Lyka slowly opened her eyes, the room shrouded in darkness. There was no window, no outside light—just the quiet stillness of the secret room. The only illumination came from a faint, distant glow that seemed to seep in from some hidden source, casting faint shadows across the bare walls.
Her body was sore and heavy, each movement reminding her of the intensity of the night she’d just experienced. She lay still, her muscles achy and her skin feeling sensitive from the shared intimacy. The memory of the night—what they had done, the closeness, the physical contact—flooded her mind, though she kept her eyes closed, not wanting to move more than necessary.
Her chest was tight, and her limbs felt weak. She shifted slightly, feeling the dull ache radiate through her body. Without the woman beside her, the silence was almost deafening. Her breathing was shallow, and her heartbeat was loud in her ears.
Her hand moved slowly, trembling slightly, to touch the silk sheet covering her. The sensation was almost overwhelming—soft but raw. Every nerve ending seemed heightened, each touch reminding her of the night’s intensity. Her body betrayed her with a lingering sense of exhaustion mixed with residual arousal.
She stayed there for a moment, her eyes closed, the darkness wrapping around her like a cocoon. The physical aftermath was unmistakable—bruises, soreness, and a lingering heat that refused to fade. The night had left its mark.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door. Lyka hesitated, unsure whether to respond. The door gently opened, and a voice from the bar assistant came through: “Ma’am, you need to leave now. The woman with you has already left, and you’ve exceeded the time for the secret room.”
Lyka remained silent for a beat, then slowly shifted to sit up, wincing slightly at the pain. She didn’t bother to answer, just nodded faintly in acknowledgment as she adjusted her position.
.
.
Lyka stepped out of the bar, her legs trembling slightly from the intensity of the night. Every step she took felt unsteady, as if her body was protesting against the physical exertion and the lingering soreness. She tried to walk straight, but her movements were uneven, her balance wavering. The aftereffects of the night clung to her, making each step a challenge.
A wave of disappointment washed over her as she thought about Veronica. The woman had simply left without a trace—no phone number, no way to contact her again. It was as if she had disappeared into the night, leaving Lyka with nothing but memories and a strange, restless emptiness. Lyka had been with other women and men during one-night stands before, but this feeling with Veronica was different. It had been more than just physical; it had been intense, exciting, and deeply personal in a way she couldn’t quite understand.
As she continued to stumble down the street, her stomach rumbled loudly, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten all day. The hunger was almost overwhelming, and she decided that she needed to eat something, even if it was just quick and easy. She veered toward a nearby fast-food place, her steps uneven but driven by her craving.
She pushed open the door, the warm, neon-lit interior offering a brief moment of comfort. Without much thought, she ordered a burger and fries, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Veronica and the night’s events. As she sat down at a corner table, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and melancholy—wondering about what it all meant and wishing she could hold onto the memory just a little longer.
Veronica was jerked awake by a loud, relentless knock pounding on her door. Her head throbbed, and her body felt heavy and sluggish from the night before. She groggily rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the exhaustion as she slowly sat up in bed. The knocking persisted, insistent and urgent.
With a sigh, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her movements slow and unsteady. She hesitated for a moment, then finally reached out and unlocked the door. As it swung open, she was met with the sight of her two friends—Karina and Krisha—standing just outside, their faces flushed with anger.
Karina's voice was sharp and loud. "Where the f**k have you been? You disappeared from the bar, and nobody knew where you were! You were with Lyka, right? What the hell is going on?"
Krisha, standing beside her, crossed her arms and added, her tone equally furious.
"Yeah, seriously, Veronica. We were worried sick. You just vanished, and Lyka too.
What the hell is happening?"
Veronica looked tired and caught off guard, her eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. She hesitated, then tried to explain, but her voice was hoarse and weak. The two friends stared at her, expecting answers, their frustration clear.
Karina and Krisha pushed the door open further and stepped inside, their eyes sweeping the room as they looked around with concern. Veronica hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and spoke.
"We went to the secret room," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.
"Lyka and I... we needed to talk. It’s a private space, for... for certain things."
Both Karina and Krisha froze, their expressions shifting from anger to shock. The secret room—the one at the bar—was known among the group as a discreet, exclusive space used for intimate encounters. Hearing Veronica mention it made their worry deepen.
Krisha’s eyes widened in alarm. "The secret room? You mean for s*x? Veronica, that place isn’t just a regular room. It’s meant for... more than just talking.
Are you sure about this? Are you risking yourself?"
Karina looked equally worried, her jaw clenched. "You’re playing with fire, Veronica. Revenge plans like that—going into such dangerous territory—could get you hurt. Please, think this through. We’re worried about you."
