ᴍʏ ʙᴜꜱ ʙᴜᴅᴅʏ. [ᴍɪᴄʜᴀᴇʟ ᴊᴀᴄᴋꜱᴏɴ ꜰꜰ]

Ch. 14- Aftermath

"Wow. I never would've guessed he was like that. I'm sorry, Ophelia."

Two women sat across from each other in a restaurant, eating and conversing. "It's alright. It's not your fault." She took a bite of her food.

"Still," her friend chewed before swallowing, "that's an awful situation to be in. Are you two not going to talk anymore?" Ophelia sighed, toying with her straw. She shrugged. "I don't know, Elle. I really liked him. So many guys here are so full of themselves and commit crimes. I thought he was an exception."

Ariel nodded, sympathizing with her best friend. "I know. It's ok." She rubbed her hand, trying her best to comfort the girl across the table. "He was only your first boyfriend. Your first won't be your last."

"Yes, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to search for anyone else. It all felt so real. Authentic." She grunted, aggressively wiping her tears away. "It wasn't."

Ariel frowned. "Well, I find that Max guy pretty stupid. Why did he and his goons just reveal all that to you? You could go to the police, y'know." Ophelia's eyes flicked up to her friend. Possibilities went through her mind. "I can't. If they go down, Darryl will go down, too. They're all horrible, but I don't think I could stand to see Darryl in jail or prison." An image of his mother invaded her head, which she shook crazily. Some people stared at her as if she were a lunatic.

"I couldn't. I love him. A lot. But I can't be near him." The woman hung her head. That was the signal that she would no longer speak. "Let's pay, and I'll take you home. This wasn't the right place to talk."

= = = =

"Will you be alright?" She hesitated. Would she? "I think so." Her friend gave her an easy smile. Ariel made a symbol with her hand, putting it next to her ear. "Call if you need something. Or someone."

"I will." The red-head put her hand down. She turned, walking the way they came. Ophelia plodded up to the apartment complex. She was almost to her house. She made eye contact with Darryl, who seemed to just be leaving his own home. "Ophelia..." his tone sounded dejected.

She ignored him, continuing on. She tuned him out as he called her name and went after her. Reaching her apartment, she unlocked the door. "Ophelia, please," he begged. It made her freeze. He sounded so desperate;he was about to cry. Ophelia pushed the door open. She quickly made her way in, closing it after.