Look what you did
"Austin, don’t you dare ‘Paulina’ me right now! I was waiting at the airport, and you forgot to pick me up!" Paulina’s voice was sharp, her anger clear even over the phone.
"No, listen..." Austin tried to explain, but the call cut off before he could finish. He sighed, frustrated. Every time he tried calling back, the call dropped. Finally, he gave up and called his mom instead, knowing Paulina would be at his parents’ house. He was sure his mom had encouraged Paulina to ignore him.
"Ma, please give the phone to Paulina," Austin pleaded.
"How could you forget to pick her up? You don’t deserve to talk to her," his mom scolded before hanging up.
Austin rolled his eyes. "What’s wrong with women these days?" he muttered.
Since work had gone smoothly that day, Austin left the office early to head to his parents’ house and make things right with Paulina. He’d been so caught up in his problems with Dora that he’d completely forgotten to pick Paulina up from the airport, even though his mom had reminded him.
Meanwhile, Dora was dealing with her own struggles. People at the office were calling her names, saying she was a fake and only dressing differently to get Austin’s attention. The gossip was relentless.
"Guess what? After putting you in this mess, that jerk left work early," Sienna said, trying to lighten the mood.
Dora stayed quiet. She knew people were treating her differently, but she was too emotionally drained to care. All she wanted was to sleep and forget everything.
"Maybe I just need a good nap to feel better," she thought.
Douglas, trying to cheer her up, suggested, "Let’s go see a movie tonight. We should celebrate how well your presentation went."
Sienna agreed loudly, making sure their nosy coworkers heard. "Yes! She deserves all the praise for her hard work, unlike some lazy idiots who only know how to criticize!"
Dora managed a small smile, grateful for Sienna and Douglas’s support.
Back at his parents’ house, Austin was doing everything he could to calm Paulina down. "I’m sorry, okay? Work was crazy today. How about I take you out tomorrow for a fancy dinner at your favorite place?"
Paulina ignored him completely, talking to his mom instead. "Ruby aunty, there’s a new movie out tonight. Will you come with me? I don’t have any friends here, and I can’t miss the first show of my favorite actor’s movie!"
"How many times have I told you to call me ‘Mom’ or ‘Ma,’ like Austin does?" Ruby said, smiling.
"Hey! You’re both ignoring me. I’m right here!" Austin complained.
"Now you know how it feels to be ignored," Paulina snapped.
Austin couldn’t help himself. "I feel bad for your future husband. He’s going to have a hard time dealing with your tantrums."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Paulina froze, and the room went quiet.
"That’s why my husband left me for someone else. And you know who it was," Paulina said after a long pause, her voice trembling.
"Aunty, I’m tired. I’m going to rest for a bit," Paulina said with a sad smile before walking to her room.
Ruby turned to Austin, scolding him. "Look what you did! Did you have to bring that up again?"
"Ma, she’s not the only one who got hurt. Dan cheated on her with my wife," Austin said, clenching his fists as he remembered the betrayal.
"That’s why I think you two are perfect for each other. She’s divorced, and I’ve always liked Paulina. I don’t know what your father saw in that woman he made you marry," Ruby said, her voice full of disdain.
"Ma, not this again. That’s why I don’t visit often. You’re always trying to push us together. Paulina is and will always be my best friend, nothing more," Austin said firmly. He stood up and walked to Paulina’s room.
He knocked softly. "Can I come in?" he asked, peeking inside. Paulina was standing by the window, her back to him. She didn’t answer, but Austin knew she was still awake.
When Paulina didn’t respond, Austin stepped inside her room. "I’m sorry, Paulina. Please don’t take what I said to heart," he said softly.
"Am I really that bad, Abi? Am I so hard to love that he left me for someone else, a married woman?" Paulina asked, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.
Austin was taken aback. "Where is this coming from? The Paulina I know is confident and doesn’t care what others think. She’s beautiful, with those stunning blue eyes that could make anyone fall for her. And that smile of hers—" He paused as Paulina let out a small laugh, tears still in her eyes. "It could melt even the coldest heart. And the best part? She has a kind heart that cares deeply for others."
"Then why wasn’t I enough for him?" Paulina asked, her eyes searching his for answers.
"Paulina, you need to move on. You could have any guy you want," Austin said, but she cut him off.
"But I only want him. I only love him," she whispered.
"Sometimes, we don’t get what we want. Sometimes, our love isn’t enough for the other person," Austin replied, his own thoughts drifting.
"Did you move on, Abi? Did you forget Dora?" Paulina’s question hit him like a punch. Austin’s mind flashed back to the night he’d spent with Dora.
When he didn’t answer, Paulina added, "I know you didn’t forget her, even after two years in the U.S. I’m your best friend, Abi. I know what’s going on in that head of yours."
Austin frowned. "What…?"
"I know you turned down a job in California just to come back here. You couldn’t stay away from Dora. Tell me I’m wrong," Paulina challenged.
Austin’s face turned red. "It’s not like that. I came back to finalize the divorce, that’s all."
"Why don’t you talk to her? Why do men always make rash decisions instead of just speaking their hearts? I can’t go back, but you still have a chance. Talk to her.."
"Paulina!" Austin snapped, losing his calm. "Do you know what’s more important than love?"
Paulina fell silent. She knew the answer.
"Trust. Breaking someone’s heart hurts, but breaking trust? That’s something you can’t fix," Austin said, his voice heavy.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke, each lost in their own pain.
Finally, Austin broke the silence. "Let’s go out. We’ll watch your favorite hero’s movie. Popcorn and a cold drink are on me."
"Don’t call my hero stupid," Paulina said, pretending to be offended. "And popcorn alone won’t cut it. I want nachos too."
Austin grinned and fake-bowed. "Of course, my lady. How could I dare offend the princess? Daddy’s little girl deserves the best."
Paulina laughed. "Hey, my dad’s friend is your boss. So you better treat me well, or I’ll have you fired!"
With that, the two left for the movie, their laughter filling the air.
Meanwhile, Sienna was practically bouncing with excitement. "I’ve been waiting for this movie forever!" she squealed, clapping her hands. Dora and Douglas exchanged a look.
But then Sienna suddenly changed her mind. "On second thought, let’s go for dinner instead of a movie," she said nervously.
Dora followed Sienna’s gaze and froze. There, walking together, were Austin and Paulina, laughing like a happy couple. A sharp pain shot through Dora’s chest as she watched them. She had always admired Paulina’s grace and confidence, even trying to be like her to win Austin’s approval. Seeing them together now felt like a knife twisting in her heart.
Just then, Paulina stumbled, and Austin caught her, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Dora didn’t see that someone had accidentally bumped into Paulina, causing her to lose her balance.
"Let’s go for pizza. I’m starving," Dora said, forcing a smile.
****************
At the restaurant, Sienna raised an eyebrow as Dora ordered her second pizza. "Babe, are you sure you want another one?" she asked, glancing at Dora’s tear-streaked face.
"Can’t I even eat what I want?" Dora cried, her emotions spilling over.
"But that’s your second pizza!" Sienna said, making Dora cry even harder.
Douglas shot Sienna a warning look. "She’s joking, Dora. Order whatever you want."
Sienna leaned over and whispered to Douglas, "I think she eats when she’s sad."
"I want French fries too," Dora said between sobs, wiping her tears and letting out a small burp.
The table fell silent for a moment before Sienna and Douglas exchanged a glance, trying not to laugh. Dora, despite her tears, managed a small smile. Sometimes, even in the middle of heartbreak, there’s a little room for laughter.
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