Envy and Jealousy

Chaper 1:

Cincinnati, Ohio. That is where Dean Matthew Ambrose called home all his life. It was also home to the love of his life Stacy Marie Hopkins. They met late last October at diner she waitressed at. They were very much in love with each other. Today was February 14; the day more popularily known as Valentines Day. Today was far different Valentines Day than Dean has ever experienced. Tonight was a very special night for Dean. Tonight, he was going to propose to Stacy. This was the most anxious night of his life. He was a nervous Nelly. He knew deep down that this night would change his life forever.

Dean stood in the bathroom of his one bedroom apartment, wrapped in a towel from the waist down. He had just finished brushing his teeth spitting mouth wash into the sink. He looked at himself in the mirror wondering if he should shave his light stubble. Stacy did say she liked it and she didn't hesitate to add that it made him look very, very sexy. He chose to keep the facial hair. Dean walked into his closet of his bedroom and picked out a pair of black dress slacks, white button-down shirt, black dress coat, sans tie.

Dean ran some hair gel through his hair slicking it back. He smoothed the jacket over his muscular frame before grabbing his wallet and keys as he walked out the door. He hopped into his brick red grand prix putting his keys into the ignition. The engine started right up. He looked at himself in the rear view mirror, his ocean blue eyes staring back at him. He gently tapped the coat near his inner pocket. Yep. He remembered the ring. He took a deep breath as he pulled out onto the street. He stopped by the flower shop to purchase a dozen pink roses. He chose pink cause he knew it was Stacy's favorite color. He pulled the car in front of Stacy's apartment duplex moments later. He got out of the car and began walking up to the door. He met an elderly couple walking his direction on the sidewalk.

"What beautiful flowers you have there." the woman complimented.

"For someone very special I assume." the man said.

"My girlfriend," Dean stated proudly. He patted his jacket where the ring rested. "And hopefully before the end of the night...my fiance."

"Wonderful." complimented the gentleman.

"Congratulations, dear."

"Thank you, sir. Ma'am."

The couple were on their way down the sidewalk as Dean ascended the steps. He walked through the door and strolled to the elevators. He took the elevator to the 2nd floor which led to Stacy's apartment. He was in a very good mood this evening. He softly sang to himself as he walked along. He sang the chorus to a popular 80's rock ballad by the group KISS.

"Forever. This time I know that there's no doubt in my mind. Forever. Until my life is through, girl, I'll be loving you forever." These words described how he felt about Stacy.

He reached her apartment 207. He looked at his watch. The time on the face read 6:25. He said he would be here by 6:30. Nothing like being 5 minutes early. He took a deep breath before knocking. But when he knocked the door was pushed inward.

"Hmm."

Dean stepped inside the apartment. Silence greeted him as he entered.

"Stacy?" He called. "It's me. Dean Ambrose. Um...your door was not latched shut."

He walked around the apartment. Still surrounded by silence.

"Stacy? Are you here? Is everything...alright?"

Silence. Not a sound. Not even a peep from Stacy. He saw her bedroom door was fully opened. Stacy was nowhere to be seen. He tried again.

"Stacy?"

He stepped into the room. Dresses were carefully laid out on the bed. No doubt she was wondering what to wear. But where in the world was Stacy?

"Stacy? Where are you, honey?"

That's when he noticed the bathroom light was on and the door was opened only a crack. He walked over to where the bathroom was connected to the bedroom. He lightly pushed the door open. A loud gasp exited Dean's mouth and the beautiful bouquet of flowers dropped to the floor. He panted as he walked into the bathroom. He walked over to the tub and gasped even louder when he had found Stacy in a white bath robe...submerged under a tub-full of water.

"STACY!"

He quickly pulled her out of the water. He gently lowered her to the carpeted floor. He lowered his head to where his ear was next to her mouth, hoping, praying for a smidgen of a breath. Nothing. He checked her neck. No pulse. But there was discoloring around her neck and her left cheek. Bruising.

"No..." he whispered. "NO!" He clasped her face in his hands. "STACY!"

Dean pulled out his phone dialing 911 and putting it on speaker. He sat the phone on the floor then began to perform CPR. A male's voice answered on the second ring.

"911. What's your emergency?"

"My name is Dean Ambrose," he answered hurridly as he pumped Stacy's chest. "I'm at the apartment duplex downtown." He breathed into her mouth. "I'm at my girlfriends' apartment! Room 207!"

"What happened, sir?"

"She drowned in her bath tub! She has bruising on her face and neck! I think she's been murdered! Send the police!"

Before he bent down to repeat a breath into Stacy, his eyes caught the mirror above him. He stopped what he was doing and looked upward. He rose to his feet glancing at the mirror. A red lipstick message stared back at him in bold lettering. The words written out stabbed at his heart like a knife.

IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU, NOBODY CAN

"Sir?" the man on the phone called out. "Sir!"

It was too much to take in. Dean felt himself grow weaker. His knees quaked violently before they gave out on him. He collided to the floor, then his whole world went black. He knew this night would change his life forever, but not the way he wanted...and surely not the way he expected.