I reclined my seat, ready to doze off.
But in the middle of the night, a faint rustling sound stirred me awake.
My eyelids fluttered open, and I immediately felt a hand pressing against my chest.
My heart raced. I grabbed the hand instinctively and whipped around to see who it belonged
“Ah!”
A startled yelp escaped from behind me, a voice I recognized all too well.
It was Maria. She was holding a camera, frozen in place.
I bolted upright, fully awake now. Snatching the camera from her hands, I jumped out of the
“Ryan! Give it back!”
She lunged at me, desperate to retrieve the camera, but I shoved her aside.
When I finally looked at the photos, my stomach churned.
Under the dim car light, there were shots of her leaning provocatively over me, her barely–clothed body draped across my chest, her expression suggestive.
Anyone seeing these would get the wrong idea.
Fury surged through me. I hurled the camera to the ground, smashing it into pieces.
“Have you lost your mind? How much longer are you going to cling to me?
You think this kind of garbage will make me forgive you?”
Tears streamed down her face as she cried I know burt youll know what I did was wronal
12:00 Tue, 17 Dec
car.
It was Maria. She was holding a camera, frozen in place.
* 71%1
I bolted upright, fully awake now. Snatching the camera from her hands, I jumped out of the
“Ryan! Give it back!”
She lunged at me, desperate to retrieve the camera, but I shoved her aside.
When I finally looked at the photos, my stomach churned.
Under the dim car light, there were shots of her leaning provocatively over me, her barely–clothed body draped across my chest, her expression suggestive.
Anyone seeing these would get the wrong idea.
Fury surged through me. I hurled the camera to the ground, smashing it into pieces.
“Have you lost your mind? How much longer are you going to cling to me?
You think this kind of garbage will make me forgive you?”
Tears streamed down her face as she cried, “I know I hurt you! I know what I did was wrong! That’s why I’ve been trying so hard to make it up to you.
But I’m scared, Ryan, I’m terrified you’ll leave me for good. I keep having nightmares of seeing you marry someone else.”
She clung to my sleeve, her voice trembling, pleading. “I just wanted some security. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I swear I didn’t…
I laughed bitterly, incredulous at her audacity.
“Security? Is that what you call this disgusting stunt?
So when I finally reject you, you’ll have these photos to blackmail me? That’s your idea of
love?
‘Maria, I can’t believe I ever liked someone like you.”
Her sobs grew louder, but I was done listening.
“It’s not like that! Please, Ryan, just let me explain!”
I shoved her away, climbed back into my car, and slammed the door shut.
She pounded on the window, crying hysterically, but I silenced her pleas with a sharp rev of
the engine.
As I sped off, leaving her behind in the rearview mirror, I finally felt relieved.
