FINDING TRUE LOVE(Beyond Beauty)

CHAPTER ONE ✍️

Starr’s POV

“Trust me Starr, I’m your best friend and I always want the best for you, I wouldn’t lie or accuse Charles of something that’s not true. So please believe me when I say he’s a freaking liar and a cheat.”

“I saw him this afternoon in Nirvana lounge with a beautiful, average height, light-skin lady, and they looked so happy like people in love.

Nirvana lounge, that rang a bell in my head. That’s the hotel me and him always stayed whenever he’s around.

“And before you say anything, that didn’t look like a business deal or friendship date”. She added trying to sound convincing.

I hung up abruptly, and sat quickly on my bed thinking about what lizzy just spurted. I didn’t want to believe “Could she be telling the truth? No, no, Starr stop, don’t do this,” I murmured as I welcomed denial.

Charles would never hurt me. And what the hell would he be even doing in Dubai? I mean, he isn’t back from Canada, where he went on an important business trip for months now. Or could he be back? What else would he be looking for in a woman? I know I’m not perfect, but I made sure I gave him all he asked for, except for one but it’s not entirely my fault….urrrgh, Starr, stop it!!!!

I stood up from my bed without hesitation, picked up my bag and stormed out of my room. I quickly hailed a cab and gave the driver my destination. So, he sped up there, constantly checking me out from his front mirror. But I just sat there, wiping off the tears that tried to make its way out of my eyes.

This couldn’t be true. I kept giving myself reassurance, reminding myself how much Charles loves me. I mean, he always said that to me.

I kept looking at the mirror in intervals, checking if the driver was looking, and yes, he was glaring hard, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was to see Charles, and be in his arms, for him to tell me everything was fine, and he’d never cheat on me.

The car finally came to an halt. I quickly opened the car door and stepped out.

“Hi, miss,” The dark, chubby receptionist welcomed me as I made my way into the five-star hotel Charles always checked into when comes to Dubai. “Is there something you’d like us to do for you ma’am? She asked, offering me a bright smile.

“Please, can I know if someone named Charles Donovan checked in here today? I pleaded.

“Yes ma’am, Mr Charles Donovan is checked in room 306.” The receptionist answered almost immediately.

“Okay, please can I get the keycard to that room? I asked.

“Oh, I’m sorry ma’am. It’s not done that way here, and moreover, It’s stated during his check-in that Me Donovan doesn’t want any visitor,” I’m so sorry, ma’am,” She quickly added.

“Please, you don’t understand. I really need to see him right now,” I begged.

“Okay, I can call him if you—”

“Oh no, no, no, don’t. Here, the thing is, It’s a surprise. I am his girlfriend, and today’s his birthday so, he doesn’t have to know I’m here. I just want to surprise him. I know it’s the company’s policies, but I assure you, it’s for a a good cause,” I explained, hoping it’d sound more convincing.

She studied me for a while before finally saying something. “Oh, Okay, ma’am. Please hold on for a minute, I will quickly get the keys,” She said and ran off immediately to get the card keys. Seconds later, she arrived, handing me the card. “Here miss, the top floor by your left, you’d see room 306.”

“Thank you so much, this really means a lot to me,” I quickly added, I smiled and walked away heading towards the elevator.

Once there, I hit the button going up to the last floor. Minutes later, I stood directly in front of the room that my Charles was checked in.

Taking a deep breath, steadying my trembling hands, I knocked on the door, but it seemed the door was not appropriately closed, So it creaked open a little bit.

I then pushed it open slowly. The luxurious living room was eerily quiet, with only the soft hum of the air conditioner breaking the silence. I surveyed the space, but no one was there, but I spotted a black, sleek handbag lying on the floor with its content spilled out.

The air was heavy with with the scent of perfume, something more primal and feminine. Getting closer to the handbag on the floor, I noticed the trail of clothes laid at the back of the couch.

As I began to ascend the stairs, a low, throaty moan echoed through the hallway, sending shivers down my spine. My heart sank. The sound grew louder, and my curiosity turned to alarm. A muffled moan drifted down the hall, my heart sank deeper as the intentional sound of moans grew louder with each step I took towards the closed bedroom door.

My stomach churned, I felt a pang of desperation as I realized I might be too late to save our relationship, maybe I should just turn back. Maybe I’m the wrong room. I hesitated as my fingers hovered the door handle. Getting myself together, I twisted the doorknob and pushed it open.

There he was, my fiancée wrapped in another woman’s arms. An unknown lady. Who doesn’t look familiar, I know for a fact that I’ve never seen her before in my entire life. He was on-top of her, her finger nails digging dip into his shoulders as he continued to use his dick to satisfy her, and his hands roamed and pressed around her body.

My chest tightened, and my fingers became sweaty, my mind reeled in shock, pain, and anger as my tears came falling fast. They both remained oblivious to my arrival.

With a gentle creak of the floorboard beneath my feet I announced my presence and Charles looked up at me. He wasn’t scared or surprised and they continued. That action shocked me to my bones, and that minute, I knew I was NOTHING to him.

I felt crushed, embarrassed, and used. That instant, there was no word that could explain exactly how I felt. But I still stood there, on the same spot because I was too broken to take a step. Lizzy’s words echoed in my mind, “he’s not good for you, Starr,” I tried to brush it off, but seed of doubt had already been planted.

I clenched my fists, my eyes swollen up with tears as I realized the truth. And then the man who I thought was my all hit me with a vigorous statement.

“When you’re done shedding your tears, don’t forget to close the door behind you.” And that sent my world crashing, my heart shattered into a million pieces. But I didn’t leave, I wanted to question him. I wanted him to look me in the eyes, and tell me why he’d cheat on me.

“Charles,” I called out but he didn’t turn to face me till I raised my voice. He turned to look at me with so much anger.

“What the hell Starr, what do you want? What are you still doing here? Do you want to keep on watching as me and my woman make love? He said with no hint of remorse in his tone.

“Why would you do this to me? What have I done to deserve this?” I asked him my voice laced with pain.

“Well, you wouldn’t blame me. I got tired of a barren woman,” He voice firm and intentional.

Immediately that word came out of his mouth, it felt like everything stopped, the world got frozen. I didn’t want to believe Charles referred to me as BARREN!! just because I couldn’t conceive, With a quiet sob, I turned and fled the room.