Being A Friend

When Evelyn finished her meetings, she went to the restroom to freshen up. She carefully put her sling back on and put her jacket over her shoulders.

She went downstairs to the garage where Driver Chung was waiting for her. He opened the door and she settled in. Evelyn was grateful that it was so late because that meant that there wouldn't be traffic.

She texted Jinhai and Phoenix and told them that she would be home soon. She got there soon enough and Jinhai met her in her garage.

He opened the door for her before Driver Chung could. "Hi there," she said with a smile. "Hey beautiful," he responded. They said good night to her driver and made their way upstairs.

When they stepped out, he stopped her. He said her name softly and she turned to face him.

"What's up?" she asked him. "I shouldn't stay tonight," he said softly.

"Why not?" Evelyn asked, perplexed. He sighed before he told her. "She should tell you, but I think she's going to need you tonight. She's not really in a good place right now." Evelyn felt alarm bells go through her head. She was worried that Phoenix was hurt.

"She's fine, for the most part," he quickly reassured her. He leaned in closer so that the guards posted at the door couldn't overhear.

"Just so you aren't blindsided, I'll tell you that this involves her and Zain," Evelyn looked at him with wide eyes. He put a finger to her lips to keep her quiet.

"They have a past. But I think something happened today. I should go make sure Zain is okay," he said.

"Why isn't he okay?" Evelyn asked. "I'm not sure. But I know it has to do with Phoenix," he answered. He kissed her gently on the forehead.

"Go, we'll talk later," he said to her. She nodded and walked to her apartment. She glanced back and gave a soft wave to him before she disappeared into her apartment.

The lights were only on in the kitchen and the hallway that led to the room that Phoenix was supposed to be in. Evelyn put her bag and jacket on a chair int he kitchen and took her shoes off. Then she carefully made her way over to Phoenix's bedroom.

She knocked on the door gently. "Phoenix?" Evelyn called out softly. She heard sniffling on the other side of the door.

She gently twisted and pushed open the door. The room was dark and she saw Phoenix laying on top of the covers on the bed. Her face was buried in the pillow with her arms tucked under it.

"Phoenix," Evelyn said a little louder. She took small steps toward he friend and Phoenix lifted her head. Her face was swollen and tear stained.

"What happened?" Evelyn walked quickly and sat next to Phoenix. Phoenix sat up and buried her face onto Evelyn's good shoulder and began to sob.

Evelyn didn't press her for more but gently rubbed her back. They stayed that way for a while until Phoenix pulled back.

"I'm sorry," Phoenix said "You have nothing to be sorry for," Evelyn replied. Evelyn had so many questions swimming in her mind but she refrained from asking any of them.

Evelyn's stomach growled and Phoenix hiccuped. "You didn't eat?" Phoenix asked. Evelyn shook her head.

"I got a little carried away tonight," she answered out loud. Phoenix scrambled to get out of bed and gripped Evelyn's right hand.

"Come on, you're still recovering. You need to eat," Phoenix said while leading Evelyn out.

They got to the kitchen and Phoenix turned a couple of more lights on. There were bowls with covers on them in the kitchen. Evelyn couldn't believe she missed them when she had walked in.

Phoenix went about reheating the food and Evelyn went to wash her hands and get two bottles of water out of the refrigerator.

They sat across from each other and Phoenix handed Evelyn a pair of chopsticks. Evelyn accepted the chopsticks but didn't eat.

Phoenix picked up her own pair of chopsticks and began to eat. Evelyn watched her for a moment. When it was clear that Phoenix wasn't going to say anything, Evelyn began to eat as well.

They ate together silently. The food was delicious and Evelyn knew that Jinhai had prepared it for her. She was touched that even when he wasn't with her, he still managed to look out for her.

When they finished eating they wordlessly cleaned the table up. Then they moved onto the living room. Phoenix had poured herself a glass of wine and Evelyn had declined.

She was still recovering from her gunshot wound. Evelyn waited patiently as Phoenix had her first sip of wine.

Phoenix pulled one leg up and rested an arm on it. She looked at a spot behind Evelyn. Evelyn didn't breathe as she waited for Phoenix to finally tell her what was wrong.

"I slept with Zain," Phoenix said. Evelyn froze. She didn't know how to respond. She was shocked but Phoenix looked like a deer in headlights. If she reacted too quickly, Phoenix would run.

Luckily she was saved from having to react when Phoenix spoke again.

"It was five years ago. Just after you had married Shawn," Phoenix's gaze remained transfixed on the same spot.

"It was when I went with my parents to the states, for business," Phoenix said. "I bumped into Zain that night. Evelyn kept her eyes on Phoenix but Phoenix wouldn't meet her eyes.

"We both had a lot to drink," Phoenix said. "And we were staying right next to each other at the same hotel. We were going to his room to spend some time together. Watch a movie or something."

"But we were both off balance and we stumbled into each other. Then one thing lead to another." Phoenix's eyes began to water.

"Did he take advantage of you?" Evelyn asked quietly. "What? No! I, I wanted to," Phoenix answered. Phoenix looked at Evelyn then.

"Okay, then what happened," Evelyn asked. "He had said, he had said," Phoenix voice began to shake. Evelyn took the glass from Phoenix and set it on the table.

Phoenix began to cry again and Evelyn removed her sling then wrapped her arms around Phoenix.

"He said that we should pretend nothing ever happened. That it was all a mistake. That he saw me as a friend. Like his little sister," Phoenix voice was muffled against Evelyn's shoulder but Evelyn understood.

She soothed her hand down Phoenix's back trying to calm her. She couldn't believe it.

Evelyn didn't know what to expect when Jinhai warned her. But this wasn't it. She couldn't believe that this happened five years ago and Phoenix nor Zain ever said anything.

