episode 1 – personalitySecret personalities rise to the surface, leading to surprising behaviors and more suspicions.
Secret personalities rise to the surface, leading to surprising behaviors and more suspicions.
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A Surprising Connection
AS part of a frantic text thread, Matilyn and Alan express concern, urging Reyna to get help. Finally, she dials a crisis relief hotline. The nurse convinces her to visit a facility. During this time, Alan meets Matilyn at her apartment to discuss her roommate’s future.
“Alan, I appreciate your ongoing updates,” Matilyn says, pouring herself a glass of wine. “You’ve been making steady progress with her, but she’s not as easy as I’d hoped.”
Alan leans back on her couch, phone still in hand. “She’s coming around,” he says. “Reestablishing connection was critical.”
“Wonderful,” Matilyn replies, her tone almost dismissive. “Just don’t get sloppy.”
“Mattie, it doesn’t seem that Reyna is aware of our history. I appreciate your matchmaking and the heads-up about her window exhibitions.”
“As intense as our relationship was, we had little else in common. I’ve always been two scoops beyond what your cone could handle. You need someone simpler. Reyna’s plain vanilla, yes, but she’s steady and dependable. A better fit for you if you can lower your standards a bit.”
“Yeah, she’s rather plain-looking, but not unattractive. We seem to hit it off.”
Matilyn’s gaze sharpens, her tone calculated. “Spectacular. Perhaps having a new girlfriend will reduce the obsessive text messages I receive. You know, before meeting me, you had no self-assurance. Because you grew up with an abusive father in the house, you didn’t have the confidence to approach a woman properly.”
Alan bites his lip, angered by the reminder. Troubling flashbacks stir in the recesses of his mind: his father’s heavy footsteps, the sharp crack of his voice. He clenches his fist, but then, slowly, he releases it. The mental exercises Matilyn drilled into him—breathing, focus—kick in. He takes a deep breath, calming the storm enough to reply, “That’s why Reyna is such a milestone.”
“Yes,” Matilyn says in a soft, commanding voice. “Keep that in mind.”
Alan’s gaze lingers on her a moment, with his regression overshadowing progress, he adds, “But while she’s away, we’re alone in your apartment. Does this fan any embers?”
“Reyna’s what you need. You’re not what I need anymore. Settle down with someone who can satisfy your obsessive nature. I carefully selected Reyna as the kind of woman you can control—as long as she doesn’t discover what you did.”
A Manipulative Puppet Master
Alan responds to Matilyn’s veiled rejection, “Alright. We’ve seen Reyna fall apart over what happened. Some secrets are best buried.”
“Is that your reaction to what happened? She’s still my dainty little cherry,” Matilyn chastises. “I never suggested you squeeze all the juice from her.”
“What can I say? During a weak moment… caused by your deprivation, things got out of control. Do you mind if I crash with you tonight?”
“Alan, if you’re tired, you live right across the street. Go home.”
“Okay. Can I leave… after watching you… you know… change into your lingerie?”
“With your telephoto lens, you must have hundreds of my luscious pictures in your apartment. I put up with your obsession when we were together….”
“Even after steering me toward Reyna, you’ve been enticing me.”
“You’re a man who requires progressive weaning. Tonight, you get one last fantasy. I’ll leave the door open while preparing for bed. That’s all you get before you go. Consider it… one of your tasty snacks.”
Alan lingers at the threshold of her bedroom, his glass trembling in his hand. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispers, his voice thick with longing. “My eyes are feasting on you. Are you sure we can’t dine together tonight?”
Matilyn turns to face him, her lips curving into a slow, deliberate smile. “You already dine with every glance through my window. We set boundaries for this evening,” she says, her tone like silk.
“Yeah, but we’ve always had soft boundaries.”
“I’m familiar with that raw craving in your eyes. It’s what kept us together. If you can’t resist… stay, Alan. I’ll let you have the main course.”
His breath catches, hope flaring in his eyes. She steps closer, her voice dropping to a near-whisper.
“You’ll dine well, but I’ll also tell Reyna your secret. Which one of us are you most desperate to hold onto?”
“Matilyn…” he begins, but she cuts him off with a raised hand.
“Decide,” she says simply, her gaze never wavering.
Alan swallows hard, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “Alright, I’ll leave,” he mutters, turning away. “Thanks… for your delectable eye candy… and the vanilla safety net.”
An Atypical Penitence
Alan must now pick up the pieces of the fractured Reyna to give her hope for a brighter outcome. The next day, Alan visits Reyna in the hospital.
In a much calmer voice, Reyna says, “Alan, I just snapped under unimaginable stress. What happened is so embarrassing… I thought I’d never see you again.”
In a reassuring voice, Alan replies, “I pieced together your turmoil from the group text thread. Listen, I was thinking about our last conversation before you kind of… went off the rails.”
“Please don’t write me off as a plain-looking crazy girl,” Reyna fearfully interjects.
Alan surprises her with his reassurance. “The truth is, I’m attracted to you, but didn’t want to treat you like any of the shallow, beautiful women I’ve dated.”
“Really? Am I still hallucinating? That whole notion of me being with Matilyn as more than just friends was preposterous. The doctors said the attack was likely in my mind—perhaps brought on by alcohol and heightened expectations. It’s a version of the story that gives me peace of mind.”
An Eventful Car Ride
“Good. Let’s stick with that. I’ve come to take you to your apartment. The desk nurse said you’re being discharged.”
On the ride home, Reyna stares out the window, her voice quiet. “What happens after you drop me off? Do I become a passing memory in your black book, overshadowed by the names of beautiful women?”
Alan’s hands tighten on the wheel, his tone measured, almost clinical. “More confidence in yourself would elevate your beauty. If your recent behavior concerned me as much as you fear, I wouldn’t have picked you up today.”
Reyna glances at him, her brow furrowing. “You’re right. I hope we can forget about my unfortunate emotional distraction and continue where we left off.”
Alan’s lips curve into a faint smile. He pauses, as though weighing his words, then says, “That would be great. It seemed you were feeling romantically neglected.”
Reyna stiffens, her cheeks flushing. She opens her mouth to respond, but Alan cuts her off. “Tell me, would you know how to be a good wife?”
Reyna blinks, his question catching her off guard. “
Alan, are you proposing?”
He glances at her briefly, his expression unreadable.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
With her heart racing as she looks down at her casual sweatshirt, wishing she were wearing a fancy dress in a romantic restaurant, she says, “When my mother passed, I took care of my father. As an only child, that meant cooking meals, ironing shirts, and keeping the house clean.”
“Then it seems we need each other. I guess I’m proposing.”
Her breath hitches, and she looks down at her hands.
“Are you serious?”
He nods, turning his attention back to the road.
“Serious enough to ask. So, what’s your answer?”
“Then yes. I accept! I never got to tell you that I love cooking. I can sew the hems on your clothes and keep a clean house… Oh, I’m babbling again. Just tell me how to be the perfect wife, and I’ll do it.”
Continued…
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