Box Of Matches | ✓

31

Ariel felt a rush of excitement as she drove to Bradley's house, her heart light with anticipation. They had planned to spend the day together exploring an old thrift store for antique furniture to decorate the beach house, and she couldn't wait to surprise him by arriving early. She hummed along to her favorite song on the radio, the cool autumn breeze flowing through the open window. It felt like a perfect day, full of promise and potential. The crisp air carried the scent of fallen leaves and distant ocean salt, blending into a heady mix that heightened her sense of joy.

As she pulled up to Bradley's house, she noticed an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. Her curiosity was piqued, but she didn't think much of it. Maybe it was a friend or a relative visiting. She parked her car and headed towards the front door, which was slightly ajar. Her excitement mounted as she thought about the surprise on Bradley's face when he saw her. She imagined his smile, the way his eyes would light up, and it made her quicken her pace.

Pushing the door open, Ariel called out, "Bradley, I'm here!" There was no immediate response, just an unusual silence. She stepped inside, glancing around the familiar living room. The cozy space seemed oddly quiet, and her eyes caught sight of a pair of women's shoes near the entrance. Her heart skipped a beat, but she shook off the uneasy feeling. Maybe he had a friend over, someone who had come to visit unexpectedly.

"Bradley?" she called again, her voice echoing in the quiet house. As she moved further in, she heard muffled voices coming from the direction of the bedroom. Her steps slowed, and a knot formed in her stomach. Something didn't feel right. The voices grew clearer, punctuated by soft laughter and intimate whispers that sent chills down her spine.

Approaching the slightly ajar bedroom door, she heard Bradley's voice, low and intimate, followed by a soft laugh that wasn't his. Ariel's heart pounded as she pushed the door open with trembling hands. What she saw made her blood run cold.

Bradley was lying on the bed with another woman, their faces close, whispering and laughing. The woman had long, dark hair, and her presence was a stark contrast to the comfort and trust Ariel had felt moments ago. They both looked up, startled, as the door swung open.

"Ariel!" Bradley exclaimed, scrambling to sit up. The woman beside him quickly covered herself with a sheet, her eyes wide with shock.

Ariel stood frozen in the doorway, unable to process what she was seeing. "What... what is this?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. The scene before her felt surreal, like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from.

Bradley jumped off the bed, reaching out towards her. "Ariel, this isn't what it looks like. I can explain."

"Explain?" she echoed, her voice rising. "Explain how you're in bed with another woman?" Her eyes darted between Bradley and the woman, the reality of the situation sinking in with brutal clarity.

The woman on the bed looked away, clearly uncomfortable. Bradley stepped closer, but Ariel took a step back, shaking her head. "How long has this been going on?" she demanded, tears welling up in her eyes. The betrayal was a sharp knife twisting in her heart.

"Ariel, please," Bradley pleaded. "It's not what you think. She means nothing to me. It's just... it's complicated."

"Complicated?" Ariel repeated, her voice breaking. "You've been distant, you've been avoiding me, and now I find you with her? How could you do this to me?" Each word was a blow, the pain evident in her voice.

Bradley's face contorted with desperation. "I made a mistake, Ariel. I'm sorry. Please, just let me explain."

But Ariel couldn't listen anymore. The betrayal, the hurt, it was all too much. She turned and fled the room, her vision blurred with tears. She heard Bradley calling after her, but she didn't stop. She ran out of the house, her chest heaving with sobs.

Reaching her car, she leaned against it, gasping for breath. The pain was overwhelming, a crushing weight on her heart. She fumbled for her phone, needing to hear a familiar, comforting voice. With shaking hands, she dialed Colby's number.

The phone rang once, twice, and then she heard his voice, warm and concerned. "Ariel? Is everything okay?"

"Colby," she choked out, her voice breaking. "I need you."

There was a brief pause on the other end, then Colby's voice was steady and sure. "I'm on my way. Just stay where you are."

Reaching her car, she leaned against it, gasping for breath. The pain was overwhelming, a crushing weight on her heart. She fumbled for her phone, needing to hear a familiar, comforting voice. With shaking hands, she dialed Colby's number.

The phone rang once, twice, and then she heard his voice, warm and concerned. "Ariel? Is everything okay?"

"Colby," she choked out, her voice breaking. "I need you."

There was a brief pause on the other end, then Colby's voice was steady and sure. "I'm on my way. Just stay where you are."

Ariel hung up, collapsing into the driver's seat. She buried her face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. The image of Bradley and the other woman was burned into her mind, a painful reminder of the betrayal. But amid the anguish, she felt a small spark of hope, knowing that Colby was coming to her aid.

She waited, the minutes stretching out like hours, until she saw Colby's car pull up. He got out and rushed over to her, his face etched with worry. Without a word, he enveloped her in a hug, holding her tightly as she sobbed against his chest.

"It's okay," he whispered, his voice soothing. "I'm here. I've got you."

Ariel clung to him, the pain of the betrayal slowly giving way to the comfort of his embrace. For the first time since she had walked into Bradley's house, she felt a glimmer of relief, knowing she wasn't alone.