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!"

frowned upon hearing this. She didn't think Andrew

found it difficult to believe that

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

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

other? And you haven't

woman. Maybe they love each other and they're just waiting for me to be out of the picture so they can finally be

are you nuts?" Ellie said.

raised her head in puzzlement. 'What did Ellie mean? Why is she looking

And did he tell you

Ashley nodded.

entertain some people. You know how highly regarded he is in the city. A lot of women go after him. Someone must have just bumped into him, which probably explains the lipstick stains. Did you ask him where

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

if he admitted it? What could I do then? Do I just leave him so they

trust Andrew?"

about how cruel and heartless Andrew really was, she

trusted that he would never do any of those

her own eyes and it didn't help

him?

and saw Ellie watching her attentively, waiting for her answer. Ashley nodded slightly and said, "Yes,

each other should trust each other unconditionally whatever comes their way. Even if it's just a misunderstanding or some obstacle or difficulty, you should still trust

him, you should just ask him. This cold war you two are

really think so?" Ashley