Let's Elope

TIFFANY

My head was banging so loud, I could hear it in my ears.

I don't know where I am or what I was doing, all I know is that I was laying down on a soft bed that doesn't feel or smell like mine.

And I didn't want to get up. Not yet. I don't want to open my eyes till I remember how I ended up here.

What did I do? Where did I go ? What has happened?

My brain was completely blank like a sheet of paper, I couldn't piece out any memory but my heart ached for no reason.

“I know you're awake, how long are you going to continue pretending?" That familiar voice rang in my ears.

When did she get here? I thought I'd never hear her talk to me with such softness again.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Stephanie sitting down on the bed beside me while I lay on my chest.

"How did you get he-” I asked, my throat ached so bad, I had to stop speaking.

“Now, you're facing the consequences? I expected you to wake up in tears but you even had the guts to pretend to sleep,” Steph said as she turned to face me completely.

Slowly, I sat up and rested my back on the pillow behind me, small groans making their ways out of my lips.

My head ached so bad, I had to close my eyes for a while before I opened them again just to settle the throbbing pain in my skull.

“What happened?" I asked, staring into her eyes.

Why should I wake up in tears? I didn't do anything.

“Tell me, how did a man suddenly enter the room with you?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

Steph's expression was so serious, I almost laughed just to ease the tension in the room. “What man? Steph, stop joking," I waved my hand in dismissal.

I expected her to laugh and say she was just pulling my legs as always, but I waited and Steph didn't move an inch.

“Don't play dumb with me right now, Tiff, you slept with a stranger!" She quipped angrily and I flinched before I could even process her words.

Like a rushing wave, several pictures crashed into my head in a minute. I closed my eyes immediately, a sharp "tsk” sound escaped my lips.

My head throbbed with pain as the images kept rushing in and my memories started to fill in their gaps.

The marriage arrangement, the breakup, Ethan, the bar and how I somehow entered a man's room and slept with him.

I jumped on the bed instantly, my eyes widened with horror as I looked at Steph, whose arms were still crossed over her chest, waiting for me to explain myself.

"I remembered that I called you… Y-you told me to go to that room. So how did I-” I couldn't finish my words, my voice trembled, and my body began to shake.

My palm became wet with sweat, I rubbed them together but it was no use. "Say something, Steph!”

"What do you want me to say? That room belongs exclusively to the Vance family. If you didn't allow that man inside, how would he be able to sleep with you?" Steph asked, her tone felt so harsh.

She was accusing me as if I was even in my right mind last night.

“Did you see his face when you came? I didn't allow anyone in. I went to that room and a man was already inside, he must be a part of your family, only your family has the right to enter that room,” I moved closer to her and grabbed her hand.

Desperation was so evident in my voice, I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat before I asked, “Was it your stepbrother?"

Immediately, she yanked my hand away. I knew that was going to be her reaction before I even asked.

I had refused to marry her stepbrother anyway.

Steph was silent for a while, she didn't burst forward and yell at me as I expected. She kept staring into my eyes, her eyeballs twitched as if she had something to say but didn't know if she should.

“Steph, answer me. Was it Oscar?" I asked again when I couldn't bear the suspense.

Whoever he was, I had to make sure he kept quiet. I couldn't let one stupid night ruin everything I'd worked so hard to protect.

I still have to get Ethan back, I can't allow anyone to ruin that for me.

“It wasn't my stepbrother, I saw the man's face, he's not a part of my family at all,” She finally answered, her voice was unusually calm as if she had come to a conclusion in her mind and finally decided to tell me.

Was she lying? She didn't react the way she normally did anytime I triggered her.

But why would she lie? Didn't she want me to marry Oscar before? That was the reason why we had an argument yesterday.

“Steph, are you lying to me right now?" I asked, I shouldn't be playing detective in my mind when she's right in front of me.

She stood up from the bed, her expression went from neutral to livid in a second.

“Are you seriously accusing me of lying? Tiffany, what exactly is wrong with you? We've been friends for five years and you still don't trust me? You think I'm as selfish as you and I'll hide it if it's someone from my family?" She seethed angrily.

“You didn't want to marry my brother anyway, why do you want it to be him desperately?" She asked, her voice pitched higher.

That's true. I didn't want to marry Oscar anyway, I should even be glad that it wasn't anyone out of her family.

"I'm sorry, Steph. I've been going through a lot lately and you know it too, I'm sorry for the way I've been acting toward you. I didn't mistrust you or anything, my mind is in chaos right now, a lot has changed in my life in just two days," I moved closer to her.

Her expression softened a little bit and she finally allowed me to touch her. I placed my arm over her shoulder as we took a seat on the bed again.

“Ethan broke up with me, did you know? I've not even had the time to process the breakup yet," I said as I rested my chin on her shoulder.

She turned her head to me slightly, "Are you for real right now? He has been your entire universe for the past three years and it's ended like that? Have you tried calling him?”

"I did and I even-” I haven't finished my words when my phone rang on the nightstand by the bed.

I didn't feel the urge to pick it up because who else could be calling me if not Grandpa? I'm not ready to deal with the family drama this morning, so I closed my eyes instead.

"You might wanna pick up, it's your supposed ex-boyfriend,” Steph said and I immediately opened my eyes.

She handed the phone to me, Ethan's name came into view and my entire body lost motion.

He's calling me!

"Hello?” I said as soon as I slid green, earnestly waiting for the reason why he called me.

Please let's get back together, I can't do without you.

“Tiffany?” He called, as if he wanted to be sure that I'm really the one speaking.

Please let him say it. Let him say he wants me back.

"Babe, I'm here,” I answered.

"I thought about everything last night and I don't think I'm ready to give up on us yet,” he paused, and my breath stayed caught in my throat. I was screaming in my mind.

He wanted me back!

"Your grandpa's not going to give up on your marriage with Oscar so I'm daring to ask you for something bold right now and if you truly love me, I think you should agree," He continued.

“What is it that you want me to do? I'll do anything just to remain by your side, babe," I said, the eagerness in my voice could not be hidden.

I was literally tapping my feet on the ground and a wide grin spread across my cheeks. Stephanie kept giving me side eyes as she also waited for whatever it was that Ethan wanted to say.

"Tiffany, let's elope,” He uttered and every color drained from my face immediately.

Steph gasped.