Chapter 9 Turn Back Time

If only I could turn back time to that night and change what occurred, I would, a million times over. But it's too late now. Far too late. Waking up from a nightmare is bad enough, but waking up next to a stranger and discovering you're now married is far beyond what I imagined. Especially when you realize something happened between the two of you. "How did this happen? I didn't... what... What did I do? Damn!" I kept whispering to myself. The frustration was overpowering because I had no memory of what happened. I glanced again at the man beside me, feeling a surge of panic. I closed my eyes tightly and hastily got dressed, gathering my belongings, though I still felt weak throughout. I rushed out of that hotel and hailed a taxi to take me home. I had no idea how to feel about it all. Nervousness and confusion gnawed at my chest. I couldn't remember a thing. The last memory I had was Riley pouring alcohol into my mouth. After that, it was all a foggy haze. While I was in the taxi, I forced myself to unlock my phone. Elena's call came through immediately, and I answered promptly. "Oh, my God, Ana! Where on earth have you been? Why are you just answering now?" She fired questions at me, and I could hear the commotion in the background, likely Via and Riley with her. "What happened? When we came back to our table, you were gone. Where are you?" she asked again. Gradually, the events began to register in my head after they made me consume so much alcohol. My face flushed as I remembered how I danced in the midst of the crowd, allowing the music to consume me. "Sir Ares was looking for you the entire last night! It's a good thing Via answered and just said you were asleep. Where are you really?" Elena asked again. "E-Elena... I don't remember anything..." I almost whispered to myself. Next, I heard her let out a frustrated exclamation. "What? What do you mean you don't remember anything? What happened to you? Are you home yet?" She bombarded me with questions, leaving me even more bewildered. Especially when that man's face flashed in my mind. "I'm on my way home. I don't know what happened. I just woke up..." I couldn't finish what I was about to say because she cut in. "Oh my god! Don't tell me... darn it! What have you done? Darn it! Let's meet. I'm coming to your house!" she exclaimed angrily, making me even more frightened. My hands started to tremble as she ended the call. I stood motionless by the window, not knowing what to do next. I felt intense fear in my heart, but there was also a strange sensation I couldn't explain. Once I got home, I hurriedly went to my room and locked the door. My knees and hands trembled as I plugged in my cell phone. When it turned on, I saw texts and calls, particularly from Elena and Ares. Sometime later, I heard a loud bang on the bedroom door, and my heart almost leaped out of my chest. The pain in my body, especially that part, intensified. I no longer knew what was happening. "Ana! Are you in there? Ares is here!" I felt like I was on the verge of passing out upon hearing that from my mom. I remained seated on my bed, pondering what to do or say to him. Facing him now seemed impossible. My conscience was tearing at me, and the guilt was overwhelming. Once again, the door slammed, and my mom shouted from outside. "Your brother saw you arrive. Where did you come from? Ares is here, waiting for you!" At the same time, my cell phone rang, and I hesitated whether to answer it or not when I saw Ares calling. Eventually, I picked up. "Babe... where have you been?" He immediately expressed concern in his voice. I bit my lower lip and blinked back tears. When I opened my eyes, the sight of the wedding ring I wore struck me. "Ana? Are you there? Are you alright? What happened? Please, talk to me, baby," he pleaded, deepening my anguish. "A-Ares..." I stammered in my trembling voice. "Oh, thank God you're okay. Where have you been? Can we talk, please? I'm really worried about you." His voice was desperate, intensifying my internal struggle. "I... I'm sick and... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." I choked out those words and ended the call because I simply couldn't continue. I hurriedly made my way to the bathroom in my room and turned on the shower. Without even undressing, I stepped under the water. As the drops fell on my body, I began to cry. I closed my eyes tightly as a series of knocks echoed from outside. How can I tell him about what happened last night? How can I explain the sudden marriage and being with a stranger I know nothing about? How can I confess that I gave in to a stranger, after repeatedly rejecting Ares, to someone I don't even know? I cried for almost an hour as I grappled with the impending conversations and the mess that now tangled my life. Later, even before I could gather the strength to rise, the bathroom door swung open and Elena burst in. I cried anew at the sight of her. She swiftly came to my aid, helping me to my feet. "Damn it..." She exclaimed, her frustration evident. "What happened to you?" I couldn't find the words to respond. She assisted me in getting dressed. Once that was done, she continued bombarding me with questions as she guided me to my bed. "H-how did you get here?" I managed to ask. She let out a sarcastic laugh and shook her head. "Are you serious? That's really the first thing you want to know?" "Ares is outside—" "I already spoke to him and told him not to pressure you into talking. Now, tell me what happened. Where the hell were you all night?" She pressed, her concern evident. I quickly avoided looking at her. I sank onto the bed, covering my eyes with my arm. "I-I don't know, Elena. I woke up next to..." I took a deep breath and couldn't bring myself to continue. I let out a tired sigh. "I truly don't know what happened! I don't remember anything. I... I asked him what happened, but he refused to answer. I don't know how to tell Ares what happened because I don't remember, and I don't know the man... that..." My voice faltered at that point. I stood up, frustration boiling within me, and looked at Elena. I could see the shock written all over her face. "You had a one-night stand with a stranger?" She couldn't believe it, her words laced with disbelief. The weight on my shoulders grew heavier as I recalled Ares and his pained voice from our earlier conversation. "I-it's not just that, Elena... I married him, and it's a legal marriage. No joke," I told her emphatically, displaying the wedding ring I was now wearing. Elena's eyes widened even further as she stared at the wedding ring. She stayed seated next to me, repeatedly cursing under her breath. "How did this happen... Who is that man? How can you tell Sir Ares that you married a stranger, and you even went on a honeymoon?" I bit my lower lip, then delivered a hard hit to Elena's arm. She let out a scream, and I returned to the bed, my thoughts consumed by Ares. His voice from earlier echoed in my mind, laden with worry and pleading. My conscience couldn't bear it any longer. The moment I heard his voice earlier, I knew I couldn't bear it. How could he ever cope? How could I face him after this day? "Look, someone texted you," Elena said, breaking through my thoughts, and handed me my phone. I quickly took my cell phone from her and read the text. Unknown Number You hurt your husband's ego by leaving me here without saying goodbye. I'll see you soon, then, my lovely wife. In an instant, the events of that night flashed vividly in my mind as I stared at his threatening text message.