THREE years ago…
“Okay, but this is the last one, alright? I don’t want to get drunk because I still have to drive. I’m going to Leo’s penthouse afterwards because we’re celebrating just the two of us.” She said to her friends with a smile before downing the drink they gave her. They were at a bar, having fun. They decided to unwind to relieve the stress from work. Today, Karma had visited seven clients, which made her feet ache again. If only her flat shoes didn’t look awkward with her corporate attire, she would’ve ditched the high heels already.
“Oh? It’s your birthday and you’re only being treated at your boyfriend’s penthouse?” Lizzy asked, raising an eyebrow.
Nana elbowed her. “Home dates are the best, Liz.” Karma gave a thumbs up at that. Lizzy just rolled her eyes and laughed.
“Anyway, I’m leaving, girls. Leo has a surprise for me and I’m excited to see it. Ciao, I’ll see you both tomorrow.” She stood up, almost letting out a sigh, and hurried to leave. Lizzy and Nana both gave a thumbs up. She winked at them and hurried out, not wanting them to hold her back.
“Bye, birthday girl!” Lizzy and Nana called out as Karma reached the bar’s exit. She waved and blew them a kiss.
She drove quickly but carefully to her boyfriend’s penthouse. Even though she had been drinking, she could still manage. After a few minutes, she arrived at the penthouse. Excited and smiling, she got into the elevator. Since Leo had given her an extra key to his penthouse, she didn’t knock—he already knew she would be coming.
“Leo? Babe? I’m here.” She called out as she entered. The house was eerily quiet, and she couldn’t see her boyfriend. Impossible for him not to be home—she saw his car in the parking lot. It was unusually silent, and she frowned. Leo always had music playing if he wasn’t watching TV or sleeping. “Babe? Where are you?” She thought she heard voices coming from his bedroom, so she went there. She was about to turn the doorknob when the door suddenly opened.
Karma’s eyes went wide. Leo, wearing only a blanket covering the lower half of his body, was in the room with another woman—wearing the robe she had bought for Leo last Christmas. Her attention shifted to the woman. It took her a few seconds to recognize her. She worked with Leo. If she wasn’t mistaken, her name was Mikaela.
“B-Babe? T-This is not what it looks like.” Leo’s eyes widened as he spoke. He moved as if to approach her, so she ran away. Before she could reach the door, he caught up. She felt his presence behind her. Without a word, she turned and slapped him. Leo didn’t expect it, so he couldn’t dodge. His head instinctively turned to the side.
“Is this the birthday gift you’re talking about, Leo? Well then, fuck you!” she spat at him. Her eyes burned with anger. She blinked to push back the tears threatening to fall. “Go to hell, you lowlife scumbag! You’re an asshole!”
“Karma, listen to me—”
“We’re over, Leo! I don’t want to see your face again! May you and your whore rot in hell!” Leo grabbed her arm before she could turn away again. In her rage, she couldn’t stop herself from punching him. Her knuckles hurt, but she didn’t care. In fact, she felt satisfied when she saw a small cut at the corner of his mouth.
“Karma, please…” His eyes shimmered. Were those tears?
If he hadn’t done such a terrible thing, maybe she could’ve listened to his explanation. Maybe she could’ve forgiven him. But not this time. What she saw had hardened her heart, and it only grew more rigid with every second she stayed there.
“It’s over,” she said finally, with finality, and hurried out. She didn’t know how, but she reached her car in what felt like seconds. She didn’t look back as she got in. From the corner of her eye, she saw Leo running toward her. He was in jeans and a white shirt, barefoot. Just to hurt him and make it clear he would never have her again, she waited until he reached her car. He could only knock once on the closed window before she sped away. As she drove, tears fell.
“I’ll give you your best birthday ever that you’ll never forget,” he had said to her yesterday. He was right. She would never forget this day. Because this was the day he showed her she was a fool.