How to be loved

12 - I want you back.

HOW TO BE LOVED

12 – I want you back.

Becky returned to her job, trying to focus on her tasks and push the pain to the back of her mind. She was in her office, typing away at her computer, when the door creaked open. She looked up to see Friend standing hesitantly in the doorway.

"Becky," Friend said softly, her voice filled with uncertainty, "can we talk?"

Becky's heart sank at the sight of her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I'm working, Friend," she replied curtly, her eyes narrowing as she turned back to her computer.

"I know, and I'm sorry for interrupting, but please, just give me a few minutes," Friend pleaded, stepping further into the room.

Becky clenched her jaw, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She knew she couldn't avoid this conversation forever. With a heavy sigh, she turned her chair to face Friend. "Fine. You have a few minutes. What do you want?"

Friend looked down, her hands fidgeting nervously. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I know I hurt you, and I regret it every day. Becky, I want us to get back together. I love you."

Becky's expression hardened. "Sorry doesn't even begin to cover it, Friend. You betrayed me in the worst possible way. How can you say you love me after what you did?"

"I know," Friend said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't expect you to forgive me easily, but I want you to know that it was a huge mistake. I was stupid and selfish, and I hate myself for what I did. But my feelings for you are real. I love you, Becky. Please, can't we try to work through this?"

Becky felt a mixture of anger and sadness rising within her. "A mistake? You slept with my cousin, Friend. That's not just a mistake; that's a choice you made. You knew what you were doing, and you did it anyway."

Friend's tears began to fall. "I know, and I wish I could take it back. I miss you, Becky. I miss us. I still love you more than anything. I want to make things right. I want us to be together again."

Becky shook her head, her eyes filling with tears of her own. "How can I trust you again, Friend? How can I believe anything you say after what you've done?"

"I'll do anything to earn your trust back," Friend insisted. "Anything. Just please, give me a chance. Let me prove to you that my love is real and that I can change."

Becky stared at Friend, feeling the weight of her words. Part of her wanted to believe in second chances, but the wound was still too fresh, too raw. "I don't know if I can," she said quietly. "I don't know if I want to."

Friend nodded, her shoulders sagging in defeat. "I understand. But I needed you to know how much I love you and how sorry I am. If you ever change your mind, I'll be here, waiting."

With that, Friend turned and left the office, leaving Becky alone with her thoughts. She turned back to her computer, but the words on the screen blurred as tears filled her eyes. She wiped them away, determined to stay strong, but the pain lingered, a constant reminder of the betrayal she had endured.

Becky stared at her computer screen, the words blurring as her mind raced. She had thought she could bury herself in work, but now Friend's words echoed in her mind, making it impossible to focus. She stood up, pacing the small office, her emotions a turbulent mix of anger, sadness, and confusion.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Irin peeked in, her face full of concern. "Hey, you okay? I saw Friend leaving your office. What did she want?"

Becky sighed, running a hand through her hair. "She wants to get back together. She says she loves me."

Irin's eyes widened in disbelief. "She has some nerve. After everything she did, she expects you to just take her back?"