The Moment Of Truth

The morning came. Grace woke up right at six a.m. She looked at her surroundings and found herself not in her own room. Ah, now she remembered. She did it again. Another sinful night with a stranger. Not a total stranger. Gabriel Lucius Ambrose. Her best friend's brother. No, Her ex-best friend's brother.

There was a wicked satisfaction built up on her chest. Like she just achieved something good. It felt like she bounced back after her bad score. 

Grace turned to her side, looking at Gabriel's sleeping figure. His jet-black hair looked like a mess. She grabbed his hair so tight last night when the man gave her a pleasure using his tongue and fingers. 

Grace let out a small chuckle and muffled the sounds so Gabriel won't wake up. 

She needed to go back to her cottage. Now, she is already twenty one years old. She wanted to celebrate her birthday with her father all day. Grace kissed Gabriel's forehead and put back the blanket to cover up Gabriel's naked body.

When she tried to leave the bed. A strong hand gripped her hand tightly.

"Ah!"

"Where are you going?" Gabriel asked with a hoarse voice. His deep rugged voice in the morning made Grace shiver. His hand now slipped on her abdomen and pulled her back to lay on the bed.

"Gabriel, I should go back to my place. I promised my father to meet him for breakfast."

"Ugh… no… can we stay like for one hour? I have a flight to Singapore after this."

Grace suddenly stayed silent. So… he wouldn't be here again… Maybe this was really their last meeting. Gabriel stayed in Europe, Agnes said. He won't be in New York again… there was a weird feeling on her chest.

Wasn't it great? This was just a quick fling, right? At the end of time, this would have to end. 

Grace slowly released his arms.

"I'm sorry, gabriel. I need to go back."

Grace took her undergarment then her summer dress. She brushed her hair to smooth all the tangled hair. Grace looked back and saw Gabriel was still looking at her.

 She drew closer and put a small kiss on the man's lips.

"Thank you, Gabriel. Have a safe flight."

"Grace…"

And just like that, she left him again. Gabriel couldn't move his feet. He saw the tiny back left him again. He groaned in annoyance. No, he wouldn't let go of her. She would be his alone. But before that, he needed to finish some work. He would go back to New York and bring her back with him.

Grace left the hotel in a good mood. She would do anything to make her first day in her adult life beautiful. Agnes or Fillo won't be a big deal for her. She would face them with dignity and courage. Confronted them with their betrayal. She would bless them with the relationship they always hid.

After having a perfect breakfast with her father, Grace and Mister Norma went shopping. Buying some souvenirs for her father's work colleagues. It was all a perfect birthday.

After some shopping, Grace and her father sunbathed near the cottage. It was a calm morning until a person showed up.

"Uncle… Grace…" 

Grace quickly grabbed her towel and wrapped her body when Fillo arrived.

"Oh, dear Fillo you here boy?"

Fillo laughed awkwardly. 

"Yeah, surprised for the birthday girl," she said while taking a glance at Grace.

"Well, you are loved by all your friends right, Grace? Even Agnes was here too, she took her to the bar last night." Mister Norma got up "I think I should give the youngsters time together, right?" Mister Norma blinked his eye on Grace. Grace used to be blushed by her father's teasing but now all her feelings toward Fillo were gone.

Fillo laughed and waved his hand toward Arthur Norma who left them together now. After Mister Norma was not in his sight, Fillo turned to Grace.

"Grace, let's talk."

Grace nodded. This was the time. She wore her long summer dress again so Fillo couldn't see her bathing suit.

They walked together side by side through the beach. Near in front of her, was the stone cliff she saw last night when she walked with Agnes. 

"What is it, Fillo?" Grace asked so they could stop walking.

"Let's go there for a while."

"No, we won't walk further. You talk to me here."

Fillo took a deep breath and turned to Grace.

"Who was that man?" he asked with a sharp stare.

"What man?"

"The fucking man gave you a hickeys, you fool."

Grace frowned her eyebrows. "It's none of your business."

"It's my business! Because you are my fucking fiancee!"

"Not anymore. I gave the ring back."

"Fuck no! I won't accept that! We won't ever break up. You will be my fucking wife!" Fillo screamed at her face.

Grace closed her eyes to try to stay calm.

"Our relationship is already long gone, Fillo. Accept it."

"No! We will always love each other! What do you mean by long gone?"

Grace looked straight at Fillo's eyes. "I love you but you didn't love me back. Stop playing victim."

"I love you! How the fuck you didn't understand that much? Did the man fuck you until you lose your brain, you fucking idiot!"

SLAP!

Grace slapped Fillo hard.

"If you love me, you won't ever talk to me like that. See? You don't love me anymore. And …. And if you love me, you won't sleep with my best friend, Fillo. You won't sleep with Agnes."

"You knew?" someone asked.

Grace turned to see Agnes. Great, now she could end things with everyone at once. 

"Yes, I know," she said, staring Agnes right at her eyes.

"How?"

"That day when I told you I couldn't accept your invitation for lunch, I finished with my project faster and went to Fillo's apartment. And I saw everything. You and Fillo, in Fillo's bedroom."

Agnes looked back. There was anger in her eyes. 

"And you stay silent all the time?"

"You are an Ambrose, Agnes. Better if I stay silent and end everything without any noise. But it seemed you two pushed to speak up. Well, now I'll back off. You two can enjoy yor honeymoon."

Grace leaving them two. But Fillo quickly grabbed Grace's arms back.

"No, grace. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Don't leave me like this. I love you… you are the only girl I love…"

Grace took a glance at Agnes who stood in silence.

"O, fillo. You will never love a nerdy, goody-two-shoes and prude girl. You love the sexy and hot girls like Agnes." Grace pushed Fillo's arm to release her arm.

"No no no! I just love her body! I was frustrated because I could not touch you!"

"Fillo…" 

Grace kept walking. She could hear Agnes calling for Fillo. But the bastard still hung on her arms like a parasite. 

"Fillo, I'm pregnant with your baby!" Agnes' last call made Grace and Fillo frozen.