Chapter 3: The Betrayal

Tara's POV

I tried calling Aiden, but he wasn't picking up my calls and he blocked me on all social media platforms. I decided to go to his apartment. I would explain things better. I'm sure he would understand.

I got to his building, and rode the elevator to his floor after confirming with the security guard that Aiden was indeed in.

I immediately unlocked the door with his spare key that I had and stepped inside. Something felt off. There were two pairs of shoes neatly arranged on the entrance mat, a sign that he wasn't alone in the apartment.

Further into his parlour, clothes were scattered on the floor as though with each step, garments flew from their bodies, landing in haphazard piles on the floor. A blouse that looks like Emily's, was tossed carelessly over the couch, and next to it, Aiden's shirt crumpled on the floor. An unfinished bottle of wine was placed alongside two glasses on the table, one of Which still held a portion of wine and the other a lipstick stain. My heart fell, pounding erratically against my ribcage. 

  

I approached Aiden's room, fist reaching up ready to knock. A soft moan drifted through the crack of the doorway, coupled with bed creaking noises. My hand dropped to my side, shock paralyzed my whole body.

I turned to walk away but started hearing whispers, “why don't you forget Tara for good and focus on me instead.”

I stop walking and try to process what I just heard. My heart is pounding so loudly in my ears and I feel dizzy.

That voice!

That low singsong, sensual voice!

Of course it's Emily's voice. What is Emily doing in my boyfriend's house?

“I just love who you are. Your personality interests me and I want to be with you and you alone.”

“Or it's because I am so good, huh?” Emily giggles and I hear smooching sounds then the continuous squeaking of the bed. I want to puke so bad my throat hurt.

My chest is rising and falling, my breaths are coming in too hard. I freeze as she starts moaning again. A part of me yells at me to run, to turn and leave but my body refuses to move.

Tears are burning behind my eyelids and I have to blink many times to prevent them from escaping.

I gently pushed the door and there, tangled in the sheets, were Aiden and Emily. Emily was bent over in a kneeling position and Aiden was pounding deep into her, his teeth sensually biting her neck as she gripped the sheets tightly. They were sweating and panting.

"Tell me you're mine, completely mine," he grunted, spanking her ass.

"I am… I'm all yours, baby... oh yes… uhm... please, don't stop," she moaned "oh my gosh!... fuck me harder baby... oh... yeah. Faster... faster." She squealed before she turned and caught sight of my shocked expression. The blissful expression on her face shifted into a wicked smirk, then morphed back into an exaggerated facade of pleasure.

As tears welled up, I struggled to move, but my body seemed to have a will of its own, leaving me frozen in place.

"Ohh, yes!" she screamed. "Oh, Aiden! I love you, Aiden!”

"I love you too, Emily," he said, and for a fleeting moment, I thought my name would have slipped out instead of Emily's. Tears filled my eyes as I fought to catch my breath.

I am not going to cry for him. He's not worth it.

“Emily, what the heck are you doing in bed with my boyfriend?” I asked, visibly trembling. My voice rising as anger boiled in my body.

“Isn't it obvious enough to you? What are you going to do about it?” She folds her arms over her chest and smirks at me. Her bluntness leaves me speechless.

It suddenly occurs to me that this isn't the first time. They have been doing this for a while now behind my back.

“Come on, Aiden,” she nudges him with her elbow. “Why don't you tell her right to her face that I'm the one you want to be with.”

A stubborn tear escapes my eye but I furiously wipe it away and suck in a deep breath, refusing to grant them the satisfaction of seeing me shed those tears. I turn to Emily who is smirking at me. I just wish I could slap out that cockiness with the back of my hand.

"You're really pathetic, Em." I said, smiling sadly and shaking my head. “How do you feel stealing your best friend's man and sleeping with him at her back.” 

Her gaze darkens. The smirk on her face wipes off and is replaced with a scorn.

“You're just a loser who can't keep a man.”

“Oh really? Or is he with you because you can satisfy him in bed and leech off the money you get from other men?” My breaths are coming too fast and my heart feels like it has been stabbed.

“That's a value I can provide. What about you? What can you offer him if he stays with you?” Her mean words are like a slap to my face.

I look at her evil smirk. I can't believe this is happening. This has got to be a nightmare. I turn to look at Aiden.

“Well she's right, Tara.” He answers with creased brows.

“What?” I almost screamed.

“You know what, Tara? You were never ready for us to get intimate. Always talking about waiting for the right time. Well, I am tired of waiting. Three years and all you ever gave me were kisses and hugs. It became boring and I needed more, so I went to someone who was ready to give it to me.”

I shook my head slowly as pain coursed through my body, stabbing at my heart like a thousand daggers as I listened to him.

“But you said you were fine with that.”

“I only said that to please you. I thought maybe someday you'll come around. I am saying this because this is all on you. If you weren't such an annoying self perceiving person, we would still be together. So deal with it.”

If only I was close to him, I would have slapped him so hard my palm will hurt.

"Well we're not together anymore, so I can be with whoever I want. Hell, I could be with anyone even if we were dating because you never wanted to arch your back on the bed for me.” he felt compelled to add

"And you choose to sleep with my best friend? Out of everyone?" I cried out, anger coursing through me as I clenched my fists by my sides.

"You see, baby," Emily drowled, feigning sadness, "the problem is, you've always been blind and stupid, and nobody wants stupid and blind.” She said, approaching me with deliberate steps.

"I've been having a secret affair with Aiden since you started that useless college course of yours. And believe me, you've been missing out," she said, her hand gently tracing my chin.

"Wasn't that, like, three years ago? I can't quite recall," Aiden said feigning thoughtfulness. They burst out laughing, as if it were a rehearsed punchline.

“yeah that should be 3 years honey," she smirked, clearly proud of herself. "Aiden and I are in love, and he never gained anything from you anyway. So, we're not keeping it a secret anymore.”

"How does it feel to no longer be the pure and holy Tara? Well, at least we spared your next boyfriend the anguish of having a girlfriend who is a virgin. You should be thanking us," Aiden finally spoke, his arms folded across his chest.

I literally can't look at their faces for another second so I turn and fled out of the house.

Not even in a thousand years would I have believed that such a day would come. Even if a soothsayer told me that such will happen, I would have called him fake. I hailed a taxi, and headed straight back to our apartment, their laugh still ringing in my ears. I hastily packed my belongings and called Marvin Clerk, an old family friend I had been in contact with for a long time.

"I need a place to stay until I find my own place.”

“What's wrong baby? Are you alright?”

"Yeah, I just need a place to stay till I get a job and my own place," I said, tears spilling down my cheeks. 

"Absolutely, you are family and you'll always be welcomed at my place. And I'll make sure to find a spot for you in our company too."

I stood under the streetlamp just a stone's throw from my apartment and flagged down a passing cab.The yellow taxi pulled up with a gentle purr, its headlights cutting through the evening gloom. My hands trembled slightly as I opened the door, turned to look back at the little apartment where I had shared with Emily almost all my life forlornly before I slid into the backseat.

"Where to, miss?"