TETHERED HEARTS

A young woman suddenly entered the huge majestic flat. As she raced up the stairs to her apartment, she bumped into several neighbors who looked at her suspiciously. She quaked with fear and raced up the stairs ignoring them. She looked messed up and shriveled with her hair rough and rowdy. She tried to use her hands to cover the visible hickeys but hard as she tried it ended in futility. She averted her eyes as soon as she came into contact with any living soul. Finally, she reached her door. she inserted the key and quickly entered the room locking the door behind her. She rushed to her bathroom and started to undress in front of a huge mirror revealing her curvaceous body. she noted each and every scratch and hickey on her body from her neck to her cleavage. There was a slight pain in between her thighs, and she immediately bent down to check. She could make out traces of blood in a thin straight line. Tears began to flow freely from her eyes as she looked at herself in the mirror. "What have I done?" she wondered. She felt her fingers and realized her ring was gone. "Shit " she thought aloud. She walked over to the bathtub and opened the faucets allowing water to swoosh into the tub. She silently and slowly stepped into the tub and allowed herself to sink underneath regardless of the fact that she had little breath. Her head suddenly popped up and she gasped for air. Her face reddened with sadness and tears flowed down her cheeks again. Her mind went to the scene in the bedroom. She tried to remember but couldn't. Her mind was so full of questions and thoughts. She knew she had to let them all out. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. She hurried out of the tub and wrapped herself with a towel. She walked briskly but painfully towards the door and opened it. "Hey girl" her visitor said as she walked in. "Earl? what are you doing here?" she asked her. "Come on don't be a spoil sport, relax I only bring good tidings." she said happily as she put the groceries on the table. She looked up at her friend and realized the sour and grim countenance of her friend. "Okay Val what's up, did Francis hit you again?" she asked nearing in closer. She led her to the sitting area and they both sat down in a settee. "Aww Valerie, is everything okay?" Earlene asked, positioning herself well. Valerie looked up at her friend and said nothing. "You know you can tell me anything right?" Earlene assured adding to Valerie's despair. "Yeah, I know, it's just that..." she tried to say. "it's just what. tell me Val, did Francis do anything to you?" she asked again with a frown. "No, not this time. I just did something really, really bad." Valerie explained. "What did you do? oh, by the way how did the party at Mr. Moreno's go?" Earlene asked with sudden eagerness in her voice. "That is the problem. we did something we weren't supposed to do." "When you say we you mean you and Francis right?" Earlene asked, awkwardly optimistical. "No, not him. I think someone spiked my drink because all of a sudden, I was just drowsy, and I blacked out. when I woke up, I was stark naked in bed with him." she explained. Earlene opened her eyes in bewilderment. "Oh my god! this is not good Val. what are you going to do now? what if Francis finds out... you know that is suicide for you. I mean I will try my best to protect you but this... come on." "I know I know, but what do you think I should do?" Valerie asked as she paced around about massaging her palms with frustration. "Your wedding is up in two weeks. you might as well use this graceful opportunity to bunk it. I mean it's not like the guy is even worth your time and love. " She suggested. "Earl seriously, cut it out this is not a good time. " Valerie hissed with rising anger. They both sat and paced around in silence. "But wait. Last three days ago you said you had an argument with Francis. what was it about?" Earlene asked. "He asked me to choose between him and Kandola. Earl to be honest I just couldn't bring myself to do it. he told me not to go to the party and I did. Now see the mess I have created." "Don't beat yourself. it's not your fault. it's just a bad circumstance. I am sure it'll blow off." Earlene assured with a smile. Valerie reciprocated with a faint one and she walked towards the kitchen area. "So now, the real problem is how you are going to tell Francis. I could do it for you. I just want to see the look on that bastard's face when I do so." Earlene said smiling devilishly. they heard a knock on the door. Earlene rushed to open it. to her displeasure it was Francis. "What are you doing here?" Earlene asked as she tried to block his view from seeing the panicked Valerie rush to her room. " I should be asking you the same thing." he replied. he brushed past her and entered the apartment. He sat down in a sofa and crossed his legs. "Now do me a favor, why don't you go call your gorgeous friend for me." he said with a sinister smile. "The last time I checked Mr. Damone, you weren't crippled. I believe you can do that yourself." Earlene stated, crossing her hands. they smiled ingenuinely at each other. Earlene suddenly frowned and sighed. "Val, your prince charming is here to see you." she yelled moving away to the kitchen area. Francis watched as she meticulously picked up a cleaver and began to fillet the already washed-up fish. she did so with much intensity, and it was clear she was trying to send a message which Francis understood. he grinned devilishly and chuckled. Valerie walked out of her room, fully dressed. she walked up to Francis and hugged him. "How was your day baby?" she asked him. he stared at her with suspicion. "What is going on? why is your neck all bruised up" he asked trying to touch but she backed off immediately. "Nothing." she said timidly. he moved in closer and embraced her tightly. "You know you can tell me anything right?" he said trying to ease her mind. she lowered her head with guilt and hugged him even tightly. " I am sorry Francis." she started, trying to control her tears. "About what?" Francis asked. Valerie tore away from his embrace and took a few steps back. she glanced at Earlene and stared back at Francis again. "I -I -I think I went to the party you told me not to. I am so sorry." "What? I thought we talked about it. why would you go?" Francis asked obviously, hurt. Earlene looked on and smiled. "Because you are not her father. what do you expect... total submission?" Earlene asked chuckling inwardly. "Earlene just shut the hell up!" Valerie yelled. Earlene rolled her eyes and entered Valeries room. " I am sorry baby. She's just being cocky. come, have a seat" she said sitting him down. "So, tell me what is going on." Francis said cupping her face in his palms. she smiled faintly. "Well during the party, well I kind of, I don't know but I think someone spiked my drink." "Spiked you drink? how? " "I don't know. when I woke up, I was naked with..." "wait wait. are you trying to say that you had sex with someone?" Francis asked with disbelief." "Yes but I..." "How could you?" Francis yelled rising to his feet. " I'm sorry baby... I don't know how it happened..." "you don't know? you bitch. I trusted you. how could you do this to me?" Francis yelled with rising anger." "All those times I asked, yet you deprived me and now you go to a damn party, and you beautifully give it away to a total stranger... unbelievable. just like a slut." Francis said angrily. "No, no, no its not what you think please." Valerie begged but it was obvious he wasn't having any of it. he took a few steps back and stared at her with disgust. "I never want to see you again. come near me and I will kill you." he said and walked out leaving Valerie on her knees sobbing. Earlene came out of the room and found her best friend on the floor. it wasn't surprising to her. This was another phase of their relationship. "it's okay Val, don't beat yourself. it's not the end of the world, besides if you'll ask me, I think you just got rid of a thorn in your flesh." Earlene stated." after a few minutes of consoling she finally managed to calm her friend down, eventually lulling her to sleep.