Seven years. That was how long Christine and Matthew had together. Typical high school sweethearts, their lives set up ahead of them. Both their studies finished, full time work secured and all that was left was for them to get hitched and get on with an amazing life together. Seven years and she suddenly has met another man, a mature 29 years to their own 23.
Matt woke up with a start, his mouth dry but his head covered in sweat from another night of tortured sleep. As he made his way to the bathroom adjacent to his bedroom, he felt the added weight of his depression sitting on his shoulders. A quick look in the mirror revealed this also, his usually bright olive skin looking a sallow yellow. Even his hair seemed to be suffering, the usually magnificent black appeared dull and charcoal grey in the morning light.
He relived himself, washed his hands and then decided to take a quick hot shower to try and relieve some of the tension in his back. As he stood under the steaming hot water, he felt his heart pounding against his chest. It hadn't stopped feeling like that since his work friends had revealed questioning photographs of another man on Christine's Facebook page. Matt felt the white, hot anger rise in him and he smacked his hand against the tiled wall, cursing his own ignorance. Everyone had known it, but him. Everyone had questioned the frequency with which she seemed to be visiting this Brian guy. A work colleague of hers, she had said. He was going through a divorce and his wife had taken their two small children.
Matt's internal monologue continued as he listlessly shoveled cereal into his mouth, going through his usual weekday routine. Matt had met him a few times, the guy seemed average. Even kind of unattractive in the face. He couldn't see the appeal of this guy to his best friend, couldn't see what had drawn her to him.
As he drove to work, he turned up the CD playing in his car to try and drown out the thoughts of her betrayal. The heavy metal guitar riffs calmed him for a time, and he enjoyed the song for a brief moment before he realized he had pulled into his work car park. Matt let out a heavy sigh, realizing they were all probably aware now of what had happened, and now he had to be that guy who had been cheated on. The guy who had no idea that his girlfriend had been fucking a coworker. The thought angered him again.
Still sitting in his car, he pulled out his iPhone and flicked through the photos he had saved off her Facebook page and then more photos that other friends had sent him that he had never seen before. Photos of Roses from the Boyfriend, read the caption. Then the Tiffany & Co. bracelet that she had taken a photo of saying, 'A beautiful gift from my man.' Matt spat, "My Man! My Man? Sure fucking wasn't me." He got out of his car and slammed the door, storming into the office and throwing his bag down on his desk. Nobody bothered him and he was glad about it.
By the end of the day he had felt exhausted, ready to go home and sleep through his weekend until Monday. His wish would have been fulfilled if not for a phone call that made him jump. His good friend Leo, coerced him into going out to the club.
"Listen to me brother, it's Friday night. We'll just go out to that new bar, have a few and then I'll drive you home, okay?" Matt remained silent for a moment and then muttered his acceptance.
"Great! Pick you up at 7.00pm. Catch ya."
Matt drove home in silence, not really looking forward to the night. At 6.58pm Leo was knocking on his door. Matt opened it up slowly, wary of his friend's eagerness.
"Let's go, Matty! The beers are calling our name! Nice shirt, mate." He grabbed Matt's phone and wallet sitting on the breakfast bar before grabbing Matt's arm and dragging him out the door.
The club was busy when they got there, they had to queue up outside for 15 minutes before they were allowed in. But even Matt had to admit, it was well worth it. The walls were a dark burgundy and yellow fairy lights hung in odd arrangements. There were booths and plenty of cocktail bar tables, it was a nice blend of old and new worlds together. Matt realized his black collared shirt and indigo jeans pretty much had him camouflaged into the wall they were seated beside in the dim lighting, and he was glad. He still wasn't keen for company.
Soon enough Leo returned with two bourbon and coke mixes. Matt could smell the bourbon in the glass before he picked it up and offered a cheers to Leo in thanks. An hour later and numerous beers, shots and bourbons and Matt was feeling a little better. He felt the smiles coming easier now and he even shared a few jokes with Leo and their company, which consisted of three older ladies out on the prowl.
He was thinking that it was time to finish up and get home when a flicker of silver caught his eye in the opposite corner of the room. The darkness didn't help but he spotted a tall suited man standing beside a woman with long black hair. He realized the silver flash was her necklace, if you could call it that. It was a thick silver plate that sat at the base of her neck and twisted into a shape that pointed to some cleavage. Matt blinked. Feeling rude that he had been staring. He quickly turned away and swallowed the rest of his drink. When he chanced a glimpse back, she was gone. And he felt a small disappointment in that he didn't get to know her.
Feeling tipsy, he headed to the bar to buy a bottle of water - hoping it would help him sober up. As he made his way through the crowd, he noticed that dark haired woman dancing alone among the others. He was close enough now that he could see her face and it shocked him that she was so beautiful. Her long black hair hung down hair back, stylishly straight. Her skin, a golden brown - not unlike his own, seemed to glow under the club lighting. But it was her face that stunned him. It was perfectly symmetrical. Dark, round eyes that were framed by thick black lashes. A perfect nose, with a straight bridge and small round tip and not to mention those lips. They were full and colored a bright pink/red. They were enticing.
