Rose couldn't believe her eyes, the scene unfolding before her was like a devastating blow. Karl and Agnes, people she trusted and held dear, locked in a passionate kiss. Agnes's hand firmly rested on Karl's nape. The rush of emotions overwhelmed her, causing her head to throb with heat.
Her trembling voice broke the silence, "Karl?... Agnes?" Tears welled up in her eyes as she approached them, her anger evident in the clenched fists by her sides.
Startled, Karl pushed Agnes away from him as they turned to face her. Rose's tear-streaked face was a portrait of anguish and betrayal. With each word, her voice cracked with pain, "How could you? How could you do this to me?!" She recoiled when Karl attempted to reach out, his touch rejected in an instant.
"Please, Rose, let me explain. It's not what it seems," Karl pleaded, closing the distance between them.
The tears continued to flow down Rose's face like an unstoppable river. "Don't touch me, you... you... betrayer!" Her anger resonated through her voice, reverberating against the surroundings.
"I swear, Rose, it's not what you think. Agnes, tell her the truth!" Karl desperately turned towards Agnes, his eyes begging for her support.
Agnes stood there, her head bowed down, tears mingling with her sorrow. She took a faltering step towards Rose, unsure of her own words. The weight of the situation finally broke her, causing her to break down into uncontrollable sobs as she knelt before Rose, hands trembling against her tear-stained face.
With renewed defiance, Rose shouted, "Agnes, you've no need to speak. I've seen everything with my own eyes, and the truth is crystal clear."
"Rose, it wasn't me who initiated it. Agnes, tell her the truth!" Karl's voice was a mix of desperation and frustration.
Agnes raised her head, her tear-filled eyes met Karl's pleading gaze. Slowly, she took a step towards Rose, torn by conflicting emotions. In a whisper, she began, "Rose, please listen... I..." She couldn't find the right words, her emotions overwhelming her once again.
"Agnes, spare us your lies," Rose interrupted, her voice tinged with pain and anger. The onlookers nearby had taken notice of the commotion, their curious stares adding to the tense atmosphere. Bren hesitated, unsure whether to approach and offer solace, while Chantelle and Henry feigned indifference, continuing their tasks.
Gathering her strength, Agnes finally managed to speak amidst her tears, "Rose... I'm so sorry." Looking at Karl, she nodded, her voice trembling, "I truly am sorry, Rose... But I love him. I've loved him long before you came into the picture. I tried to suppress my feelings, but they only grew stronger, until I couldn't deny them anymore. I can't imagine my life without him." She couldn't bring herself to meet Rose's gaze, her guilt weighing heavily upon her.
Agnes's words hit Rose like a tidal wave. Pain and confusion etched across her face as she questioned, "Agnes, did you ever consider my feelings? Did you ever think about our friendship?"
Karl's tear-filled eyes met Rose's, his voice cracking, "Rose, please, you know how much I love you." Argel gently placed his hand on Karl's shoulder, trying to offer some solace amidst the chaos.
Agnes, still on her knees, reached out to Rose, urging her to understand, "He's my everything, Rose. Please, trust me." Her hand brushed against Rose's, symbolizing a plea for forgiveness.
Unable to speak, Rose pushed Agnes away, her gaze filled with a mixture of pain and anger. "You know what, Agnes?" Her voice carried a blend of hurt and defiance. "You're out of your mind!"
Karl closed the distance, attempting to reach Rose once more, but he was met with a sharp slap across his cheek. The impact stung as Rose's hand made contact, leaving behind a visible mark. He instinctively touched his reddened cheek, his voice choked with anguish, "Rose..."
"Rose, I beg you, make him love me," Agnes persisted, her voice filled with desperation.
"You don't need to beg, Agnes. He's all yours, you traitor!" And with those words, Rose turned and ran. She didn't know where she was going, but she needed to escape the pain and betrayal that surrounded her. Her friends watched in stunned silence, unsure of how to intervene. Eventually, Bren and Chantelle mustered the courage to follow her, their presence offering silent support.
Karl's anguished cries echoed through the air, "Rose, please... I didn't do anything wrong!" His anger and desperation consumed him, torn apart by the shattered remnants of his relationship. He yearned to chase after her but was paralyzed by the revelation that his best friend had caused this turmoil. His gaze met Agnes's, brimming with a mix of anger, disappointment, and self-directed frustration.
Unable to bear the weight of the moment, Karl lashed out, kicking an empty bottle on the ground and striking a nearby coconut tree with his bloody fist. Henry attempted to restrain him, shielding himself from his onslaught. The physical pain offered a temporary respite from the emotional turmoil; he curled up on the ground, clutching his injured hand, and wept uncontrollably. The cracks in his heart mirrored the pain etched in his soul.
Agnes desperately reached out to touch Karl, but he adamantly refused to be touched, especially by her.
"Karl, I'm sorry," she pleaded, but Karl remained silent. He sat down on the soft sand and buried his head between his knees, embracing them tightly. Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the blood flowing from his wound. Agnes was overwhelmed with guilt as she watched him suffer.
"Karl... I am truly sorry," Agnes repeated, her voice filled with remorse. She could see the pain she had inflicted on the man she loved more than anyone else.
