Caught In Between (B5 Story)

Emotions

Patrick P.O.V

As I sat on the bench outside the restaurant, I let the cool evening breeze calm my nerves. The muffled laughter and chatter from inside filtered through the glass, but I had no interest in rejoining. My mind was too preoccupied. Between the stress at the studio and the underlying tension I felt whenever Andria and Dustin were in the same room, I needed the space.

Scrolling through my phone, I tried to focus on emails and texts from clients, but my concentration broke the moment I saw Andria rush out of the restaurant. Her head was down, her shoulders trembling, and tears streamed down her face. She moved quickly, heading straight for Dustin's car.

I froze. I'd never seen her like this. Andria was always composed, even when she was upset—always the type to keep it together in public. Whatever had happened in there was different, something deeper.

For a moment, I debated whether to follow her or respect her space. Maybe she didn't want anyone to see her like this. But as I watched her slam the car door and slump forward, something inside me wouldn't let me stay put.

I stood, taking a deep breath, and walked over to the car. Through the window, I could see her with her head against the steering wheel, her body shaking as she cried. The sight tore at me. She looked so defeated, so unlike the vibrant Andria I knew.

Gently, I tapped on the window.

She didn't move at first, and I could hear her muffled sobs even through the glass. I knocked again, this time a little louder. Slowly, she lifted her head, her tear-streaked face turning toward me.

Her red, puffy eyes widened slightly when she realized it was me. She quickly wiped at her cheeks, trying to compose herself, but the pain in her expression was unmistakable.

I motioned for her to unlock the door. She hesitated, her gaze flickering between me and the steering wheel, but eventually, the lock clicked.

**Andria's P.O.V.**

I looked up and saw Pat. I really didn't feel like being bothered, but as I thought, he was a good person to talk to. Plus, back then, he was always there for me.

I unlocked the car and told him to come to the passenger side. He got in and settled himself. I started the car and quickly pulled out of the restaurant.

"Dang, Andria, you trying to kill us?" Pat said, his voice tight.

"I'm sorry... I'm just furious right now," I replied, my voice strained.

"Why? What happened?"

I hurriedly pulled the car to the side of the road, then broke down and started crying. I laid my head down so Pat wouldn't see me crying like this. He started rubbing my back, trying to comfort me. I was so pissed off and livid, and I really didn't know whether or not I was ready to tell Pat my business. But I knew he was going to have to know something if I wanted to express myself.

"Come on, tell me... is it Dustin?" he asked gently.

He moved some of the hair that was covering my face behind my ear and lifted my head up, wiping the tears that were trailing down my face with his hand.

"Come on, Andria, tell me. It's only me," he said softly.

"I know, but... it's just hard," I replied, my voice shaky.

"Listen, we're best friends, Andria... and most importantly, we're family. We've been telling each other things since the day we first met... what's to hide, you know?"

"I know..." I started, but was cut off by him.

"So then tell me," he urged.

"OKAY, FINE!!! DUSTIN CHEATED ON ME, ARE YOU HAPPY?!" I shouted, and immediately started breaking down, crying even harder to the point where I couldn't catch my breath.