Vanessa's plan

Brian Tenara sat alone in his dimly lit apartment, the silence around him almost deafening. His phone lay beside him on the couch, screen dark, no new messages or calls. He glanced at it repeatedly, hoping, praying for a message from Marie — or rather, Monica now, ever since she had reconnected with her father, Rafael. She had changed so much in such a short time. Their once warm and constant communication had dwindled to sporadic exchanges. She was always busy, always somewhere else, both physically and emotionally.

He picked up his phone, stared at it for a moment, and sighed deeply. "I just don't understand," he muttered to himself, running his hand through his tousled hair. "We used to be close, and now… she's always with her family."

The weight of her absence pressed on his chest like a heavy stone. He had tried to keep busy, to distract himself with work and friends, but nothing filled the void she had left. His once vibrant energy had dulled, and the ever-present gloom began to settle deep within him.

As he sank further into his thoughts, the sharp ring of his phone startled him. A quick flicker of hope flashed across his face, only to vanish when he saw the caller ID.

Vanessa Castellano.

She had been trying to reach out more lately, offering her company, suggesting they hang out. At first, he hadn't paid much attention, but recently, with Monica being so distant, he had begun to answer her calls. Vanessa was always there, quick to remind him that she was available when Monica wasn't.

"Brian," came Vanessa's smooth, honeyed voice from the other end of the line. "You home?"

"Yeah," he replied, a hint of reluctance in his voice.

"Mind if I swing by? We could grab a drink. Talk things out, maybe?" she suggested casually, but there was something in her tone—an unspoken undercurrent that made Brian hesitate.

"Uh, I don't know, Vanessa. I'm not really in the mood."

"Come on, it'll be good for you to get out of your head. You've been cooped up for too long, and we're friends, right? I'm just here to help." Her voice was soothing, yet persuasive, like the lure of a warm flame in the cold.

Brian hesitated, but loneliness gnawed at him. "Alright," he said after a pause. "But just for a little bit."

"Great!" Vanessa chirped. "I'll be there in twenty."

Twenty minutes later, Vanessa knocked on Brian's door, and he opened it to find her standing there, looking as put together as ever. Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, her eyes bright with a mischievous glint. She wore a tight-fitting black dress that accentuated her curves, a little more than necessary for a casual visit, but Brian chose not to overthink it.

"Hey, Brian," she said with a warm smile, stepping into his apartment. Her heels clicked lightly on the floor as she walked past him, her perfume lingering in the air.

Brian closed the door and offered a half-hearted smile. "Hey."

Vanessa made herself comfortable, sitting on the couch and crossing her legs. "You look terrible," she teased gently, patting the seat beside her. "Come, sit. Let's talk."

He sighed and sat down, sinking into the cushions. "Yeah, I've been better."

"I can tell," she said, her voice soft, but her eyes sharp as they locked onto him. "You miss her, don't you?"

Brian didn't need to ask who she meant. "Yeah, I do. But it's like she's not the same person anymore. Ever since she became Monica, it's like I don't know her."

Vanessa nodded, her gaze sympathetic. "I get it. It's hard when someone you care about changes, especially when they start prioritizing other things over you."

Brian clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "I don't even know if she has time for me anymore. She's always busy with her family, with… everything. It's like I've been pushed to the side."

Vanessa's eyes softened as she reached out and gently placed her hand on his. "You deserve better, Brian. You deserve someone who's going to appreciate you, who's going to be there for you when you need them."

Her words sank into his mind like poison, weaving doubt and frustration through his thoughts. Brian looked down at her hand on his, the warmth of her touch pulling him from the pit of despair but leading him somewhere far darker.

"I don't know what to do anymore," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Vanessa slid closer to him on the couch, her body brushing against his. "You don't have to feel this way," she whispered, her breath hot against his ear. "You don't have to be alone."

Brian froze, his pulse quickening as he became acutely aware of her proximity. Her lips were inches from his, her hand now resting on his thigh. His mind screamed at him to stop, to pull away, but the overwhelming sense of loneliness clouded his judgment. He felt the weight of his despair, and in that moment, Vanessa seemed like the only person offering him solace.

"Vanessa..." Brian's voice wavered, torn between guilt and temptation.

She leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his earlobe. "It's okay, Brian. I'm here for you," she murmured, her hand sliding further up his thigh. "You don't have to feel guilty."

His breath hitched as Vanessa's lips grazed the corner of his mouth, her fingers now gently caressing his neck. The darkness that had been festering inside him found an outlet in her touch. His body moved on instinct, fueled by a mixture of need and confusion.

Before he could fully process what was happening, Vanessa closed the distance between them, her lips pressing firmly against his. Brian's resolve shattered in that moment. He kissed her back, all the pent-up frustration and loneliness pouring out as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer.

Vanessa smirked against his lips, knowing she had won. She had lured him into her den, and now, she had him.

