THE MATE I NEVER KNEW: TIED BY FATE AND FUR

‎ SMACK!

‎The crack of the slap was followed by a long deafening silence.

‎I looked at Cole, and the betrayal I felt was evident on my face. The ache in my heart could not compare to the sting I felt on my palm. I couldn't believe what I just witnessed.

‎"Jeremy, have you gone nuts? How dare you slap me"? Cole asked, the imprint from the slap contrasting with his pale skin.

‎My eyes turned glossy with tears, as I smiled bitterly. "We've been together for five years Cole, five! And yet you're cheating on me".

‎If someone had told me that my boyfriend Cole, whom I had been dating for five years, was cheating on me, I would have laughed them off and called them crazy. But now I think I could call myself the crazy one for not noticing the signs earlier.

‎Cole and I met five years ago at a cafe where I worked. It was love at first sight for me; his attractive appearance was the first thing I noticed. He had pale skin and green eyes. It was the first time I had seen him. I later discovered he was new to the neighborhood and had just moved in. It surprised me when I found out that he lived in the same apartment building that I did.

‎Cole later became a regular at the cafe where I worked and we became closer. Two months after our first meeting, Cole asked me out and I agreed to date him.

Cole had always hated talking about his family. Any time I brought them up, he’d change the subject. Once, I asked if they knew about us, and he just laughed and said, "Let’s not ruin a good thing with bad vibes." Since then I never brought it up again because I knew I wouldn't be able to answer if he asked me about my family.

‎Today was our fifth anniversary, so I decided to surprise him. I asked my coworker Mira to cover for me so I could go home and surprise him, but she only agreed on the condition that I cover two shifts for her, which I accepted.

‎For our fifth anniversary, I decided to buy Cole a wristwatch that he had always wanted. It was expensive and cost me a lot, but I felt it was worth it. My thoughts changed when I arrived at Cole's apartment. I noticed Cole's car was parked at the garage, which surprised me because Cole had been busy for the past few months and rarely spent time with me, but I thought that maybe he came to get some documents and head back to work. Cole told me that he had started a company a few years back and right now he was trying to sign a contract with a particular company so he was really busy.

‎I went into the apartment building and climbed the stairs to the second floor where Cole's apartment was. Mine was on the first floor.

‎When I reached the front of Cole's apartment door, I used the spare key he gave me to open the door, and when I got in, something felt off. Close to the door, there were two pairs of shoes, a male and a female, but I didn't think much of it and went further in.

‎When I reached the living room, a frown appeared on my face. Clothes were scattered everywhere, both male and female clothing. Then I heard strange noises coming from Cole's room and something felt off so I immediately went to check it out.

‎I slowly opened the door, horrified by the sight in front of me. My boyfriend Cole was on the bed with a woman, someone I didn't recognize, and they were both half naked.

‎At that moment, I felt my heart shatter into pieces. I walked up to him and slapped him on the face. The sting on my hand could not be compared to the pain I felt in my heart.

‎"Jeremy, have you gone nuts? How dare you slap me"? Cole asked, the imprint from the slap contrasting with his pale skin.

‎My eyes turned glossy with tears, as I smiled bitterly. "We've been together for five years Cole, five! And yet you're cheating on me".

‎Cole scoffed, and a mocking smile appeared on his face. "Don't you feel ashamed, Jeremy"? Cole asked one of his brows lifting up slightly. "We're both men, or did you expect that I would marry you? I was only with you for the fun of it.

‎I bit my lip, the pain I felt at that moment was evident in my eyes. "So that’s all I ever was to you? A joke? A phase?" I asked Cole, my voice coming out hoarse.

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"‎You were convenient, Jeremy. You always came running when I needed you." Cole said while looking at me, a wicked smile on his face.

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‎"You were always so nice to me Cole, I-I really thought you loved me," I said, biting back a sob.

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‎"You're delusional Jeremy. I never promised you anything real. You just made up fantasies in your head."

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‎"Yikes. Is he always this dramatic? You really picked a clingy one, babe." the woman who was half naked in bed with Cole spoke. She wasn't even feeling ashamed enough to cover up.

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‎"Guess you're right, darling," Cole said while turning to the woman, placing a lingering kiss on her lips.

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‎The sight made my already aching heart ache even more. "Why were you nice to me then? Why did you treat me so well if you didn't love me?! I asked, my voice higher than intended.

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‎"How long will it take for you to get it, Jeremy? Cole asked with a sigh."You were just my way of going against my parents, Jeremy. They wanted me to settle down, find a proper girl from a rich family, and have kids but I never wanted to be tied down by marriage. So I ran."

I stared at him, stunned. So all those nights together, all those kisses, were just part of his act? A rebellion I didn’t know I was starring in?

‎"Wait what do you mean"? I asked confusion etched on my face.

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‎"Don't worry about that for now, you're going to find out soon," Cole said, and for a moment I saw something flash across his eyes, I don't know what it was but it looked similar to sadness or maybe guilt but it vanished just as fast as it appeared.

"Now what I need is for you to get out of my apartment, you just interrupted the good time I was having, " he continued, pointing towards the door.

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‎"I swear I'll make you regret this," i said while storming and slamming the door behind me, but that did not make the ache in my chest go away.