Alice's POV
"What! Babe..." That was all I managed to say before my voice trailed off.
"What's going on here...?" My hands flew to my mouth as I staggered back from the sight before my very eyes.
My own best friend and my husband of three years were in bed, wrapped together naked in our hotel room.
Today was my 27th birthday, and earlier we were just downstairs having a birthday party at a hotel in Paris. I had insisted we celebrate it there, as Paris was my dream city. I had also insisted that my best friend come along with us, too.
I was still downstairs, clearing the table we had used for the party. It was still ongoing, and all of my friends who stayed in Paris were invited. We were going to pull an all-nighter. Hotel rooms were already prepared for every one of them to stay upstairs. I looked around for my husband and couldn't find him, as well as my best friend.
"Have you seen Daniel around?" I asked one of my friends who was still at the table.
"I think he went upstairs with Clara some minutes ago," she responded. I wondered what they were doing to have left me alone downstairs to clean up, especially since the party wasn't over.
They had probably gone into their rooms to get something, so I thought.
I excused myself from the people around and went upstairs straight afterwards. When I got to the passage that led to our hotel room, the first thing I heard was moans, and I wondered where they were coming from.
"I guess some people have already hooked up at my birthday party," I whispered to myself as I went on.
I noticed our hotel room door being a little ajar, only to hear the moans vividly coming from the room.
"Oh, fuck, you're so tight."
The voice was very familiar, and I immediately pushed the door open.
It was Clara, my lifelong best friend, and Daniel, my husband.
They didn't even flinch, considering how naked they were on the bed. Clara had only smirked, like I had disturbed what they were doing.
My legs felt wobbly, and it felt like I could faint anytime soon, but no, I really cannot give them the satisfaction of seeing me faint.
I just left the hotel immediately and headed straight to the car we brought. He might probably have to walk back to the airport barefoot. I drove as fast as I could to catch the next flight back home.
My hands were shaking on the wheel. My chest was burning, and my eyes were blurry with tears. I just needed to leave. I didn't care how.
I was too overwhelmed with getting to the airport, and I drove at high speed. I didn't see the car that was right in front of me, and when I did, it was already too late. I hit it hard, and my body slammed forward.
"Oh my God…" I gasped, quickly pulling the brake. My heart was beating so fast that I thought it would jump out of my chest.
The door of the other car opened, and someone stepped out. I didn't even look at the person's face. I couldn't. I was crying too much.
"I'm so sorry," I said, bowing my head. "I'm really sorry; I didn't see you."
The man stood still, but I didn't give him a chance to speak. I jumped back into my car and drove off before he could even move closer.
I didn't care. I just needed to leave.
By the time I got to the airport, the flight was almost taking off. I ran like a crazy person, dragging my small bag with my heels in my hand. People stared at me, but I didn't care.
I managed to get in, and my heart was still beating fast as I slumped into my seat.
I tried to close my eyes, but I couldn't. Every time I closed them, I saw Clara's smirk and the way her naked body was wrapped around Daniel's, making my stomach turn.
I got up to use the toilet. My head was pounding, and I wanted to wash my face.
Inside, I locked the door and held the sink, staring at myself in the mirror. My makeup was ruined, and my eyes were now swollen. I looked like a ghost.
I splashed water on my face and whispered to myself. "It's okay. You're okay. You just have to keep going."
But when I tried to open the door, it didn't move.
I frowned and pulled harder. It didn't budge.
"What?" I whispered, pulling again. The door was stuck.
"Fine, just what I needed," I cursed under my breath as I made another attempt to pull it open.
I started banging on it.
"Hello? Hello? Can someone hear me?"
The plane shook, and I could hear the hostess outside telling everyone to fasten their seatbelts because of turbulence. My banging was lost in the noise.
Panic rose in my chest as I banged harder, kicking the door now. "Please! Open the door!"
I was breathing fast, and tears were already forming again. I felt trapped.
This went on for a while, and it felt like no one was going to come for me. I know better than anyone that it was too risky to be out here at this crucial point of our flight.
Then suddenly, the lock clicked.
The door opened, and I stumbled out, right into someone's chest.
The strong arms caught me before I could fall, and I looked up quickly, but the plane shook again, and my head hit the side of the door, and pain shot through me.
"Oh…" I gasped, but then everything turned blurry.
The last thing I saw was a pair of eyes looking down at me, and the last thing I heard was a deep voice that was barely above a whisper.
"Careful."
And then I fainted.