Hours later, Brian lay in bed, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Vanessa rested beside him, her bare skin glowing softly in the low light of the room. He stared at the ceiling, guilt beginning to seep into his bones.

"What have I done?" he whispered to himself.

Vanessa, sensing his unrest, propped herself up on one elbow and traced her fingers along his chest. "Don't overthink it, Brian," she said in a soothing tone. "You needed this. You needed someone to be there for you."

But Brian's thoughts were already spiraling. He had betrayed Monica — the woman he still loved, even if she had become distant. His heart ached with regret, but the damage had already been done.

----

The next morning, Brian woke up in his bed, a heavy weight pressing down on his chest. Vanessa had left hours ago, leaving only the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air. He dragged himself to the shower, hoping the water could wash away the guilt that clung to him. But no matter how much he scrubbed, the feeling wouldn't go away. His mind was clouded with regret, and the reality of what he had done settled in like a dull ache.

He dressed mechanically, slipping into his usual work clothes. Today was different, though. Monica—the woman he loved—was coming into the office. It had been weeks since they had last spent any meaningful time together, and he had been clinging to this moment, hoping to reconnect. But now, the very thought of facing her made his stomach churn.

By the time he arrived at the office, Monica was already there, sitting at her desk, typing away on her laptop. She looked up as Brian entered, her eyes lighting up with warmth that made his heart clench.

"Hey, Brian!" Monica smiled, her voice as soft and sweet as always.

Brian swallowed hard and forced a smile, trying to act normal. "Hey, Monica. How are you?" His voice sounded strained to his own ears, and he cursed himself internally for being so obvious.

Monica didn't seem to notice. "Busy as always," she said with a laugh, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I'm glad we finally have some time to catch up."

"Yeah," Brian replied, feeling a lump forming in his throat. "I've missed you."

Her smile faltered slightly, her eyes flickering with a hint of guilt. "I'm sorry I've been so distant lately. Things have just been… complicated with my family and all the changes." She sighed, looking away for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "But today, I'm all yours. Let's go out, have a fun day like we used to. No stress, no worries."

Brian's heart twisted. This was the moment he had been waiting for, but it was all tainted now. He nodded, trying to push the guilt down. "Yeah, that sounds great."

They left the office together, walking side by side as they headed to the mall. Brian tried to focus on the moment, on being with Monica, but the weight of his betrayal hung over him like a dark cloud. Monica, unaware of the storm brewing inside him, chatted happily about her plans, her voice a soothing melody that should have brought him comfort. Instead, it only deepened his guilt.

As they walked through the mall, window shopping and laughing about little things, Brian began to relax just a little. For a brief moment, he almost felt normal again. That was, until they rounded a corner and came face-to-face with Vanessa.

Vanessa was standing outside a boutique, a wicked smirk playing on her lips the moment she spotted them. Her eyes flickered between Brian and Monica, and Brian's stomach dropped. He knew that look. She wasn't going to let this go.

"Well, well, well," Vanessa said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "If it isn't Brian and Monica. What a lovely surprise."

Monica smiled politely, though there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Hey, Vanessa. Nice to see you."

Vanessa tilted her head slightly, her gaze locking onto Brian's, a hint of something dangerous glinting in her eyes. "Oh, it's nice to see you both. Brian and I had quite the... interesting time last night." She let the words hang in the air, her smirk widening as she saw Brian's face go pale.

Monica blinked, her smile faltering as she looked between them. "What do you mean?" she asked, her tone confused but laced with suspicion.

Brian's heart raced. "Vanessa, stop," he said quietly, his voice shaking.

But Vanessa ignored him, her eyes never leaving Monica. "I just think it's important to be honest with each other, don't you? Brian and I… well, let's just say, we got a little closer than usual."

Monica's eyes widened as the implication of Vanessa's words sunk in. She turned to Brian, her face a mixture of shock and hurt. "Brian... what is she talking about?"

Brian opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. His mind was screaming at him to deny it, to lie, to salvage what he could, but he couldn't. The guilt was too much. His silence only confirmed the worst.

Monica took a step back, her eyes filling with tears. "Brian... tell me this isn't true."

He swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "Monica, I'm so sorry. I—"

"How could you?" Monica's voice cracked, the pain in her words cutting through him like a knife. "After everything, after all we've been through?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, and Brian reached out, desperate to fix the mess he had made. "Monica, please—"

But she shook her head, stepping back again. "Don't," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Don't touch me."

The hurt in her eyes was unbearable, and Brian felt like the ground had been ripped out from under him. He had lost her, and it was all his fault.

Vanessa, satisfied with the damage she had caused, gave them both a mocking smile. "Well, I'll leave you two to... sort this out. Take care, Brian." With a flick of her hair, she walked away, leaving Brian and Monica standing in the middle of the mall, their world crashing down around them.

Monica wiped her eyes, turning away from him. "I can't do this, Brian. I can't believe you did this to me." Her voice was barely audible, filled with pain.

