When I left the office, I spent the day driving and shopping around my Los Angeles neighborhood to forget everything Miss Billings told me. I couldn’t shake the mental picture of Louis with that other woman, no matter how hard I tried.

When it hit seven o’clock it became unbearable. To satisfy my curiosity, I decided on a strategy. I would park my car in a neighboring parking area, then go to the nail salon next to Bouncing Boba. To enter the parking lot, you had to go past the salon since the other side of the cafe was a one-way street. Therefore, if Louis were to pass by, he’d continue past the nail business. Calming myself, I put my plan into action and headed for the nearby parking garage.

In order to kill time, I decided to pamper myself with a gel manicure. I constantly watched out the window for Louis, trusting he wouldn’t betray me.

It was seven forty-five when I got the answer. To my horror, the familiar figure of Louis wearing a turtleneck sweater passed by my view, with an attractive blonde woman by his side. At least I sat in a chair, for if I’d been standing, my legs would have collapse. Miss Billings, however, was mistaken about him going to Bouncing Boba; instead, he and his girlfriend leaned on the glass front and kissed. Louis’ eyes connected with mine, which filled with tears, and for the first time since we crossed paths, he stared at me with contempt. They walked down the street, unaffected by what occurred.

My body began to shudder as thoughts crowded my mind. How could this have happened? Louis, the one person I gave my heart to, meek and awkward, yet so sweet. I thought he would never do this.

“Excuse me,” the nail technician said, “I’m sorry, but your hands are shaking, and I can’t work on your nails in this manner. Miss, are you okay?”

Teardrops fell down my cheeks in a waterfall, and I sobbed like an infant. Several other technicians escorted me to the backroom and offered me tissues. At that moment, there was no solace for me.

Editor: Lucy Cafiero