I HATE YOU

ARIANA'S POV

“Fuck... she choked on his dick.”

Maya, my curly-haired friend suddenly blurted out with a wide, naughty grin. Her face was half hidden behind the book she was reading.

I glanced up from my own book, eyes widening with amusement. “Let me see...” I giggled, tossing my book aside and crawling toward her.

I snatched it from her hands.

We were both complete novel freaks.

“Damn... it's his grunts for me.” I squealed, like I could actually hear them.

Maya immediately snatched the book back. “Go read yours.”

I rolled my eyes and swept my hair over my shoulder before standing up from the bed.

Just then, my phone buzzed. My face instantly lit up as I hurriedly grabbed it from the bedside table.

It was a text from my boyfriend.

Scott.

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I read it.

“Hey baby. I've missed you. Can you come over tonight?”

A smile spread across my face. I didn't even think twice before typing a reply. The moment I hit send, I pressed the phone to my chest and twirled around the room.

Maya groaned. “Let me guess. Scott texted you.”

“Yes!” I gushed dramatically.

I was blushing so hard that Maya rolled her eyes. “What did he say?”

I bounced lightly on my toes. “He said he missed me... and he wants me to come over. I need to freshen up!”

I was already rushing toward the bathroom.

Maya smacked her forehead. “Come over?” she repeated. Her tone immediately sounded displeased. “When was the last time you two even went on a date?”

Not again.

She was about to start one of her lectures.

I took off my jeans skirt, leaving me in my panty and tank top. “Maya, come on.” I laughed. “Scott is too busy for that.” I said, pulling off my tank top. 

“Busy?” Her brows furrowed. “Do you even hear yourse—”

“Maya, please.” I cut her off.

She stared at me for a few seconds before shoving her book back into her face.

I sighed.

Honestly, I still didn't understand why Maya disliked Scott so much.

A few minutes later, I stepped out of the shower and headed to my closet. I pulled out the red lingerie set I had bought weeks ago. A nervous smile spread across my lips as I slipped it on and stood before the mirror.

I slowly looked myself over.

Medium sized breasts, slim waist, curvy hips, straight legs and smooth skin.

Gosh.

I looked so sexy.

My cheeks warmed. This was the first time Scott would ever see me wearing lingerie. I couldn't wait to see his reaction.

After one final glance, I picked out a short fitted red dress that outlined my curves and slipped it on.

It didn't take long to finish my makeup, just something light. Scott always said he preferred my natural face.

Thinking about him made me smile again.

I checked myself in the mirror one last time before turning toward Maya. “How do I look?”

“Good... good.” She muttered without even looking up.

I hissed. “Come on, Maya.”

Finally, she lowered her book as her eyes moved over me. “Not bad, but—”

“Okay, thanks, bye!” I grabbed my handbag and rushed out before she could finish. Trust me, whatever came after that "but" wasn't going to be pleasant.

Outside, I hailed a cab.

The entire ride there, I couldn't stop smiling.

I checked my makeup and my hair over and over again. By the time we arrived, I was practically glowing with excitement.

I paid the driver and stepped out.

My heart raced.

I couldn't wait to see Scott's reaction. If excitement was a sin, I'd already be condemned.

I pulled out my mirror one last time.

Perfect.

A satisfied smile curved my lips, then I headed inside. The closer I got to his apartment, the harder my heart pounded.

Finally, I reached his door.

I raised my hand to ring the doorbell but then, I paused.

The door was slightly open.

My brows furrowed. 

Maybe he was in the shower.

A smile tugged at my lips. How cute. He probably left it open so I wouldn't have to wait outside.

I stepped inside, and realised the living room was empty. I closed the door behind me and walked toward his bedroom.

Scott really cared about me. He genuinely loved me and I lov—

“Harder, baby.”

I froze completely as the smile vanished from my face.

My brain immediately started fighting away every possibility of what that sound meant.

Maybe I heard wrong. I had to have heard wrong. Maybe he was watching a movie or something.

It can't be—

“Fuck my cunt.” 

“My pussy is all yours.”

“Fuck… faster… I'm close.”

My stomach dropped.

No.

No.

No, no, no.

My brain desperately searched for another explanation.

Maybe Scott had company.

Maybe—

“Scott… ouch”

The female voice moaned his name as everything inside me stopped.

My handbag slipped from my fingers and hit the floor. The sound echoed through the apartment.

My chest tightened painfully.

It couldn't be. 

It just couldn't.

Ten minutes ago I had been smiling at my reflection. Ten minutes ago I had been wondering whether he'd like the lingerie. Ten minutes ago I had felt beautiful.

Now dread crawled through my veins painfully.

I forced my feet forward, one step then another.

My breathing became uneven. My hands shook as I reached the bedroom door.

My fingers wrapped around the handle. For one final second, I prayed.

Please. Please don't let it be what I'm thinking.

Then I pushed the door open, and my entire world shattered.

Right on the bed was Scott, my boyfriend and his—

Cousin? 

Her name was Tania, a girl he once introduced as his cousin. She was on all fours, ass shot out while Scott fucked her from behind.

“Right there, baby.” A shameless moan spilled out of her lips as Scott spanked her ass.

For a moment, my brain refused to process what I was seeing. The room began to spin as my eyes stung.

No, this wasn't happening.

This couldn't be happening.

Hot tears burned behind my eyes as my entire body trembled.

Every smile I'd worn today, every excited thought, every moment spent getting ready was now crushed.

Just like that.

I couldn't take it any longer.

“Scott, what the hell?!” My voice cracked as their heads snapped towards me.

I expected shock, guilt, panic—anything.

Instead, Scott looked annoyed while Tania rolled her eyes.“Fuck off,” she muttered harshly.

My breath caught as I stared at them waiting for someone to tell me this was a joke or a misunderstanding or even a  nightmare.

But nobody did.

“How could you do this to me?” I whispered, lips quivering as I choked back a sob. “How could you do this to me?” Anger surged through the heartbreak. “I loved you! I trusted you! I thought what we had was real!”

Scott just sighed heavily like I was inconveniencing him. “Stop acting like a victim.”

I flinched. “What?”

“You heard me.” His expression hardened. “Things changed.”

My chest tightened.“Things changed?” I repeated.

“Yes.” A cold laugh escaped him. “I got tired of pretending.”

My breath hitched. “You don't mean that.”

“Oh, I do.” His eyes met mine, completely emotionless. “You really think I loved you?”

The question hit me harder than a slap.

For a moment, all I could do was stare at him as images began flashing through my head one after another.

The late-night phone calls that lasted for hours. The way he held  my hand whenever we walked together. The countless times he'd told me he missed me. The first time he kissed me. The first time I gave myself to him. The promises, our future plans. 

Every "I love you."

Had all of it been fake?

My chest tightened painfully.

No.

It couldn't have been.

Not after all the times he'd looked me in the eyes and told me I was special.

A sob caught in my throat.

I searched his face desperately, hoping to find some sign that he was lying but there was no sign.

My heart sank straight to my stomach.

“But… but.. you were my first love.” I whispered as the tears finally spilled. “ I gave you everything… you can't just–”

He shrugged. “I never asked for that.”

My heart shattered completely.

He wasn't even trying to explain anything. He simply didn't care.

“You were just a toy to me, Ariana.”

My knees nearly buckled.

For a moment, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't even feel anything except pain.

“I hate you.” My words sounded weak and broken but it was all I had left.

Everything hurt–my chest, my heart.

I turned and ran out as hot tears streamed down my face. Only one sentence kept repeating in my head.

“You were just a toy to me, Ariana.”