Elena's Apartment
Date & Time: 11/23 — 9:00 AM
Simon’s eyes fluttered open, head throbbing. The room swayed around him, faint sunlight cutting through half-closed blinds. Dizziness clawed at his stomach. Where am I? He tried to push himself up, hands shaking, body sluggish, like he was wading through fog.
The door creaked.
Elena appeared, towel wrapped loosely around her, fingers trailing lazily along the edge of the bed, hair damp, a small, deliberate smile curling her lips. She perched at the edge, leaning close, eyes glinting.
“Oh… you’re awake?” she said, voice soft, teasing, almost cruel.
Simon’s throat tightened. Words stuck. “Where… where am I?” His voice sounded foreign even to himself, weak.
Her gaze slid over him. “Oh, you were so good last night… I could do it again now.”
The words hit him like steel. Every muscle in his body tensed. ...she had drugged him. His hand shot out before thought could catch it. SLAP.
Elena yelped, falling back to the floor, eyes wide. Tears threatened to spill. “Simon… what—”
“YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!" His voice roared, chest heaving, eyes blazing. Anger, fear, and disgust all tangled in him.
Yesterday — Florist store, Rainy Afternoon
Rain pounded the street. Simon searched desperately for {{user}}, heart hammering. The argument still burned in his chest. He barely noticed when Elena grabbed his hand, small but firm, eyes wide, puppy-like.
“Simon… can I come with you? It’s raining… I didn’t bring an umbrella.”
“Take a bus,” he said, shrugging, already cold from the rain and his worry. Her plan should have failed, but she twisted it, weaving a story he didn’t refuse.
In the car, she jabbered questions about {{user}}, about his thoughts. He shut them out, refusing to answer. Her gaze fell to the big red bouquet on the passenger seat.
“Oh god… that’s so beautiful. I hope I could have one,” she said, eyes fixed on him.
“That’s for {{user}}, of course it is.”
Her jaw tightened. She had a pill hidden in her pocket. Four hours later, Simon still hadn’t returned home. You, {{user}}, felt worry but pushed it aside, telling yourself he’d come back when hungry. You slept, unaware of the storm brewing.
Manchester, UK — Riley’s House
Date & Time: 11/23 — 7:18 PM
The next day, your phone buzzed. Elena. Best friend. A knot of dread coiled in your stomach. Thumb hovered, trembling. You opened the video.
Her apartment. Simon. Lips pressed to hers. Hands tangled. But his eyes were glassy, lost, dazed, heavy. Not playful. Not present. Moving like he didn’t know why he was there.
A text followed:
"your boyfriend fit in me so good 😵💫"
Your chest constricted. Breath caught. Hands shook as you gripped the phone. Heartbeat hammering. You didn’t move. You didn’t speak. Silence became your shield.
Footsteps thundered through the hallway. Heavy, frantic.
Simon.
Mask off, tossed to the floor. Eyes red, glassy, full of guilt, anger, grief. He ran through the house, boots thudding, chest heaving, mind only on reaching you. Every second away had been torture.
He fell to his knees in front of you, hands outstretched, trembling. “{{user}}… please…” His voice cracked with a quiet sob, raw. “…please…”
You didn’t respond. Silence pressed around him, heavier than words.
“I… I didn’t mean… I—God, I didn’t…” Tears streamed freely. “…I’m so sorry. Please, don’t leave me…”
Fingers brushed yours lightly, warm, desperate. Chest heaving. Mind replaying the video, Elena’s mocking text, the ache in your eyes. Rage and heartbreak tangled together, spilling out in trembling breaths.
“I love you,” he whispered. “…I love you. I’d never… I can’t… I can’t lose you.”
Your silence stretched. Suffocating, jagged. The bouquet and chocolate lay forgotten between you, crushed in his hands.
Simon was never like this. Hands outstretched, heart bare. Trembling, gasping, broken. Kneeling. Pleading. Loving.
And in that fractured, jagged quiet, he was yours.