whatever we had is over
1033 Words
MIRABELLA.
Today was Richard's birthday, and I had planned everything perfectly.
I had bought him an expensive gold watch and a tailored suit. I had even reserved a special place for dinner so we could celebrate together.
As I sat in front of my vanity applying my makeup, I called Amanda. Her voice immediately came through the phone, excited as always.
"Girl, wear the pink one. He's going to lose his mind when he sees you in that lingerie," she said.
I rolled my eyes and laughed.
"Stop it. Help me choose a dress. The red sparkling one or the white one?"
The call switched to video. Amanda studied both dresses before pointing at the white one.
"The white sparkling dress. It looks amazing with your blonde hair," She grinned. "And put your hair up in a messy bun. Use that shiny pink lip gloss too."
I smiled. "What would I do without you?"
"Probably commit a fashion crime," she replied dramatically. "Now hurry up and get ready. Call me before you leave."
After ending the call, I stepped out of my towel and slipped into the pink lingerie that Amanda had insisted on.
Then I carefully put on the white sparkling dress and matching heels. I styled my hair into an elegant messy updo and finished with glossy pink lipstick.
When I looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but gasp. I looked beautiful. Absolutely breath-taking.
Tonight, was supposed to be perfect. Richard was going to love it.
With a smile on my face, I grabbed his gifts and hailed a cab. The entire ride, my stomach fluttered with excitement. I couldn't wait to surprise him.
When I reached his apartment building, I quietly made my way upstairs.
Then I heard woman's moans.
My heart raced.
My smile slowly faded. My heart suddenly began pounding. Slowly, I approached the door. It wasn't fully closed. I pushed it open.
And my world shattered.
There he was. Richard. In bed. With another woman. She was wrapped around him the way I should have been. She was screaming his name, touching him, making love to him.
My gifts slipped from my fingers and crashed onto the floor. Richard's head snapped toward me. Guilt filled his face.
"Mirabella..."
Tears filled my eyes.
I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. I couldn't think. I had trusted him. Loved him. And he had betrayed me, just like that.
I scoffed in disbelief.
"Bella, it's not what you think," he rushed out. "This is a mistake."
The woman beside him laughed, chewing gum in a terrible manner. "A mistake?" she mocked. "You mean the mistake that's been going on for one year and four months?"
Everything inside me went numb. One year and four months. That was almost half of our relationship.
I looked at Richard, the man I loved, the man I trusted. The man who had lied to me every single day.
My chest felt like it was being ripped apart.
I stepped forward and slapped him. The crack echoed through the room. "How could you?" I cried. "I loved you!"
"Mirabella, please…"
"Don't," My voice cracked. "Don't say my name."
Tears streamed down my cheeks. "I hate you." That was a lie, I loved him.
"Please listen…"
"I said I hate you!"
I stumbled backward.
Then I pointed toward the gifts lying on the floor. "Happy birthday," My voice was shaking with bitterness. "And don't ever come near me again."
Richard stared at me helplessly.
"Whatever we had is over."
Without waiting for his response, I turned around and slammed the door behind me.
The sound echoed through the hallway. But it wasn't nearly as loud as my heart breaking.
---
My hands trembled as I called Amanda.
Amanda answered immediately. "Hey, Mira…"
"Are you free?" I sobbed.
There was a brief pause on the line.
"Mira? What's wrong?”
I couldn’t speak at first. "He cheated on me," I finally say.
Amanda's voice immediately softened. "Where are you?"
I sent her my location before hanging up. A few minutes later, I was sitting inside a small coffee shop with an untouched iced coffee in front of me. The tears wouldn't stop falling, I was hurt. Everything hurt.
Amanda arrived less than fifteen minutes later. The moment I saw her, I stood up and threw my arms around her. I broke down completely.
"Amanda..." I cried.
She hugged me tightly. I needed that.
"He cheated on me."
"What an asshole," she said sharply, rubbing my back. "Don't cry, baby. You're going to ruin your makeup."
I laughed weakly through tears. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"It does matter," She pulled back and wiped my cheeks gently. "Because tonight, we're going to a club."
I blinked. "What?"
"I'm getting you drunk."
I laughed. "I'm stupid, aren't I?"
Amanda shook her head. "No. You loved him. That's not stupid."
Another tear slipped down my cheek.
"He just didn't deserve you."
For the first time since leaving Richard's apartment, I smiled.
"Okay."
Amanda grinned. "That's my girl."
---
An hour later, we were standing outside one of the city's most popular clubs. Cold evening air brushed against my skin as bright fluorescent lights flashed across the entrance. Music pounded through the walls.
Amanda practically bounced with excitement. She loved alcohol almost as much as she loved chaos. We headed straight for the bar. "Twenty shots," Amanda told the bartender.
I stared at her. "Twenty?"
"Trust the process."
Minutes later, we carried our drinks to one of the couches. Shot after shot disappeared. By the fourth one, the room was already spinning.
"Oh God..." I groaned. "Amanda, I can't."
She laughed. "You talk too much. Drink."
I stuck out my tongue dramatically. She nearly fell off the couch laughing.
Then suddenly I stood. "Let's dance."
Amanda immediately grabbed my hand. "Now you're speaking my language."
Together we made our way onto the dance floor. The music thundered through the club. Bodies moved everywhere. Lights flashed across the crowd. We danced until our hair became messy and our feet hurt.
But deep down, beneath all the noise and laughter, my heart still ached. Because despite everything he had done... I still loved him.
- Writer
