A Love Trap

Ellie stopped in her tracks when she heard Ashley comment that her bed smelled like the musk of a man. She paused and looked at Ashley who was looking at her inquisitively. She threw her towel at Ashley and said playfully, "Ashley, stop making fun of me.

What man smell? I think you're just missing Andrew, aren't you?"

Ashley dodged the towel that was thrown at her and moved farther. "Not at all," she said coldly.

The two bantered for a while before getting ready to sleep. As they lay on the bed, Ashley still couldn't shake off the feeling that there was some hint of a familiar scent. She just couldn't figure out what it was.

She turned to look at Ellie and asked seriously, "Has anyone else slept on this bed? I mean, except for you. I can still smell it."

"No, really. Maybe it's because you've been sleeping next to Andrew for so long that you've gotten used to his smell. So whenever you go sleep, you tend to think of it, don't you?" Ellie suggested.

"I don't think that's possible and please don't mention him anymore," Ashley said, pursing her lips.

"Oh, right. What's going with you two? Did you two have a fight? Or are you having some kind of war? I never thought that these types of things would happen to you two."

"We're just human. Why wouldn't it happen to us?" Ashley responded.

Ellie rubbed her back to comfort her and said, "All right. Then can you tell me what happened between you two now?"

Ashley moved her head to lean on Ellie's shoulder and said, sniffing her nose, "Andrew had an affair."

Ellie looked at her, astonished. "Had an affair? Did I hear that correctly?"

"Yes, you heard that correctly. He has another woman. I saw the evidence. He had lipstick marks all over his clothes. And he wouldn't let me get close to him or touch him. He ended up throwing the clothes away. You tell me. If he wasn't guilty, why would he behave like that? Men are trash. No exceptions!"

upon hearing this. She didn't think Andrew was

well and he adored her so much. She found it difficult

you just assumed wrong and he wasn't really cheating on you?" Ellie posed hesitantly after a pause.

was quick to respond, "Not possible. I saw it myself. There were definitely lipstick marks

you've been cold to each other? And you haven't even

love each other and they're just waiting for me to be out of

are you nuts?" Ellie said.

Why is she looking at me like that?'

late that night? And did he tell you in advance that he was going to

Ashley nodded.

women go after him. Someone must have just bumped into him, which probably explains the lipstick stains. Did you ask him where he had been? And how he got the lipstick stain

could I ask him that? When I saw the lipstick stain and smelled the perfume, my brain went blank. I couldn't think anymore. When I saw that he had trashed the clothes, that's when I knew for sure. How could I ask

what if he admitted it? What could I do then?

trust Andrew?"

the man had told her stories about how cruel and heartless Andrew really was, she was still able to calmly assert that

he would never

it with her own eyes and it didn't help

trust him? Should she trust

waiting for her answer. Ashley nodded slightly

if it's just a misunderstanding or some obstacle

him, you should just ask him. This cold war you two are having isn't good for

think so?" Ashley asked, seemingly