-My Stories- -Hosted Stories- -Good Reads- -Much Recommended- -Banners/Links-
He loved Leighanne more than life itself. She made his whole life worthwhile, and he couldn’t be happier when she was around. When he looked into her eyes, he saw nothing but love. At that moment, he looked toward the ceiling and promised himself that whatever happened, he would always love her. In his heart, he truly believed that she was his soul mate. It felt as if their souls were connected in a way no one but he and his wife could see.
At the same moment, he realized he couldn’t forget Holly. She made him feel alive, as if he had finally woken up from a deep sleep. A bigger dilemma had presented itself to him: should he find out what a relationship with Holly could have in store, or return to Leighanne to avoid the guilty feelings he’d undoubtedly have if it didn’t work out?
Holly collapsed onto her bed and began sobbing uncontrollably. She couldn’t believe what she was doing to herself; not to mention what she was doing to Brian. They were both already in healthy, happy relationships, and yet the thought of being involved with Brian was so enticing that she felt like dropping everything she had with Ryan. When she was with Brian, she felt like everything that had been missing in her life had finally arrived. That was the power of a new love; it always felt so special. Her mind drifted toward the day she’d met Ryan. Just as she was picturing his boyish face, the phone rang. It startled her, and her heart raced. She picked up the phone and her heart sank as she realized who was on the other end.
"H-hello?" she began, shakily.
"Hey! It’s Ryan," her boyfriend said, his upbeat voice betraying his innocence to the situation.
"Umm, hey Ryan… so uh, what’s up?" she asked nervously.
"I wanted to invite you to dinner tonight!" he replied, a smile pasted on his face. He took the cordless phone and wandered over to a desk in the corner of the room. Grinning, he picked up a framed picture of Holly. "I’ve already made reservations, so you can’t say no. After all, you seem to be pretty down lately, so I figured a night out might do you some good." He touched the glass covering the portrait of his girlfriend, admiring her delicate features.
"Sure, alright," Holly agreed. It seemed to be a good solution to things. She could spend some time with her boyfriend so he wouldn’t get suspicious of her, and it would also give Brian some time to think about things.
**************
"You’re going to wear that?" Ryan asked, critically scanning Holly’s indigo jeans and bright orange tank top.
"Yeah, why not? Since when do you care how I dress?" Holly asked suspiciously.
"It just that… well, I said this was a nice restaurant. I thought you might like to… you know… dress up, a little."
"If you’re thinking I’m going to wear a dress, you’re wrong," Holly said firmly, giving her boyfriend a smirk.
"A skirt?" he asked hopefully, giving his best puppy dog eyes.
"You’re on," Holly agreed, running up the stairs to return to her room.
While he waited for her to return, Ryan walked around the main floor of the house aimlessly until he stumbled upon the open door of the guestroom. Curiosity getting the best of him, he pushed open the door to reveal an unmade bed. Just as he was wondering who was staying at the house, he sensed a presence behind him. Swiveling around, he turned to face Holly, about to ask her who it was. The words died on his lips as he saw her.
"Y-you look… great!" he stammered, his eyes traveling over the blood-red 18th century style blouse and black, knee-high slit skirt she wore.
"Thanks," she replied, her eyes glazing over in retrospection. "A friend helped me pick it out."
"The same friend who’s staying here?" Ryan asked, remembering the unmade bed.
"Actually, yeah," she replied, her eyes straying from her boyfriend’s face. She looked at the floor, not knowing what to say next.
"Who is she… or he?" he asked, regretting the words as soon as he spoke them. The last thing he needed was to create a rift between them… especially tonight. There was no sense… what could there be to worry about, anyway?
"A… a friend of the family," she said, Ryan’s gasp not giving her time to gauge whether or not he believed the lie. She looked up to see his eyes bulging in astonishment.
Turning on her heel, she cringed as she saw Brian Littrell standing half-naked and dripping in the hallway behind them, covered only by a towel wrapped around his waist.
Holly’s heart sank.
Welcome The Darkness