Chimon - This Moment

Chapter 29

As a lingering pool of disbelief crashed upon them like a tidal wave, Kimberley took it amongst herself to remain on the other line for several hours, just listening to Cheryl sob uncontrollably as feelings of utter disappointment and betrayal tore into her flesh. Although she did absolutely everything in her power to soothe her best friend, she still felt utterly useless knowing that there was nothing she could do or say to lessen the severity of the situation. Throughout the entirety of late night, Kimberley came to grips with the fact that the only thing she could do was offer her endless love and support, but in this moment as she witnessed Cheryl reduce herself into a helpless shadow of her former self, even that didn't seem to be enough.

After engaging in a rather heartfelt conversation for hours on end, the pair of them spoke for a few minutes longer before Cheryl finally worked up the strength to end the call. As much as she desperately sought to stay on the line with Kimberley, there was another phone call under her belt that she absolutely had to make, and although she dreaded having to do it, she knew deep down inside of her that she couldn't put it off any longer. With her mobile firmly attached to her ear, Cheryl dialed a very familiar number and waited a few rings before a husky male voice resonated on the other end, never ceasing to make her weak at the knees.

"Hey beautiful." He greeted enthusiastically. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten all about me."

Even without having to utter more than a few mindless words, the simple act of hearing his heavy breath on the other line was enough to make her heart pound vigorously against her chest. In the most unfortunate of cases, she recognized that each overwhelming feeling that surged freely within her body was stimulated for all the wrong reasons, and as much as she desperately wanted to assume a façade and act like nothing was wrong, she knew that she couldn't bear the pretense - especially from the man she had fallen so deeply in love with at the most unexpected of times. As an unnerving flutter brewed in the pit of her stomach, Cheryl shut her eyes tightly and instinctively cringed at the excitement in his voice, immediately fostering an extreme dismay for having to be the one to be the bearer of bad news.    

"Cheryl, are you there?" Simon asked skeptically, his voice rising slightly with concern.

Cheryl sunk into her seat and lowered her gaze, allowing her salty tears to flow freely down her cheeks. "Simon..." She whispered gravely, her voice nearly inaudible.

"Cheryl, what's wrong?" Simon asked nervously, immediately replacing his initial enthusiasm with a sense of deep apprehension.

Cheryl wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and sighed deeply into the line. "It's Ashley." She responded tensely with a hint of resentment, tightening her grip on her mobile. 

"What about him? Did he hurt you again?!" Simon asked in a panic.

"No, it's not that. Well not exactly anyway. It's...he..." Cheryl stuttered, unable to translate her thoughts into a sensible string of words.

"Cheryl, just spit it out sweetheart. You're starting to scare me."

"Did you get any calls today?" Cheryl asked with a nervous rise in her voice.

"Yes, but I had a busy schedule so I just ignored the lot, except for you of course. Why do you ask?" Simon posed inquisitively.

Cheryl clamped her eyes shut and gritted her teeth with dread. "Something bad has happened, Simon." She revealed vaguely, her voice trembling with emotional torment.

"Sweetheart, please tell me. What is it?" Simon asked with an air of anticipation. Although he didn't present a fearful front, he was literally shaking from terror and her slow responses weren't helping in the slightest.