Strange Desires

I heard the noise of cars in Los Angeles as I parked my car outside Marcus's apartment building. The city was bustling, with street lights shining on the sidewalks, couples walking together, and music coming from a nearby bar. I felt happy, knowing that this night would be amazing. Tonight was the night I planned to give Marcus a surprise. Our relationship had been stable and kind of boring, so I wanted to do something different. I could picture his face when he saw me at his door. I purchased a new black dress that fit me perfectly and had his favourite wine with me as I got out of the car. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as I walked towards him. We had been in a relationship for three years and, despite the challenges, I always thought we were strong. Yes, we had argued sometimes, and Marcus had seemed distant at times too. But, everyone has those moments, right? I took a deep breath and went inside the building. The lobby smelled familiar—like cleaning supplies and a little bit of cologne. As I walked towards the elevator, I felt my heart beating faster with anticipation. The ride to the seventh floor seemed longer than usual. I was thinking about what I would say to him, how I would hug him, and how we would talk and laugh about our future. But when the elevator doors opened, I felt something twist in my stomach. The hallway was silent, too silent. As I got closer to his door, I started walking slower. The door was a little bit open, and I could hear a quiet noise coming from inside. It gave me a shiver down my back. I thought to myself, "Maybe he's watching TV," and gently pushed the door open with a soft tap. "It's most likely not a big deal." However, it turned out to be something significant. What I saw shocked me deeply. In Marcus's bed, I found my best friend, Susanne, lying close to him in a way that made it clear they were more than just friends. Their clothes were scattered on the floor, making a mess that contrasted with the effort I had put into the evening. I was shocked, dropping the bottle of wine from my hand, and it broke on the floor. The noise was really loud, so loud that it woke them both up suddenly. Susanne gasped and wrapped the sheets around her while Marcus quickly sat up, looking surprised. "Emma, I—" I interrupted him, my voice shaking with anger and sadness. I told him to stop. Everyone stayed still for a moment. The room was quiet, like it was waiting for something to happen. I felt my chest getting tight and tears ready to fall, but I didn't want to cry in front of them. Not yet. Susanne stuttered, pleading for me to listen as I saw betrayal on both their faces. I left, hearing Susanne's fading voice behind me as I walked down the hallway. Riding the elevator felt like forever, my mind racing with questions. How could they do that? How could he do that? The man I loved and the woman I trusted with my secrets ruined everything with one thoughtless act. As I got to my car, a tear slid down. I leaned on the door, breathing heavily, trying to understand what had just happened. I felt mad, embarrassed, and really sad. Everything fell apart right in front of me, and I didn't know how to fix it. I struggled with my keys, wanting to leave quickly and get away from the apartment. The car's engine loudly started, and I quickly drove away from the parking lot, my thoughts moving as fast as the car. I didn't have a specific place to go, no idea where to go, just a strong desire to escape from the hurt that was following me. The bright lights of the city became a blur as I drove around the streets of Los Angeles without a clear direction. My phone vibrated on the seat next to me—Marcus was probably calling, but I chose to ignore it. I didn't want to talk to him, not now or ever. One hour later, I was sitting in my car outside a bar that I had never visited. The bright neon sign blinked above the door, shining a soft light on the ground. I rubbed my eyes and took a deep breath before getting out of the car. The bar was dimly lit, a place where nobody pried, which was just what I wanted. I sat at the end of the counter, feeling overwhelmed. The bartender looked curious when I asked for a drink, but he didn't push for more information. I appreciated the quietness around me. While I drank my beverage, I allowed my mind to wander, attempting to understand what had happened. How did my life change so suddenly in just a few minutes? Why did this happen to me? I was thinking so much that I didn't even realize the man sitting next to me until he asked, "Rough night?" I looked up and saw a stranger staring back at me. He was tall, had dark hair, and seemed really sure of himself, which was kind of surprising for a place like this bar. His eyes were a striking shade of blue that made me briefly forget about the sadness I was feeling. "I agree," I whispered quietly.He nodded, asking the bartender for another drink. "I've had a couple of those too. Why are you here? I paused, not sure how much to say. But there was something about him that made me feel at ease, like he was someone who wouldn't criticize me, who could really get me. "I just had to take a break," I explained, the words feeling hard to say. "I understand," he replied, taking a sip of his drink. "Sometimes you just need to get away." We were quiet for a bit, I though to myself. We both knew what the other was thinking without saying anything. I watched the ice in my glass make soft clinking sounds as I swirled it around. Perhaps this was exactly what I required - a diversion, something to divert my attention from the chaos in my life. "I'm Nick," he introduced himself, reaching out his hand. "I'm Emma," I responded, shaking it. "Hey Emma," he said with a slight grin, "cheers to getting away." I grinned back, genuinely happy for the first time that evening, and tapped my glass against his. Little did I realize, this unexpected meeting was going to make a big difference.