Same Love ~ A Short Story

3

I entered Chivalrous Culture headquarters and made my way directly to Daniel's office. I was surprising him again to see if I could catch him in the act.

I smiled at everyone and told them to pretend that I wasn't present and then continued towards his office. I was wearing a blue and white striped dress with red pumps and red jewelry. I was so dressed up because if I did catch him, I wanted to make him wish he hadn't done anything in the first place.

I counted to three in my head before opening the door. As each number was said, I remembered everything we had been through at only eighteen years old.

One, Angel hit me. I would never forget that day. Daniel was my knight and shining armor. He proved to me that he was worthy of my heart and I loved him from that moment on.

Two, the day I found out I was pregnant. I couldn't believe that he and I were actually capable of conceiving a child, and even more shocked that I would have to spend the rest of my life with him.

And three, Star. That girl damn near ruined us. She tore us apart once and now another one was doing it again, but this time for good.

I opened my eyes and then pushed the door open to find Natalie sitting on his desk, showing Daniel her breasts and her fishnet stockings. I sighed. A part of me wanted, hoped, and prayed that this wouldn't be what I found when I opened the door, but it was.

She hopped off the desk and covered herself up, both in utter shock. He stared at me as he waited for me to say something. I dropped my purse and sighed massaging the wrinkles in my forehead. I tried my hardest not to cry, it wouldn't solve anything.

"Goddammit," I whispered as a tear escaped my eye. I picked up my bag and turned on my heels and walked away. I could hear Daniel behind me, screaming for me to stop so he could explain, but I didn't want to hear it. My mind was made up.

I got into my car and told Siri to book a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina for tomorrow morning. I needed my family, I left them to be in a failed marriage and what's worse is that we all were so sure this was going to work, but yet it didn't.

I finally let myself cry. I cried a thousand tears the whole way home. I cried and cried until I couldn't cry no more. When I pulled into the driveway there were no more tears left, but I was still weeping.

I told Siri to book a hotel room for me tonight and then got out of my car, wiping my tears.

I checked the driveway to see that the kids were gone. I didn't want to make a scene and I definitely didn't want them to know what was about to happen. I was leaving. I entered the house and went straight up to my bedroom.

I pulled out a suitcase and began to pack the things I would need until I could file for separation.

"Baby, what're you doing?" Daniel asked. I could feel his presence directly behind me and I could almost picture the look on his face making me cry silent tears.

"Babe!" He said a little louder.

"I'm leaving you, Daniel," I sniffled as I placed some shoes inside of my bag. He took them out.

"No, no you're not," he replied.

"Yes, I am!" I shouted putting them back in.

"No, Imani!" He yelled taking them back out.

"Stop unpacking me! I'm leaving you, Daniel!" I hollered placing them where they belonged. I zipped up my bag and brushed past him. He yanked the bag from my hands and moved it from my reach.

"Baby, you can't leave me!" He sobbed hysterically. He got down on his knees and held me around my waist laying his head on my belly button.

"Daniel, I can't do this anymore," I said rubbing my fingers through his curls.