Just as the phone's vibration was about to stop, I answered.
"Hello?"
Chandler hadn't expected me to pick up. After about ten seconds, he stammered, "Gisselle, I'm downstairs at your place. I didn't bring an umbrella, and it's freezing."
"Good, serves you right."
I spat out the words, calm and measured.
"You didn't move, right? I can see the lights are still on."
"So what? What, do you want me to invite you up for coffee before you leave?"
Chandler was left speechless.
Maybe he never expected me to become so sharp-tongued.
After all, during the six months we were together, I did whatever he asked and was the envy of everyone around me.
"Chandler, don't forget, my boyfriend is still at home. If you don't want to make a scene, you'd better leave, and don't ever call me again."
I said it all in one breath and hung up immediately. Given Chandler's pride, I was sure that no matter how shameless he might be, he wouldn't stoop so low as to keep pushing.
But it proved I was wrong.
Ten minutes later, I heard a loud banging at the door, each knock louder than the last, even drowning out the thunder.
In the bedroom, Jayvon stirred, on the verge of waking up from the noise. I hurried to close the bedroom door, but I didn't want to disturb the neighbors. After mentally preparing myself, I opened the door just a crack.
As soon as I did, a strong force grabbed my arm and yanked me outside. In one swift motion, the door slammed shut behind me. Everything happened so fast that I didn't even have time to react.
Cold arms wrapped tightly around me, contrasting sharply with Chandler's warm breath against my skin.
"If you want to act like a fool, do it somewhere else. Don't disgust me."
I tried to break free from his embrace, but it was like being caught by a python. His arms only tightened until I couldn't struggle anymore.
Something soft brushed against my face. I turned my head, but Chandler's lips landed on my earlobe.
"Gisselle..."
He called out to me pitifully, drenched from head to toe, looking exactly like a wet puppy begging for attention.
But I wasn't buying it anymore.
"Chandler, don't forget how you turned me down."
His grip on my arm trembled.
"I wanted to kiss you, and you told me no. You said you couldn't stand being intimate with anyone other than her. You even said..."
"Stop!"