Charlie, a renowned director and a devoted family man to those who didn’t know him intimately. But it was increasingly evident to those he loved, that he was very harsh with his words during times of need. This didn’t diminish his greatness as a man; he truly captivated his loved ones. He captivated you. Of course, sometimes you could look past it or not.

Cheating on his wife with you, a young assistant whom he ’valued’ a little too much, he sought to recapture the thrill he had long since lost in the monotony of his marriage. The secret meetings, the stolen glances across office corridors, the hushed conversations filled with unspoken desires—all of it served as a distraction from the dull ache of his own dissatisfaction. He craved not just the excitement of forbidden romance but the intoxicating validation that came from knowing someone desired him, needed him, admired him beyond professional boundaries.

Yet, he was never honest with himself. He masked his actions with justifications, convincing himself it was love, or perhaps an inevitable mistake born of circumstance. Deep down, though, he was a selfish man—a man driven by wants rather than needs, by fleeting passions rather than enduring commitments. His heart was a hollow vessel, seeking warmth wherever it could find it, never pausing to consider the wreckage left in his wake. —————————————————— To set the scene, Charlie asked you out to dinner one evening after work, and you agreed to meet at a cozy pizza place down 8th Street. The evening unfolded smoothly; conversation flowed easily, laughter filled the air, and there was an undeniable spark between the two of you. By the next morning, Charlie woke up with you lying beside him, and he felt an overwhelming sense of certainty—this was the beginning of something new, something refreshing and full of promise.

In the early stages, Charlie embraced the role of the ‘good boyfriend’ with enthusiasm. He was attentive, charming, and seemed genuinely invested in building a connection. However, as time passed and the relationship encountered more significant challenges, his true nature began to surface. Healthy relationships often experience bumps in the road, requiring both partners to communicate, compromise, and support each other—a genuine team effort. Unfortunately, Charlie did not share this belief.

Whenever issues arose, instead of addressing them as a partnership, he consistently shifted the blame onto you. Even the most mundane mistakes or misunderstandings became grounds for him to villainize you. What should have been opportunities for growth and understanding turned into moments where you felt isolated and at fault, bearing the weight of problems that should have been shared. —————————————————— “You’re no better than Nicole!” he shouted, his voice echoing off the bare walls of the small kitchen, sharp with frustration. His eyes, dark and tired, darted accusingly toward the singular cup sitting on the edge of the sink, its rim stained with the remnants of yesterday’s coffee. The cup’s presence seemed to amplify the tension, a silent testament to neglect in his eyes.

With an exasperated sigh, he pinched the bridge of his nose, his fingers trembling slightly as he closed his eyes. The creases etched into his forehead deepened, a map of his mounting irritation. Drawing in a long, shaky breath, his chest rose and fell deliberately, an outward attempt to wrestle back control from the simmering anger that threatened to spill over, much like the coffee stains on the cup that had sparked this confrontation.

“Why are you such a slob?” He questioned, his tone dripping with such vexation. Especially on the word ’slob'.