MY SIMPLE LIFE

Handsome stranger

That evening, I braced myself for whatever would happen. I slipped into a black gown and tied my hair back with a ribbon. I applied only a touch of makeup and, as usual, wore my glasses. After putting on black sandals, I felt ready for the party.

I went downstairs to find Stephen lazily sprawled on the couch, probably sleeping. If he were awake, he would have criticized my outfit, which I was already starting to doubt. I climbed onto my scooter and rode through the city of Everwood until I reached the park.

After parking my scooter, I sat on a nearby bench, waiting for him. Soon, Kelvin arrived on his sleek black motorcycle—the one on which we had made so many memories. He looked a bit surprised to see me with my scooter.

"I see you're on your scooter. I thought we would share my bike as usual," he said, scratching his head—a nervous habit of his.

"Yeah, I just thought we should ride separately today."

"Any problem?" Concern etched his face.

"Nah, can we go?"

He nodded, and we rode off on separate bikes. It felt a little strange, but I had to keep my distance since he now had a girlfriend.

We soon arrived at a large house. "Wow, who would have thought his girlfriend was a rich guru?" I remarked.

He held my arm, but I slowly pulled away, pretending to fix my glasses.

As we stepped into the grand estate, the warm glow of twinkling lights and the soft hum of laughter enveloped me, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. The mansion's sleek modern design shone like a diamond against the evening sky, its facade a masterful blend of glass, steel, and stone. Floor-to-ceiling windows seemed to disappear into the walls, offering breathtaking views of the meticulously manicured gardens, which had transformed into a vibrant party scene.

Inside, the interior was just as stunning, with soaring ceilings, polished marble floors, and lavish furnishings that exuded opulence. The air was alive with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the sound of clinking glasses as guests mingled and chatted, sipping cocktails and enjoying the warm breeze.

But the true pièce de résistance was the pool area, where the party seemed to be in full swing. The infinity pool sparkled like a sapphire gem, its crystal-clear waters cascading over the edge and into a hidden abyss, creating a mesmerizing visual effect. The surrounding deck was crafted from rich teak wood, adorned with plush loungers, umbrellas, and colorful party decorations that danced in the breeze.

A swim-up bar beckoned, its gleaming surface reflecting the twinkling lights like a mirror. Nearby, a waterfall feature created a soothing melody, its gentle song weaving in and out of the laughter and music. Guests splashed and played in the pool, their joy infectious as they enjoyed the warm summer evening.

I felt like I had entered a tropical paradise, where the world seemed to melt away, leaving only the gentle lapping of water against the shore, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the thrill of celebration in the air.

Soon, a young lady approached us. Her long blonde hair danced around her shoulders, and her beautiful hazel eyes shone. I recognized her instantly.

Anita!

My childhood nemesis. Her father owned half of all businesses in Everwood, and her mother ran the popular large hospital. They were incredibly wealthy, and to top it all off, she was an only child. Anita had made my life a living hell, bullying me about my worn-out shoes and humiliating my brother and me about our father’s arrest in high school. It was Kelvin who had always supported us through her wrath.

Now, six years later, she stood before me, smiling like a sweet angel.

She-devil!

"Hey, babe," she said, grabbing Kelvin’s hand from mine.

"Is that your girlfriend?" I turned to Kelvin with a questioning look on my face.

"Yes, she is," Kelvin replied.

"Oh, I didn't know you would invite Mrs. Crazy here," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. It was a nickname she had called me since she saw me and Stephen shopping at a thrift store and told everyone in school about it. I had jumped on her like a crazed tiger.

"Come on, Anita," I said, trying to remain calm.

"Nah, I can't come to my girlfriend's birthday party without bringing any of my friends," Kelvin said, sounding slightly annoyed.

"You could have brought anyone but Mrs. Crazy."

"Are you still hung up on that?" I snapped back angrily.

She rolled her eyes and dragged Kelvin away.

Of all the girls, Kelvin chose my worst nightmare as his girlfriend.

I sank into a nearby chair and stared at the beautiful view before me. I shouldn’t have come. I should have stayed home with Stephen and probably added a chapter to my book.

I watched the partygoers enjoy themselves while Anita went all over Kelvin like he was some kind of snack. She stuffed his mouth with food and handed him drinks, pouring alcohol down his throat.

I stood up, determined to stop him. If he kept this up, he might end up drunk and ride home impaired, which was dangerous.

"Kelvin, you’re going to get drunk if you keep this up," I tapped him hard on the head.

"Nah, this drink can’t get me high," he stammered.

Argh! This fool was denying it.

As I reached for the drinks in front of him, Anita swatted my hand away. "He’s not a child for you to look after. If anyone should be worried, it should be me; I'm his girlfriend after all," she said, glaring at me.

"I... I..." I stammered, about to speak when Anita leaned in and whispered something in Kelvin’s ear. His eyes suddenly gleamed.

"I’m coming," he said to me before he and Anita walked to the center of the party.

"Hi guys, this is the birthday girl!" Anita screamed into the mic, her friends shrieking in response.

"As you all know, today is my birthday, and I’m here with my handsome boyfriend. Say hi, babe!"

"Hi!" he replied, his tone cheerful.

"I just want to make sure you all enjoy yourselves as much as me and my future husband here will," she continued, the words making me cringe.

When I say Anita is stupid, believe me. She had just started dating him last week, and now he was her future husband!

"Now, please, if you are with your partner, grab them and slow dance to this song," she announced.

"And if you’re single, please move aside," she glared at me, and I rolled my eyes.

I decided I would leave soon because I couldn't deal with this girl's drama anymore.

She snapped her fingers, and the DJ turned on the music. Couples took each other in their arms and began to dance romantically.

Kelvin and Anita stood at the center, gazing deeply into each other's eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he placed his hands on her waist. She whispered something in his ear, making him laugh before he turned to me and winked.

That was how he laughed at my jokes, looked at me gently, and held my hands. The ugly feelings surged back, as familiar as ever.

Soon, everyone began to stop dancing and turned their attention to them, cheering loudly.

At the end of the dance, he pulled her closer and kissed her with his soft, rosy lips. My heart dropped, and my knees felt weak. I tried to leave, but I couldn't move my body at all.

I thought I was ready to see him be intimate with another girl, but clearly, I wasn’t.

After they broke the kiss, she pulled him toward the pool. They both removed their clothes, revealing her bikini and his gray boxers.

"Y’all shouldn’t drool over my boyfriend's body," she yelled as they jumped into the pool, having the same fun we used to enjoy at the back of Mrs. Pierce's house before she chased us with her dog.

Tears began streaming down my cheeks as my heart ached. I wasn't ready to see him this close with another girl, especially Anita!

I used every ounce of energy to get up and run out of that place, hot tears streaming down my face.

I grabbed my scooter, turned on the engine, and sped off.

When would I run out of this miserable bad luck?

First, it was my mother's death, then my father’s arrest, then my book getting rejected by countless editors, and now Kelvin was in love with another girl.

I always lose.

Angry thoughts raced through my mind as I continued to cry. I sped down the road until I crashed into an oncoming car.

I landed on the ground with my knee bleeding and my head throbbing. My scooter lay on the ground, miraculously undamaged, but the sleek black car in front of me had a huge scratch on it, and its window was broken.

Holy s**t. Why did all this have to happen to my scooter and not this expensive car?

Suddenly, the car door swung open, and the most enigmatic creature stepped out. His raven-black hair danced in the wind, matching his suit, and his gleaming cold blue eyes locked onto me. Not only did he look expensive, but he was also drop-dead gorgeous. His gaze shifted from his car to me.

"Are you alright?" His voice sounded as perfect as his face.