Novel Square
Coercion and Responsibility 1
“So…”
Sarah’s voice came right after a waiter served their orders at the table. She picked up the glass of orange juice and sipped from it using a straw before continuing to talk.
“… I was just wondering, when will Andrew’s video be uploaded?”
Vonda blinked wearily, looking at Sarah with a tired expression.
“Oh, with the hashtag #ShortAndrew.”
Vonda muttered softly, not wanting her words to be overheard by other employees since the office cafeteria was always bustling during lunch break or because of her lack of energy. The bottom line was that she shook her head once.
“Instead of that, I’m actually thinking of making another hashtag.”
The straw was still between Sarah’s lips. Only her forehead furrowed in response to the question: what. Vonda took a deep breath of weariness.
“A hashtag that involves someone’s name and is long.”
“Cough!”
Sarah coughed, but then burst into laughter. Vonda let out a long exhale, ignoring Sarah’s explosive laughter that made her eyes water.
Then something crossed Vonda’s mind. This time it was her forehead that wrinkled. Her hand, which was about to pick up the iced lemon tea glass, stopped moving.
“Come to think of it,” Vonda whispered. “Why do I feel a bit strange?”
Sarah wiped the remaining drops of orange juice from around her lips with the help of two tissue papers before asking, “Strange how?”
Vonda placed the glass aside, folded her hands on the table, and leaned her face slightly towards Sarah.
“Your attitude.”
Sarah looked puzzled. “My attitude?”
“This morning, when I told you about what happened that night. Why didn’t you seem surprised?”
Vonda just realized this. In the morning, she had unintentionally told Sarah about it. Although not explicitly, since Vonda only used the term ‘test drive on the side of the road,’ she realized that it was strange for Sarah not to ask for clarification. Instead, Sarah just laughed.
Now, when she mentioned ‘someone’s name and long,’ Sarah laughed again without asking anything. It was as if Sarah did not need to inquire further with her. Instead of asking, Sarah simply laughed.
“Just now, when I mentioned ‘long’…”
Sarah burst into laughter again.
“… you also didn’t seem surprised.” Vonda stared at Sarah. “Aren’t you curious about what happened to me, or do you not care about my misfortunes, or do you already know what happened to me?”
A grin appeared on Sarah’s face. “Option C.”
Vonda grimaced in horror. “You already know?” she asked with a fearful tone.
Sarah nodded. “Yes, that’s why I was so casual when you told me about the ‘test drive on the side of the road’,” she replied, pushing aside the glass of juice and switching to eat her seafood fried rice. “It’s because my sense of surprise overflowed on Sunday afternoon.”
Vonda waited.
“When I called your phone.”
Vonda gulped. “Don’t tell me…”
“Hahaha. Guess what? That guy answered my call.”
“Oh my God.”
Both of Vonda’s hands shot up and held her head, as if afraid it might fall off due to the news.
Sarah laughed even harder.
“It’s obvious that the guy said a few things that made me feel like I had a sudden heart attack.”
“What did he say?”
Sarah’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Are you sure you want to know the details?” She chuckled. “He said a few things involving shoes.”
Vonda’s hands dropped from her head.
“Dress.”
Vonda’s eyes widened.
“And fishnet panty,” Sarah concluded, bursting into laughter again.
Vonda dramatically closed her eyes, biting her lower lip as she felt her head pounding.
“After that call ended, I thought I needed to have my ears checked by a doctor. Hahaha. But seriously… the fact that you didn’t call me back all day was enough evidence that the phone didn’t belong to you. So, of course, I didn’t doubt the guy’s explanation at all.” Sarah reached for her spoon. “Whoever she is, she must know what happens when a girl’s shoes, dress, and fishnet underwear are left in a guy’s car.”
“Oh my God. Can you just stop saying fishnet panty?” Vonda winced. “Why does it feel like I’ve been hearing that all day?”
“Hahaha!”
“Anyway,” Vonda continued, now completely ignoring her beef soup order. “I’m really disappointed that you didn’t seem concerned about me, Sar.”
Sarah enjoyed another bite of her fried rice before speaking up.
“Worried about you? Oh, please, Von. I’m actually more worried about that guy. Tell me about him.”
This time, Sarah’s gaze changed slightly, making Vonda feel a little uncomfortable.
“That guy was trying to force you to have a test drive on the side of the road, wasn’t he?”
Vonda silently prayed that no one was eavesdropping on their conversation.
“No.”
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Sarah nodded, pointing at Vonda with her spoon.
“It means it wasn’t rape, and that’s the most important thing. Even in a marriage, sexual intimacy should be consensual for both parties. In other words, since there was no coercion, I can’t blame that guy and treat you like a victim. No one forced or was forced.”
Vonda’s lips pouted.
“Next question. Um…” Sarah furrowed her brow in thought. “I actually dismissed this possibility yesterday. No matter how crazy you are…” Sarah briefly bit her lower lip. “… and no matter how drunk you might be, it doesn’t mean that you forced that guy, right? Because without getting drunk, you’re already insane. Let alone when you’re drunk.” Sarah shook her head. “Right, Von?”
Vonda froze.
One minute…
Two minutes…
Three minutes…
“Shit!” Sarah cursed hysterically. “Did you?”
Vonda winced. “Like what you said, Sarah. I’m already crazy without getting drunk. Let alone when I’m drunk?”
“Omo omo omo.”
Sarah’s hands trembled, and she reluctantly let go of the spoon, shifting to clutch her own heart.
“You…” Sarah’s face looked frightened. “… did you rape the guy on the side of the road?”
“What?!”
*