Evelyn remembered that they've been to the same events and gatherings for years. They never gave any indication that was ever anything wrong.

Even in smaller gatherings they had attended and seemed to be their normal selves.

Evelyn recalled that when they were in high school Phoenix had said there was someone she had a crush on. He was older than her. But she never told Evelyn who it was. But Phoenix had told her that they would spend time together after school. She began to wonder if it was Zain this whole time.

After a while Phoenix pulled back. Evelyn reached for the box of tissues and handed it to her. Phoenix accepted it and used it to dry her face.

She blew her nose and tossed the tissue in the garbage bin.

"Was he the guy in high school?" Evelyn asked. Phoenix nodded.

Evelyn felt her heart twist. She remembered how enamored Phoenix was over this mystery guy. But no matter how much Evelyn had tried to pry, Phoenix just wouldn't tell her.

Phoenix had said he was shy and didn't want people to know things about him. She told Evelyn that he said his family wouldn't understand.

Thinking back to what Phoenix had told her, the guy Phoenix had a crush on then didn't match what she knew about Zain.

She knew that he could cook if necessary but not that he had aspired to make a career out of it. It seems she didn't know him quite as well as she thought she did.

But right now, she couldn't believe that this was the kind of relationship that had transpired between her two best friends.

"Why didn't you tell me this until now?" Evelyn asked.

"What good would it have done? You had just married and you were so happy. You were even on your honeymoon," Phoenix sniffed.

"And after that? What about after I got back from my honeymoon?" Evelyn asked softly.

"He's your best friend too. I didn't want you to have to pick between us," Phoenix said.

"Why would you think forcing yourself to pretend everything was okay was better? Phoenix if you're hurting I want to know," Evelyn said.

"But," Phoenix tried to say. But Evelyn interrupted her.

"No buts. Zain has been my friend for a long time. That's true. But so have you. If he's wrong you know I would tell him that," Evelyn said. "I find it hard to believe that he would do that to you. It's hard to believe he would simply have sex with you then brush you off."

Phoenix pouted as she looked at her friend. Pain was etched across her face, along with a flash of annoyance.

"But I believe you when you tell me he did that to you," Evelyn finished. Phoenix took a breath and said the next part with reluctance.

"He apologized for that night. He said he wishes he could take it back," Phoenix said. "Take back the things he said. He said that he wants us to be together," Phoenix admitted.

"But you're not ready to forgive him?" Evelyn questioned. Phoenix shook her head.

"I don't know how to. I've carried this with me for so long," Phoenix said. Her eyes began to dry.

"Do you believe he's sorry?" Evelyn asked. "I don't know," Phoenix replied suddenly looking very tired.

"Do you still love him?" Evelyn asked. Phoenix didn't answer her but pulled her lips tightly together.

"Do you want to stay away from him? Should I disinvite him to the house warming?" Evelyn asked. They had briefly discussed it yesterday while the woman were helping Evelyn get dressed.

Phoenix shook her head. "I never intended for anyone to know about what happened. Nor did I intend to make things awkward." Evelyn nodded. She could understand where Phoenix was coming from.

She decided not to press things. "Okay," Evelyn said as she clapped her hands together.

"I'm going to take a shower. Then we're going to watch movies until we get tired," Evelyn said.

"Okay," Phoenix said. Evelyn got up and went to her room. She slowly peeled off her shirt. It was more difficult to do this herself. But she didn't want to call Phoenix for help.

She covered up her bandages so they wouldn't get wet in the shower. She removed the rest of her clothes and then took a shower. It was a slow process but she eventually finished.

She put on a loose shirt and pants then did her skincare routine. Then she grabbed the fresh bandages and went to the living room.

Phoenix was still sitting on the couch staring at her nearly empty wine glass.

"Hey, can you help me change my bandages?" Evelyn asked Phoenix. Phoenix did a little jump like Evelyn had startled her.

"Of course," Phoenix replied setting down her wine glass. She reached over for the bandages and gestured for Evelyn to sit.

Evelyn sat and moved her shirt and hair to expose her bandages.

Phoenix laughed when Evelyn presented her back.

"Why didn't you call me to put the waterproof bandage on?" Phoenix asked. "I was able to do it myself," Evelyn replied.

"Not well," Phoenix snickered. "Hey!" Evelyn shouted. It only made Phoenix chuckle.

Phoenix slowly peeled off the old bandages and put fresh ones on her. When she finished she went to go wash her hands.

"Did you take your medicine?" Phoenix asked. "I took the anti inflammatory and antibiotics," Evelyn replied.

"And your pain reliever?" Phoenix questioned. "No, you know I don't like taking it," Evelyn said.

"Take it, then go to sleep it's really late. You need rest if you're going to heal," Phoenix said. "But what about you?" Evelyn asked.

"Me? I'll be fine. I feel better," Phoenix replied. It took a little more coaxing but Evelyn eventually agreed.

She said, "Good night," before heading to her room. She gently closed the door.

Evelyn took her pain reliever and got under the covers. She knew that the medicine would make her sleepy.

She reached for her phone to text Jinhai.

Evelyn: how's it going?

Jinhai: I'm about to go home. How about you?

Evelyn: As well as expected. I'm in bed.

She didn't get a reply so she went to check her emails. But then her phone lit up.

"Hey," she answered. "Hey yourself," Jinhai replied.

"I just got into my car," Jinhai said.

"How's Zain?" Evelyn asked. "Not great," he replied. Evelyn frowned.

"How's Phoenix?" he asked. "I think she's trying to be better than she's letting on," Evelyn replied.

They talked for a little longer but she started to get really sleepy.

They said their good nights to each other before they hung up.

Evelyn set her phone down then rolled over. She knocked out almost immediately after.