Veronica looked down, uncertainty clouding her face. She knew their concern was genuine, but her desire for revenge was stronger. She nodded slowly, feeling the weight of their words but also the resolve in her heart.
---
As Krisha and Karina stepped inside Veronica’s apartment, she quietly made her way back to her bedroom, sinking onto the bed with a heavy sigh. Her two friends lingered in the doorway, exchanging worried glances. The weight of her recent breakup with Teresa had taken a toll on her, and it showed in her tired eyes and the way she curled into herself.
A few hours later, Krisha gently knocked on Veronica’s door. “Veronica, it’s time to wake up. We’re cooking something for you,” she said softly, her voice filled with concern.
Veronica blinked awake, rubbing her eyes. She sat up slowly, her mind clouded with self-doubt. Since the breakup, she’d been caught in a cycle of dissatisfaction—believing she was too fat, too ugly. She’d started hitting the gym more rigorously, sticking to strict diets, and taking skin supplements and anti-aging medicines, desperately trying to ‘glow up’ and feel better about herself. Despite being only 31, her reflection often made her feel decades older.
Krisha and Karina had noticed her slipping into this obsession, and they worried about her. Today, seeing her so withdrawn, they knew she needed more than just a meal—they needed to remind her of her worth.
Veronica hesitated but then got up, her movements slow and uncertain. As she followed her friends into the living room, the aroma of something warm and comforting filled the air, a small attempt at nurturing herself amid the chaos inside her.
---
Krisha and Karina looked at Veronica with worried expressions, their eyes filled with concern because they knew what had happened in the secret room at the bar. Despite their worry, they still asked, “What exactly happened in that secret room?”
Veronica took a deep breath and explained calmly, “That was all part of my plan for revenge against Lyka. I
wanted her to regret flirting with Teresa, because that was the real cause of our breakup. I wanted her to see what she’s lost and realize how much she hurt me.”
The two friends stared at her, clearly surprised by her honesty but still worried about her actions.
Krisha gently smacked Veronica on the head with a teasing smile.
“Wow, Veronica, you’re full of surprises,” she said with a laugh. “But I get it now—you’re doing this to make her see what she’s done and how much she’s hurt you.”
Karina nodded supportively, adding, “If it helps you get your message across and makes her understand, I’m with you.”
Veronica looked down shyly, a small, determined smile on her face. “Thanks, guys. I just needed to do this to send a message and take control of my life again.”
Lyka sat at her workstation, surrounded by the hum of machinery and the clatter of production. She was supposed to be focused on her tasks as a production operator, but her mind was elsewhere.
Her eyes drifted past the machines, lost in thought, replaying the moments she shared with Veronica. The image of Veronica’s determined face and the memories of their recent interactions kept popping up, making it hard for her to concentrate.
Noticing her distracted demeanor, Jingboy approached her with a worried look. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, “Lyka, are you okay? You’re not focusing today. Is something bothering you?”
Lyka blinked, caught off guard by his concern. She hesitated for a moment before offering a faint smile.
“Oh, I’m fine. Just... thinking about some things,” she replied softly.
Jingboy looked at her with genuine concern, worried about her distant expression.
“If you need to talk or take a break, just let me know. I’m here for you,” he said kindly.
Lyka appreciated his kindness, feeling a little comforted despite her mind still drifting back to Veronica. She nodded softly, grateful for his support but unsure if she was ready to open up just yet.
-
Lyka and Jingboy sat together in the bustling canteen, sharing a simple meal amidst the chatter of colleagues. As Lyka looked around, her eyes landed on Teresa sitting alone at a different table, eating with a group of coworkers. Teresa’s distant gaze and the way she avoided eye contact with Lyka made her heart tighten with guilt.
Lyka’s chest sank as she watched Teresa from afar. She remembered how things had changed between them—how their playful flirtations at work had escalated into something more, only for it to crumble apart. She knew she was partly the reason for Teresa’s breakup with her girl. The realization hit her hard, and a wave of sadness washed over her.
She felt a pang of remorse, wishing she could undo what had happened. To Lyka, her feelings for Teresa had been just a flirtatious distraction, a way to ease her loneliness, not something she had meant to hurt anyone. She genuinely liked Teresa, but she never intended to cause pain or distance between her and others.
Jingboy noticed her somber expression and gently touched her arm. “Lyka, are you okay?” he asked softly.
Lyka looked down, silent for a moment before replying, “I’m sorry… for everything. I didn’t realize how much I hurt her.
I
just… I only wanted some company, to feel less lonely. I never wanted to cause this much pain.”
Jingboy squeezed her arm supportively, giving her a reassuring look. Lyka took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her guilt but also a flicker of resolve to be more mindful of her actions moving forward.
