Chapter 14: Hidden Cam

My mother gently caressed my face, her hand grazing my cheek, causing me to stir from my deep slumber. Blinking my eyes open, I found myself momentarily disoriented, my gaze meeting my mother's watchful eyes. Confusion etched across my face, I silently questioned her with a quizzical expression.

She shook her head, a soft smile gracing her lips, and motioned for me to follow her inside. Before I could do so, she handed me a neatly packaged takeout meal from a local restaurant, a thoughtful gesture to ensure I didn't go hungry after waking up.

Balancing the four boxes of food in my arms, I stepped inside the house. Carefully, I placed my backpack on the sofa, ensuring it was secure, and arranged the takeout containers on the dining table, ready for my family to enjoy.

Quickly, I sat down and began devouring my meal, my lack of appetite evident. The weariness from my interrupted sleep persisted, leaving me feeling drowsy despite having already dozed off earlier.

Deciding it was time to retreat to the solace of my bedroom, I ascended the stairs, clutching the bracelet that my Aunt Amber had gifted me. Tenderly placing it on the pristine white bedsheet, I admired its delicate beauty before letting go.

Fatigue washed over me, urging me to remove my shoes and socks, allowing my feet to breathe freely. Seeking solace in the tranquility of my spacious bathroom, I shed my dress, relishing the coolness of the air against my skin. The sensation of cold water cascading over my body jolted me awake, revitalizing my weary senses.

Momentarily forgetting about the presence of a heater, I dismissed the thought and turned off the faucet. Moving towards the inviting bathtub, I carefully adjusted the water temperature to the perfect warmth. As the water level rose, I scattered fragrant rose petals and added a dash of Castile soap, creating a blissful oasis of relaxation. Eagerly, I immersed myself in the fragrant water, allowing the stresses of the day to melt away with each passing minute.

Thirty minutes later, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, I emerged from the bath, water droplets glistening on my skin. Hastily, I blow-dried my damp hair, despite my reluctance to use the hairdryer, knowing all too well the discomfort it would cause. I changed into my silk pajamas and white tank. The desire for sleep outweighed any reservations, compelling me to employ the tool to expedite the drying process.

Finally, I crawled into the welcoming embrace of my bed, the soft sheets cradling my fatigued body. Succumbing to the demands of sleep, I drifted off into a deep slumber, my mind temporarily freed from the worries and complexities of the waking world.

Days passed, and I couldn't help but notice the absence of Kyle's gaze upon me. It seemed that he, too, was purposefully avoiding any interaction. Our frigid treatment towards each other became the topic of gossip, fueling speculation and curiosity among our peers.

As I perused various cameras that caught my interest, my attention was drawn to an unconventional choice — a hidden camera. Unlike the typical photography cameras, this device sparked an idea within me. It would serve as a tool for exacting revenge, capturing evidence and unmasking the truth.

I woke up early for this. It's not as if I had any classes, not to mention it was a Sunday. A day meant for rest and relaxation, but not for me, not today.

My attention was caught by a small hidden camera that was up for sale. It was black and about the size of a one peso coin. Intrigued, I picked it up and examined it closely. The tiny device, despite its size, felt heavy with possibilities in my hand.

Before I could delve deeper into my inspection, a sales lady approached me. She was polite and attentive, eager to assist me with my queries about the camera. We tested it together, and to my satisfaction, it worked better than I expected. Without further ado, I decided to purchase it. The camera, small and seemingly insignificant, was going to be a crucial part of my plan.

I left the store and made my way to the car that I had borrowed from my dad. I started the engine and immediately set off for the condominium owned by Yanna. The journey was filled with anticipation, nerves coursing through me like electric shocks.

Upon arriving, I took a deep breath, releasing a heavy sigh, and squinted my eyes in a display of displeasure and determination before knocking on Yanna's condo door. It only took a few moments for the door to open, and there she was.

"Yvonne!" she exclaimed, caught off guard.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and I could see fear and apprehension dancing in them.

