The Scent of Candy

ELYSSIA

I stood at the door, taking a deep breath before letting it out carelessly.

In my left hand, a cake stayed there, the words, ‘happy anniversary, cupcake’ written boldly on it.

My fist hung midair deciding if knocking was the best option. After all, I wanted this to be a surprise for Justin.

The boyfriend whom I was very much obsessed with.

I checked my dress for the last time before looking back at the wooden door.

A coral blue gown that stopped right above my thighs. The sleeveless dress outlined my smallish features, while two strings held it from the back, exposing the entire area.

I tapped on the door, a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling up inside me.

I knocked again, rocking back and forth waiting for him to respond.

Nothing.

“Maybe he's out of earshot,” I mumbled, resting my hand on the knob. Twist. Turn.

The door sprang open. I peered into the house, curiosity taking the better part of me.

That was new.

I took a step into the dimly lit room, glancing around. Everything seemed in place — except the vase which was knocked over, purple hibiscuses squashed on the floor, dead.

The house smelled a bit too unfamiliar, like someone else was there.

Justin had always had that sweet scent of bergamot orange ever since I knew him, but today, everywhere wafted with the scent of lavender.

A woman's perfume.

I stopped, the cake still in my hand as I squinted my eyes just to see the absolute worst.

A pair of red heels scattered around in different directions, a see through gown and a fucking g-string panties.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

No. Justin would never do this to me. Not on our anniversary… not ever.

Maybe he wasn't home and his brother brought in a woman… maybe, a guest left her things here after… .

Wild thoughts ran through my mind, and it ached so bad, I staggered.

“Justin,” I whispered, finally finding strength in me.

Stomping to his room to feed my delusions, I was met with the nastiest sounds.

“Ahh… punish me daddy…”

What the entire fuck?!

I paused and listened.

The squeaking of the bed, as the supposed lady cried in orgasm.

“Daddy, put your hot cock in me and make me come.”

It felt as though she knew I was here… as though her moans mocked me.

I stared at the door to his room in disbelief. Justin and I had dated for over a year now. We met during a general class in my freshman year. His smile was so wide, and how could I forget his obviously flushed cheeks when he wanted to ask me out.

I had given him everything he asked, yet he was pounding another girl so hard, her scream could break down his home.

“Your girlfriend must love you…” the girl muttered amidst moans.

My ears pricked, ready to hear what he was going to say.

Justin let out a mocking snicker.

“She'll never make me feel this good–”

My heart cracked, pain seared through my body. He continued, still pounding her like it was a life mission.

“She's a good kisser, I'll give her that, but she's better off doing my school projects.”

That was it.

My hands trembled, as rage surged through me. He didn't have the right to insult me. And yes, I had realized how foolish I was doing everything he asked even if that humiliated me. But this… this was the last straw.

I banged the door, pushing it wide open. Storming in, I smashed the cake onto his face, not caring if it took me two whole days to make.

Justin jumped, staring in horror at me. His mouth was ajar, but no words came out.

I didn't care about the girl snuggling close to him, batting her eyes at me.

No, every one of them disgusted me, and if I stayed here, I would get all the more annoyed.

“Happy anniversary, bastard,” I spat, turned around, and left.

My legs didn't stop moving till I got into the car. Hot tears poured down my cheeks, my mascara trailing down with it.

That bastard!

He used me and still had the guts to stare at me with that face.

I banged my head on the steering wheel, more tears pouring.

I had never been this betrayed. Never been so humiliated.

If I had a gun right there with me, I would've killed him for deceiving me.

Suddenly, my phone chimed, a notification popping up.

‘Don’t miss the Sins of Asher!’

I stared at the screen, until it turned black. The sins of Asher. That was the party a colleague had invited me to come to.

In truth, I had never been to this kind of party, except when my brother, Liam dragged me along with him.

Maybe this could help me forget about Justin, even if it were just for a night.

Just one party was harmless, and I could deceive myself into believing it would somehow boost my terrible social skills.

Rummaging through my purse, I took out my makeup kit, and began wearing them.

He wasn't going to ruin my night — the one I had planned for two weeks straight.

Fuck him!

I was going to show him that I could do well without him and he meant nothing to me.

***

The party smelled of rum, a slight mixture of perfumes, and sweat. Some people played pool betting on chicks that stood at the end of the large room.

I glanced over at a girl in my psychology class, Grace.

She sat on top of a huge guy rocking him while he guided her movement.

I quickly looked away, moving to the counter where some people stayed drinking.

Just one drink.

One drink wouldn't hurt…

I took a gulp, dropping the bottle of alcohol on the table.

“I hate him,” I wailed, cursing his existence.

Another gulp. And another until the bottle was halfway.

Pushing the chair back, I staggered up the stairs trying to get away from the noise.

“No one loves me…” I slurred, swaying into an empty room.

My head felt fuzzy, and everything was going in circles.

Then I saw him.

A guy.

A handsome guy that smelled like candy.

“What are you doing here? Everyone stays downstairs, that's the rule,” he said bluntly.

What a rude guy!

I marched to him, determined to tell him off.

“You don't scream at a lady like that,” I said, poking his chest.

The so-called guy stood, his dark eyes boring holes into my skin.

Did I do something wrong? But I couldn't care less. He was pretty handsome. No, he was Greek god handsome.

I threw myself on him, wanting to drown in that sweet scent of his.

“Make me forget that jerk of a boyfriend!” I wailed, letting out a small burp.

He looked shocked for a moment, before leaning in close to me like he wanted to kiss me.

My night was going as planned, except it was with a total stranger.

Then he said with a gruff voice.

“No. You're not my type.”

Ouch.

That hurt even more than Justin's betrayal.

Lazily, my fist flew to his face, giving him the most unserious punch in history.

“You're mean, and if you don't, I'll go look for someone else!” I murmured, stomping out like I knew where I was going.

I could still feel those uncanny gaze resting on my back as I staggered down the stairs.

Was I so bad that even a stranger didn't want to have anything to do with me?

I gulped, plopping onto a seat.

The music was adding to my throbbing head.

I could barely recognize most faces around there, and everyone seemed interested in one thing or the other. Like the guy ogling me from the corner of the room.

I batted my lashes at him like an inexperienced slut, and that seemed to work.

The guy smirked, walking up to me.

“You sexy whore,” he licked his lips, reaching for me.

A whore?

He dared call me a whore when he knew nothing about me!

“Fuck off,” I grunted turning away from him.

“Don't do me like this, sweetie.”

Why was he pestering me?

He grabbed my arm, forcing me up the chair like I weighed nothing.

“Leave me alone!” I wanted to scream, but it came out as a whimper.

I looked around, hoping someone saw me struggling.

Then a familiar scent showed up. Candy.

“She's with me, Beau,” he said, pulling me away from him.

“It doesn't seem…”

He glared at him, and the boy raised his hand in defeat.

Without another word, he dragged me away from the crowd, going up the stairs and back into the room.

“You're so determined to get laid, huh?”

I tried to make sense of his face. It seemed as though he got more ethereal by the moment.

I nodded.

He smirked, then leaned in once more. I wasn't taking the bait, but he didn't stop until his lips pressed against my ear. He whispered, his hot breath making me go stiff.

“You'll have to suck me good, Elyssia–” his hand flew to my throat, clutching it.

“Suck me like a good girl.”