--
As Lyka finished her meal with Jingboy at the canteen, her thoughts suddenly drifted back to that night she had shared with Veronica. She remembered how it all started—how Veronica, her close friend, had confided in her about her feelings, and one thing led to another, culminating in that secret encounter in the hidden room at the bar.
Jingboy’s voice pulled her back to the present, but her curiosity was piqued. She hesitated for a moment before asking casually, “Hey, Jingboy… do you remember how you introduced Karina to me at the bar?” Her tone was light, but her mind was racing with questions.
Jingboy looked at her, surprised. “Yeah, I think I mentioned her as a friend of Veronica’s,” he replied.
Lyka nodded slowly, her eyes glinting with curiosity. She wondered if Jingboy knew about her night with Veronica, or if he just saw Karina as another patron. Her mind spun with possibilities, but she kept her questions simple for now, waiting to see what he might reveal.
---
Jingboy looked at Lyka carefully, noticing the subtle change in her expression. “You seem pretty interested in Veronica,” he said with a small smile. “Is there something going on between you two?”
Lyka quickly shook her head, her cheeks warming slightly.
“No, it’s nothing like that,” she said, trying to sound casual. “I’m just curious about her. That’s all.”
Jingboy raised an eyebrow, studying her for a moment. “Just curious, huh?” he echoed softly. “Well, Veronica is a good person. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being interested in her. But if there’s something you want to talk about, I’m here.”
Lyka nodded, grateful for his understanding but quickly brushing off the topic. “No, really, I’m just asking out of curiosity. Nothing more.”
They both fell into a moment of silence, the canteen’s hum around them, each lost in their own thoughts.
---
Lyka hesitated for a moment before glancing at Jingboy. “By the way, how do you know Veronica? I mean, I know you and Karina are friends, but I’ve only heard about Veronica indirectly.”
Jingboy nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.
“I met Veronica at Karina’s mother’s birthday party,” he explained. “We got to talking there. She’s pretty interesting, and we’ve just kept in touch since then.”
Lyka looked curious. “Oh, I see. So it was just from the party. Do you guys talk often?”
Jingboy shrugged. “Yeah, sometimes. She’s a nice person. Why do you ask?”
Lyka shook her head quickly, trying to dismiss her curiosity. “No reason. Just wondering, that’s all.”
They exchanged a brief glance, each lost in their own thoughts again, the conversation drifting into silence.
Jingboy looked at Lyka and said, “Actually, Karina offered me a job at her company. She mentioned they’re looking for more staff and asked if I’d be interested.”
Lyka’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? That’s awesome! Wait, so the job was only offered to you? Hmm, I might have to think about applying too—especially if Veronica is there. I really want to work with her.”
Jingboy teased her with a smile.
“Well, if you’re really interested in Veronica, I guess you better apply too. Who knows, maybe you’ll get the chance to work with her.”
Lyka blushed slightly. “Yeah, I think I will. It’s definitely something I want to explore now.”
They both paused, contemplating the opportunities that might come their way.
.
.
.
Veronica was at her desk, focused on reviewing content as a Content Moderator, when she decided to speak with Karina and Krisha nearby.
“Hey, Karina,” Veronica called out. “Have you already offered Jingboy that job as a referral?”
Karina looked up from her laptop and nodded. “Yeah, I did yesterday. He seemed interested, but I haven't heard anything back from him yet.”
As they talked, Karina glanced at Krisha with a knowing smile. “And I heard Lyka’s planning to apply too. I think she’s really into Veronica.”
Krisha chuckled softly, understanding what this meant. “Yeah, I’ve noticed. And I think Veronica’s not exactly thrilled about it.
Veronica’s eyes flashed with a hint of a smirk. She knew exactly what was coming. The game was on, and Lyka’s interest might just lead to some unexpected consequences.
---
Veronica stepped outside the building, taking a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air to clear her mind. As she wandered along the quiet corridor outside, she paused near a corner, her eyes catching a glimpse of a familiar figure.
There, across the courtyard, she saw Jingboy standing beside Lyka, their faces lit up with excitement. Jingboy was animatedly talking, gesturing as he spoke, and Lyka nodded enthusiastically, a bright smile on her face.
Veronica instinctively pressed her back against the cold wall, ducking slightly so she wouldn't be seen. She watched quietly, her gaze narrowing as she overheard Lyka say, "I know we can do it. I'm really happy we both got hired. Now, we'll be on the same account as content moderators for the company."
A sly smirk crept across Veronica’s lips as she listened. She knew her next steps—she had everything she needed now. Lyka’s happiness was just the trigger she needed to plan her move. With her mind already racing, Veronica decided that this was just the beginning of her carefully laid revenge.