Betty woke up feeling sore, the kind of ache that settled deep in her muscles and made her whole body feel heavy. She let out a long yawn and stretched her arms above her head, rubbing sleep from her eyes as she slowly became aware of her surroundings. The unfamiliar smell of the room hit her first, clean sheets, faint cologne and something else she couldn’t place. She blinked, confused for a moment, then opened her eyes fully to take in the dimly lit space around her.
And then it hit her.
Like a slap.
Her heart lurched painfully in her chest, and she sat upright instantly, her breaths coming fast as her eyes darted around the room. There was no one in sight. The bed beside her was empty, sheets pulled back as if someone had left in a hurry. The silence of the room pressed against her, heavy and accusing.
Everything that had happened the night before rushed back to her in a flood, messy, overwhelming, impossible to stop. She had slept with a total stranger. Worse, she had done nothing to stop it. She hadn’t even thought. She hadn’t been thinking at all.
Her fingers trembled as she reached for her phone on the nightstand. She didn’t even check the time. She just scrolled straight to Veronica’s name and hit call.
The line rang once. Twice.
“Hey girl, what’s up?” Veronica’s cheerful voice came through, full of her usual energy.
“Veronica…” Betty’s voice shook. She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself.
There was a pause on the other end. “Betty? Are you okay?” Veronica asked, her tone instantly changing, concern slipping in.
“I—I just did the unthinkable,” Betty whispered, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Oh my goodness, Veronica…”
Silence. Then Veronica’s voice sharpened. “What? Betty, speak up.”
“I slept with a total stranger,” Betty said, her voice cracking.
“You did what?” Veronica sounded stunned, almost disbelieving.
“Yes, Veronica… I know. I know how it sounds. I sound crazy. Or stupid. Or both.” Betty exhaled shakily, tears gathering in her eyes. “I think I stumbled into someone’s room at the hotel last night. The room was pitch black. I didn’t even turn on the light. Francis… Francis was cheating on me, Veronica. I caught him with Anna. I was so heartbroken and confused. I wasn’t thinking straight. I just went back to my hotel, and I guess I entered the wrong room. The door wasn’t locked, so I walked in. I felt someone touch me and—ugh, I’m so crazy. I wasn’t thinking at all. I just… let it happen.”
Veronica didn’t speak for a long moment. Betty thought maybe the call had cut off.
Finally, Veronica breathed out. “Where’s the man? Is he there with you?”
“No,” Betty said softly. “I—I think he left.”
“And did you just say Francis was with Anna?” Veronica asked, sounding both angry and disgusted.
“Yes. I caught them together.” Betty’s voice shook again.
Veronica sighed deeply. “Betty, calm down. What happened has already happened. Just come to my place right now.”
“Okay… I’ll come immediately,” Betty said, wincing as she got out of the bed.
“Be safe, honey. See you soon,” Veronica said before the call ended.
Betty lowered the phone and breathed out slowly, trying to steady her heartbeat. She made her way to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. Her reflection stared back, messy hair, puffy eyes, confusion clouding her face. She barely recognized herself.
“Who was that man?” she whispered. “What does he even look like?”
Her cheeks warmed as memories flashed, his hands, his groans, the low voice she had barely heard in the darkness. She shook her head hard, trying to push the thoughts away.
She got dressed quickly and only then noticed the stack of cash on the table beside the bed. Her stomach twisted.
“He must have thought I was a w***e,” she muttered bitterly.
She shook her head, grabbed her bag, and left the money untouched. Without looking back, she walked out of the room, headed down to the hotel garage, got into her car, and drove away.
—
Veronica heard the sound of Betty’s car pulling up outside and rushed to the door. The moment she opened it, she saw Betty stepping out of the car, her shoulders slumped, eyes red and her face pale.
“Betty… oh my God, Betty,” Veronica said softly, her voice breaking as she hurried toward her.
The moment Veronica wrapped her arms around her, Betty crumpled completely. She fell into Veronica’s embrace, sobbing, the weight of everything finally crashing down.
“I made a big mistake, Veronica,” Betty cried, her voice muffled against Veronica’s shoulder.
“I know, honey. I know,” Veronica murmured gently, rubbing her back. “But don’t feel too bad. Just… breathe. Forget it ever happened. It’s okay.”
Betty shook her head weakly. “I wasn’t thinking straight. Any of it. I could have stopped it. But… I don’t really regret it.” Her voice was soft, confused, honest.
“Come inside,” Veronica said, leading her gently. “I made you something warm.”
Once inside, she guided Betty to the couch and placed a hot cup of coffee in her hands. Betty held it like it was something anchoring her to the ground.
“So tell me,” Veronica said quietly, sitting beside her. “How did you find Francis with Anna?”
Betty sighed, her hands trembling slightly around the cup. “I went to his apartment to surprise him. Yesterday was his birthday. I wanted to make him happy, you know? But when I got there… I found them together. Making out. Right there.” Her voice cracked, and she took a slow sip to steady herself.
“That bastard,” Veronica hissed. “I told you, Betty. I told you that Francis is a loser and a cheat. He never deserved you. Omg, Betty… what are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know,” Betty whispered. “I’m just going to go home, take a long bath, and watch Netflix. I don’t want to think about anything right now. I’m so hurt, Veronica.”
Veronica pulled her into her arms again, holding her tightly. “Everything is going to be fine, honey,” she whispered. “I promise you.”
Aksara