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“You okay?” He asks, looking worried.
I manage to smile softly at him. “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”
He doesn't look convinced. “You sure?”
“Yes,” I slowly stroke his damp hair with my fingers.
Then there is a knock at the door which throws me into a panic.
“Chris, are you in there?” It's Nala.
Oh my god.
“Shit!” He whispers an apology and jumps out of the bed. He quickly fishes for his clothes, messily putting them on.
The knocking gets more insistent. “Chris?”
“I'm coming,” he yells back with a groan of frustration.
I cover myself with the sheets, suddenly self-conscious. I sit up on the bed at a loss of what to do. Nala can't see me like this. She can't find out like this.
“Just stay in bed. I will distract her and take her away,” Chris promises. He messily tries to fix his hair but only ends up making it worse. He curses under his breath and walks to the door. He opens it slightly.
“I've been looking for you everywhere. What took you so long to answer me?” I hear Nala say.
“I just needed a breather.” He manages to walk out through the small opening.
It isn't until he closes the door behind him that I relax.
I have never been reckless in my life. I always planned ahead. I didn't see this coming, and I'm still recovering from the aftereffects of the sex.
I slowly get out of the bed and put on my dress and heels. I braid my hair just to curb its messiness.
I lean my ear against the door, but I can't hear anything. I wait a good ten minutes before I get the courage to exit the room.
Thankfully, the hallway is empty. I do my first walk of shame, making as little noise as possible as I descend the steps.
Most of the guests are wasted and lying recklessly around. I can't see Nala anywhere, which I am thankful for because I don't have a reasonable excuse for my absence.
But I can't leave without saying goodbye to her. As I near the kitchen, I hear Chris and Nala arguing in hushed voices.
It's rude to eavesdrop. I should turn around and leave. But Nala raised her voice a little bit, and her words kept me rooted in the spot. “You've got to stop this reckless lifestyle you are living,” she says.
“What reckless lifestyle? You talk as if I go around picking girls off the street and sleeping with them,” Chris replies.
“How is it any different from what you do? You don't commit to anyone. How long are you going to continue living like this? Jessica is already hurt because of you.”
“Stop it. Just stop it.” He sounds so pissed off and hurt. “I may not be a saint, but I don't go around breaking girls' hearts. Why is everyone blaming me for Jessica's pain? We both agreed to a no-strings-attached relationship. When she admitted her feelings, I had to stop it. I can't love her or anyone else.”
My heart sinks, and I lean against the wall.
“Do you want me to pursue a relationship with her when I don't love her?” he asks his sister.
“That's not what I'm driving at. I just want you to settle down. Mum and Dad won't be happy with this.”
He scoffs. “You can fulfill their dreams, but as far as I'm concerned, I'm not cut out for it.”
Unable to take it anymore, I rush out with only one destination in mind: my apartment.
