It's Not Michelle It's Not Michelle Dylan The guys stay a little longer at the bar, but I want to give them space to hang out without me around. Besides, it's well known that when employees are alone, they like to talk about the boss, and if I stick around, they won't be able to do that, haha. But it doesn't matter. Right now, I feel like I'm flying. Having held Michelle in my arms, being able to take her hand, inhale her perfume… it's like a dream come true. I walk down the hallway, but I've got to cross the lobby, and when I reach the elevator and it opens, I'm face to face with the last people I expected to see. "Dylan?" The blonde looks at me with joy in her eyes, while Ryan looks like he wants to kill me. "Hello Blake. It's been many years since I've seen you," I say to her, and she smiles. Her partner says nothing, but I know that if he could, he'd make me disappear this instant. "Yes, many. More than ten." I remembered the moments when we met, and although at that time I was dazzled by her beauty, it was eclipsed by Michelle's in my eyes when I met her. "Are you arriving or leaving?" I asked with curiosity, while I turned to see if Michelle has decided to leave too. "We're leaving. Ryan has an emergency at home with his daughter. Apparently, she's sick." Those words put me on alert. Sick? How do I tell Michelle.this without revealing that I saw her husband and his lover here? "A daughter? Is it something serious? As far as I remember, Ryan married Michelle. Did they divorce? Or are you a clandestine couple?" The woman pales at my words, but I clearly intend to make her feel bad. "We're together, but he's getting a divorce. She cheats on him too." I raised an eyebrow at her words. "Well, isn't that something? Besides making the girl I like suffer, they're also slandering her." "She cheats on him? That doesn't sound like Michelle, but like you. As far as I remember, you used to cheat on this fool, and he always went back to you… you even almost ended up with me. Remember, Ryan?" The man flares up and drops the suitcases with the intention of hitting me. "Watch what you say, i***t!" is all he manages to say because he knows I'm telling the truth. "Or what? Are you going to go through life fighting with everyone who dated, kissed, or slept with Blake, huh?" His face, transformed by fury, is something I enjoy. He knows it's true. He had the most wonderful woman in his hands and left her for… someone of questionable morality. "You're so pathetic! But you know what? I'm really glad. Like attracts like." I give them one last disdainful look and enter the elevator. As the doors close, I start humming a tune with a carefree air. Upon reaching my room, I take off my shoes and walked barefoot on the carpet. I grab a cold bottle of water and step out onto the balcony. The fresh night air clears my thoughts and transports me back to those youthful days. Although we were never friends, it's also true that we always avoided each other with a natural aversion. We were the same age and met at university, 1/4 < 18 it's Not Michelle Ports where rivalry was always present. Projects, debates, grades-there was an unspoken competition that was obvious to everyone. I remember a fraternity party. Blake arrived with some friends. I can't deny that my first impression of her was of someone cheerful, bubbly, who tells you what you want to hear and makes you feel good. I caught her looking at me. At twenty years old, I couldn't resist. I approached her and invited her to dance. On the dance floor, her curvaceous body drew nearer to mine, igniting every fiber of my being. Her hands softly glide over my arms, as if measuring every inch of my skin. She whispers in my ear, her words mingling with the music and the intoxication of the moment. I felt the warmth of her breath, the way she played with my mind and my desire. We move to the rhythm of the music, wrapped in a tension neither of us wanted to break. Her lips were dangerously near mine, but just when I thought she would kiss me, she pulled away with a mischievous smile. "Is that all you have?" she teases, with a challenging look. I smiled, knowing the game was just beginning. The night stretches on with laughter, dances, and furtive caresses. My hands traced her waist, marking a territory I knew wasn't mine, but at that moment was completely mine. Her laughter is a melody that blends with the blaring music of the party, and her eyes challenge me to continue, not to stop. When we finally leave the dance floor, she takes me by the hand to a secluded corner. Her fingers play with the edge of my shirt, as if measuring each action before taking the next step. The desire between us was palpable, an electric current that bound us together. "I like you," she whispers, with a playful smile. "I like you too," I admit without hesitation. We look at each other in silence, as if we were about to cross an invisible line. And then, without warning, her lips met mine in a passionate kiss, charged with everything that had been held back since the first moment we saw each other. But suddenly, a yank pulls me away from my conquest and the furious face of my nemesis looks at me with bloodshot eyes. "Get your hands off my woman!" The surprise leaves me speechless for a moment, but then a laugh bursts from my lips. "Hahaha. Your woman? Let me tell you she kissed me deliciously." I accompanied my words by wiping my lips with a finger and bringing it to my mouth. "Besides… she kissed me first. If you don't want someone else to experience her, you should take better care of her, hahaha." I bid farewell to Blake with a wink to join another group of friends, but from that day on, the rivalry between us intensified to such an extent that neither wanted to lose to the other. Many times I won… I was even chosen for the professional internship spot. But when I found out he had married Michelle, and they were expecting a child, I knew he had ultimately defeated me. ***** Ryan I pick up the suitcases again and rush to reception to check out. Maybe Michelle and her friends have already finished dinner and are about to pass through here. The receptionist handles everything quickly, and once I'm done, I head straight for the car. I don't wait for Blake, who is following me with a frown and an obvious expression of annoyance. "Can you slow down?" she asks, but I don't respond. My mind is occupied with thoughts that eat away at me inside. Just 2/4 R Vote 12