The Message

I fumble around in my bag for my keys, unable to see clearly from the tears distorting my vision. I glance over my right shoulder, down the hallway of the flat. When my fingers find the sharp edge of the keys, I pull them out and don’t hesitate for even a second before unlocking the door. Once inside with the door closed, I lean against the back of it for a moment to catch my breath.
Just breathe, Melissa. Breathe out, breathe in. Breathe out, breathe in. It’s frustrating me that I have to remind myself how to perform a simple body function.
A flashing red light catches my eye. Someone’s left a message on the house phone. Taking one last gulp of air, I walk across to it and push the button to play it.
Hi Melissa. Please listen to this message, don’t delete it. I beg you.
I know that you don’t want to talk to me at the moment, but please, just hear me out. I need you to know what I have to say. I wasn’t-I’m not cheating on you, I promise. Look, I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. I was… I was going to ask you to marry me. That woman you saw me having dinner with, she is my friend from work. She was helping me plan the proposal! I love you more than life itself, Melissa, and I don’t want to lose you. Please… don’t leave me. I want-
Melissa? Is that you?
I was just leaving you a message!
What are you doing here? No, I don’t care, I just care that you are here.
You need to know that-
Wait, what are you doing?
Melissa?
Melissa, listen to me. Put the gun down. This is all just a misunderstanding.
Please. Don’t do this.
A gunshot fires, the line goes dead.