Silent Eyes

45, Guilt

It was early when Monica got home the next day, her hair all tangled, bags under her eyes, and bruises on her skin. Despite feeling like a mess, she made sure to cover up, hiding the marks from Roy's view. She hoped he'd still be asleep when she arrived, but as she unlocked the door and stepped inside, there was Roy, engrossed in a football game on the TV. He looked up, noticing her exhausted appearance, and quickly stood up. "Jesus Christ, are you okay?"

Monica hesitated, her heart pounding with fear. She was tired of hiding the truth but revealing she had slept with her ex wasn't an option. Choosing a half-truth, she said, "My head is killing me from this hangover," with a groan. Monica tossed aside her keys and started moving further inside, but Roy walked over to her, his concern noticeable.

Monica hesitated, worried he might spot the bruise on her neck. As he stepped behind her, attempting to massage her muscles, he said, "Babe, relax and just take a seat. I can help you." Monica pushed away, swallowing hard. "No, no, that's alright," she chuckled, trying to deflect. "I've got it. I'm going to hop in the shower and make some soup. That way, I can feel better." Roy seemed a bit surprised but nodded, and soon, Monica disappeared to be alone.

She entered the bathroom, shedding her dirty clothes. Looking at herself in the mirror, a wave of shame washed over her. What had she done? She valued commitment and loyalty, yet last night, she threw them out the window and ended up in Andreas' bed. The label of being called a "whore" didn't sit well with her, but for the first time, she felt like one. Roy had been nothing but good to her, so why did she impulsively choose to betray him and be with the man who had lied, hurt, and left her fingers in bandages?

Taking a deep breath, Monica turned on the water and stepped inside the shower. The warmth enveloped her as she swept her hair back. Trying to distract herself, she thought about Selene's school performance or the sweet gifts Roy had given her. However, as Monica stood there, her heart ached. She couldn't shake the feeling of being a terrible person, and the weight of her actions pressed on her. In that moment, she felt not just bad, but downright foolish.

Monica couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Luckily, Roy couldn't hear her over the sound of the running water. However, when she heard a knock at the door, she flinched, quickly trying to compose herself to answer. "Yes?" It was Selene, sounding concerned. "Mommy, are you okay? You've been in the shower for a long time..." Monica realized she had been in there for forty minutes, the water now cold and lacking the warmth she needed. Swallowing hard, she shut off the water, stammering, "Y-Yeah, baby... mommy just wanted to get really cleaned."

Stepping out of the shower, she heard Selene's little footsteps running off. Quickly wrapping herself in a towel, it seemed Selene had returned, indicating that Monica's parents were waiting for her in the living room. A tight knot formed in her stomach as fear gripped her. She felt too ashamed to face them, worried about saying the wrong thing and Roy catching on. However, she knew she had to go out there and talk to them; otherwise, her odd behavior would raise suspicions.

Trying to conceal her bruises, Monica opted for a long-sleeve shirt and pajama pants. Typically, she'd go for a tank top and shorts, but she couldn't risk walking in there looking like a dalmatian for everyone to see. The idea of Roy scrutinizing her and her dad turning into Mr. Interrogator made her heart race even more. The thought of her disguise slipping even a little left Monica in a state of panic!

The moment Monica stepped out into the living room, a tiny whirlwind crashed right into her—it was Selene, wrapping her in a tight hug. Despite her stress, Monica melted into her daughter's arms. "Hey, baby. Mommy sure did miss you last night!" Monica crouched down, smiling at Selene, who beamed back at her. As her parents sat in the living room, Roy was making a lot of noise in the kitchen. Confused, Monica straightened up and asked, "Roy, what are you doing in there?" Roy popped his head out, sporting a big grin. "Oh, I'm just making you some soup," he shrugged. "Seems like you had a wild night last night, and I want to help you out!"

As Roy disappeared back into the kitchen to prepare the meal, Monica froze, realizing she messed up her chance with a good guy. Her father's throat-clearing brought her back to reality. "So, dear, what did you do last night? Roy told me you came back home looking like a mess this morning. You alright?" he chuckled, evidently pleased at the thought of his daughter embracing a new chapter in her life.

Monica slowly turned around to face him. "Um, I just danced and drank," she said, her voice uncertain. Her mother's eyes widened as she clasped her mouth, and Monica's heart sank. The jig was up; they had caught her in a lie! But to her surprise, her mother burst into laughter. "Don't tell me you guys hired male strippers, right?" Instantly, Monica blushed pink and noticed Selene sitting nearby, looking confused. Frustrated, she scowled. "Mama, can you please not talk like that around Selene?"

Laughter filled the room, and Monica began to slowly relax. After a while, Roy returned with a bowl of steaming soup. She took a spoonful and tasted it. It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either—just a bit bland. Monica couldn't help but think that if it were Andreas making the soup, there would be some tang or spice to it. In Athens, he used to make an amazing Chicken Lemon Soup. She found herself missing it, but quickly scolded herself, realizing she needed to let go of Andreas and focus on Roy. After all, Roy was the safe choice, while Andreas was not.

Monica found herself bombarded with questions about her special bachelorette party, and surprisingly, she shared most of the details. She revealed the club they went to, the music playing, the attendees, the peculiar dances some girls were doing, and what they drank. The only part she kept to herself was the drunk encounter with a stranger, Andreas storming in like a lunatic, slapping the poor guy, and the subsequent sex in the alley and at his place. Monica sealed her lips tight on that ending.

Despite the weight of her secrets, Monica found a moment to relax and chat with her parents and Roy. Selene played in the corner with her toys, and everyone sat, reminiscing about the good old days. Monica wore a facade of smiles and laughter, but deep down, she couldn't escape the knowledge that she had messed up big time. Cheating on Roy was a mistake that seemed to loom over her, and the looming presence of karma wasn't something she could easily ignore.

Soon enough, the truth would surface, leaving Monica to grapple with the choice of honesty or deception. However, in the present moment, she opted for selfishness, embracing a facade of happiness and bliss, unwilling to confront reality.