The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, but Vicky's eyes were heavy, blurred by last night's haze. As he blinked away the fog, he became painfully aware of his surroundings — unfamiliar walls, a quiet stillness that gnawed at him. He shifted, realizing he was only half-dressed. Panic prickled at the back of his neck. Turning his head slowly, he caught sight of Rose, peacefully asleep beside him.
His heart thundered in his chest. Without thinking, he leapt out of bed, sending a quiet gasp from Rose as she stirred awake. His voice trembled as he demanded answers.
"Rose… what happened? How did I get here? What… what did we do?"
Vicky's voice trembled as he sat up on the bed, his eyes darting around the unfamiliar room.
Rose quietly stepped off the bed, the blanket wrapped tightly around her. "Vicky… please, calm down," she said softly.
"Don't tell me to calm down, Rose. What happened? Why were we on the same bed? Just tell me the truth," Vicky pressed, panic rising in his voice.
Rose avoided his gaze for a moment, her silence only deepening his dread.
"Rose…" he repeated, more urgently. "Please. What did we do?"
Taking a deep breath, she spoke gently, "You were drunk, Vicky. You lost control. I tried to stop you… I swear I did. But what happened… happened. We can't undo it now."
Vicky's eyes widened, horror washing over him. "Are you saying we…?"
She nodded slowly. "I didn't plan any of this. You showed up like that… it was late… I brought you to my hotel room for safety but… you wouldn't listen."
Vicky stumbled back, his heart pounding. "No… no, what have I done?"
"I'm sorry," Rose said, her voice breaking.
"I'm sorry too," he muttered, grabbing his clothes with shaking hands. He dressed quickly, barely able to process what had just happened, then rushed out of the room—without looking back.
His steps were unsteady as he made his way home. The world felt tilted, like something inside him had shifted. Every thought pierced his mind like shards of glass.
As he entered the house, his mother's voice echoed from the living room.
"Vicky? Is that you? Where have you been? I was worried sick!"
He didn't answer. He just walked straight to his room, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click.
Collapsing onto his bed, Vicky stared at the ceiling, a storm of regret crashing through him.
How did I let this happen? Why did I drink? How will I face Mirabel?
The guilt gripped him tighter with every passing second.
Then his phone buzzed. It was Mirabel.
His heart jolted. He stared at the screen, frozen, watching it ring until it stopped. It buzzed again.
He hesitated—sweaty palms, trembling fingers, his breath shaky. What would I even say…?
Finally, he picked up.
"Good morning, Vicky," Mirabel said softly.
"Goo-d morning," he replied, his voice barely steady.
"I… I just wanted to apologize for yesterday," she continued. "Everything happened so fast, and I didn't know how to react. I panicked. I said things I didn't mean… It doesn't mean I don't love you. I do."
Vicky didn't respond, but his heavy breathing filled the silence.
"Vicky, are you there?"
"Yes," he said quietly.
"Can we meet? I don't think we should talk about this over the phone. Please."
" No.., we shouldn't meet, whatever you have to say..say it.. please…"
" Why ?, please don't tell me you're angry at me…" Mirabel asks,
" No it's not like that….I…we had a big day yesterday and we need to rest…so that's why…."
" If that's the issue, text me your address and I'll definitely come over…, I just want us to sit and discuss…. please…"
" No…don't come over….I will…come over in a few minutes…please don't bother…"
" Vicky…"
" It's okay…" Vicky interrupts, " I also want to discuss something with you…" Vicky says, his voice shaky as he said those words.
" Okay…I will be expecting you.." Mirabel says as she ends the call.
Vicky's throat tightened as he lay on his bed, his mind replaying every possible way Mirabel might react when he finally told her the truth. Each scenario felt worse than the last. At one point, the weight of it all became too much—he clenched his fists and screamed into his pillow. Then, gathering what strength he could, he got up and walked into the bathroom to wash his face.
Later that morning, Vicky stood at Mirabel's doorstep, frozen with hesitation. His hand hovered over the doorbell until he finally pressed it.
Nanny answered quickly. "Oh! Welcome, Vicky. It's so nice to see you," she greeted warmly.
