The Make-Up Artist: Part 2

Chapter Five: The Coffee Shop

Two weeks later...

You've thrown yourself into your work lately, doing everything in your power not to think about what happened with Taron two weeks ago for fear of it dragging you down completely. Everything happened and ended so quickly, that you are trying to just pretend it didn't happen at all. Even though, unfortunately, it had.

That night at the party, after tucking the stone reluctantly into your purse and finally leaving the room, you were met with Richard standing just outside the door. You had almost forgotten that he was there. He had insisted on driving you home, stating that you were too emotionally unstable to drive, and having no energy to argue, you had let him. You did however refuse him when he suggested he stay the night and sleep on your couch. You had assured him you would be fine, even though you were anything but. As soon as you closed the door on him, you had rushed to your bed and practically torn the sheets off, sobbing as you did. Throwing them into a pile in the corner of your bedroom, you hastily put on new sheets, not even bothering to fit them properly. Afterward, you had peeled your clothes off and stood under a scalding hot shower, hoping desperately that the steaming water would wash away everything that had happened in the last few days. Of course it hadn't, and you were left once again with a feeling of despair and pain, followed shortly after by numbness.

You honestly can't even believe that any of it was real. All of it was like something out of a book or movie. The fact that you had run into Taron in your own hometown, 5,000 miles away from his hometown, was crazy to begin with. Then, not only had he invited you to an event that you otherwise would never have gone to, but you had actually gotten all dressed up and gone willingly. To make things even worse, you had slept with him after only seeing him for a few hours. Now granted it obviously wasn't the first time, but it was so unlike you to do something so spontaneous. And then finally, you had found out in the most humiliating way possible that Taron has a girlfriend. You still can't quite believe it, even after two weeks. Yes Taron has his faults, he is human after all, but to do something like have sex with you, multiple times at that, while he has a girlfriend seems more out of character for him than anything you've ever done. You just don't understand it, not one bit. He hadn't even really done much to explain his actions, other than saying he thought you were over him and that he was planning on breaking up with her. What does that even matter? It doesn't change the fact that he cheated on his girlfriend with you. Unwittingly making you a cheater as well. Needless to say, you feel terrible.

You have only heard from Taron once since that dreadful night, and it was the same night several hours later around 3 am.

The text simply read: Words can never express how sorry I am.

You hadn't responded.

So you are more than a little surprised to receive another text from him on a random Tuesday morning as you are getting ready for work.

Taron: I know I am the last person you want to talk to right now, but there are things I need to say to you and I'd like to say them in person...I'll be in town in a couple of days. Can I see you?

Your first response is that you have no idea how to respond. So you leave the text unanswered for several hours. What more could he possibly say to you that would make any difference now? The fact remains that he has a girlfriend, which means nothing more can happen between the two of you. Period. You honestly don't see the point of sitting down to talk to him. Of course by lunch time, your curiosity and the effect he has on you have gotten the better of you, so you pull your phone out to read the text again. Admittedly, you are curious to hear what he has to say, but you fear if you see him again you'll just repeat the same mistakes you have in the past. Carefully crafting your words, you hit reply and begin to type.