Fighting For Her- Imane Khelif

Secrets and Games

Imane couldn't sit still after Ellie left with Gianna. Something didn't feel right, and it gnawed at her, especially after everything Sarah had told her earlier. She needed more than just suspicions—she needed proof, something solid to make Ellie understand. Without wasting another minute, she picked up her phone and called Sarah, her closest friend and confidant.

Sarah picked up after the second ring, sounding slightly out of breath. "Hey, Imane. What's up?"

Imane didn't beat around the bush. "Sarah, do you remember when you told me Gianna was seeing someone else? Did you get any proof? Ellie doesn't believe me, and now she's out with her."

There was a pause on the other end as Sarah's voice grew serious. "Yeah, I saw Gianna with another woman earlier—this morning, actually. They left the building together, but I didn't get any photos or anything."

Imane's frustration boiled over. "Ellie doesn't trust me. She thinks I'm just jealous or trying to get in the way. I need to prove it to her, Sarah. Otherwise, she's just going to keep getting hurt."

Sarah sighed. "I get it, Imane. Gianna's not stupid—she's probably hiding things really well. I don't know who the other woman is, but I know what I saw. They were definitely more than just friends."

Imane ran a hand through her hair, trying to think clearly. "I have to find a way to show Ellie the truth. I can't let her get played like this."

Sarah's voice softened with understanding. "You've got to be careful, though. Ellie's already hurt, and if you push too hard, she might end up pushing you away. Maybe you could figure out where Gianna's going with this other woman. Get her caught in the act, you know?"

Imane nodded, feeling a little more grounded. "I'll figure something out. Thanks, Sarah. I just... I can't let this go on."

"I'm here if you need me," Sarah reassured. "Don't hesitate to call me if anything happens."

"I will," Imane promised, hanging up. She felt slightly better after talking to Sarah, but the weight of the situation still pressed on her. She couldn't shake the image of Ellie being hurt by Gianna's lies.

Meanwhile, Ellie sat in the backseat of a taxi with Gianna, trying to suppress the emotions swirling inside her. Gianna had her arm casually draped over Ellie's shoulders, and while part of Ellie felt comforted, another part of her was still torn. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Imane and the kiss they had shared, the emotions still raw and confusing.

At the theater, Gianna's charm was in full effect, making Ellie laugh and gently touching her hand during the movie. It was easy to get caught up in the moment, especially when Gianna's attention was focused entirely on her. For a little while, Ellie forgot about Imane, about the hurt, and let herself be distracted.

After the movie, they headed out for dinner. Gianna's flirty compliments and lingering touches made Ellie feel wanted, but the doubt from earlier still nagged at her. As they sat at the table, Ellie couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Gianna, are you seeing someone else?" Ellie asked, her voice wavering slightly.

Gianna looked caught off guard but quickly recovered. "Why would you ask that?"

Ellie shifted in her seat, not sure how to explain. "I don't know, I just... wanted to know."

Gianna leaned in, her eyes narrowing with a calculating glint. "No, I'm not seeing anyone else, Ellie. I don't know where you got that idea." She paused and then smirked, adding, "Has anybody been saying things?"

Ellie blinked, not wanting to reveal that it was Imane who had warned her. "No, I was just asking. I thought maybe..."

Gianna smiled, her voice smooth and reassuring. "I'm only interested in you, Ellie. I promise." She leaned even closer, her tone almost seductive. "Don't let anyone else make you doubt that."

Ellie wanted to believe her, though something still felt off. What she didn't know was that Gianna was already planning to keep her other relationship with the mystery woman—whom she only met at her place—from clashing with Ellie. For now, she'd just make sure they never crossed paths.

After dinner, Gianna walked Ellie back to the apartment building. She stopped outside, leaning in to kiss Ellie, her hands resting on Ellie's waist, pulling her close. The kiss was soft but insistent, and despite her reservations, Ellie let herself melt into it, pushing away the lingering doubts.

Imane saw it. She was standing by the window, and from the corner of her eye, she caught the kiss as Gianna pressed her lips against Ellie's. A sharp pain stabbed at Imane's heart, but she forced herself to turn away, pretending she hadn't seen anything.

Ellie, however, noticed. She caught Imane's quick glance before she turned away, and it sent a strange mix of emotions coursing through her. There was a brief flicker of satisfaction, knowing Imane had seen them kiss. Maybe, just maybe, it would make her jealous enough to reconsider her feelings. But that satisfaction was quickly replaced by anger—anger that Imane had rejected her in the first place.

Without a word to Imane, Ellie walked into the apartment, shutting the door quietly behind her. She ignored the tension in the air and went straight to her bed, not even glancing in Imane's direction.

Imane sat on her own bed, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling. She had no right to be angry, no right to feel betrayed. But she did. As much as she wanted to protect Ellie, she had pushed her away, and now Gianna was pulling her in.

The silence in the room felt suffocating as they both laid in bed, each wrapped in their own thoughts, wondering where things would go from here.