Chapter 2 ***

Avery Rose

A voice clearing in the background made me freeze. What the hell was I doing? I sprang away from the stranger I practically leaped onto. The other man did not look surprised at all which made me wonder what kind of man I had accidentally ambushed.

“Should I book one of the suites or do you need a hotel room, Mr Styles?”

I didn’t even wait for the stranger to reply before running off to where I came from.

What the actual heck did I do?

I kissed a stranger. I really did kiss a man I bumped into. Guilt burned my insides as I searched the entire place for Melody. I tried calling her but her number was not reachable.

Every ounce of alcohol in my system had dissipated and all I wanted was to get the hell out of the club. I recalled that Melody mentioned staying over at Zizi’s place since it was closer. She probably got drunk and headed to Zizi’s.

I hailed a taxi as soon as I got out. The cold night air hit me on my face and I let out a shaky breath. I knew it was a bad idea to come out tonight but I couldn’t blame anybody but myself. I agreed to come out, didn't I?

“Where to Miss?” The driver asked. I considered Zizi’s but I needed to clear my head. Since I was sober, I decided to head back to my apartment and think about how to come out clean to Caleb.

Five years of relationship and I never even thought about other men in that way and suddenly I was jumping on one.

I got to my apartment complex and looked up at the fourth floor where my apartment was located and noticed something odd.

Did I leave the lights on? I could recall switching the whole thing off. I got into the elevator and decided to check my phone but it was low. My mind reeled back to the stranger I kissed. I didn’t even get to apologize to him. Thankfully, nothing would take me to that end of town or to be around that category of people.

Just as I was about to put my key into the keyhole, the door slowly opened.

The fuck..?

Did someone break in?

But if someone did, they wouldn’t just leave the lights on. Unless it’s a stalker. My heart thudded as I gently opened the door trying to be as quiet as possible. I saw the male shoes by the doorstep and they were Caleb’s. I let out a breath of relief. Was he trying to surprise me tomorrow?

A grin crept up my face and butterflies erupted in my stomach. Even after five years, Caleb still did the sweetest things. I removed my heels and headed into the apartment.

The sight before me was a bit confusing. The living room and dining area were covered with balloons and ribbons and a banner that said ‘Happy Early birthday babe.”

My birthday was still months away so it couldn’t be for me. Caleb on the other hand had his coming up next week and we already had plans to take the weekend off for his birthday. So what was this all about?

I saw a familiar coat on the couch but I quickly looked away. I tried to gaslight myself into thinking that it wasn’t the same coat that I saw this evening on a certain person.

“I’ll go get more wine babe.” I heard Caleb say. His tone was so playful and light. The last time I heard him speak with so much ease was the first year of our dating.

After that, we never really had that playful spark between us and I concluded that it was because our relationship got more serious.

Back to the matter at hand.

I watched from the living room as my boyfriend came out of our room in his underwear and two wine glasses in his hand. He froze as he saw me. Even the huge grin on his face was still in place.

“I’ll also need some of that takeout.” Another familiar voice said. My heart almost stopped as I watched my best friend walk out of my bedroom wearing nothing but Caleb’s shirt which was not buttoned. “I did not see that coming,” Melody said.

Unlike Caleb who looked like he saw a ghost, Melody did not look like she was bothered the slightest. In fact, she almost looked relieved that I caught them

“What’s.. what’s happening?” I managed to ask. The whole scenario was still confusing. It was not adding up. My boyfriend who was meant to return the next day and my best friend who was supposed to be drunk at our friend’s. Their parts shouldn’t even cross.

“I wish I could say it isn't what it looks like but it really is what it looks like.” My best friend said with a shrug.

“Babe!” The man who was supposed to be my boyfriend cautioned her. It was the way the title flowed naturally from his lips. With me, it was just Av or Rose, apparently referring to me by my last name was also a form of endearment. How dumb was I to believe that?

“What? She obviously can’t be that dumb. It’s embarrassing enough that she never got the hint for the past two years now.”

Two.. what?

“You’ve been cheating on me with my best friend for two years?” My voice was barely above a whisper. I couldn’t even think straight.

“Av listen.” Caleb started. He didn’t even look guilty. More like exhausted and I could spot a hint of relief under it. “I was going to tell you.”

Bullshit.

“That’s a lie,” I said immediately. He knew it was a lie. There was no point in trying to butter it up.

Suddenly the room felt too small. I tried breathing but it came out in small pants. I turned around and put on the first pair of slippers by the door and headed out.

“So, pizza or takeout?” I heard Melody ask.

“As long as I’m choosing the movie,” Caleb replied and that was the last thing I heard before the door shut behind me. I stood there for a few seconds trying to know if I was just imagining the whole thing. I pinched myself over and over again but this nightmare was my actual reality.

My boyfriend and best friend were having an affair and they didn’t care if I found out. They weren’t even bothered. Anger burned in me but the flames were out when I thought about what to tell them. Any words I would attempt to say to either of them would just end up with me sobbing my eyes out in front of them so I’d rather not.

As I headed to the street, tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn’t feel anything yet the tears were uncontrollable. I was such a fool.

How could it have been going on for two whole years and I never had the faintest idea? Not even a suspicion. What happened to the female instinct that every girl had?

Passersby stared at me as I cried on the street. Maybe Zizi’s place was not a bad option anymore.