Karl slowly turned his head towards her, his gaze filled with anger. "Yeah, right. So now you're sorry, after you've ruined everything. It's that easy, isn't it? You're just so sorry," he said, his words cutting through Agnes like a knife.
Agnes felt her heart breaking as she watched Karl pull away from her. The weight of her mistakes and selfishness bears down on her, leaving her feeling utterly alone. She glanced over at Vanessa, who stood behind her, eyes filled with sadness and disappointment. Agnes wanted to reach out to her, to seek solace in her friendship, but Vanessa turned and walked away. Agnes covered her mouth, choking back her sobs, as the realization of her actions hit her with full force. She had driven away the people she cared about most with her thoughtlessness and disregard for their feelings. Now, in her moment of need, she found herself truly alone.
As Agnes sat on the sand, lost in her despair, the late afternoon sun began its descent in the west. She huddled into herself, wrapping her arms tightly around her knees, and closed her eyes, allowing her tears to flow freely. The overwhelming weight of her mistakes weighed heavily on her shoulders. She made up her mind to leave the island as soon as the boats arrived, not wanting to subject anyone else to the pain she had caused.
Unexpectedly, she felt a gentle hand caress her shoulder. Startled, she lifted her head and turned to her side, only to be met with familiar smiles on the faces before her.
"Van..." Agnes began, her voice choked with emotion. They embraced each other tightly, tears streaming down their faces.
"I'm sorry. I should have listened to you," Agnes whispered, her voice filled with genuine regret.
"Shh..." Vanessa whispered back, gently wiping away Agnes's tears. "Cheer up, my friend. It's not the end of the world. I'm still here, your best friend through thick and thin," she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Or maybe I should say I'm your best friend through thickness and sexiness. You're the Sexiness, and I'm... well, whatever." Their shared laughter amidst their tears brought a sense of relief.
Agnes sighed, overwhelmed by gratitude. "Thank you, Vanessa, for not leaving me. I thought I had lost you too."
Vanessa's eyes softened with compassion. "I may be a fool, just like you, but I could never leave you behind, especially in a situation like this."
Agnes nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "My selfishness has caused all this pain and misery. I deserve it."
Vanessa held Agnes's hand firmly, looking into her eyes with unwavering support. "Then it's time for you to rise from this darkness and fix the mistakes you've made. You still love Karl, but you need to accept that he may not be meant to be your romantic partner. Cherish the friendship you have with him, and value the friendship of those who have stood by you."
Agnes took a moment to absorb Vanessa's words, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the wreckage of her mistakes. "The pain feels unbearable," she confessed, her voice trembling.
Vanessa squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Pain is a part of loving someone deeply. But true love requires sacrifice. It means loving someone for who they are, not for what they can give you in return. It's time to let go of your expectations and focus on Karl's happiness, even if it means letting go of your romantic feelings."
Agnes nodded, a sense of determination replacing her despair. "I will do whatever it takes to fix everything I've broken. And I'm grateful to have you by my side, Vanessa. Your love and support mean the world to me."
Vanessa smiled warmly. "I'm not going anywhere, my friend. I'll be with you every step of the way, helping you pick up the pieces and rebuilding what has been damaged. I love you, and that's why I've been pushing you to face the consequences of your actions."
"I will go see Rose later and talk to her. I need to explain everything and apologize for what I've done unintentionally," Agnes told Vanessa.
"For now, it might be best to give them some space. Let the situation cool down, Agnes," Vanessa advised.
"But they're my friends. I don't want to let the day end without talking to them," Agnes insisted.
Vanessa gently placed her hand on Agnes's back. "I understand that they are your friends, but you need to realize the extent of the hurt you have caused them. Put yourself in Rose's shoes for a moment - imagine how you would feel if you saw your boyfriend kissing your best friend?"
Agnes was unable to respond to Vanessa's reply. She came to the realization of how poorly she had behaved as a friend during those moments. She had been blinded by her intense love for Karl, which led her to ruin her relationship with him and lose her true friends. She had made impulsive decisions without carefully thinking them through. 
Now, she fully understood how she had degraded herself by desperately seeking Karl's love. She had also shattered her friendship with Rose. Would she allow everything to completely slip away?
"You're right, Van. Perhaps it would be better to talk to them once the situation has cooled down. I'll take some time apart to rediscover myself. At the moment, I cannot forgive myself for what I have done to my two dearest friends." Agnes turned to face Vanessa, grasping her hands. "I don't know what will happen to me if even you were to leave, my friend. If that were to happen, I don't know if I would be able to cope."
Vanessa forced a smile. "As I've said a while ago, my friend, I will never abandon you, no matter what challenges come our way, through thickness and sexiness," Vanessa replied, her voice filled with tears.
Agnes looked into Vanessa's eyes, a spark of hope reigniting within her. She knew that with her true friend by her side, she had the strength and support to make amends and find her own path to happiness, even if it meant letting go of what she once thought she wanted.
Together, they would navigate the challenging journey ahead, mending the bonds they had broken and rewriting their story with compassion, forgiveness, and true friendship.