Casual
Weston nervously tapped his fingers against the edge of the table, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for Tamantha to arrive. He had something important to tell her, something that would undoubtedly change the dynamics of his life and his relationship with his gym coach, he doesn’t want him to know about Tamantha and their quest for finding the homeless man, especially on what happened yesterday where Tamantha hallucinates about everything.. They had been going to Owen’s gym for years, but Weston had made up his mind to switch to a different gym—a decision that he knew would not sit well with Owen.
As Tamantha walked into the café, her warm smile instantly put Weston at ease. She was a close friend who had been supporting him through thick and thin, and he trusted her enough to confide in her about this delicate matter.
“Hey, Weston!” Tamantha greeted, sliding into the seat across from him. “You seem anxious. What’s going on?”
Weston fidgeted with his coffee cup, searching for the right words. “Tamantha, I… I’ve decided to switch gyms. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I believe it’s time for a change.”
Tamantha’s brows furrowed as she processed his words. “But Weston, Owen’s gym has been a big part of your routine. Won’t he be upset?”
Weston sighed, his gaze drifting away. “I know he will be, but I need to do this for myself. The truth is, I’ve been feeling stagnant lately. The routines at Owen’s gym have become monotonous, and I feel like I’m not pushing myself to my full potential. I’ve found another gym that offers a wider range of classes and training programs, and I believe it will help me grow both physically and mentally.”
Tamantha nodded empathetically, understanding the significance of personal growth. “I get it, Weston. It’s important to prioritize your own needs and goals. But have you thought about how Owen might react?”
Weston’s expression darkened as he contemplated his reaction. “I haven’t told him yet. I wanted to talk to you first, to gather my thoughts. Owen has always been protective of me, and he takes his gym seriously. I know he’ll be hurt and probably see it as a betrayal.”
Just as Weston finished speaking, the café’s door swung open, and a tall figure stepped in. It was Owen, his face a mix of surprise and confusion as he spotted Weston and Tamantha at the table.
“Hey, guys. What’s going on?” Owen asked, his eyes darting between them.
Weston’s heart sank, realizing that his secret was about to be revealed sooner than expected. He exchanged a glance with Tamantha, who gave him a reassuring nod, silently urging him to be honest.
Taking a deep breath, Weston met Owen’s gaze. “Owen, I need to talk to you. Tamantha and I were just discussing something important.”
Owen’s brow furrowed as he took a seat beside them. “Alright, shoot. What’s going on?”
Summoning his courage, Weston spoke with a mix of determination and trepidation. “I’ve made a decision, Owen. I’ve decided to switch gyms. I need a change, new challenges, and opportunities to grow. It’s not about you or your gym. It’s about me and my journey. I hope you can understand.”
Owen’s eyes widened in disbelief, his jaw clenching. He remained silent for a few moments, processing the weight of Weston’s words. Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with disappointment. “I… I can’t believe you’re doing this, Weston. After everything we’ve shared at my gym, all the time we’ve spent together. I thought we were in this together.”
*
After Owen lash out on Weston, he asked me to look out at a party.
As if the homeless man would be there. But still I decided to join him, but of course we can’t blow up the real deal between us.
I glanced around the lavishly decorated room, my heart pounding in my chest as I adjusted the diamond-encrusted bracelet on my wrist. It was another glamorous event thrown by my accidental husband, the billionaire everyone idolized. The man I had managed to keep hidden from my family, my friends, and the world at large. The man I was secretly married to.
My mind raced with thoughts of how I had landed myself in this intricate web of lies. It had started innocently enough, with a chance encounter at a coffee shop. We struck up a conversation, and in a whirlwind of emotions, we eloped in a private ceremony that only a select few knew about. But as time went on, I realized the gravity of my decision and the web of deception I had woven.
I couldn’t reveal the truth to anyone, not even my closest confidants. The fear of being caught consumed me. What if my family discovered my secret marriage? What if my friends uncovered the truth behind my lavish lifestyle? The consequences would be disastrous, not only for me but for the man I had married in secrecy.
Every event, every social gathering was a delicate dance of maintaining appearances. I had to be cautious with my every word, my every move, making sure no slip-up would expose the truth. I became an expert at crafting stories and concocting elaborate backstories to explain my wealth and extravagant lifestyle. But each lie only dug me deeper into the hole I had created.
As I mingled with the elite guests at the event, a sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach. I smiled and laughed, gracefully deflecting questions about my mysterious past and how I managed to afford such luxurious possessions. But beneath the façade, a whirlwind of worry and guilt consumed me.
My eyes met those of my accidental husband across the room, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He was the only one who knew the truth, the only one I could confide in. But even he understood the gravity of our situation and the necessity of our secret.
I excused myself from the conversation, feigning fatigue, and made my way to a secluded corner.
I rejoined the event, slipping back into my role as the enigmatic, wealthy man. But deep down, I knew that my careful charade could only last for so long. The truth had a way of unraveling even the most intricately woven lies.
For now, I would continue to walk the tightrope, navigating a world of secrets and deception, all the while hoping against hope that my precarious existence would remain hidden.
