My best friend?

DEMI

Sitting here, drowning in questions and worry won't help. Since his phone is off, I decide the best I can do is check his apartment first. I hail a cab and quickly jump in, at the same time yelling the address.

The drive seems slower and I want nothing but to jump onto the wheel to take over, but I can't. The driver looks already exhausted by my impatience.

“Could you please drive a little faster?”

He's heard that from me at least five times.

This time, he ignores it.

When we finally arrive, he looks relieved, and his glare tells me, I'm the most annoying person he’s driven. I don't have the luxury to give a damn about what strangers think of me. Right now my focus is on whether Ernest is okay.

The elevator is the fastest way to get to the 12th floor, but even it feels slower this time. I'm holding my hope that he's at home, safe and sound. That would mean nothing bad happened, right?

Yeah, and it would also mean, he stood me up on our anniversary.

His door is locked, but luckily for me, I have his key in my bunch. I'm not sure of what I expect but I hope it's not him lying in the floor like I found my mother three days ago. I push away the negative thought.

However, when I open the door, I find no one in his living room, but on the look of things, someone is definitely home, if the clothes haphazardly lying on the floor are any indication.

I feel my heart leave my chest as I scan the area.

There's a white shirt on the floor, a black tie, next to it. On the couch, lies a red dress. I haven't been here since mother was hospitalized, so there's no way that belongs to me. Besides, I'd recognize my dress anywhere. There's also the fact that Ernest is not the untidy type. He wouldn't stand a mess like this.

When I pick it up, a familiar scent hits my nose.

Deep down, I know what exactly might be happening, but I keep on looking for excuses in my head.

As I approach the bedroom, I hear some sounds that confirm my suspicion. I breathe heavily and the sounds get louder the closer I get to the bedroom door.

“Ah, faster baby!” A female voice prevails.

“You're so sweet,” a male voice I recognize so well, groans.

“You like it like that?” The female continues.

“I love fucking you. Your pussy is so sweet, I can never have enough.” They go on and the closer I get, the more I hear his heavy breaths.

“Aren't you late for your stupid dinner,” the woman asks midway.

“I can cancel it just to fuck you the whole night baby,” says Ernest. Clearly it's him.

And that female voice? My palm flies to my mouth, as my heart breaks in realization.

“Ah, fuck me harder, baby,” she moans louder.

“Harder,” she pleads. His groans get louder in response.

The door isn't locked so I peek at the sight that almost makes my world stop.

Two naked adults. The one on top is the one I had been waiting for, for hours at Springs Hotel. The one I was fucking worried about. Looks like he's having the time of his life, sliding into the woman who has his thighs fully spread for him.

They go on, not noticing my presence. The betrayal hits the further I get into the room. I suddenly begin to tremble as if everything is now coming down.

I get closer and pat his shoulder and they both jolt in shock. He quickly gets off her while the woman reaches for the sheets to cover herself.

I had my doubts about the familiarity of the woman's voice, but now that she's looking at me, puzzled, it hurts even more. Laila!

Someone I considered my best friend sleeping with my man?

“Demi,” she stutters. “It's not what you think.”

I almost laugh but the situation is too dire. My heart feels like it's been shattered to pieces, not being able to take in the betrayal.

“Not what I think?” My pupils widen, like a certain wave of anger has erupted.

“Baby, please,” Ernest walks naked to my side, trying to hold me but I move aside to avoid his touch. How dare he touch me with fingers that must have been in places I don't even want to imagine.

I cross my arms, and switch glances between them.

“What the hell am I supposed to think when I find my boyfriend fucking my best friend on his bed, on our anniversary!” I almost screech. My blood is boiling, with a mixture of anger, marinated with hurt. My breaths heighten, as I try hard to fight the tears threatening to fall.

“It was a moment of weakness,” he reaches for my hand and I avoid it again.

The famous stupid line. What does he take me for?

“You told me you were running errands,” my voice breaks that it almost comes out as a whisper.

“I was…”

“Yeah, clearly,” I shoot a sharp glare at the ‘errand’ who's still at the same spot.

“Demi,” she calls out in pleading. I don't know what she's pleading for.

“How could you?” My tone comes out bitter.

“I didn't mean…”

“Didn't mean to what? Sleep with my boyfriend? On the look of things you were enjoying it. And you were aware it was our anniversary. Stupid anniversary? Were those not your words?”

“I didn't…” she tries to counter but I don't let her.

“Don't even,” I raise my index finger. “I heard everything.”

And how long has this been going on?

I remember something like… I love fucking your pussy. I can never get enough..

That can only add up to one thing. It's not the first time. And the man has the nerve to tell me it was a moment of weakness!

“Laila was feeling overwhelmed about tomorrow's interview. She…she had a panic attack.” Ernest rakes his fingers in his hair.

Laila and I are scheduled for the same interview tomorrow. She works for the company but had wanted a promotion to a higher position, which is why she also applied.

Still, that has got to be the most ridiculous thing I've had the whole day.

“And you have special ways to treat her panic attacks. Are you even listening to yourself?”

Clearly these two are taking me for a fool.

Laila shifts her position to a more comfortable place. Her head against the headboard. She sighs.

“Since you heard everything, there's no point hiding anymore, right?” Laila mutters, the sorry and pleading tone she had earlier has suddenly disappeared.

“You have been so selfish, and Ernest has been there for me,” she adds.

I cock a brow, wondering in my head how I have been selfish. All I've ever done is be a good friend to Laila. We've been best friends for goodness’ sake. How does Ernest fit here?

“It's not my fault that we developed feelings for each other.” She continues ranting, and I still find it ridiculous.

Standing here, between two naked people who clearly don't give a fuck about my feelings is akin to making a fool out of myself.

These two betrayed me and there's no explanation to make anything better.

And it had to be on our anniversary?

The pain cuts through my heart like a sword.