Whispers of Deceit, Echoes of Love

“Damn it!” Sophia Collins glared at her phone as it refused to connect. “What’s up?” Mia, her friend and work colleague, asked as she perched herself on the end of her desk, a cup of coffee in hand as usual. The girl could down coffee like it was nothing. Sophia shook her head as she threw her phone down and leaned back on her chair. She ran her fingers through her short, curly hair before looking at her friend. “I have been trying to call Eric for the past twenty minutes, but his phone keeps going to voice mail. He was supposed to come and pick me up.” “He’s probably caught up with something,” Mia shrugged. “I can drop you off.” “Are you sure?” Sophia asked as she leaned forward. “It’ll have to be at his apartment, though. “Our fourth anniversary is this weekend, but Eric will be traveling for work, so we have a date night tonight,” Sophia explained as she glared at her phone again. Mia shrugged as she stood up, “no problem at all. Just give me like five minutes to pack up.” “You are a lifesaver,” Sophia blew a kiss at her friend as she watched her leave. She could count the number of people she considered friends on one hand, and she was glad that Mia was one of them. Her relationship with Mia has grown since she started working at the company. But no relationship could rival her childhood friend Emily’s. Theirs began when they were both in ponytails and cute dresses. Being the only girl to three brothers was always lonely. Her brothers were popular. All six feet tall, handsome, and in sports, all the girls at school wanted to date them. It wasn’t long before the girls started using Sophia to get to her brothers. Once they got them, that relationship would end so quickly. Because of this, Sophia had become very closed off, not letting any girls close to her, which didn’t go too well for her because soon enough, the same girls started bullying her for not hooking them up with her brothers. She had tried to tell her brothers what was happening, but they never believed her because the girls would act like angels in front of them. She had to endure the torments and bullying alone for a good full year until Emily, her childhood friend who had moved away, moved back and joined her school. That was when Sophia started to enjoy high school. Because of Emily, Sophia went out more, met new people, and made new friends. One of those friends was Eric. They met when Eric was in his final year at the university, and she was in her second year through a party that she and Emily attended. Theirs was a slow romance. Sophia was unsure what would happen once Eric graduated, so she kept the relationship very simple. But once Eric graduated and landed his dream job, he still continued his relationship with Sophia. Now, four years later, their relationship seemed more robust than before. “Ready?” Mia asked from the open door. “Yes!” Sophia stood up, turned off the computer, and grabbed her things. She was excited to get to Eric as today would mark a new step in their relationship. The drive to Eric’s apartment wasn’t long, and soon enough, Mia was pulling her white Toyota to a stop in the apartment lot. Sophia frowned, “his car is here.” She pointed to the dark blue Mustang parked near where Mia stopped. “He probably was busy and couldn’t answer your call. You did tell me he works from home sometimes,” Mia smiled at her. “Go on! He probably needs you to get him to rest and relax.” Sophia chuckled as she opened the door. “Thanks, Mia! See you tomorrow at the office.” She turned and waved at her friend before quickly entering the code to the apartment building entrance. She made it to the elevator, once again trying to call Eric. But besides the call went straight to voicemail. Rolling her eyes, she stuffed the phone into the back pocket of her jeans. She hummed to herself when she pushed the button that would take her to Eric’s floor. Once the elevator pinged and the doors opened, she made her way out, nearly bumping into an older woman. “Sophie! How are you, sweetheart?” Sophia smiled at the older woman, “I am fine, Mrs. S. Where are you off to?” Mrs Smith was an elderly widowed woman who lived in the apartment facing Eric’s. She had been in the same apartment for ten years, watching as young people come and go. It was an “Just exercising this old bag of bones,” Mrs. Smith did her little wiggle, the bracelets on her hands jiggling. “But I thought you were in there with Eric. I heard a girl’s voice in there earlier, and I thought it was you.” Sophia frowned, “nope. He’s probably watching a movie or something. And that might be the reason he hasn’t been answering his phone.” “That boy with his loud movies,” Mrs Smith shook her head as she walked past Sophia. “See you later, doll!” “Bye!” Sophia chuckled as she watched Mrs. Smith walk into the elevator. She returned the wave when the older woman raised her hand before turning and walking towards Eric’s apartment. Getting there, she did a slight knock and then one wiggle of the door handle. She kept quiet for a few seconds before reaching for her handbag for her keys. It was usual for her to let herself into the apartment. Eric tended to be so focused on his work. Quickly inserting the key, she turned it and pushed the door open. The apartment was quiet, blanketed with the late evening sun. Looking around the apartment, she frowned. Usually, Eric worked by the desk right before the kitchen, but it seemed he hadn’t been there. Looking around, she noticed the bottle of wine and two glasses on the dining table. Smiling, she walked to them only to furrow in confusion. The wine was about empty, and the two classes were open. “What the heck is going on?” She looked around the apartment. She noticed a pair of sneakers that were definitely not hers. “Eric?” She called once again as she made her way to the kitchen. It was empty. As she turned to walk towards the one bedroom, the door swung open, and a bare-chested, sweatpant-wearing Eric came out. His hair was wet, seeming to be coming from the shower. He was breathing hard as well. “Babe!” Eric smiled as he walked quickly to her. He pulled her into a hug, kissing her. “What are you doing here?” Sophie pushed herself back and looked up at him, “are you seriously asking me what I am doing here? Since when? And where is your phone?” She looked around the room, seeing it placed facedown on the coffee table. Stepping away from him, she walked to the phone. Picking it up, she noticed it was on silent. “Look at how many times I have called you. Why is it on silent?” “Aah,” Eric walked towards her. “I was working earlier and didn’t want the disturbance. I must have forgotten to turn the volume back on.” Sophia shook her head before returning it to him, “so, are you getting ready?” Eric frowned, “getting ready for what?” Sophia crossed her hands and glared at him, “Eric, what is happening with you today? Dinner date, remember?” “Oh yeah!” Eric chuckled awkwardly. “I-ah-I forgot. But give me a few minutes, and I will be ready to go. Ok, babe?” Sophia shrugged. Even the mood to go out seemed to have fizzled out, “seems you weren’t even prepared for it. We can stay in and order something.” “No!” Eric replied sharply. “I mean, I did promise you to take you out.” Eric walked to her and took her into a hug. “And out is where I will be taking you. I have already showered, so give me about five minutes. I am not you who needs hours to get ready.” He placed a kiss on her nose. Sophia rolled her eyes and gently slapped his bare chest. “Get going.” She turned, her eyes catching the shoes once again. As Eric walked to the bedroom, Sophia called him back. “Who did you have wine with? And who’s shoes are those?”