Episode 2: The Woman Who Appeared Out of Nowhere
He was trying to say something — something I couldn't quite catch—when this beautiful girl suddenly appeared, interrupting everything.
She just jumped on him out of nowhere. My chest tightened, and my heart sank as a wave of disbelief and frustration crashed over me. I froze for a moment, unable to move, unable to speak. I had no choice but to leave them unnoticed, hiding in the shadows of my own shock.
I had been planning to play it cool, just a little, before even telling him my name. A subtle tease, a hint of mystery that I had imagined perfectly in my head. And now… it was gone, completely ruined. The hunger that had been quietly gnawing at me vanished instantly. I had wanted to walk the streets aimlessly, enjoying the afternoon sun and letting my thoughts wander. Now, all I could feel was a sharp sting of frustration and disappointment. I just had to go home.
The walk back to my apartment was heavy with silence. I barely noticed the cars passing, the faint chatter of people on the street, or the hum of distant construction. Every step felt slower than the last, as if the pavement itself was resisting me. I just wanted to reach the apartment and shut the world out.
When I finally opened the door, Harvey looked up from the couch, concern flickering across her face. "Beth, where have you been?" she asked, her tone cautious, as if she could sense the storm raging inside me.
"Nowhere," I snapped, dropping my bag onto the floor and heading straight to the couch. I flopped down heavily, my hands balling into fists as I tried to contain my emotions. "I just decided to check out the street… but I'm so angry right now," I hissed, letting the frustration spill from my chest in a rush.
Harvey tilted her head, her brow knitting in worry. "What happened? Why are you so angry?" she asked, moving a little closer, her voice soft but insistent.
"You wouldn't understand," I muttered, brushing past her into my bedroom. The room felt smaller than usual, the walls closing in as my mind raced. I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. I traced the patterns of the tiles above me, counting them over and over, letting the repetitive motion occupy my thoughts. It was the only thing that offered me a semblance of control in the chaos of my emotions.
God, who was that woman? She had come from nowhere, thrown herself into a moment that had almost been mine, and acted as if she owned it. My jaw clenched involuntarily. Was she even aware he's taken? Couldn't she see that boundaries existed? That some things were not hers to claim?
What gave her the audacity? No one messed with me and got away with it.
"Harvey, please bring me something to eat," I called out, my voice tight with frustration. The apartment was unusually quiet, the soft hum of the refrigerator and the faint ticking of the clock amplifying the tension in my chest. I could still feel the sting of the intrusion, the way that girl had claimed a moment that had almost been mine, a moment I had waited for and imagined countless times.
Harvey shook her head slightly, clearly unsure whether to argue or comply, but she went to the kitchen anyway. The smell of toast and coffee later drifted through the apartment, but I barely noticed. My mind was still tangled in the memory of the girl, her confidence, the way she had intruded without a second thought.
Sunday came slowly, the sunlight streaming through the blinds in warm, golden shafts. I woke with determination. I had to see him again. That woman needed explaining, and if I didn't get answers, I knew I couldn't forgive him.
I dressed quickly, choosing a simple but confident outfit. I needed to feel capable, a small shield against the uncertainty and the frustration that simmered beneath my skin. Stepping outside, the crisp morning air hit my face, filling my lungs with a sharp, clean freshness. I started walking down the street where I had first seen him, each step deliberate, careful, and full of hope.
Every car horn, every crunch of tires on pavement, made me glance back instinctively. My eyes scanned every corner, every sidewalk, searching for a familiar figure. I imagined what I would say, how I would demand answers, the perfect balance of calm and assertiveness. Yet my heartbeat kept reminding me that I was nervous, that anticipation was a weight in my chest I couldn't ignore.
Days turned into weeks. The estate was large, the streets winding, filled with unfamiliar corners and quiet cul-de-sacs. Yet I refused to give up. I knew I would find him somewhere, someday. I always did.
By late afternoon, my feet carried me to the large restaurant near where we had first crossed paths. Perhaps luck would finally favor me today. The parking lot was full, the occasional hiss of brakes and low rumble of engines filling the air. I pushed through anyway, determined to reach the entrance, my resolve firm despite the anxiety simmering beneath the surface.
Then it happened. Someone barreled into me from the side. I stumbled, nearly losing my balance.
"Are you blind?!" I demanded, glaring at the stranger, my hands bracing against my knees as I steadied myself.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," a soft, pleading voice said. I looked up, and my eyes widened.
"You again!" I shouted, my jaw tightening as recognition struck me like a jolt.
"Me again? Do I know you, ma'am?" she asked, her expression a mixture of confusion and surprise.
"No, you don't," I replied sharply, folding my arms across my chest. "See the question? Answer it. What did you want from me? Are you not satisfied with what you did?"
"Excuse me? This is the first time we're meeting — I don't think we've ever met before," she said, confusion etched across her face.
Beth, calm down. My inner voice scolded me. You don't need to act immature. You haven't exchanged numbers — maybe she's harmless.
I exhaled sharply, letting my shoulders drop slightly. "Oh… my bad," I muttered, forcing myself to compose. I turned and walked away, still angry, still frustrated, but trying to contain my emotions. She just stared after me, blinking as though trying to understand who I was and why I reacted that way.
Why did you have to do that, Beth? I muttered under my breath. This was your only chance to meet him again. Instead of trying to make friends, you just fought with her. I lightly slapped my forehead, annoyed at my own temper and the way my thoughts kept circling the incident.
I continued crossing the street, trying to distract myself from the sting of humiliation and anger. That's when a big car pulled up beside me, the tires crunching on the asphalt.
"Who's this one now?" I muttered, watching the black vehicle come to a stop. Curiosity and caution warred inside me.
"Hey, beautiful," a voice called. I turned slowly, body tensing, wondering who could know my name.
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