Great Surprise
A beautiful bouquet of roses was in Ana's arms. She had bought them at a well-known flower shop in town. The woman couldn't stop smiling because it was her fifth wedding anniversary. Ana had planned to give her husband a romantic gift and had organized this surprise a few days earlier.
On her way home, Ana couldn't stop thinking about how Charles would react when he received the bouquet. To ensure he got it, Ana tried to contact him immediately. The dial tone kept going, and Ana eventually paused and thought, “Why can't I reach my husband?” Disappointment set in, and her smile faded. “Is he busy?” With so many questions on her mind, Ana decided to hail a taxi.
Once she got in and settled comfortably, the taxi driver asked, “Where to, Miss?”
Ana replied softly while gazing out the window, “Take me to the hotel, please. My friend lives there.”
The driver nodded and didn’t press further, noticing the sadness on Ana’s face through the rearview mirror.
The ride to the hotel was long. During the journey, Ana tried several times to reach her husband, but her calls went unanswered. A fresh wave of disappointment washed over her. Charles, who worked as a manager at a company, had been avoiding her calls lately, claiming he was busy with work.
Even though she stayed quiet, Ana's mind was racing. Over the past few days, she had been troubled by her husband’s behavior, which seemed different from previous years. Charles was a good man, but he had somehow changed. The Charles she knew was no longer the same.
Determined to clear her mind, Ana wanted to confront him directly today. With the bouquet of flowers she had brought, Ana hoped Charles would open up to her. Unfortunately, her plan failed because she could not get in touch with him.
Upon arriving in front of the hotel, Ana took her wallet out of her bag and pulled out a few bills to pay the taxi driver. Instead of accepting the money, the driver smiled and politely declined.
“No need, Miss. Consider it a gift from a father figure,” he said warmly.
Ana was taken aback and confused. She had never received a free service before and felt uncomfortable accepting it since the driver had already delivered her to her destination. Gently, Ana offered the money back and said, “But, you should keep this. You might need it.”
With a kind look, the driver refused once more. “It's okay, don’t worry about it. Take good care of yourself. Remember, everything will turn out alright. You’ll find a good man and be happy. I’m saying this because today is my last day driving. Live well.” The elderly man’s face lit up with a gentle smile.
Ana was at a loss for words as the taxi driver seemed to understand her troubles. There was something soothing in his words, and he seemed to offer a medicine for her anxiety. Grateful, Ana thanked him. “Take care of yourself, sir,” she said before the driver honked and drove away.
With a calmer heart, Ana glanced back at the bouquet of roses in her arms. Each stem seemed to carry a glimmer of hope. She hoped her relationship with Charles would improve after she talked to Camila about her concerns.
Ana entered the hotel where Camila, a long-time friend. Ana knew that Camila was the best person to confide in. They had a deep understanding of each other, and Ana valued Camila’s advice, especially if it could benefit her and Charles. Ana realized that her problem was significant, but she believed seeking solutions was worthwhile.
Ana had been eager to discuss Charles' behavior. His once warm demeanor had grown colder, and he seemed increasingly distant. It felt as though Charles was hiding something from her, which made her suspicious and anxious. All these negative thoughts were weighing heavily on her mind, and she was desperate to talk to someone who truly understood her feelings.
Arriving in front of Camila’s room, Ana was taken aback when she noticed the door was slightly ajar. Without hesitation, she pushed it open further. As she stepped inside, she heard a familiar voice—Camila's voice. Ana felt a wave of relief, thinking her best friend’s presence would ease the burden on her heart.
With determined steps, Ana moved toward the sound. However, as she got closer, the tone of Camila’s voice felt unsettling. It sounded strange, not like the usual laughter or cries she was accustomed to. Ana stopped in front of the bedroom they often used during sleepovers, taking a deep breath before entering.
As she opened the door, she was about to greet her friend, her face went pale. The sight before her was devastating. Camila, the best friend she had always trusted, was lying in bed with Charles, her husband. The shock hit Ana like a massive wave, leaving her feeling as if she were crashing and sinking.
Ana stood frozen for a moment, her body and voice numb. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her once-loving husband was now betraying her with her closest friend. How could this be?
Tears began to fill Ana’s eyes, and one by one, they rolled down her cheeks. She remained silent, but her heart struggled to accept the betrayal from both her husband and her best friend. The surge of emotions overwhelmed her, filling her with a mix of anger and sorrow.
Ana's lips trembled. Despite the difficulty and stiffness, she managed to utter a single. “Why?”
The two people in front of her did not explain, only silence. The room, where her confidants had betrayed her, felt suffocating as if all the air had been sucked out. Her chest felt as if it were being crushed under a heavy weight. Finally, Ana's scream pierced the silence, causing Camila and Charles to gasp in shock.
“WHY?!” Ana’s eyes widened, channeling all her anger. She would never accept this betrayal. Both of them had to face the consequences of their reprehensible actions.