Don't take it Personal

Unveiling the past

In the cocoon of Trey's silent companionship, I found myself carried home, a gesture of kindness that I couldn't help but be grateful for. As I stepped through the familiar threshold of my house, I instinctively gravitated towards the inviting embrace of the couch. Little did I realize that Trey had silently entered and was now in the kitchen, his presence concealed until the sound of clinking pots reached my ears.

The enigmatic activity in the kitchen, shrouded in culinary mystery, intrigued me, but it was a welcome distraction from the maelstrom of emotions that had enveloped me, especially after Trey's unexpected confession of love. Though my mind wandered through a labyrinth of thoughts, the knowledge of having a steadfast friend nearby offered solace.

My musings took me back to the chapters of my childhood, a past I had both cherished and endured. At the age of 14, my father had assumed full custody of me, a decision that had rescued me from the tumultuous weekends spent with my mother. The reasons behind her differential treatment remained shrouded in ambiguity-was it the shade of my skin or her inability to exert control over my father, as she did with my other siblings' fathers?

Recollections of painful Saturday mornings surfaced, when, at a tender age of nine, I was tasked with the onerous duty of rising at 6 AM to undertake the laborious chores of cleaning and laundering everyone's clothes. The disobedience of a single Saturday had led to a week of hunger, accompanied by the merciless lashings of a tamarind skin switch, etching scars on my tender skin.

However, my immersion in the past was abruptly halted by an enchanting aroma that wafted from the kitchen, beckoning me away from the dark corridors of memory. Unable to resist the temptation, I rose from the couch and ventured into the heart of Trey's culinary endeavor, where he was meticulously crafting a dish of curry shrimp. In that moment, I yearned to envelop him in an appreciative hug, but the fear of altering the dynamics of our friendship held me back. Trey's unwavering support had been my sanctuary through life's storms, and I treasured our bond deeply.

Just as I was on the verge of initiating conversation, my phone chimed, jolting me back to the present and reminding me of a forgotten meeting with Miller. With a rush of flustered guilt, I hastily texted him, requesting a reschedule. His response, "Really Steph, we need to talk," lingered unanswered, as I redirected my attention to the unexpected tension that now hung between Trey and me.

In a concerted effort to dispel the awkwardness, I cleared my throat and offered a heartfelt smile. "I just wanted to say thanks, Trey, for being an amazing friend as always," I expressed, though I couldn't ignore the hurt lurking beneath the surface of his smile.

Trey's caring eyes met mine as he responded, "Steph, you know I've got your back anytime. I just want you to take care of yourself, especially when you retreat into your thoughts. Given everything you're going through, it's taking a toll on you. Have you ever considered sitting down with your entire family? It might help you understand why they treat you this way. And, have you thought about speaking to a therapist?"

His words lingered in the air, resonating with genuine concern. The notion of confronting my family was daunting, but the idea of therapy held promise-a sanctuary where I could release the pent-up emotions that had burdened me for so long and embark on a journey toward healing.

Miller POV

Stephanie is driving me to the edge of my patience, and her last-minute changes of plans only add to the frustration. I have to admit, I treated her terribly, but I never expected things to spiral out of control like this. We had dreams of starting a family, but I kept a dark secret from her - my intimate history with her sister, Shelly. I was torn, uncertain if I truly wanted a life with Shelly.

Leaving Starbucks, I stumbled upon a scene that would turn my world upside down. There, in the parking lot, I spotted Shelly and her mother engaged in an intense conversation. My red CR-V was parked just behind them, offering me an inadvertent front-row seat. I approached quietly, hoping they wouldn't notice my presence.

As I drew nearer, I overheard Shelly's unsettling confession. "Mom, I can't use Steph's card anymore; she's cut it off," she admitted, sending shockwaves through me. It dawned on me that Shelly's persistent desire to visit me wasn't out of affection, but rather a nefarious ploy to exploit her sister. Her mother's response only added to the gravity of the situation - it seemed they had orchestrated this together.

I retreated to my car, a maelstrom of thoughts raging within me. What had I unwittingly gotten myself into? I thanked my lucky stars that they hadn't spotted me and drove off, determined to unravel the truth behind this deceit.

Stephanie, upon reflection, was an incredible woman. I had let her down, and now I realized how much she meant to me. After seven years together, she had consistently supported me, thinking ahead and asking for nothing more than my love, respect, trust, and quality time. I decided to visit her cousin, Blacks, hoping to find a way to make amends. At a nearby flower shop, I picked up roses and chocolates, hoping to convey my genuine remorse and longing for another chance.

Author Note
Hey everyone hope you are loving the story so far remember to comment and vote. Next update is on Saturday. Thank you have a great week.