The Siren

One Last Chance

I laid awake all night after reading those messages. It's all I could think about. It definitely seemed like he was fooling around behind my back. It worried me because Sean had moved in with me. Was he bringing his hookups here? In my bed? Oh god. I couldn't even think about that. I looked over at my clock. Seven o'clock. I rolled out of bed as Sean laid there still asleep. I got myself ready. As I stood in the shower, I planned out how I could catch him in the act. I could follow him. No, that would be too obvious. He would notice me at some point. What else could I do?

****

I sat at my table, staring at my bills wondering how on earth I was going to be able to pay for them. A phone bill, mortgage, cable, interet, electricity, water, heat. This part time bullshit was not cutting it. I needed to find another job. As I stared at the paper laying on the table in front of me, one thought kept running through my mind. Why would Luis do this to me? Then it hit me. I have to do something to get back at him. Great, another problem I probably wouldn't be able to solve.

****

I was at my usual seat at Java Bean, drinking the same coffee I got everyday. For some reason it never got old. This routine never got old. It was something I could actually count on being right in my life. I saw Nico walking over out of the corner of my eye.
"Hey Abby."
"How goes it, Nico?" He stared at me, completely shocked that I wasn't yelling at him to go away.
"I-I'm good. How about you?"
"Could be better."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."
"Eh, it's life. Can't really do much about it." Nico was extremely tense, almost like he was afraid to talk to me, or nervous.
"C-can I sit?" I nodded at him with a smile on my face.
"Nico, can I ask you for some advice?"
"Of course! I would be happy to help." I looked at him and laughed.
"Okay then. What would you do if you thought your boyfriend/girlfriend was cheating on you?"
"Id confront them."
"What if that's already been done? What would you do to find out if it was true?" He stared at me with a confused look on his face.
"I would try to catch him in the act," he finally said.
"I guess we have more in common than I thought." I laughed, looking at him. "But how could I catch him in the act?"
"I'd set a trap. Give him a reason to think you'll be home later than usual. It'll make him feel more safe to bring someone home, but you won't actually come home later. You'll get the answer you're looking for."
"Is this something I should do a few times? Should I tell him I'm coming home later and actually come home later? Maybe if I do it a few times he'll feel comfortable enough that when I tell him I'll be home later, I actually will." He nodded as he looked at me.
"That might work. If you do it wnough, he'll believe you the day you decide to catch him." I smiled.
"Thanks for the help nico. Now I just need to make plans so I will actually be home late a few times." A smile appeared on Nicos face.
"I can help you with that. Why don't we schedule a few days to do something so you'll be out late."
"NICO!" I yelled. "You're a genius! And a life saver. I totally owe you one."
"How about this, if you actually catch him cheating on you, you let me take you out on a real date?" He smiled. Nico was actually really cute. I had finally taken the time to really look at him.
"You have yourself a deal. How about we schedule tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday? Then Saturday I'll try to catch him in the act?"
"Sounds good to me! Here's my number. Text me so I have yours." I nodded as Nico stood up to walk away.

****

I stood in front of Abby's apartment building. I walked by it almost everyday, and I always stopped. I missed her, and I felt like such an asshole for what I did. I knew she would never forgive me, so there was no point in me ever trying to talk to her. Instead, I would just stare at the window to her apartment for a couple minutes. I still kept up with her blog. It gave me the little bit of happiness I needed to make it through everyday. One day, one day I would apologize to her.

****

Finally, my plan was in action. Nico and I had gone out the days we had planned. Things definitely felt out of place each time I went home. Sean would always be showered by the time I got home. He didn't usually do that when I was home my normal time. The apartment always seemed a little more clean too. Something was weird. Thank god it was Saturday, and I would finally find out the truth. Once I got all my stuff together, I decided to leave Sean a note.

Sean,
I'm going out again with some friends tonight. There's some stuff in the fridge that you can make for dinner. Don't destroy the house. I'll see you later tonight.
Xoxo
-Abby

I got a weird feeling as I walked out the door. I had a feeling of how this was going to end. What if I was just going crazy? What if he was cleaning up nicer for me? I doubt it, but it could have been true. I headed down to Java Bean to see Nico. When I walked in, he was sitting at my usual table. I sat down across from him.
"Tonight's the night, Abby."
"I know. I'm actually nervous. I know I'm not going to like what I see."
"I know, but remember, you always have me to talk to." Nico smiled at his own words. We had gotten extremely close in the short amount of time we had been hanging out. He was a true friend. He actually cared about me and my feelings.

Nico and I talked a while longer before going our separate ways. It was almost time for me to head to my apartment to see what was going on. Before I headed off, I sat on a bench near the park, taking in all the beauty. It wouldn't be long before I would no longer be able to enjoy this.
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What's gonna happen? What do you think Abby will see when she goes home? What do you think Leon is gonna do about Luis? Sorry this chapter jumped forward in time so quick! Because I'm nearing the end of the book, I had to in order for it to make sense. Only a chapter, or two, left before the boom is over! Don't forget to comment and rate!! :)