chapter 3
910 Words
The car was quiet as they drove. Vicky looked out the window, lost in her thoughts. Honesty kept his eyes on the road, his jaw tight with frustration he was trying to hide.
Finally, he spoke.
“I’m sorry… damn. This is making it the ten times I’m saying this to you.”
Vicky turned to him slowly, surprised by the weight in his voice.
Honesty didn’t look at her—he didn’t need to. His words were clear enough.
Vicky folded her arms and glanced at Honesty as the car slowed down.
“Did I beg you to drop me?” she said, her voice sharp with frustration. “You just allowed my friends to leave me.”
Honesty let out a quiet breath, regret showing in his eyes.
“I’m sorry about that, okay?”
Vicky’s expression softened a little. “It’s okay. It’s not like I’m mad at you. You’re just… funny sometimes.”
Honesty laughed under his breath. “Thank you. So, what’s up? You staying alone?”
Vicky shook her head. “My boyfriend.”
Honesty turned to look at her, surprised. “You have a boyfriend?”
“Yeah,” Vicky replied, tapping her cheek playfully. “Just look at the face.”
Honesty smiled faintly. “It’s nothing. I just wasn’t expecting a beauty like you to be single.”
Vicky glanced out the window and pointed. “Oh, drop me here. Esther came down. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Honesty said as she opened the door.
Vicky stepped out of the car and watched him drive away. When she entered her apartment building, she immediately noticed something—
Sugar and Sophia were nowhere inside.
Vicky walked inside her apartment slowly, her bag still hanging loosely from her shoulder. The room was too quiet, almost as if it had been waiting for her.
Then she saw him.
Evans sat on the couch, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and a belt hanging loosely in his hand. His expression was dark, the kind that made Vicky’s stomach tighten.
“Where are you coming from at this time?” he asked, his voice low but heavy with anger.
Vicky swallowed and tried to keep her voice calm.
“I went out with Sugar and Sophia.”
Evans’ eyes narrowed. “How many times have I warned you not to go out with Sophia?” His grip on the belt tightened, and he lifted it slightly as if ready to use it.
Instinctively, Vicky stepped back.
“Don’t you ever—” she began, her voice shaking but firm, “don’t you ever try that with me.”
Evans stared at her, still breathing hard, the belt raised halfway in the air. The tension in the room thickened, the silence sharp and dangerous.
Vicky didn’t look away. She stood her ground.
The next afternoon, Sugar and Sophia came over to Vicky’s apartment. The three of them sat in the living room, chatting quietly while Vicky tried to act like nothing was wrong.
Sophia was the first to break the silence. “Girl, gist me. What happened yesterday?”
Vicky shook her head. “Nothing happened yesterday.”
Sugar narrowed her eyes. “You mean he didn’t call you?”
Vicky sighed. “He did… but I didn’t pick.”
“Why?” Sugar asked. “Is it because of Evans?”
Vicky hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. He slapped me yesterday. He wanted to beat me again just because I changed my SIM card.”
Sophia’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?” she asked, half-laughing in disbelief. “You mean it?”
Before Vicky could answer, her phone started ringing loudly. She froze, staring at the screen.
“Oh my God…” she breathed. “It’s him.”
Sugar peeked at the caller ID. “Wait—this isn’t Evans. It’s that guy Honesty.”
Vicky swallowed. “Yes.”
Sophia leaned forward. “Don’t pick it, Vicky.”
“I’m not,” Vicky whispered. “You know I can’t pick anyone’s call right now.”
But before she could react, Sugar quickly grabbed the phone. “Okay, since you won’t answer, I’ll do it.”
“Sugar! Why would you do that?” Vicky panicked, trying to take the phone back.
Sugar stepped away and answered. “Hello?”
She listened for a few seconds, then nodded. “Okay.”
Vicky finally got her phone back. “What did he say?”
Sugar exhaled slowly. “He said… he wants to see you.”
Vicky stared at the floor, her chest tightening. “Honesty wants to see me?”
“Yeah,” Sugar replied. “He sounded serious.”
Sophia placed a hand on Vicky’s shoulder. “Vicky… are you going to see him?”
Vicky didn’t answer. She just sat there quietly, the sound of Honesty’s missed call echoing in her mind.
Sophia leaned forward, watching Vicky quietly. “Then you need to get ready.”
Vicky shook her head immediately. “Sophia, you know I can’t go. I don’t want to go.”
Sugar rolled her eyes. “Come on, Vicky, just go and hear him out.”
Sophia smiled teasingly. “Exactly. Girl, the way you look, I swear you like this man more than you admit.”
Vicky frowned. “Oh, stop. I’m not into him.”
“Just go,” Sophia insisted gently. “He’s waiting.”
- Writer
