No Rest for the Criminally Insane

Chapter 11

Candace idly stirred her coffee, looking at her friend with a blank expression. Gina hadn't noticed, she was too busy rambling on about some topic Candace had lost track of a while ago.

However, when Gina shifted the topic to regard Greg, Candace perked up and the anxiety she had felt before came back, ten time worse.
Gina looked at her friend for a moment and stopped. She knew something was wrong with Candace. She could see it in the lack of care for her appearance. Her hair was wild, untamed, as if she hadn't bothered to comb it. Dark half circles heightened her sense of weariness. And for most of their conversation, she had been absent. As if she was mindlessly soaking in everything Gina had told her. Yet, as soon as Greg's name left her mouth, Candace had suddenly become attentive. She was sitting up a little straighter; her eyes were open a little wider.

Gina cocked her head, and Candace knew she had given herself away. Of all the years she had known Gina, she had proven to be an expert at deciphering human emotions.
"Is there something about my husband that alarms you, Candace" Gina asked jokingly, giving a slight smirk.

Candace breathed a sigh and closed her eyes for a moment. It was now or never.

"Gina" Candace started hesitantly. A part of her wanted to backtrack and drop it. No one would ever know what her and Greg had. No one would have to.All she had to do was keep quiet, and suppress the memories of her affair. But she couldn't. She felt guilty. A guilt she couldn't get rid of no matter how hard she tried. A guilt that drove her mad. It was as if she needed to be punished. She couldn't let herself go unchecked. She wanted to be hurt; she wanted to experience the repercussions of her actions. She had driven herself downhill, and she now wanted to burn herself up in the explosion.

"Candace. What's wrong" Gina asked quizically.

Candace brought herself back to reality and continued.

"I have to tell you something. I have no intention of ever hurting you ever. But I have to say I'm sorry". Gina cocked head. She wasn't sure exactly what Candace was up to, but she could tell it was no good.

Candace braced herself and hurriedly spat out the words. " Your husband and I had an affair".