"Monica, please," Brian begged, his own eyes stinging with tears. "It was a mistake. I was... I was lost without you."

"That doesn't excuse it!" she snapped, her voice rising with anger now. "I trusted you! I—" Her voice broke again, and she shook her head, unable to continue.

Without another word, Monica turned and walked away, leaving Brian standing there, his heart shattered, knowing he had just lost the one person he truly cared about.

---

### Chapter: **A Brother's Support**

Monica's hands trembled as she fumbled with her phone. The mall's bustling noise felt like a distant hum in her ears, drowned out by the overwhelming whirlwind of emotions crashing through her. She tried to steady herself, to breathe, but the betrayal from Brian, the man she had trusted, burned deep.

She dialed Ryoma's number with shaky fingers. Her brother had always been the one to turn to when things got rough, the rock in her life. As the phone rang, Monica wiped her tear-streaked face, attempting to compose herself. But when she heard Ryoma's familiar voice on the other end, the dam of her emotions broke.

"Monica? Hey, what's up? You sound—"

"Ryoma, I... I need to talk to you." Her voice cracked as she tried to hold back the flood of tears. "Can you meet me at the park near the mall? I... I can't do this over the phone."

There was a pause, and she could hear the concern in his voice. "Of course. I'll be there in ten minutes. Stay where you are."

Monica ended the call and made her way to the park, her heart still pounding from the confrontation with Vanessa. The weight of Brian's betrayal felt unbearable, and she needed her brother now more than ever.

Ten minutes felt like an eternity, but eventually, she spotted Ryoma jogging toward her, his face a mix of concern and determination. As soon as he saw her, he quickened his pace, reaching her in no time.

"Monica," he said, breathing heavily, "what happened?"

Monica looked up at him, her eyes still red from crying. Without a word, she collapsed into his arms, the tears finally spilling over again. Ryoma held her tightly, his arms strong and comforting, as if shielding her from the pain she was feeling. He didn't ask questions, didn't push her to talk right away. He just held her, letting her cry against his chest.

After what felt like forever, Monica finally pulled back, wiping at her face with her sleeve. "It's Brian," she choked out. "He... he cheated on me. With Vanessa."

Ryoma's expression darkened immediately. His jaw clenched, and he took a step back, running a hand through his hair. "That son of a—"

Monica grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Ryoma, please. I need to talk, not have you go and punch him."

Ryoma exhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down. He guided her to a nearby bench, sitting down beside her, his arm around her shoulders protectively. "Tell me everything."

Monica took a deep breath, recounting the events of the past few weeks—how she had been so busy with work and her family obligations, how distant she had been, and how Brian had grown frustrated. She explained the encounter with Vanessa at the mall and the sickening way she had revealed their affair.

Ryoma listened quietly, his face growing stormier with every word. When Monica finished, he clenched his fists, staring out at the park with a hard gaze.

"How could he do this to you?" Ryoma muttered through gritted teeth. "After everything? After knowing what you've been through?"

Monica shook her head, wiping away fresh tears. "I don't know, Ryoma. I thought he loved me. I thought... we were building something together. But now, I just feel so... broken."

Ryoma sighed deeply, turning to face her. His eyes softened as he looked at his sister, seeing the pain etched across her face. "Monica, listen to me. What he did... it has nothing to do with you. Brian's a coward. He didn't deserve you, and he sure as hell didn't deserve your love. You're stronger than this."

Monica's lip trembled, her hands twisting in her lap. "I just... I don't know what to do. I loved him, Ryoma. I really did."

Ryoma pulled her closer, resting his chin on top of her head. "I know you did. And it's okay to be hurt. It's okay to feel like this right now. But don't let him define your worth. You're stronger than any of this."

Monica nodded against him, taking in his words. She knew Ryoma was right, but the pain of the betrayal still felt like a wound that wouldn't heal. After a long silence, she finally pulled away, looking up at her brother with watery eyes.

"Thank you, Ryoma," she whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Ryoma smiled gently, brushing a tear from her cheek. "You'll never have to find out. I'm always here for you, no matter what."

Monica gave him a small, grateful smile. For the first time since that awful encounter with Vanessa, she felt a little bit lighter, as if some of the weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Ryoma stood up and offered her his hand. "Come on," he said, his voice lighter now. "Let's get out of here. I think you need a break from all this drama."

Monica looked up at him, her eyes still tired but filled with appreciation. "Where are we going?"

Ryoma grinned. "Anywhere but here. We'll figure it out. Maybe get some ice cream or just drive around. I don't care. You just need to clear your head."

Monica took his hand, allowing him to pull her up from the bench. "Okay. Let's go."

As they walked out of the park, Monica felt the knot in her chest loosen just a little. She still had so much to process, and the pain from Brian's betrayal would take time to heal. But with Ryoma by her side, she knew she'd get through it. She wasn't alone. And that made all the difference.