Chapter 4 Sudden Invitation

The silence between them was thick, almost suffocating, until Jane finally spoke. "Phil called," she murmured, her voice cautious. Karen’s eyes brightened instantly, a glimmer of hope sparking as if she were ready to receive a good news from her friend. But Jane’s next words shattered that hope. “He said, ‘Tell Karen to stay away from me. She and I will never get married, and I don’t want to see her face again.’” Karen didn't move an inch or say a word, she took a deep breath and relaxed like someone who just accepted her fate. Karen decided to move on from everything that has happened. Heartbreak, family drama, she decided to leave all that behind and move on. But before she could truly begin, there was one thing she needed to do: reach out to her mom. She dialed the number, but all she got was silence; the call wouldn’t go through. Karen called the neighbor, hoping for some kind of explanation. The woman on the other end sighed before answering. “Your mom’s out of town, and your dad…well, he’s still off on vacation with that so-called ‘friend’ of his.” A bitter realization settled over Karen—her parents had drifted so far, they barely noticed her anymore. Without another thought, she made up her mind: she’d find an apartment, get a job, and finally start fresh on her own. With Jane’s quick thinking and support, Karen managed to snag a new apartment in no time. It was modest—just a cozy little space with pristine white walls and simple, stylish furnishings. But it felt like a fresh start, and that was all she needed. Without delay, she set her sights on work, landing a job at a trendy salon called *Magic Stitches.* To her surprise and relief, she was hired right away as a hairstylist. Things were slowly falling into place, and for the first time in a while, Karen felt hopeful. Then, out of the blue, her phone buzzed with an all-too-familiar number: Phil, her ex. Karen’s first instinct was to ignore the call, but curiosity got the best of her. Why would Phil, of all people, be reaching out now? “Karen… babe, are you there?” Phil’s voice broke the silence when she finally picked up, but she said nothing, letting him sweat a little. She sighed, her tone flat. “What do you want, Phil? Why are you calling me?” “Karen, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice almost pleading. “Please, forgive me for what I did. Meet me at the Luxury Bar tonight at nine o'clock. I’ll be waiting.” 'What does he think I am, an idiot? Well, I think I have to make things clear to him this time.' Phil’s sudden invitation left Karen irritated, but she felt an urge to confront him face-to-face, to finally put an end to whatever he thought was still lingering between them. After all, he was the one who broke up with her in the first place, without any given explanation. Tonight, Karen decided she'd show up, but not as the woman he remembered. She was going to look entirely different, and this time, she’d be calling the shots. Phil was the type who was impressed by pretty and classic looks, but this time, Karen decided to look different. A little shabby. Karen threw together an outfit that was a masterclass in anti-fashion. She slipped into an oversize, faded sweatshirt. paired with baggy sweatpants that had definitely seen better days. Round big glasses and no makeup. Looking at herself in the mirror, it was somewhat satisfying. And with a sly smile, she left for the luxury bar. Phil was eagerly waiting for Karen, and as she walked into the bar, Phil turned, barely recognizing Karen. He approached her, a bit confused. "Karen, is that really you? What’s going on? What’s all this about?" He scrutinized her from head to toe, trying to process the unexpected transformation. "Fine, I get it." Phil retorted, tucking his hands into his pocket. Karen could tell he was irked by her appearance, but who cares? Karen was there to give him her piece of mind. “Why did you ask me to come here, Phil?” she asked, her tone serious. “Karen, please. I want us to get back together,” Phil implored. “I know I hurt you, but can we just hit the reset button?” "Lily is pregnant. That night I called you, I was having dinner with my parents, and when she broke the news that she was pregnant, my parents insisted that I must get married to her. He paused, searching for the right words. “I was completely lost, unsure of what to do. But Karen, you’re the only woman I truly love and want to be with.” He reached out to take her hand, but she pulled away, maintaining her distance. “Phil, you hurt me deeply and shattered my trust. You’ve been the only man in my life for the past five years, but that doesn’t change anything. Save your apologies; it’s time for you to own up to your actions. I’m done here,” Karen replied. She brushed past Phil and made her way to the table where he had been drinking. Without hesitation, she grabbed a glass, filled it to the brim, and downed it in one go. Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving him speechless. Karen walked away, leaving Phil behind to grapple with his mixed emotions. As she walked out of the bar, she began to feel tipsy, and her eyes were gradually becoming blurry. 'What's happening? I'm I really getting drunk from just one glass of wine?' “Karen! Wait! Please, don’t leave me like this!” Phil called out, his voice desperate as he sprinted after her. He grabbed Karen by the hand and continued pleading for her to forgive him. Karen remained unyielding, shoving him away. “Stay away from me! I have a boyfriend now, and I will never be with you again!” she shouted, her words slightly slurred. 'A boyfriend? That's impossible..' Phil thought. "A lot has happened for the past two weeks you dumped me, so get lost!" Karen uttered and when she spotted Maurice approaching, she quickly switched gears, ready to put on a show. What was her plan?