By Akira
Nestled within the peaceful haven of Shadow Springs, a place where safety and tranquility are cherished above all, the outward appearance seems idyllic. This gated community exudes a sense of suburban perfection with its impeccably manicured lawns and friendly smiles – the epitome of amicable suburban living.
Yet, beneath this seemingly flawless surface lies a web of hidden truths, ready to disrupt the lives these residents hold dear. Amidst the luxurious homes, seemingly devoted husbands and wives lead double lives, concealing secrets with the power to shatter their world.
SIRENA
Sirena sat outside of Whisper Brews Café as people hurried past her, consumed by their daily routines and seemingly thrilling lives. She always enjoyed people-watching, and her eyes were alight with excitement as she observed the bustling crowd. This had been one of the few simple pleasures that she had been allowed to keep, being able to fade into the background allowed her to reflect. It had been nearly two years since the incident, and six months since her release from that place. She couldn’t help but smile, grateful for the fresh start she’d been given. With determination in her heart, she’d secured a job and embraced the medication that now aided her in keeping her thoughts in check.
No more obsession, no more darkness.
Sirena was in the process of rebuilding herself, seriously focusing on becoming a better version of who she once was. She firmly believed in second chances, for herself and for others, and she refused to let her past define her any longer. The future was bright, and she was ready to seize it. Sirena thought about how far she’d come and was proud of herself. She was the one who made the decision to move forward and prove that she can change, that she could be a better person.
Regardless of what they tried to tell her, she felt like the whole thing was a big misunderstanding. She wasn’t a monster; she wasn’t crazy. She didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt that day. Things just spiraled out of control, and she was merely defending herself when… “Stop it, Sirena,” she suddenly said aloud, balling up her fist and giving her leg a rough tap.
A woman walking by looked in Sirena’s direction, as if she were speaking to her. Embarrassed, Sirena silently mouthed the words ‘sorry’ and waved at the woman. The woman looked confused and glanced at Sirena with a furrowed brow before turning and hurrying in the other direction. Sirena scolded herself for almost following those thoughts back to the darkness. During her therapy sessions, she’d been given a mantra to repeat anytime she went too far in her mind: Day by day, one step at a time.
She silently said it over and over until she began to feel better. Sirena took a deep breath and exhaled, feeling better, convinced she was on the path to recovery.
She smiled as she casually munched on her sandwich, not really feeling the hunger but playing along with her doctor’s orders to have something in her stomach before taking her meds.
Discreetly, she unscrewed the cap of her prescription bottle and washed down the small red pill with a sip of water.
She stood up, ready to head back to work, and that’s when she spotted him strolling in her direction, a friendly wave when he caught sight of her.
“Hey, you’re not leaving, are you?” Ethan flashed a grin.
“Nah, just wrapping up lunch, headed back in there,” she replied.
A sigh of relief slipped from his lips as he gently rested a hand on her shoulder.
“Good, I was stressing. Traveled all this way because I knew you’d hook me up with my coffee fix.”
“You mean your, double espresso, half oat, light foam,” she said confidently.
“You remember, I’m impressed,” he said, leaning in closer.
Sirena blushed and grinned. “Of course, I remembered. You’re one of my favorite customers, and besides, you’ve been coming here for months and you order the same thing every time and even though I never actually see you drink the coffee, I appreciate the large tip that you always leave me with.”
Caught off guard, Ethan chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s because I’m always in a hurry.”
He turned and noticed the line starting to spill out of the door.
“I’ma head in; the line looks like it’s getting pretty long. See you on the inside.” He said before turning and jogging toward the café entrance.
Sirena smiled as she watched him jog away. She had always admired Ethan from afar. Each time he came into the café, her day instantly brightened. He’d consistently go out of his way to catch her attention, finding some clever way to strike up a conversation while lightly touching her arm and smiling. Their interactions began innocently enough, but there was no denying the flirtatious undertone in their exchanges. She knew he was married, but Ethan had mentioned his unhappy marriage a few times, portraying his wife as a constant source of frustration. Deep down she knew what he was really saying; he wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him.
As they delved deeper, she realized how much they had in common, solidifying her belief that he was meant for her. This determination drove her to find a way for him to see it too.
One evening, after her shift, she was busy loading café supplies into a van when Ethan quietly approached from behind….
JOIN ME NEXT SUNDAY FOR THE CONTINUATION OF BCD: A TALE OF FORBIDDEN DESIRE
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TheHRLady
You always leave us wanting more!