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 She froze at a spot, training her eyes on the door. She ran back to the door, her heart raced wildly. She pounded her fist hard on the door. She was breathing heavily.

“Hey Honey, Get the door!" A lady trilled from the house.

 Her ears twitched. Her fist remained on the door without moving. She could hear her heart beating so loudly. Her ears rang sharply.

  The door clicked. She stumbled backwards. The door was pulled open from the other side. She held her breath.

“Hey," Jerome appeared from the other end, surprise coloured his face. His fingers slowly uncurled from the door.

     Kensington stared wide eyes. She didn't dare blink.

“Come in..” while he was still talking, a lady wearing just her underwear stepped up next to him

 With a scowl, she sized Kensington up and turned to Jerome, "Who is she, Jer?” 

 Jerome swallowed hard and rubbed his hands on his cargo pants, "A friend.”

  A short chuckle tore out of Kensington's lips, "Jer?” She said with her lips stretched in a grin.

"Wow,” She exhaled and placed her hands over her chest, "Is this what it is now?”

  Jerome exchanged glances with the lady and then turned to Kensington. He held her waist and kissed her forehead, "I'll be with in a minute.”

  "Okay,” She giggled and gave Kensington a deep frown, "Don't spend much time out here.” She shook her waist gingerly and returned to the room.

"Ken…" 

 She raised her palm before his face. She bit the insides of her cheek, pressed her lips firmly.

  “How can you?" Her voice broke in tears.

“It is not what you think, Kensington." 

“Then what? Oh, she was rubbing your back…” 

"It isn't actually what you think.”

"I despise you, Jerome. I can't believe I had loved you,” She said with disdain in her voice.

 A deep scowl etched on her face, "You are despicable.”

  Jerome broke into a short snort, he dug his hands into his pockets and squared his shoulders, "You are so naive, girl,” he had a casual grin on his face.

“I didn't want you to find out this way. But, you did. And it's not my freaking fault.”

  Her heart shattered. It broke apart. Her hands slid down her bag.

"Y… you?" 

“Yes. You have been a good girl. I love you," He blew her kisses.

“Kiss your ass. I hate you," She snapped , turned around and lurched out of the place.

 She ordered a ride back to her house. When she got back home, Sander was back from work. She sat on the floor.

 Just like a flash, the memories of all that happened flashed through her. Her shoulders trembled, she palmed her face and slowly broke down in tears.

   She soaked herself in tears. He didn't even show an iota of remorse. He acted like all was fine.

    She couldn't believe it. The pain seared through her chest causing more tears to revolt from her eyes.

   “I HATE YOU JEROME!!!" She yelled at the top of her voice and smashed her phone against the wall.

      Her voice rose high in a heart wrenching sob. Her eyes filled with tears and her face was tear stained.

>>> Three weeks later

  Kensington was back to her cheery self although she still carried the scar of heartbreak. She shut herself away from the outer world for two weeks.

 “Hey girl," Sander sauntered out of the bathroom. Kensington was just rising from the bed. She yawned a reply and stretched slightly.

  “What are you doing today?" Sander asked and picked a body lotion. She applied it on her face, neck, elbow and thigh.

“Nothing much. I will stay in here and find some vacancies online,” Kensington replied soberly and dragged herself into the bathroom.

 Sander sighed softly and shook her head. Countless times, she had tried to pull Kensington out of her misery but she wasn't bulging.

  "Kenzie, Why don't we step out today?” Sander suggested when she returned from the bathroom.

 Kensington froze, her eyes trained on her face. Her heart skipped a beat. She was afraid, broken and wounded. She wouldn't want to step out now.

“No, I'm fine. I'll be fine,” She mumbled the last part and turned her back against Sander.

 Sander heaved heavily and pulled out a short and a shirt.

"I am free for today, Kenzie. I'm totally free. We could do something fun today,” She said, rolling her shoulders in a shrug.

"Maybe go to the mall or the gym or even visit the park.”

  As much as Kensington would love to do all that, she wasn't in the mood for it. She wasn't ready to step out.

"Sander, I'm serious. I am fine here.” Kensington said with a bit of sarcasm in her tone.

   Sander finished wearing her clothes and sat on the bed.

"I will always be here,” She turned her phone on and began to browse through it.

 Kensington heaved, picked a towel and returned to the bathroom. Sander has been by her side all through the two weeks.

    She never discriminated nor hated her despite the lifestyle she followed. Kensington leaned against the tiled wall, her breath shuddered. The corner of her eyes squeezed together as she tried to fight back the waterworks threatening to pour down her eyes.

  All the while she thought she was loved but it was all a charade. Jerome never loved her, he only used her as a puppet to get what he wanted. She hasn't even heard from him since that day.

  She turned the faucet on and let the cold water stream down her body. She began to wash herself gently.

 Memories of those disgusting nights where she was being touched by several men whose faces she never saw began to play through her head. The more she thought of it, the more she washed herself very hard. The taut sponge scrubbed against her skin till it turned red. 

  Tears poured down her face mingling with the water. She fucking hates herself now. She hates herself for letting herself be played.

  She laid her forehead on the tiled wall as she broke down in tears. Sander heard her voice from the room, her heart shattered.

  Her only friend was broken and hurt and she could do nothing about it.

  Ever since Kensington lost both her parents, Sander took the place of her father, mother and sister. Kensington has no one but Sander. No one was coming for her. No one was coming to save her but Sander. Now, Sander feels like her hands are tied.

 She needed to do something to salvage the moment and save her from drowning in hurt and pain.

  Then, a rapt knock rang on the door. She rose to her feet to get the door. She pulled the door open and to her greatest surprise it was Jerome.