2 Minutes, 23 Seconds

2' 10"

Happy Anniversary, 2' 23"! (October 8) Thank you to everyone! :D ♥

***

"Van!"

All eyes turned to Stacey whose hair was disheveled and face was tear-streaked. "I s-should be the one to talk to her." Her lips quivered and her voice broke as she stammered. She could not hold it anymore. One more second and she might break down.

Thankfully, the men left the ladies alone in the living area. Duncan grabbed Van by the arm when he tried to protest. The latter obliged seeing how serious the conversation will be between Stacey and Eury. They headed down outside the apartment and Duncan led them to his car.

Van only feared the worst. He knows this will terribly hurt both women. He will hurt Eury once more. He clenched his fists at the thought. The throbbing in his head that he had been ignoring since he woke up was starting to feel as if someone was hammering a nail on his skull. As the days pass, the harder it is becoming for him to hide the symptoms. They had always been there, waiting for him to surrender to the pain and let it eat him whole to end him.

He breathed in and out and closed his eyes as they began stinging. The pain his body is currently giving him is nothing compared to the heartbreak he is about to cause two of the most important women in his life.

Stacey took a step forward and Eury stood up from the couch to meet her halfway in deep concern. Stacey dropped to her knees the moment she was in front of the woman who deserved none of the pain she had inflicted on her. Her tears were unending waterfalls and she did not bother stifling her whimpers. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! It's my fault!"

Eury's lips shook in confusion and in fear of what Stacey may be pertaining to. She tried to lift her up but the latter did not budge. "Please stand up, Stacey," she whispered as tears crept up behind her eyes for a reason she is yet to know.

"I'm so sorry! You shouldn't have forgiven me. I don't deserve it. I'm sorry! I'm sorry..." Stacey clung to her shirt and cried her heart out. Eury could feel the pain from her words. What is it?! She worried more by the second.

"I... We... We did..." Stacey began and struggled to keep her words straight. "I forced him to do it with me," was all she could muster before she broke into more tears. "I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have... It was wrong! I knew it was wrong but Van... He just let me do what I wanted because he knew that I needed love and care... I took advantage of his love for me as a friend. I took advantage of him. I'm so sorry!"

Eury shivered as if she was doused with freezing cold water. Her comprehension must suddenly be unchained, for her brain seemed to be unable to register such information.

She forced him. He obliged.

No matter how much air she inhaled, her lungs shut its doors, preventing her from breathing properly. Her heart pumped hard in an attempt to aid her situation, to no avail.

"S-Stop," she whispered.

Stacey looked up at her with her mouth agape. Eury tried again to lift her up and she stood up to prepare for whatever Eury wants to do or say to her.

Eury ought to slap her for everything she had done that ruined her life and Van's. She ought to stay mad at her, loathe her even. She raised her hand up and Stacey closed her eyes, waiting for Eury's palm to hit her cheek. None came. As tears flowed down Eury's rosy cheeks, she slowly brought her hand down in defeat. She still could not hurt Stacey. The thought of hitting Stacey reminded her of the woman's past and how she was abused. She could never be that kind of person.

"I don't want to see you ever again."

Stacey broke down to the floor when Eury turned to leave. She should've been slapped but here she is instead, asked to be gone. She deserved more, she convinced herself, but Eury is too kind for revenge. She tried catching her breath and Eury was in the same state, only that the latter's will not easily subside after she cries.