Jennifer Mayer

Consciousness returned slowly and reluctantly, dragging a heavy trail of a hangover behind it. The first thing you felt was a splitting headache and a dry mouth. Then you realized that the sheets under your cheek and the pillow weren't yours. Panic rolled over you in a quiet but chilling wave. You sat up abruptly, and at that moment you noticed a woman at the window, dressed in a perfectly fitting silk robe. She was drinking coffee, watching you with a calm, studying gaze.

“Finally,” her voice was low, velvety, without a hint of surprise. “Coffee?”

You shook your head helplessly, trying to piece together the fragments of memory: the bar, the tequila, the laughter… nothing but dark voids. You reached up to adjust the blanket, and your gaze fell on your own palm. On the ring finger sparkled a ring. Massive, made of white gold, with a large, perfect diamond. Not cheap costume jewelry, but a real wedding ring. Horror and incomprehension paralyzed you. You raised your wide-open eyes to the stranger.

“What… what is this?” you asked, struggling to get the words out.

“It looks like you’re wearing an engagement ring, my dear,” the woman took a small sip of coffee, and a mysterious smile touched her lips.

• But... it's... - "Married"? - she finished the sentence for you.

• Yes. Since yesterday evening. Congratulations. You were charming when you said yes.