I Left My Heart In Vegas

Betrayal

Ripple after ripple, created by circling feet in the pool. I was cold, and yet, I couldn't pull my feet out. That look Aaron gave me wouldn't leave my mind. His eyes filled with a dark residue, telling me that something bad was going to happen. Like he said, he knew Zak a long time. Probably, better than anyone, and he knew what he was capable of.
The sun was dipping low behind the horizon. The pink and orange colors filled the sky, and I felt as if I was in a romantic foreign film, as the birds flew high out of the trees. Bree's sandals clicked against the concrete, as she made her way to the pool. "Hey, it's chilly. Do you want to come in?"
"Where did Aaron go?" I asked, my eyes steady on the waves in the pool.
"He's in the living room. He's not saying much though. I don't know what's bothering him."
            "He knows something we don't."
            "Mel, please, come inside." Bree tugged my arm, and I pulled myself out of the pool. The water ran down my legs, and created a small puddle underneath my feet. Bree lifted a towel from the lounge chair, and I wiped my legs dry. "Why do you seem upset? You're staying, you should be happy."
            "Zak should've been here hours ago. It's almost dark. What could he be doing?"
            "I'm sure he'll be here soon."
            Aaron's palms began to sweat when he read the recent text sent from Zak. "Fuck, Zak, what did you do?" He ran his hands over his head, and quickly stood from the couch. He looked out the front window, as he heard a car door shut, and his heart stopped when he heard the second door. "Shit..." Aaron rushed to the front door, and abruptly swung it open. There Zak was, his muscular arm wrapped around another woman. Her hair was long, and bleached. She modeled a low cut dress, finished with a slit all the way up her thigh. Aaron could tell, by the way she bounced her silicone filled breasts and giggled, that she must've been another one of Zak's ex's.
            "What's up, bro?" Zak yelled out, with a big grin on his face. His voice loud enough, like he was trying to bring attention to himself.
            "Zak, what are you doing?"
            "What? I thought we were all hanging out? Having a little going away party. I just thought I'd bring a date." Zak grasped his dates hand, and pulled her inside with him. Aaron rushed after them, and stopped Zak before they could enter the kitchen, knowing Bree and I were just feet away.
            "Get her out of here, now."
            "Aaron, back off."
            "Zak, you don't understand! Listen to me! Melissa was here to tell you..." Before Aaron's confession was completed, he was interrupted by the sound of the patio door sliding shut. Aaron tightly sealed his lips. The only thing he could now, was wait for me to find out for myself.
            Bree was the first to enter, her smile faded, as she saw the woman pressed against Zak. I soon followed. The sight took me a moment to comprehend. I couldn't understand what was happening before my eyes. Zak wore a cocky grin, stained with hate and anger. My stomach turned into knots, and I could feel the nausea hit me. I swallowed repeatedly, trying to fight everything that was building up. "Mel, you're still here? I thought you'd be long gone by now." Zak said, while trying to keep his hateful grin. "I mean, I don't blame you for wanting to stay a little longer. Want to get a little more of me before you leave? Maybe, we could work out a little threesome or something, huh?"
             Zak's words cut deep like a knife. Even the strange woman wore a confused expression, while she listened to Zak's disrespectful remarks. It was starting to click in her head, that she was just being used for his sick and twisted game. "Zak, I'm going to go." She said, as she turned to leave. Zak quickly pulled her back, and pressed his lips firmly against hers. I sealed my eyes shut, not able to face the sight.
            Finally, I heard a loud crash, I opened my eyes to find the lamp shattered on the floor. Bree couldn't hold back her anger, as she pushed Zak with every force she had left in her body, causing him to knock the lamp over behind him. "You stupid prick!" Bree yelled. Aaron grasped her shoulders, and tried to keep her calm. The woman wasted no time running to the front door, cell to her ear, calling a cab to get her out of this dysfunctional situation.
             I still couldn't move or speak. I didn't even feel as if I was in the same room anymore. My soul had floated from my body, and I was watching it all unfold before me. Bree, still steady yelling at Zak, while Aaron held her back. Her face fuming red with anger. With the feeling in my stomach growing stronger, I snapped out of my trance, and covered my mouth. Bree paused her shouting, and looked over at me. "Mel, are you alright?"
             I ran. I ran, as fast as I could. Out of the front door, and to my jeep. The blonde, still waiting for her cab in the driveway, watched as I slammed my car door. The tires squealed, and left long black marks on the pavement, as I sped off. My vision was blurry. I couldn't see through the thick tears that had built up in my eyes. Without even remembering the drive, I safely made it to the hotel parking lot.
              As I finished packing my clothes away, I slowly sat at the foot of my bed. My mind was going a thousand miles a minute, still trying to figure out what had gone wrong. "What did I do?" I whispered, as the tears rolled down my cheek. I knew now, that leaving was my only option. Before, I checked out, I took one last look at my hotel room that was once filled with love and laughter. Now, leaving it filled with sadness and regret.
            As I walked to my jeep, I heard the sound of a familiar voice. "Melissa?" I turned and was faced with the sight of a gorgeous man, smiling back at me. "Oh, my god, it is you."
            "The motel guy?"
            "It's Charlie, actually." He replied, with a chuckle. "Although, I'm surprised you actually remembered me."
            "What are you doing here?"
            "I actually came here for a weekend trip with a few friends of mine, but I was heading to the airport to fly back home. I can't believe we were staying in the same hotel, all this time."
            "Yeah, that's crazy."
            "So, how'd the prostitution thing go?" Charlie laughed at his own joke, but I couldn't even crack a smile. Charlie's smile faded. "I'm sorry, I was joking. I didn't mean to offend you."
             "No, it's alright, you didn't. I just had a really bad day."
             "I'm sorry, you want to talk about it?"
             "No, I actually really need to get going." I quickly turned, and climbed into my jeep. As I shut the door, Charlie placed his hand on the open window frame.
             "Hey, I don't think it was a coincidence that we ended up in the same place again."
             "Yeah, you must be following me."
             "I'm serious, this might be a little forward, but....I'm sure I'll be back at the motel before you make it there. So, if you feel like stopping again, you really should." With a wink of his beautiful blue eye, and a tap of my door, Charlie walked away. Obviously, there was no way I was going to stop at the motel. But as the image of Zak, and that woman continued to reappear in my head, the thought of Charlie was sounding better and better.