Our eternal affairs

The first time Cliff saw Sam Foxx, he couldn't help but think that something was off about the guy. He pinned him as pesky and unpleasant at the back of his mind. He didn't understand why his sister would want to hang out with someone like that.

Anna emerged from the bathroom looking fresh and like her normal self. She decided to surprise Sam, and give him her latest update.

 "You guys are still going out?" Cliff asked, sprawled on the bed in his shorts and clean white singlet.

 She hesitated before answering. "I guess. You know how he can be. Besides, we've been weird this month."

"Hmm." Cliff didn't want to pry.

Sam had definitely been avoiding her because she didn't give him the money he asked for. She was also tired of the relationship. But every time she wanted out, she remembered how he saved her from her huge debt, plus he's been the only one there for her.

She smoothed her grey fitted pants which she paired with a plain top under a cardigan, as she looked at herself in the mirror.

While fixing her face in the large mirror, which hung above the dresser, Cliff plopped on his side and watched her. He had never been this close, or casual, with Anna before. He wondered how Sam would react when he hears about her diagnosis.

He looked round the room, the walls were adorned with pale pink, lavender and creamy white. An area rug in soft pastel, laid in the center of the room. A comfortable reading nook, faced the window at one wall. Her four poster bed was in the center of the room. 

She might not have much, but did well to look comfortable. He smiled.

 "What would you want for dinner?" He asked, changing the topic.

 "Oh, don't worry about me." She arranged her hair before slipping her feet into her silhouette heels. "I will get something for myself."

 "You sure?" Worried lines appeared in his forehead.

She didn't have any appetite at all.

 "Yes. How do I look?" She smiled at him.

 "Pleasantly distracting," he teased, drawing a circle on the sheets.

She threw a pencil at him before stepping out.

 "Have fun." He called out, but she was already gone.

Anna stood before Sam's apartment in Brookline, shivering slightly from the chilly air. The ride over, had been short, but it felt longer, and her mind raced with all the things she wanted to say–and avoided saying. In her relationship, communication had always been below romance, or actively used in fights.

It was dark already, but the warm buzz of the environment was welcoming. Fall appeared in the trees, the red and orange hue of the leaves in the environment, highlighted her emotions.

Her finger was already on the door bell, when she heard very unusual sounds, coming from the living room.

Is he having a party? She wondered pushing the door open. As soon as she stepped in, her senses were assaulted by muffled moans and groans, revealing a very unholy sight.

 "Jesus Christ! What's happening here!" She shouted, her throat felt raw instantly, and her voice trembled in disbelief.

The room was a blur of bodies, guys and ladies, shamelessly entwined in every conceivable position. 

The air in the room was thick, with the musky stench of spirits, cigarettes and sweat. Very loud music blared from the set. Her most intimate senses, came alive.

The room fell silent, as they stopped their activity, and turned their heads to look toward the invading voice. Anna felt a deep flush rise to her cheeks, when she realised that she was the only one fully dressed in the room.

 "Uh, wrong apartment," she chuckled nervously, "Hehe."

She turned to leave, when she heard someone call her name from inside.

She spun around, and saw Sam Foxx, coming through a darkened hallway, shirtless, and in jean shorts. His lean body, a canvas of tattoos. A drunken grin spread across his handsome face. She hadn't seen him in months, due to their fight.

 "Anna, hey, glad you could join us, I wasn't expecting you," he cooed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

She twisted in his embrace, struggling to free herself, as she whispered through gritted teeth.

 "What is this Sam, some kind of sick joke?!" she spat, her anger boiling over.

 "What? You've never seen a swing room before?" he chuckled drunkenly.

Then he turned and announced to the room. "Hey guys, meet my girlfriend."

They murmured something in response, then turned to continue. Anna felt bile rise from her belly. She held her hand over her mouth, before dashing into a bathroom, to release her insides.

She stared at herself in the mirror, as she washed her face. She reeled as the scene flashed across her mind.

"Stupid, stupid... Oh Lord, what am I doing here?" She was still muttering to herself, in shock, when the door burst open. She yelped, turning to see who it was.

 "You alright?" Sam bubbled, standing at the doorpost.

