From the outset

Nine

Ryan's POV

I laid in my bed deep in thoughts. I couldn't shake off the feeling that Victoria was hiding something. Her constant "work" excuses, her distant behavior, and that suspicious phone call at dinner.

Her phone buzzed with a call from "Alex" accompanied by two heart emoji's .

Who was Alex?

And why did she rush out to answer his call?

"Could he be the one she went to see?" I wondered. "That's why she rejected my offer to drive her home."

I struggled to accept the possibility of infidelity, but the signs were unmistakable. Tomorrow, I'd pay Victoria an unannounced visit to uncover the truth I've had enough of this madness.

My thoughts drifted to Scarlett. Her reaction when I introduced Victoria as my girlfriend still lingered in my mind. Jealousy flashed across her face.

"Could it be she feels the same connection?" I wondered.

I recalled our conversations, the laughter, the effortless rapport between us.

"Maybe she's been feeling it too" I thought.

My heart skipped a bit at the prospect

But guilt crept in

"I'm still with Victoria" I reminded myself .

Yet, the truth stared: my relationship with Victoria was crumbling.

Could it be possible that she has fallen for too?

"Fallen?" I repeated, my mind lingering on the word.

Why did I use that term? It implied a depth of emotion I wasn't ready to acknowledge.

"I'm not in love with Scarlett," I tried to convince myself.

But my heart knew better.

I didn't want to accept it, but the truth stared me in the face: I felt something for Scarlett.

At first, I tried to brush it off as friendship or mere attraction. But the more I thought about her, the more I realized my feelings ran deeper.

Scarlett's laughter echoed in my mind, tugging at my heart.

That melodic sound, full of joy and warmth, had become my solace. Every time I heard it, my worries faded.

I pictured her smiling face, sparkling eyes, and radiant glow. My chest tightened.

"What is this feeling?" I asked myself.

It wasn't just admiration or appreciation. It was deeper.

Longing.

Yearning.

Connection.

I craved being near her, sharing moments, and creating memories.

"Could this be love?" I wondered.

The thought made me breath rapidly.

Love?

Was I ready to acknowledge it?

The flutter in my chest, the excitement when I thought of her, and the constant wondering about her feelings – it all pointed to something more.

"Something I can't explain," I admitted.

It wasn't just attraction or friendship. It was a connection that transcended words.