If you're going to regret hurting her, why do it in the first place?

ALICE

I stand tiptoeing behind the curtains. Wary of Michael mumbling to himself inside. I should have known he’d become a monologue sabbatical when he’s devastated.

“I’m sorry...Katherine,” he whispered wistfully I can hear his voice cracking in his throat.

This is getting out of hand. I was wrong about him. From the start. Who wouldn’t? When he’s such a great actor playing the egoistical jackass stunt, he fooled all of us into thinking he’s like that.

Which, for the record, he is, no doubt about that. But I was fooled too. Now I’m totally blown. My instinct kicking in, this is a type of business I should not get involved with.

I slip my head at the side of the curtain and peered. He’s still there. Sliding down, hunching over, he wraps himself in a fetal position. Mumbling to himself, tugging at his hair, pounding his fists on the floor.

If you’re going to regret hurting her, why do it in the first place?

I sighed. Guess I have no choice. Sooner I tie their knots together, the better. I tugged on the sliding glass door and set it aside. He heard me.

Apparently, I scared him away. He crashed on his butt against the floor and skidded on the other side. Eyeing me with bulging eyes. More than shocked, I can say he’s horrified to see me.

“W-what are you doing here?” he scrambled on his feet. I ignore him. I head towards the kitchen and opened their fridge to look for any cold drinks. Preferably chocolate, but I’m not in my house so I can’t be picky.

He goes after me. I can hear his disoriented footsteps on the other side of this room.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” I took out the bottle of strawberry drink. Not a fan of fruity drinks, but my throat is clawing with thirst, so this will do.

“Alice, why are you here?” I closed the fridge and turned my attention to cooking pots.

“Hey, don’t ignore me.” I cast my eyes just in time to see him glaring at me.

“No need to repeat yourself horsed-faced. I ignored you just fine the first time.” I said and mimed a smile. He growled.

“I don’t have time to deal with your smart mouth, okay?. Tell me, what are you doing here, exactly?” I strode towards him.

“Well, for starters, I wanna see that old lady with white frosting make-up. Exact my revenge you know, I still can’t get over the fact she called me ‘dumb f*cking blind’ back at the cafe.” Don’t believe me. This is a big fat lie I thought on the spot.

“I figured I’ll see her around you. So I followed you in the clubhouse and took the liberty to watch you on stage - believe me, I think I lose one of my eardrums hearing you sing.” This is partly true. He gets out of my way to let me pass through. I slip through the kitchen door and went back to the living room. With him on my heels.

“I sing well,” he said in defense.

“Says who?”

“My fans, duh.” he rolled his eyes.

“Better check what they admire. It’s either your voice or your face. I’m quite sure it’s the latter.” I said and jugged on my strawberry drink.

“You don’t know that. Anyway, you haven’t answered my question yet. What are you doing here?” With the bottle in my mouth, I raised my index finger at him.

“I’m getting to that part. Wait.” With one last gulp, I exhaled. Totally refreshed and quenched. I settled myself back on the sofa where he pathetically slammed his butt earlier. He took a seat opposite me. With a creased forehead, he clasped his fingers together and rest them on his knees. I put down the plastic bottle and start talking.

“I was sitting at the counter when this pony lady approached me -“

“Pony lady?” I gave my hand a dismissive wave.

“She was pretty, haven’t seen her before and she keeps talking about you. Her mouth’s literally flowing with praises, so I figured she’s just one of your fans. But then she said something. Something really curious.” I squinted my eyes on him. He shifted on his seat.

“Like what?”

“She said ‘Are you staying over tonight? If you are, I don’t mind sleeping outside so you could do your thing.” I mimicked. Letting my voice rise in a sing sang tone. Just like how Katherine talks. Looks like he recognize who I’m referring to. He fiddled between his fingers while averting his eyes. Pretending to pinch his nose just to cover the flush creeping at his cheeks.

“It’s so unexpected on my part that my mind actually stops processing for a minute. Especially when she told me you have been living together for a month and you refuse to touch her? I mean, are you freaking serious?!” I exclaimed. Half spreading both my hands to my side.

“Who could have thought the greatest self-proclaimed casanova who swore he will bang every girl he swept off, won’t even lay his hands on a single woman who’s ready to spread her virgin legs at his disposal?!”

“Just stop -“

“Why? They said virgins are good. Tighter than professional strippers even. Like a fruity cherry you first get to pop. Don’t you want that?” I snickered. His mouth set in a hard line. His grip tightens on his clasp hands. I can see his veins popping out from his tanned skin arms.

“She’s willing to give you everything. This room, her money, even her own body.” I paused and lean closer.

“She can be a whore if you want her to.” I let the words savor deliciously in my lips. Which makes him angrier than before. I cast him my taunting eyes. Daring him to fight. Indulging in his pride. He’s starting to lose it.

I can tell by how much patches of black his string turns into. The more I stare him down, the more his face reddened. I don’t need to touch the string to know the agonizing fury he’s battling inside.

“Just f*cking shut up Alice! You obviously don’t know her. So don’t you dare call Kath a whore!” He yelled and slammed his fist on the table. Breathing so quickly his shoulders rise and fall as he swallowed more air in his flaring nostrils. The green and violet veins are popping out on his neck so vividly I’m afraid it might burst at any minute now.

“I didn’t say she was. I’m making a point of what she’s willing to do. For you. She gladly pushed her doubts away when she helped you stand on your own feet. She pulled you up when you’re at the edge of breaking down. She stayed with you when you needed someone to pick up all your scattered pieces. She accepted you with wide arms when you have no one left by your side. I bet she’s the only living person in this world who saw your ugly asshole side but is still willing to love you with all her heart. Never asking anything in return.”

“But what did you do? How did you repay her? By betrayal? Horse-faced, she thought you love her too."