Too Late to Pretend
1109 Words
Mila's POV
Weekends are meant to recharge you for the week ahead. With my mom away on a retreat and my sister spending the weekend at her friend's house, I had the entire house to myself. I missed them both, but I couldn't deny how much I loved the peace.
After several hours of doomscrolling on my phone, I was officially bored.
"What can I do with my free time?" I wondered.
"I could go see a movie," I said to myself, but where was the fun in doing that alone?
So I called Maya.
She always brought just the right mix of excitement and drama, exactly what I needed to break the silence.
"Baby girl! What's up?" Maya answered cheerfully.
"I'm home alone. Are you up for going to the movies?" I asked.
"Yeah, that sounds like fun, but we could also stay in and watch a movie. You know we have a lot to discuss," she replied.
I rolled my eyes because I already knew where she was going with this.
"Okay, we'll stay home then. We can have the whole vibe here."
"So are you..."
Maya didn't even let me finish before chirping, "Already on my way!"
I laughed.
"Of course you are. I'll be waiting."
"Say less! I'll be there in ten," she said eagerly before hanging up.
Grinning, I got the living room ready. The quiet made everything feel cozy. I dimmed the lights, grabbed our softest blankets, and picked out a thriller. The smell of freshly made popcorn soon filled the room.
Just as I placed the bowls on the coffee table, the doorbell rang, snapping me back to reality.
"Right on time," I murmured as I opened the door.
Maya was already kicking off her shoes.
"Hey, girl!" she exclaimed, dramatically throwing herself onto the couch.
"Make yourself at home," I teased.
"I always do," she replied with a wink. "So, what are we watching tonight?"
"A thriller," I answered, smiling as I sat beside her.
"Ooh, yes! Bring on the suspense!"
The movie grabbed our attention immediately. Every twist and tense moment had us leaning forward, clutching our blankets as though they could actually protect us.
When a shadowy figure suddenly jumped onto the screen, we both gasped.
But just as the movie reached its most suspenseful moment, Maya grabbed the remote and paused it.
"What the heck, Maya?" I exclaimed, glaring at her. "It was just getting good!"
She grinned.
"Relax, Mila. I have to ask you something."
I arched an eyebrow.
"This better be good."
She leaned closer, lowering her voice as though she was about to reveal a state secret.
"So... did you pop your cherry with that cute guy from the club?"
My jaw dropped.
"Maya!"
"What?" she asked innocently, though the smirk on her face gave her away.
I rolled my eyes and folded my arms.
"No, I didn't."
Maya gasped dramatically.
"Why not? That man was hot! What's stopping you?"
"I don't know," I admitted with a shrug.
The memory instantly replaced my excitement with anxiety, and my voice grew quieter.
"I was close... but I started crying. Everything just hit me all at once."
Maya froze, her mouth hanging open.
Then she burst into laughter.
"You cried? Oh my God, Mila! What happened?"
"Stop laughing!" I groaned, trying to hide my burning cheeks.
"I'm sorry," she said between laughs, trying to catch her breath. "But seriously... what happened?"
I sighed, my embarrassment giving way to vulnerability.
"It's complicated. I just wasn't ready, I guess. I felt overwhelmed, and everything hit me all at once."
"That's fair," she said, finally becoming serious. "So tell me about him. What's his name? What's his deal?"
"Armando," I whispered. "We met in London. He's different. Sweet. Thoughtful. That night, we just slept in each other's arms. It wasn't even about sex."
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"A dream man, huh? So why not lock it down?"
"It's complicated," I repeated. "Things got messy. Mr. Harris saw the marks on my neck and got really upset. He was furious when he saw me with Armando outside the office."
Maya's eyes widened before a sly grin spread across her face.
"Hold on. Your hot boss? Doesn't he have a girlfriend? What's with the jealousy?"
"I honestly have no idea," I admitted, shaking my head. "I haven't had the chance to ask because he's been avoiding me ever since."
Maya let out a low whistle.
"Girl, your life's juicier than this movie. Forget Mr. Harris. Armando sounds like a keeper."
"Can we finish the movie now?" I asked, reaching for the remote.
She laughed and raised both hands in surrender.
"Fine! But this conversation isn't over."
We resumed the movie, filling the living room with laughter, screams, and playful commentary after every unexpected twist.
By the time the credits rolled, the house had gone quiet again. The excitement slowly faded as we sank deeper into the couch, exhausted but content.
"Oh my God, Mila, I need to go. It's way past midnight," Maya said, stretching dramatically.
"Thanks for coming," I said, pulling her into a hug.
"Always. And call me if anything juicy happens, okay?"
I laughed.
"I will. Goodnight, Maya."
After Maya left, the house fell silent once more.
The excitement from earlier faded, leaving only the peaceful stillness of the night.
I sighed, rubbed my temples, and headed toward the staircase.
"Time for bed," I muttered.
Just as I reached the first step, a sudden knock at the door shattered the silence.
I stopped.
Confused.
Did Maya forget something?
"Maya, did you forget something?" I called as I opened the door.
But it wasn't Maya.
Standing there was Mr. Harris.
He looked nothing like his usual polished self. His eyes were bloodshot, and the sharp smell of alcohol hit me immediately.
"Mr. Harris? What are you doing here?" I asked, stunned.
He swayed slightly, staring at me with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine.
"Forget about Armando," he slurred, his voice thick with emotion. "Don't be with him. He doesn't deserve you. You're too good for him."
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
As I stared at him, concern slowly replaced my frustration.
My breath caught in my throat as I tried to make sense of the pain etched across his face.
"Mr. Harris, you're drunk. You shouldn't be here," I said softly, my heart pounding as confusion and worry tangled inside me.
Before I could say another word, he stepped forward, closing the distance between us.
His hands settled on my waist.
My eyes widened in shock as he captured my lips in a desperate, emotion-filled kiss.
- Writer
