tears escaped from Judith's eyelids.
"I'm so sorry this happened"
She moved closer to Milan in an attempt to embrace her but was met with a resounding slap.
Judith's cheek stung and her mouth hung open in shock.
"Oh cut the bullshit Judith. Aren't you tired of pretending?" Milan rolled her eyes.
"Y-you slapped me" Judith said in a small sad voice.
"And I'll do it again if you try to rub it in that I've been a fool to trust you" Milan replied.
"But I truly don't know what your talking about" Judith said with a broken voice and her plam holding her cheek.
"I don't care, Judith. I didn't come here so you could lie to my face that you are innocent. I don't believe anything you say so wrap it up" Milan stated clearly.
Judith's head was down for what seemed like an eternity before she rose her head, revealing a wide smile plastered on her face.
Seeing Judith smile broke a piece of Milan. Somewhere in her heart, she hoped that Judith would feel terrible about what she did.
But it seemed like she didn't.
Judith's smile led to a giggle from her and she sighed.
"And?" Was her only reply.
Milan's expression hardened more.
"Yes, I connived with Jaeyoon, yes we planned your rape, yes I never considered us to be friends even once....and?" Judith spat with no trace of regret or repentance.
"Listen Milan, I hate you, I always have.
I wonder how you never saw it when I made it so evident a couple of times. Well I guess it's cause I'm such a good actress. I should receive an Oscar don't you think?" She laughed out loud.
"You feel no remorse" Milan observed.
."why would I? I didn't think he would stage a rape but as long as you were hurt physically and Mentally, it worked out well for me" Judith bluntly stated.
"Since you have found out the truth. I don't have to pretend to like you anymore, that's good" Milan chuckled.
"I never want to see you again" Milan said.
"Whatever bitch, I hope you get raped again" Judith laughed and took her bag.
"Get outtttt!!!!!" Milan yelled out.
Her unexpected outburst jerked Judith.
"Eish, bitch... I'm leaving already" Judith walked out.
Milan stood there for what seemed like a very long time as tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes.
She didn't have that strength to bear this much.
Sobbing uncontrollably, she bent down and hugged her knees.
....
The butler opened the door to a swollen-eyed Milan.
She was obviously just crying.
He was worried and wanted to ask but knew he would he overstepping his boundaries.
Instead, he fixed her a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows with freshly baked muffins.
She appreciated it with a small smile and ate.
Milan was only mentally tired but her body felt weak as well.
She wasn't hungry, but she knew she needed to distract herself with the chocolate.
She took a sip and shut her eyes, it tasted heavenly.
Milan sighed numerous times, the last one making her place the mug on the coaster.
She decided I that moment that she would never think about the incident again, not the assault and definitely not the organizers.
............,....
Present day...
Milan walked away from the scene where she slapped Judith.
She hated that her former best friend had always been a lie. She hated that she couldn't stand her cousins.
She hated that she was mandated to attend the dinner with them.
She wanted to go away..... To never see them again...
Milan ran through the street with her head down. Her vision was blurry and clouded with unshed tears.
She ran as fast as she could until she couldn't breathe anymore.
She stopped running, gasping for air.
Her little display had calmed her down and she felt okay again.
Turning around, she noticed she had strayed far from her course so she was going to walk back home.