Loved You, Hated You

Bobby walked down the dimly lit apartment hallway, the quiet thud of his footsteps echoing off the walls. He was dressed in his usual business attire—a crisp, navy-blue suit jacket, white button shirt, and jeans—the briefcase in his right hand swinging rhythmically by his side. As he reached his apartment door, he slid the key into the lock, the metallic click resonating in the silence. Just as he was about to turn the key, a sudden, jarring sound shattered the calm—a door slamming beside him. Startled, Bobby whipped his head around, his breath hitching in his throat. Bobby’s eyes fell upon a beautiful woman, standing outside of her apartment door, her silhouette framed by the dim light. Gabby. Her name was Gabby, and even in the midst of her distress, her beauty was undeniable. Her skin, a rich caramel, seemed to absorb and reflect the faint light, giving it a luminous quality. Tears streamed down her cheeks, glistening like tiny, fractured diamonds against her bronze-kissed complexion. Her eyes, usually pools of warmth and vitality, were now clouded with sorrow, their depths reflecting the pain she held within. Her full lips, usually curved in a smile, were trembling, parted slightly as she struggled to suppress her sobs. Her shoulders, slender yet strong, shook with each silent, heartbreaking cry, her body wracked with waves of grief. Her long, dark hair, perhaps usually styled with care, was now disheveled, strands clinging to her tear-streaked face, adding to the vulnerability of her posture. However, even in her anguish, there was a quiet strength in her stance, a resilience that hinted at a spirit fighting to endure. She was dressed in something simple, something that emphasized her vulnerability, the details lost in the shadows. Bobby’s heart ached at the sight. He wanted to reach out, to offer some words of comfort, but before he could muster a word, a voice boomed from her apartment, the harsh tone reverberating through the hallway. The sound sent a shiver down Bobby’s spine, and his grip tightened on his briefcase. “And stay out of my house!” yelled Goff, his voice echoing like a thunderclap through the hallway. Gabby’s long-time boyfriend slammed the door so hard the walls seemed to tremble. Gabby’s fists pounded on the door with desperation, her voice breaking as she pleaded, “Goff, please!” The echo of her cry faded into silence. She received no response. Defeated, her shoulders slumped, and she turned, leaning heavily against the door. Her eyes were fixed on the ceiling. Bobby had been standing there, transfixed by the unfolding drama, his briefcase now hanging limply by his side. His usually composed demeanor shattered, finally he managed to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. “You okay?” he asked quietly. Gabby, startled by his sudden inquiry, turned to face him and nodded. Her tear-streaked face, speckled with trails of mascara, softened slightly as she took in Bobby’s concerned expression and rugged handsomeness. She quickly wiped away her tears with trembling fingers, trying to regain some semblance of composure. “You sure? You wanna come in?” Bobby’s voice was gentle but insistent, his eyes filled with genuine concern. Gabby’s eyes darted around nervously, as if trying to silence him with a look. She quickly shook her head, her lips forming a tight, hesitant smile. Just then, the door behind her flung open with a force that nearly knocked her off her feet. “Who the hell are you talking to?” Goff, his once stunning features twisted with rage, stood in the doorway. His face was almost purple with anger as he glared at Bobby. The tension in the hallway was palpable, and Bobby felt his heart pound in his chest as he met Goff’s fiery glare. “No one,” Gabby replied, her voice trembling as she rushed back into the apartment. Goff’s stare turned to Bobby, who stared back. The silence was thick, charged with unspoken threats. Bobby stood his ground, his gaze unwavering, a silent promise to Gabby that he wouldn’t back down. He watched as Goff slammed the door, the sound echoing through the building. The air felt heavy, thick with the unspoken drama that had just unfolded. Bobby turned and entered his own apartment, but his mind was still in the hallway, with Gabby, and the man who had caused her such pain. He knew, with a certainty that settled deep in his bones, that he couldn’t ignore what he had seen.