"Good morning. It's nice to see you too," he replied with a faint smile.
"Come in, please," she said, stepping aside.
As he entered, Vicky spotted Mirabel at the dining table, dressed in a simple blue gown. She looked beautiful. She smiled and waved. He smiled back and walked over, taking the seat beside her.
Their eyes met.
Vicky's were clouded with guilt, fear, and uncertainty.
Mirabel shimmered with a nervous hope.
"I'll leave you two to talk," Nanny said gently, then exited the room.
Silence. Long and heavy. Neither knew how to start.
Finally, Mirabel broke it.
"I really want to apologize. The way I acted… it wasn't right. I know I hurt you. It all happened so fast. I didn't expect your proposal, and I just panicked… I let fear and confusion take over. I'm so sorry."
She paused and looked at him, waiting.
"I… I…" Vicky stammered.
He had planned to speak, but the words abandoned him. Sitting this close to her only deepened the guilt.
Mirabel gently continued.
"You changed me, Vicky. You took someone broken—someone who had completely given up on love—and made her feel whole again. You reminded me what it felt like to be loved… like my parents used to make me feel. And I just want to say… I love you. I really do.
I was foolish to reject your proposal yesterday. I regret it deeply, and I understand if you don't want to go ahead with it anymore. But if you're still willing… I'm ready now. I'm ready to be yours. I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with you.
I honestly can't imagine a life without you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me… And maybe, someday, we'll tell our kids the story of how we found each other…"
She gave a nervous laugh, blushing lightly.
"Sorry—I know I'm getting ahead of myself. Please… say something."
Vicky swallowed the knot in his throat, he knew he had to say something, but what exactly should he say.., Mirabel was ready to spend the rest of her life with him.., someone who had done something that would definitely end the relationship they shared…., something that would made her hate him forever.., something that would leave both of them shattered for the rest of their lives. Vicky's hand shook with terror, his entire face was soaked with sweat as he stared at Mirabel, his lips mumbling as he struggled to force out the words he wanted to say from his mouth.
"Vicky, are you feeling okay?" Mirabel asked, concerned soft in her voice.
"Ye-yes… I'm good," he replied, forcing a shaky smile.
He took a deep breath, the weight of the previous night pressing hard on his chest. It was now or never.
"Mirabel… There's something I need to tell you. And it's something that might change… everything."
She leaned in slightly, her eyes locked on his.
"Go on. I'm listening," she said.
"I… I… I…" Vicky struggled, the words catching in his throat.
"You what?" she asked, gently.
He looked into her eyes.
"Will you marry me?"
Mirabel's eyes widened. Her cheeks flushed with surprise, then joy.
"Yes… Vicky. Yes, I will!" she said, her voice filled with emotion.
Vicky reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. His hands trembled slightly as he slipped it onto her finger. Mirabel's face lit up with excitement, her eyes glistening.
They shared a long gaze—silent, deep, and filled with both love and uncertainty. Then, she leaned in and kissed him softly. For a brief moment, everything else faded.
But the shadows of the truth still loomed.
"I have to go now, Mirabel… I'm sorry," Vicky said quietly.
"Oh… okay. Thank you for coming. I can drop you off if you'd like…"
"No need. I'll go on my own," he replied quickly, standing up.
He turned toward the door but then paused, walked back, and gently kissed her on the cheek. Without another word, he left, his heart pounding as he disappeared into the street.
From around the corner, Nanny emerged, startling Mirabel.
"Nanny! Were you eavesdropping?" she asked, eyes wide.
Nanny waved her hand dismissively. "Forget that! Let me see the ring!"
Mirabel extended her hand, and Nanny gasped with joy.
"My little girl is getting married soon… I'm so happy for you!" she said, pulling Mirabel into a tight hug.
"Thank you, Nanny. For always being there," Mirabel whispered. They embraced, smiling. But even in that joy, an invisible question lingered in the air:
What happens next?
Will Vicky confess the truth about the night with Rose?
Will Mirabel's happiness last—or will it be shattered by betrayal?