 She looked at him, her eyes narrowed in a squint. She still hadn't recovered from the shock that welcomed her.

As she turned to dry her hands on a brown towel that hung on the side of the wall, a thought flashed across her mind. What if they had also used the towel too? She jumped back in disgust and washed her hands again.

Was he the same Sam she had known for three years? Or someone else. Why had she never seen him like this?

She made a mental note to remind herself never to pay any surprise visits to anyone in the future.

 "Hey, for a second, I thought you were a virgin." He laughed mockingly at her, looking around for anyone who got the joke.

She remembered the last time she was there, and blushed slightly. Then suddenly felt very cheap, and stupid. Her heart ached, as she pushed tears behind her eyes. 

She swore silently at herself, as if threatening the tears not to come out. She thought he loved her in the slightest, or at least cared. Her mind was still revolving round the situation, when a slender hand appeared from beside him, running seductively over his chest.

 "Baby, you left me all alone, you made me angry." A familiar voice cried coyly, then she emerged from behind him.

 "Rosie?" Anna watched in surprise. The lady cocked her head before her eyes snapped wide in recognition. She jumped back from him, like he was hot oil, and waved lazily at Anna.

 "Hey Anna."

She stared at Sam. What was happening here? Not only was he promoting swing parties, now Rosie? Did she sleep with him?

 "Hey, I can explain okay?" He started.

 "How the hell did you end up with her?" Her voice was so gentle and firm, Sam was surprised.

He sniffed before answering. "We've been friends for a while now."

She was suffering from a terminal diagnosis and he was here humping, Rosie? Her anger spiked.

 "Look," he licked his lips, "I asked you for cash earlier but you refused to lend me. Rosie offered to help instead."

 "I refused to help?! Money for what? The stupid party you're enjoying behind my back?" She barked, staring daggers at him and clenching her hands into fists.

 "Do you even know what I've had to go through for the past month?"

Sam shifted on his spot. He knew she had every right to be angry, but he also had his needs. He sniffed again, if she hadn't been so selfish, none of them would even be here.

 She stared at him in disbelief. How had she never saw all these before? Just one turn in her life, and all these popped out from nowhere. Her heart broke.

 "You're disgusting, Sam! You're no less than a slug." she blurted.

Immediately, he held her by the throat and pinned her to the bathroom wall.

 "No, you're the slug here, you bitch." Something flashed in his eyes.

Those were the same words his mother used on him before she died of a heart attack. He didn't like being insulted, by a lady.

Then he remembered something and smirked.

 "You're one to talk, Anna, but you're the one who's sick. Just who's more disgusting, huh? Sweet Nurse Rosie told me, how she watched you being rushed into the hospital yesterday. Those damn nurses like to talk right? I bet you shared your body around with sick men." He spat on her, grinning evily.

He peered back at Rosie, who stared at them dumbfounded, clad in a flimsy transparent outerwear. 

Rosie looked scared, and thought it was just the drug that made him react that way. She had always wanted Sam, and was slowly making progress before Anna came, and crashed everything for her. 

Rosie Dipp also lived in the same neighbourhood as Anna, but in a different apartment building. They used to be buddies when they were kids, and had graduated high school together, but Anna had no idea that she was a Nurse.

Anna's eyes widened, as Sam's words cut deep. Blood drained from her face when she heard him sputter her secret, like it was lingerie decorating a mannequin. Anna's anger exploded, as he finally spat on her.

 She mustered strength from an unknown source, and kicked him in the groin, with all her might, before he released his grip on her. 

 "I hate you Sam!" She yelled. Her tears almost gushed out.

She turned to Rosie, coughing, "I forgave you for all the lies you told about me when we were kids.

I would've held this against you, but. You're not worth it." She pointed at her, matter-of-factly.

Then she looked down at Sam who was still groaning in pain on the floor and kicked him again. Hard. Before speaking out.

 "I believe you've been well informed of my reason for visiting. If I ever catch you around me or calling my phone again, I will make sure you don't walk for the rest of your life!"

She arranged her hair, and straightened her clothes. With that, she turned and walked out of the apartment, leaving Sam and Rosie to their twisted games. She prayed she would never cross paths with them, ever again. She was done.