Deception and Desire

VANESSA

The cool evening breeze dances through my red hair as I speed across the bridge, strands flying into my face and blocking my view. I can barely see, but honestly, I don't care. Tears sting my eyes, blurring my vision even more. It is dangerous. I know it is, but my day has already been a total train wreck. What's the worst that could happen now?

This afternoon, I walked into work feeling good, my usual upbeat self. But then that creep Charlie, my branch manager, decided to ruin it. He has been making sleazy passes at me ever since I started working at the bar six months ago, but I've always brushed him off politely. Today, though, he crossed the line. He dared to grab my butt with his filthy hands. Without even thinking, my hand flew to his face, landing a slap so loud it echoed in the bar.

"You are fired! He roared, his face red with rage, as the customers stared.

I didn't let his words faze me. I grabbed my bag and strutted out like I didn't have a care in the world. But now? Now I'm falling apart. I've got rent overdue, a landlord breathing down my neck, and three younger siblings depending on me. To top it off, I'm drowning in debt from the loan I took out for my late mom's hospital bills. My life is a mess, and I have no idea how I'm going to keep it all together.

The only bright spot? My boyfriend, Dave. Right now, all I want is to be in his arms, to feel like everything is going to be okay.

When I pull into Dave's driveway and see his car in the garage, relief washes over me. At least he's home. I twist the doorknob and step inside, calling out his name. Nothing. The living room is a mess, his jacket's tossed on the floor, and I can hear the shower running upstairs.

He's probably in the bathroom.

Smiling through my tears, I head up to his room, hoping to surprise him. But as I walk in, it's me who gets the surprise. My heart stops. Through the glass of the bathroom door, I see Dave in the shower with Alicia, his next-door neighbour.

My stomach churns as I watch him, water cascading down his body while he thrusts into her. At first, I couldn't move. My blood boils, my hands clenched at my sides until my knuckles turn white.

"How dare you! I scream, storming into the bathroom, not caring that I'm getting soaked. Dave's head snaps toward me, his jaw dropping like he's just seen a ghost. Alicia shrieks, trying to cover herself, but I don't even look at her. My fist connects with Dave's face before I yank Alicia by her hair. "Please let me go", she screams in agony. I can't bear seeing someone in pain. I'm not a monster, though these two want to turn me into one. I let go of Alicia's hair and walked out of the bathroom.

"Vanessa, wait! It's not what it looks like! Dave stammers, stumbling out of the shower with water dripping off him, his...uh, d**k dangling like an idiot.

"Not what it looks like? I shout, shaking with anger. "You've been telling me for three years that we have to wait for marriage, but this is what you've been doing behind my back? My voice cracks as tears spill over. I feel so cheated. I've always wanted Dave to touch me, to pleasure me in the ways my body yearned; on those nights, my hormones rose so high, but Dave would always turn me down."We have to be celibate", he would often say.

"Babe, listen", he starts, but I cut him off.

"Don't even try it. Am I not good enough for you? Is it my body? Are my boobs too small? Is my butt not big enough? I demand, my voice trembling.

Dave just stands there, silent like the coward he is. Before he can open his mouth, Alicia chimes in with her annoying, smug voice.

"You're just not his type, sweetie".

Her words hit me like a slap in the face. I look at Dave, waiting for him to deny it. To fight for me. But he doesn't say a thing. My heart shatters into a million pieces.

"F*** you! I spit, kneeing him in the groin so hard he doubles over, groaning in pain. Then I grab my keys and storm out, leaving him and his side chick behind.

********

Back in my car, I drive aimlessly, my head spinning. How could he do this to me? After everything I've done for him, paying his medicals when he was sick and out of funds in law school, being his rock when he needed me. I feel like a complete fool. My chest tightens, and I scream at the top of my lungs, tears blurring my vision again.

Finally, I pull over on the side of the road, unable to go any further. My hands shake as I grab my phone and call my best friend, Cassie.

"Hey, girl! Cassie's cheerful voice fills the line, but I can't even speak. I just sobbed.

"Vanessa? What happened? she asks, alarmed.

" Dave, I manage to choke out. "He...he cheated on me. With Alicia". My voice cracks as the words leave my mouth.

Cassie gasps. "I knew there was something shady about him! All that good boy talk? Please".

"I was so stupid, Cassie. I didn't see it. I believed him!

"I'm so sorry, girl", she says, her voice soft but firm. "Where are you?

"Brooklyn Bridge", I whisper, my voice barely audible.

"I'm coming to get you", Cassie says without hesitation. "Stay right there".

For the first time all night, I feel a tiny bit of hope. Cassie's got my back. And maybe, just maybe, I will survive this heartbreak after all.