I forced a sweet smile even though all I wanted to do was to hit her thick and rough face. Gone was the cold, smirking expression that I had earlier. Instead, a fake sweet smile was carved onto my lips.

"Hello, Yanna," I greeted her. "Aren't you going to let me in?" I asked her after we spent almost two minutes just staring at each other.

She seemed to recover from her initial shock and opened her door wider for me to enter. I stepped in and immediately my eyes started to scan her condo. It was clean and beautifully decorated. People wouldn't guess it was home for a snake.

"You didn't tell me you were visiting today, otherwise I would have prepared," she stuttered, clearly nervous.

I could hear the unease in her voice, and it made me smirk internally. This was just the beginning, and I was already causing her distress. Today was going to be a very interesting day.

"Nah, it's fine, I want to surprise you," I said, flashing her a cheeky grin.

I scanned her entire condo and noticed the absence of any CCTV cameras. I couldn't help but smirk at the thought. Perfect. I could move around freely in here without any hitches.

"You certainly did surprise me," she chuckled, her laughter ringing in the small space.

I joined her in her laughter, almost wanting to applaud myself for the stellar acting and the facade I was able to uphold in front of her.

"Hold on," she said, standing up from where she was sitting. "I'll get you some orange juice and make some pancakes."

I nodded, watching as she disappeared into her kitchen. The moment she was out of sight, my eyes darted around the room, my mind starting to race.

I had planned on heading straight to her room when the sound of a ringing phone caught my attention. My eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. I was one hundred percent certain that she was calling Kyle.

I had an inkling that Kyle would be stopping here in her condo since he never visited me every Sunday, so I conclude that he always went here. I pieced together his excuse that Sundays were meant for family bonding, but it seemed that it was his bonding time with Yanna that he was so keen on.

I leaned against the wall, straining to hear their conversation.

"Kyle, don't come over today," Yanna cautioned.

See? I knew it. It was Kyle. And that guy, despite having the audacity to cheat, he also had the nerve to ignore me for three days straight.

But that was alright. If he wasn't around, I could move around more freely. I could execute my revenge perfectly.

I couldn't hear Kyle's response because the call wasn't on speakerphone.

"Yvonne is here!" Yanna whispered excitedly into the phone.

This annoying woman was starting to get under my skin. If I had arrived here a little later, would I have caught her with Kyle?

Luck was on my side, for I had not. Because I didn't want things to end just there.

"No, Kyle. Are you dumb? Do you want us to get caught? Start thinking clearly!"

I was wrong about her. She was nothing but a deceiving woman pretending to be sweet and innocent!

I immediately made my way to her room. It was unlocked, so I had no trouble entering. I inspected the entirety of the space, my eyes scanning until they landed on a piece of clothing that was unmistakably Kyle's.

A bitter smirk crept onto my face. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. Had they been intimate with each other? If the answer was yes, well, to hell with them! What a disgraceful pair they made. The audacity was simply astounding.

With a surge of anger, I wiped my tears away. Kyle was a complete jerk. Was his unfaithfulness rooted in the fact that I had chosen not to give myself to him completely? If so, I was all the more glad. He didn't deserve me. He was nothing but a deceitful man, a scoundrel who wasn't satisfied with what he had, and had the audacity to pursue a woman who didn't even come close to measuring up to me. I was grateful that I never gave in to him, that I never laid myself bare to such a man.

I wiped my pointless tears off my cheeks and pushed thoughts of Kyle away. Instead, I focused on why I came to Yanna's room in the first place.

I started to search for an ideal spot to place the hidden camera I had brought. When I found a viable area, I hurried over and began to assemble the camera in a spot where it would not be easily detected.

A wicked grin spread across my face once I had successfully installed it. We would see how they would react when their dirty secrets were exposed for all to see. It was a perfect view of the entire room, even the door was in the camera's line of sight.

With the hidden camera I had invested in, I was confident that I would soon have substantial evidence to tarnish their reputations. The evidence would prove their betrayal, and I would finally have what I needed to end my relationship with Kyle once and for all.