Tina had been staying at Edward's house for nearly a month. During that time, she had refused to take Cherry's calls or reply to any of her messages. Every time her phone lit up with Cherry's name, she would stare at it for a few seconds before putting it away.
She lay on the bed, dressed in a white lingerie, staring blankly at the ceiling. The room was quiet except for the soft sound of Edward moving around in the wardrobe. A few moments later, he walked out and joined her on the bed.
He wrapped an arm around her and leaned closer, inhaling the scent of her perfume.
"You smell so nice," he whispered.
"I know," she replied confidently, a small smile forming on her lips.
She shifted closer and sat facing him. He placed his hands gently on her hips and pulled her closer. They kissed, lost in the moment, until her phone beeped on the bedside table.
Edward glanced at it. Cherry's name appeared on the screen.
"When do you intend on replying to her?" he asked, still holding her close.
"When I'm ready," Tina answered.
Edward looked at her for a moment, noticing the stubbornness in her eyes. He knew Cherry meant a lot to her, but he also understood that Tina was still hurt.
He didn't push further. He made his way under the duvet. She felt him pulloff her underwear and began to lick her pussy. She moaned when he got to her clit and then she reached for the bedside lamp and turned it off, allowing the room to fall into darkness.
***
Cherry lay on her bed, crying quietly. She wore a red night dress, and the dim room light cast a soft glow around her. She picked up her phone again, hoping that maybe this time there would be a reply from Tina.
Nothing.
Her heart sank.
The master's program was starting in a week, and she didn't want to go without her best friend. She didn't want to meet new people or pretend everything was fine. She only wanted Tina.
Another message came into her phone. She looked at the screen and saw that it was Frank.
He was apologizing again for what happened.
She stared at the message for a long time before locking her phone and placing it beside her.
She ignored him once again.
They were both paying for their mistakes.
She had hurt Tina, and Frank had hurt her.
The next morning, Cherry was still thinking about everything when her doorbell rang. She walked downstairs and opened the door.
Frank stood there.
He was dressed in a dark blue suit and matching trousers. His black shoes were polished, and somehow he looked even more handsome than the last time he had visited.
Since the incident, he had come almost every day, but there were many times she refused to let him in. Today, he stood there silently, hoping she would finally give him a chance.
Cherry studied him for a moment before stepping aside.
He entered the living room and sat down. She sat opposite him, crossing her thighs together so he wouldn't see through the short jean skirt she was wearing.
"I…" Frank began.
But Cherry interrupted him.
"Whatever you have to say, it should be quick," she said.
Frank sighed and looked at her.
"I'm truly sorry about how I acted, Cherry. I didn't mean to hurt you or upset you. I know I handled things badly, and I don't expect you to forget it immediately. I just want to know how I can show you that I'm sorry."
Cherry stayed silent for a while, watching him.
"It's okay," she finally said. "I forgive you."
His face immediately softened with relief.
"Thank you so much, Cherry," he said.
He moved closer and went down on one knee in front of her. He gently held her hand before standing again and sitting back down.
"And I accept your proposal," she added.
Frank looked surprised.
"I thought about it while I was avoiding you," she continued. "I love you too, and I'll be your girlfriend."
A small smile appeared on his face.
But deep down, Cherry wasn't completely sure why she had agreed.
Yes, she loved him. But she wasn't certain she loved him enough to think about marriage yet. There were still so many things she wanted to do with her life.
She wanted her career.
She wanted to return to Atlanta.
She wanted to take care of her mother and her stepsister.
Things Tina never knew about.
***
Tina was now living in her new apartment in New Jersey. She had started her master's degree program at New Jersey City University, just like she and Cherry had planned.
The only difference was that they were no longer speaking.
She could have easily driven from Edward's house to school whenever she had classes and Edward had encouraged her to do so, but she refused.
She needed space.
She needed her own life.
The apartment had two bedrooms, and she had just finished furnishing it. The walls were painted a soft light purple, and the living room connected beautifully with the kitchen. A kitchen bar separated the two spaces, giving the apartment a modern and cozy feeling.
Tina sat on one of the couches in the living room, wearing a red floral dress. She looked around the apartment quietly, taking in everything she had built for herself.
For the first time in a while, she felt like she had a place that was truly hers.
The doorbell rang.
She stood up and walked toward the door. When she opened it, she saw a pizza delivery guy standing there with her order.
"Thank you," she said, taking the box from him.
She closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, unaware that her life was about to change again.