That afternoon, Daniel came to the door with a gentleness Velma had grown used to. He smiled and held her hands for longer than usual. His thumb ran over her knuckles like he was memorizing her all over again. "My parents want to see you",he said. Velma's brow raised slightly" Again?". "Yes,properly this time,they said they've had time to think. She didn't ask what that meant. she only nodded. He kissed her forehead and whispered," I'll see you tonight" and left with that boyish charm she used to dream about. Later that evening,dressed in something simple but respectful, Velma made our way to his house ,she didn't feel nervous ,not really. She felt sure. she walked in the through the side gate, she knew the way at heart. The house was quiet. Odd. she knocked ,no answer. The house keeper wasn't around. She tried Daniel's room,the door was slightly ajar. She pushed it gently and stopped breathing. And there they were,Olivia and Daniel ,half-naked and asleep, their limbs tangled,sheet rumpled. Her heart stopped, it didn't feel real. She thought maybe she was still outside the door and she was still hallucinating, but then Olivia stirred, open her eyes and smiled," oh you are early?" Olivia said. Daniel woke too...eyes groggy, blinking -then saw her,"Velma -what-wait-this isn't what it looks like", Daniel said as he staggered. She took a step back. Olivia sat up slowly wrapping her sheet around her like a queen adjusting a robe. "He came over tired ,we were just talking, you know how it is, old comfort, old habit" Olivia said smiling. " It didn't happen",Daniel voice cracked." I swear to God ,I don't know how I ended up here, I didn't drink anything ,I wouldn't,... Olivia", he said coming close to Velma but she stepped back and whispered "you are lying?". she shook her head ,eyes wide trembling,but not crying. "You said you never loved her?" Velma said, her eyes watering."I don't"Daniel replied."And this ?". She motioned to the bed, to the silence between their stories . Olivia smiled wider now ,soft and poisonous as she said,"Maybe he just got confused again, it happens when you are stuck between a storm and a quiet girl who runs away". Daniel's voice broke " she's framing me I swear I woke up,Velma,....i love you,please you have to believe me".But Velma was already walking away, not crying ,not shouting just walking because heartbreak this time didn't need an audience.