*
Colton stood outside the entrance of Weston’s new gym, his hands fidgeting nervously in his pockets. He had heard through the grapevine that Weston had switched gyms, and curiosity had gotten the better of him. But there was an ulterior motive driving him as well—a desire to get closer to Tamantha, the woman he had secretly harbored feelings for.
Taking a deep breath, Colton pushed open the door and stepped into the bustling gym. The sound of weights clanking and energetic music filled the air as he scanned the room, searching for his brother amidst the sea of people. Finally, he spotted Weston across the room, engrossed in a conversation with one of the trainers.
Colton approached Weston, trying to appear casual despite the racing of his heart. “Hey, Weston! Fancy meeting you here. I had no idea you joined this gym.”
Weston turned to face his brother, surprise evident in his eyes. “Colton, what are you doing here? I thought you were still going to Owen’s gym.”
Colton shrugged, attempting to appear nonchalant. “Yeah, I was, but I heard great things about this place. Figured I’d check it out and see what all the fuss is about. Mind if I tag along with you?”
Weston hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing. He suspected there was more to Colton’s sudden interest in his new gym, but he decided to give his brother the benefit of the doubt. “Sure, Colton. You can join me for today’s workout. But this isn’t like Owen’s gym. It’s more intense and demanding.”
Colton nodded eagerly, inwardly celebrating his small victory. He followed Weston as they made their way to the weights section of the gym, where Tamantha happened to be working out, engrossed in her own routine.
As Colton caught a glimpse of Tamantha, his heart skipped a beat. She was even more captivating up close, her determination and grace as she lifted weights capturing his attention. But he couldn’t bring himself to admit his true intentions—to be close to Tamantha.
Casually, Colton struck up a conversation with Weston, making sure his words were directed toward both his brother and Tamantha. “So, Weston, how are you finding this gym so far? Any favorite classes or trainers?”
Weston, focused on his exercise, replied between sets. “Yeah, it’s been great, Colton. The trainers here really push you to your limits. I’ve been trying out some high-intensity interval training classes, and they’ve been intense but rewarding.”
Colton glanced over at Tamantha, hoping she would join the conversation. “And what about you, Tamantha? Any recommendations?”
Tamantha, briefly startled by the sudden attention, smiled warmly at Colton. “Oh, definitely. I love the kickboxing classes here. They’re challenging but so much fun. You should give them a try.”
Colton’s heart soared at the invitation. “I might just do that. It sounds like a great way to blow off some steam.”
As the workout continued, Colton found himself both exhilarated and nervous. He was closer to Tamantha than ever before, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was deceiving Weston in the process. Despite the mixed emotions, he knew he had to tread carefully, keeping his true feelings hidden until the time was right.
Little did Colton know that secrets have a way of surfacing, and the path he had chosen would inevitably lead to a reckoning—a moment when he would have to confront the truth and face the consequences of his actions.
*
Tension hung thick in the air as Tamantha and Weston stood face to face in the middle of the bustling gym. Their voices, strained and filled with frustration, rose above the cacophony of clanking weights and echoing music.
“How could you do this, Tamantha?” Weston’s voice quivered with a mix of anger and disappointment. “I trusted you, and you go and tell Colton where we’re training? You know how important it is for me to keep this private!”
Tamantha’s eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling as she tried to explain herself. “Weston, I didn’t mean for this to happen. I… I thought Colton had a right to know. He’s your brother, and it felt wrong to exclude him from your life like this.”
Weston’s jaw clenched, his frustration boiling over. “This wasn’t your secret to share, Tamantha! You had no right to involve Colton. It’s not just about excluding him; it’s about protecting both of us. Do you understand the consequences if word gets out? The chaos it will cause?”
Tamantha’s voice cracked as she desperately pleads her case. “I didn’t think it through, Weston. I was trying to be honest and do what I thought was right. I never wanted to hurt you. I just… I care about your brother, and it felt wrong to keep him in the dark.”
Anger flashed across Weston’s face, his voice sharp as he retorted, “You care about my brother? Is that what this is about, Tamantha? Is this some twisted attempt to get closer to him? To replace me?”
Tamantha’s eyes widened in disbelief, hurt etched across her features. “No, Weston, that’s not it at all! I care about both of you, but I love you. You’re the one I’m with, the one I want to be with. I made a mistake, but it wasn’t about replacing you. I just thought I was doing the right thing.”
A heavy silence fell between them, the weight of their argument palpable. Both Weston and Tamantha were caught in a whirlwind of emotions—anger, hurt, and confusion. They had to find a way to bridge the divide, to heal the wounds inflicted by this breach of trust.
After a moment, Weston’s anger began to subside, replaced by a mix of weariness and sadness. He reached out, gently touching Tamantha’s arm. “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me, Tamantha. But you have to understand the implications of what you’ve done. We’re in this together, and our secrets must remain hidden. For both our sakes.”
Tamantha nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Weston. I never wanted to jeopardize us. I’ll talk to Colton and make him understand the importance of keeping this to himself. I promise.”
Weston’s expression softened, and he pulled Tamantha into a comforting embrace. “We’ll work through this, Tamantha. We’ll find a way to navigate the challenges that come our way. But from now on, we need to be more careful, more united in protecting what we have.”
“Until we haven’t seen that homeless man.” He said.
