CATASTROPHE CAREN (Completed) ✔

2: Questions Unanswered

Caren got home the next day but still had on her mind, the whole incident that took place the previous night.

"Can't believe I'm still finding it difficult to accept what has happened. 2 years gone down the drain, just like that! How silly of me to have thought that he'd propose to me last night!" She rolled her eyes.

"You know what... Maybe Jill was right after all! Why should I be the one suffering when Miles is clearly the one at loss here? There's no need to stress myself over this issue any longer. Time to let it go!"

Following that resolution, she went to her room and changed into a pair of thick grey joggers and a purple sweater and left her apartment for a quick jog around the neighbourhood.

The air was nice and cool and when she looked at her watch, she realized that she'd been exercising for almost 45 minutes. She decided that since it was a Sunday and she didn't have much to do, it'll be best to call up her childhood friend and colleague, Halle, to meet up for some coffee since she lived around the area too.

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Halle arrived after 10 minutes and Caren told her everything that happened the previous night.

"He broke up with you because of that? What the hell is wrong with him?" Halle asked furiously.

"Well, what has happened, has happened. Right now, I'm just trying to put all of this behind me. I'd like to ask you though, since you were at the party that night, did you by any chance see the person who filmed me?"

"I wish I did, I was so drunk myself I can barely remember you stripping in front of everyone. But, does it really matter? A lot of people were at the party so it could have been anybody right?" Halle shrugged.

"Yes... But remember, before the whole thing started, Olivia's cousin made all of us drop our phones in that little red basket on the dining table so that everyone's privacy would be protected."

"Yes I remember that. But do you think that would have stopped those crazy ass boys from taking their phones back to film us? Girls were practically walking around naked. Besides I'm pretty sure most of them had more than one phone."

"You're right. I didn't think of that." She nodded. "But still... I think it's best I call Olivia. I searched for her number on my phone earlier but then I remembered I lost it when I changed numbers."

"So if you had it now, you'd actually call that gossip and have the whole city know by tonight that you have a nude video out there? Come on Girl!"

"Well is it a secret now? It's already out there! What's the worse she could do?" Caren shrugged. "Besides, she didn't seem like much of a gossip to me when you introduced us at the party. She was very sweet and even asked that we exchanged numbers so we could hang out later on. Even though we never did, she always called from time to time to check up on me."

"You talk as if it's such a difficult thing for people to act all pretentious. Olivia and I went to high school together remember? I know her like the back of my hands. She thrives on gossip that's why she was always calling you. She probably found out along the line you are different from her and got bored."

"Nah, there was no way for her to reach me because I changed my number."

"Hmm!" Halle paused for a moment. "Well anyhow! She's still a gossip as far as I know.

"Ugh, whatever! Anyway can I have her number? Like I said, I don't have it anymore."

"Neither do I, Dear. The only reason I kept in touch with her back then was because she knew where all the lit parties were. And You know how much I loved attending parties back then." She did a little dance and winked.

"Of course I know. You tried convincing me to follow you to these parties one too many times but I always refused. The one time I agreed to follow you and look what happened."

"Come on Girl, what has happened, has happened! If I were you, I would forget about whoever uploaded it because just as you said, it's already out there." Halle shrugged.

"Do you know how hard it'll be to forget something like that? Do you know how deeply ashamed I am of my behaviour? How could I have thrown caution to the wind and let myself go like that? I was a fool to believe I could go crazy without it coming back to haunt me." Caren shook her head.

"Girl, you were like what, 22 years old? Just like every other young person that day, you were there to have wild fun. You don't have to be ashamed of it. Instead you own it!" Halle stared into her eyes.

"Own it? How?" Caren asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"Yes! Let people know that you don't give a damn that your nude video is out there because you're a fun loving, independent woman who knows how to enjoy life. Once people see how confident you are, they wouldn't even care about the video like they'd do if they knew you were disturbed about it." Halle smiled.

"Hm... That's not a bad idea. I guess I could do that." Caren giggled.

"That's the spirit." Halle rubbed her on her right shoulder.

"Well that doesn't take away the fact that I still feel a little bit sad about the whole thing." She sighed.

"Well If you're feeling down, you can always call Mr. CEO to cheer you up you know." Halle laughed.

"Girl what?!" She chuckled. "What makes you think Calvin has what it takes to cheer me up?"

"Well, I know he's head over hills for you so I'm pretty sure he'll be willing to do anything within his power to make you feel good again."

"Oh please!" She rolled her eyes.

"Caren, I'm serious! Why don't you give him a chance now that you're single?"

"Because, I don't feel anything towards him. I mean he's a great guy and all but the truth is, there's absolutely no connection between us, no spark!"

"Then go ahead and create one, Caren! Have you seen how fine that man is?"

"Yes I have, but that's about it. Half the time I'm thinking of what to say to him in order to keep our conversations alive. There's absolutely no flow."

"Okay so he's not one to talk too much, big deal. Just tell him to be more vocal!"

"You know that's not how it works Halle. That's the way he is and he doesn't have to change because of me. It's so obvious that the chemistry is just not there. Pair him up with someone that's actually meant for him, and you'll see that he'll act like a completely different person."

"Some people just need time. If you give him some time to open up to you, you'll be surprised how different he'll act. Some people just need more time. Anyway, regardless of whether you guys are meant for each other or not, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to know you're single again."

"And who's going to tell him?" Caren asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You of course! Before anything, he's your old time friend. He deserves to know."

"Yes, but this is my personal life and I would like it to remain that way... Personal! Not everyone who is my old time friend deserves to know everything."

"He's not just any friend. He's someone who really loves and cares about you. If Miles had proposed to you, wouldn't you have told him?"

"I guess I would." Caren's eyes dropped to the ground.

"Then if he deserves to know the good news, he also deserves to know the bad news. That's my opinion anyway." Halle shrugged.

"That's true! Ugh, I hate it when you lead me in the right direction." Caren chuckled.

"Better love it because you're stuck with me for life." Halle laughed.

"Ugh, can't believe we've been talking for so long, we actually forgot to get coffee." Caren shook her head.

"I know right? Come on let's go get it." They both stood up and went to place their order.

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