THE ARMS of redemption

PROLOGUE

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP... I reached out to turn off the blaring alarm. It was 5 AM, and my head throbbed from the little sleep I had gotten the night before. My body ached from the rush of work I had crammed into the previous night, trying to free up some time for the coming days. But those concerns seemed insignificant compared to what had transpired the day before. Let's rewind to yesterday morning.   

    Wednesday morning found myself nestled in the cozy corner of my living room, my favorite spot near the floor-to-ceiling window. The warm morning sunlight poured through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. Beside me, Ember, my childhood best friend, and partner-in-crime, lazily sipped her coffee. Both of us felt the lingering effects of our adventurous girls' night, causing us to oversleep on this leisurely morning. Fortunately, neither of us had work until the afternoon.

    Everly Parker, a 23-year-old self-made fashion designer stands at 5'2" with luscious brunette locks. On the other hand, Ember Reeds, also 23 years old, stood tall at 5'9" with striking golden hair and a seemingly endless supply of wealth. She worked as a successful model since her early teens, earning more money than she knew what to do with.

    As we indulged in our late breakfast, Ember couldn't resist reaching for her phone to check on her fiancé, Brian. However, her brow furrowed with concern when he didn't answer. It was unusual for Brian to be unresponsive, especially when he didn't have to work until the afternoon. The last time she had heard from him was yesterday night, he mentioned drinking with his work buddies and being away for a few more days due to work commitments. A sense of unease settled between us, disrupting our carefree morning.

    Little did I know that this morning would mark a turning point in my life.

    You see, Ember had experienced a string of failed relationships with scammers, cheaters, and selfish partners who sought to take advantage of her fame and fortune. Brian, however, was different. He was the first person to turn down her offers to pay for their dates or anything that involved money. He even saved up to buy her the highly coveted limited edition ''Louis Vuitton x Supreme Epi Keepall Bandoulière'' worth $8000 that she had been eagerly anticipating, along with other extravagantly expensive gifts. Brian consistently showered her with love and affection, proving time and time again that he was the perfect partner for her. They had been together for almost two years before he proposed, and they had been meticulously planning their future together for the past six months, aiming to have everything in place before marriage.

    Despite Brian's unwavering devotion, Ember couldn't help but feel insecure. She carried the burden of past experiences, blaming herself for the way previous relationships had crumbled without even a proper apology. While my encouragement and Brian's constant pampering helped alleviate her insecurities most of the time, situations like these brought them back to the surface. I reassured her that Brian's unresponsiveness might be due to urgent work and that he would reach out to her as soon as he was free. After all, who could doubt Brian with his puppy eyes whenever he laid eyes on her?

    Not long after, Ember received a message from Brian. She squealed with joy, but her expression quickly turned to one of disappointment as she read the message. Without uttering a word, she left her phone on the table and retreated to the corner of the sofa, seeking solace. Curiosity mingled with dread as I picked up her phone, knowing what I might find. As I scrolled through the messages, rage bubbled within me. The screen displayed half a dozen explicit photos of Brian with another woman in a hotel room.

    I switched off Ember's phone, convinced that no justification he could provide would excuse what he had done. I went to check on Ember, finding her emotionally shattered. That bastard had dared to break my best friend's heart, and I vowed to kill him. Anger fueled my determination as I prepared to face Brian, questioning the truth behind this bewildering situation. Because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't reconcile Brian's actions with the person I believed him to be.

    I spent the rest of the day caring for Ember. She was in shock, barely uttering a word and experiencing nightmares that jolted her awake. My phone incessantly rang and buzzed with messages from Brian, filled with worry and inquiries about Ember's well-being. I couldn't bring myself to speak to him on the phone; instead, I messaged him that she was fine and would talk to him when he returned. I refused to let Ember face him in her fragile state until I knew the full extent of what had happened. She wouldn't withstand another devastating breakup.

    Back in the present; I finished my morning routine, took a quick shower, and nibbled on a slice of toast for breakfast. Before leaving, I peeked in on Ember, ensuring she was comfortable and had everything she needed. Her well-being was my priority. With determination in my eyes, I made my way to the car, ready for the four-hour drive that lay ahead. As my hands gripped the steering wheel, my mind raced with thoughts of Brian's sudden betrayal. He had always been transparent with Ember, informing her of his whereabouts during work trips. Yesterday, she had shared with me the details of the hotel he was staying at, praising its luxurious ambiance. Little did he know that the very same place would be my destination, where I would confront him and seek the truth.

''Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey as you turn the pages of this book. This chapter merely scratches the surface of what lies ahead—the true heart of the story awaits in the next chapter, where Everly will cross paths with a man who will leave an indelible mark on her life and so will she. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of emotions, as the rollercoaster ride begins. So fasten your seatbelts, for the real adventure is about to unfold'' 

ps: this is my first time ever writing a story, and English is not my first language , i hope you pardon my poor style , and I pray you'll love this story as much as i do.