Time slipped away like sand through fingers and in a blink of an eyes it was already evening.
The sun sun bled over the city smearing the the sky in a garish that did nothing to warm some souls roaming in this city. Flocks of birds soared in perfect V-formation,their small bodies contrasting against the vibrant orange backdrop of the sky,a breathtaking scene that felt ethereal.
Below, the city was awakening to its nightlife. Streetlights flickered on one by one, illuminating the bustling streets as skyscrapers adorned themselves with LED lights and neon signs burst into life.
The cacophony of honking cars filled the air, while weary white-collar workers spilled out of their offices, dark circles under their eyes and shoulders carved permanently from years of hunching over keyboards.
For some, the night marked the end of their day, while for others, it was merely the beginning of another long day.
*****
"Finally done," Damien sighed as he leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms overhead while casting a glance at his computer screen,his finished reports gleamed back at him.
He poked his head out into the empty office space, letting out a yawn before standing up to prepare for home.
After gathering his things, he made his way to the elevator and descended to the ground floor, finally leaving behind the confines of corporate life.
Turning back for a moment, he gazed at the towering office building that had consumed so many hours of his life before shaking himself from reverie.
High above him hung a half-moon surrounded by twinkling stars,an enchanting sight that drew a cold breath from his lips.
Checking his watch revealed it was already seven o'clock, only minutes away from eight. This wasn't surprising; after all, it was part of his daily routine to be among the last to leave and one of the first to arrive each morning.
"Better hurry home before she starts complaining," Damien muttered under his breath as he slipped one hand into his pocket and grasped his briefcase with the other. He walked along the pedestrian road where cars zoomed past him in streaks of light; shops were brightly lit with enticing aromas wafting through the air,a tantalizing mix mingling with fumes from passing vehicles.
Neon lights bled across pavement as people flowed in and out of bars and stores. Damien drifted along like a ghost in his own reality; nobody seemed to notice him as he moved through the crowds,letting the current of bodies dictate his path his shoulders automatically tightening to slip through gaps.
He looked up at the sky again, lost in thought: "Life isn't always rainbows and sunshine.The longer you live in this world, you realize reality often favors those who seem destined for greatness,the protagonists who receive everything they desire on silver platters without having to endure hardship. Meanwhile, others toil endlessly just to reach someone else's toes or become stepping stones for their ascent. Life has never been fair."
He watched as a sleek, expensive sports car glided past him with remarkable speed, the driver was a young man with piercing and dyed blode hair laughing on the phone. Damien hand tightened on the strap of his worn out briefcase.
He shook his head and laughed bitterly," Of course, for some the city was a playground. For me it's just a maze of identical, grimy streets leading to the same destination ; home and work".
He paused outside a charming cake shop, inhaling deeply as he gazed at the exquisite cakes displayed behind the glass counter. His eyes were drawn to a little boy, beaming with joy as his parents looked on with adoration.
In that moment, envy flickered within Damien. He found himself wishing to trade places with that boy,to bask in the warmth of such loving attention.
"Who am I kidding?" he muttered, shaking his head and forcing a bitter smile. "Nature plays favorites; it's never fair. Life doesn't treat everyone equally, what's a starting line for one can be the finish line for another. As for me? I don't even know if I have a starting line, let alone a finish line. My goals? Objectives? They're all just vague shadows in my mind."
With one last glance at the happy family, Damien turned away and blended into the bustling crowd, the innocent laughter of the boy fading behind him like a distant memory.
*******
Thirty minutes later, Damien arrived home at his old apartment complex nestled in downtown,a place that felt eerily deserted under the dim glow of streetlights.
The cold night wind howled through the streets, sending trash swirling around like lost thoughts while stray dogs barked and cats meowed in protest. The air was thick with an unpleasant mix of oil and refuse.
He trudged up the creaky stairs,his hand automatically finding the banister he'd meaning to clean for months. The stairs creaked just like how his back does.
As he entered his room, something felt off; the apartment smelled different. Not just takeout or dust but something entirely else. A faint sharp cologne he didn't recognize.He frowned but shrugged it off as he set down his briefcase on the sofa and headed toward the bedroom.
That's when strange, muffled noises halted him mid-step. Curiosity piqued despite better judgment, he pressed his ear against the door.
"Mmm...hah...yes...harder..Don't stop!"
His heart sank into his stomach as fury ignited within him; shock paralyzed him momentarily before rage took over.
The door didn't opened with a heroic BANG! It shuddered and whined as he shoved it,the cheapest lock giving way with a sound of splintering plastic.
What lay before him shattered everything he believed about love and trust. His girlfriend, the woman he had cherished for over three years, was entwined with another man in an intimate embrace on their bed.
His mind went blank. The silence in his own head was absolute.
"What the fuck is going on here?!" Damien roared, disbelief coursing through him as adrenaline surged.
"Oh… hey baby! You're back," she stammered, her face flushed and disoriented.
"Elira! What is going on? You're cheating on me,in my own bedroom!" His voice trembled with anger.
"And who is this guy?" He pointed accusingly at her partner,a towering figure with chiseled abs and an arrogant smirk plastered across his face as if this was all just a game.
"Oh... him? He's just my yoga instructor. Don't get worked up; it's nothing," Elira purred, her voice a sultry whisper that sent chills down Damien's spine.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Damien cursed under his breath, his eyes blazing with fury. Veins bulged on his forehead as adrenaline coursed through him, and his body trembled with rage.
"Hey man, it's not a big deal! Your girlfriend just wanted to know what a real man feels like," the guy said with a smirk, disdain and mockery dancing in his eyes.
"No big deal? You're sleeping with my girl and you call that 'nothing'? I swear I'm going to kill you!" Damien growled, muscles coiling as he prepared to charge forward and teach this scumbag a lesson.
"Stop it, Damien!" Elira shouted as she leaped off the bed. The sight was shocking, she stood there completely naked, her confidence radiating as she pointed a finger at him while breathing heavily.
"Damien..God,just...just don't....Don't look at me like that. You're always...so disappointing. It's exhausting. What did you expect? You live at the office! You think a 'nice' text message at Seven PM is enough?". Elira shot back, hands on her hips, unashamed by her nakedness
Damien froze in disbelief. His heart raced as shock washed over him; could this really be the woman he had loved for over three years?
Each word from Elira felt like arrows piercing through his heart, twisting deeper with every word. His pride shattered into pieces; he felt utterly humiliated.
"You... how could you do this to me after everything I've done for you?" Damien stammered, pointing at her with trembling fingers. "I supported your college dreams... I found a job for you... I thought we were building a future together!"
Elira rolled her eyes dismissively. "Well, I never asked you to do any of that! You did it all on your own!"
His heart sank further as he coughed out in disbelief. Was this truly the same girl who once filled his life with joy? Confusion clouded his mind; if not for the last shreds of rationality holding him back, he might have lost control right then and there.
Without uttering another word, Damien turned slowly and left the room like a ghost haunted by betrayal.
"Come on baby! Let's pick up where we left off before that good-for-nothing interrupted our fun!" The words echoed in his ears like daggers.
He stumbled out of the apartment and a hot, metallic taste filled his mouth,he coughed into his fist and when he pulled away, his palm was marred by blood.
As he slammed the door behind him, one thought consumed him: How could love turn so bitter?