Holiday Fake Date Turns Love

“Lakeisha, Tommy is back,” Enid announces. My heart leaps, and so did I. Tommy is back? “Really? He didn't tell me?” “Well, he's back,” Enid says. I can't believe it. We've been together for four years, and he’s back in town and hasn't bothered to reach out. The thought makes my stomach churn. "He just got to Summerlit last night," Enid says, her smile wide. "I told him I'd meet him at the cafe later, but we can go see him in his house." "You knew he was back and you didn't tell me?” I ask, my voice tight. “I thought you'd want to hear it from him, babe. I know you two are serious,” she says, her tone a little defensive. “But, come on, let’s go see your boyfriend. You haven’t seen him in ages." "No, you're right. I just... I don't know. I need to process this," I say. I keep asking myself… Tommy is in town, and I don't know. Although I can't deny the urge to see Tommy. "Don't be ridiculous," Enid says, grabbing my arm. “Come on, we’re going.” Enid doesn’t give me a chance to argue. She pulls me towards the door and I hesitate. But I’m also curious. I am a woman, he should be the one making this work. All through the time he is away, I keep our chat alive, texting and calling; all he does is nag. Finally, I get to see him and ask him why he's been ignoring me. I have to see this for myself. We reach Tommy’s house and see his mom, Mrs. Johnson, sitting on the porch. She greets us with a warm smile. “Well, if it isn't my favorite girls! It’s good to see you both. You know, Tommy’s back. He's inside with his fiancee.” My heart stumbles. Fiancee? “Fiancee?” I manage to stammer. “Ma’am, What do you mean?” Enid gives me a sympathetic look when I look into her face. “He's finally decided to settle down. He found a lovely girl,” Mrs. Johnson says. “She’s just as sweet as can be. You're all childhood friends with her and you will get along quickly. You should go see him, but knock before you enter. Tommy’s a little.. uhm.. private,” she says, her voice a little hesitant and flashes her teeth. Enid manages a smile, but I’m lost in my thoughts. Who is Tommy’s fiancee? That should be me. My mind races, trying to piece together what’s going on. "We're childhood friends with Tommy’s fiancee? Who could it be?" I whisper to Enid. “Let's go see for ourselves, shall we?” Is Enid's response. “No, Enid. I'm Tommy's girlfriend and you know this,” I say, trying to make Enid see things as I'm seeing them. We approach the front door and Enid knocks softly. There is no response. I can't wait so I push the door open before Enid can stop me. And there they are. The love of my life, and my childhood friends – Tommy and Cassy. They are standing in the middle of the room, kissing passionately. Tommy wears only a boxer, and Cassy, a bikini. "What?" I shout. I feel my heart pumping more than the required blood, heated blood that sends shockwaves across my body. I suddenly want to pee, I feel feverish and want to collapse. But maybe it's a prank, I chose to keep my hopes alive. Cassy doesn't flinch. She doesn’t even seem fazed by my presence. "What does it look like?” Cassy says and looks at Tommy who shrugs too. They return to their kissing. The sight of it makes my stomach churn. I can’t believe this. Tommy and Cassie is the last betrayal I think I'll ever see. "Cassy, didn't you know Tommy is my boyfriend? Is this a prank?” I demand at the top of my voice. Cassy throws her head back and laughs, her eyes mocking. “That was before he traveled. Since he traveled, it has been me.” "Tommy, what is going on here?” I demanded. “It’s simple,” he says and raises the side of his lips and speaks in a mellow tone. “I’m engaged. I’m moving on with my life. Get over it, b***h!” I run forward wanting to pull them apart, but before I can reach them, Tommy grabs me and pulls me towards him. “What do you want to do?” He slams me against the wall. I feel my wrist twist with the impact and moan in pain. “Tommy, why?” I gasp, forgetting the pain in my wrist and trying to take care of the pain in my heart. “I don't want to see you ever again. I’m engaged to Cassy, understand?” he says. “You’re nothing to me, Lakeisha. You're just… you’re nothing. Cassy is a minister’s daughter. Enid’s father is a Mayor. I'm a graduate. You’re just… nothing.” “Tommy?” I call, thinking he will remember it is me and rephrase. “You’re the only one who’s behind,” he continues. “You don't fit in this circle. You don’t even know your parents. You’re from an orphanage. Who are you? Your surname is X. Just nobody. You're beneath me.” Cassy chimes in. “He’s right. You’re nothing.” My blood runs cold. I can't believe what I'm hearing. My friends, my world, is crumbling around me. I trusted them. Enid speaks up and then I remember that she is there with me. "Cassy, we’re friends. You don’t do this to your friend." “Enid, don’t act like you don’t know about this,” Tommy says, his eyes meeting Enid’s. "I told you to bring her here so she can see. I wanted her to see how pathetic she is.” I stare at Enid and she shrugs too. “Enid, what? You knew about this? You’re in on this?” “Baby, you’re not fit to be here. We're all progressing in life and you are still you. You're yet to enter an academy. What are you going to do with your life?" I can't believe it. My friends. They were in on it. They were plotting against me, behind my back. “How could you?” I manage to whisper. This time my voice cracks and I can't hold back tears. “You all will regret…” “You can't do anything, Lakeisha,” Tommy cuts in “What will you do, huh? Sue me? Did I force you to get into your pants?” “What?” I yelled. Cassy and Enid laugh. “You want me so bad that you offered your p***y on a free mode, who am I to…” “Tommy, it's me,” I cry. “You? You who?” “It is Lakeisha,” I stand straight to remind him. “I gave you my life savings…” I feel a fireball collide with my cheek. But it is just Tommy’s palm against my cheek. “You are nothing but a pathetic fool,” Tommy says, his voice a cruel sneer. “And I’m glad you know that. It’s clear you’re not good enough for me. You're not good enough for anyone.” My chest tightens as his words pierce through me. I look at their smug faces, their self-satisfied smiles. I realize they’re right. I am a nobody. I have nothing. They can do this to me. I am a fool who chose to believe in love and did all I could, even hurt myself to help my boyfriend. Like sharpening a knife and being daggered by it. “If you say anything, we’ll strip you naked and drag you to the streets,” Tommy threatens. Cassy and Enid step closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. “He’s right. We will. We will do anything to keep you quiet.” The realization chills me to the bone. They will do it. They will do anything to me. They’re capable of anything. I look at their faces; they are people I grew up with. Now, they will even kill me with the look on their face. The outburst I have been keeping explodes, and I cry, although I don't want to. “Oh, she looks uglier when she cries,” Enid says and they mimic. It all means one thing – I am a nobody with no one. I see it in their body language and their movements. They’re waiting for me to say something, to make a move. They're eager to hurt me. Slowly, I turn and walk towards the door. I know I can't stay here. I need to get out. I push the door open and step out into the hallway. I can hear their laughter following me. "Good riddance," they say. I wish I had a superpower; I would hurt them with it. They see me cry and they laugh at me. If there is something I have to do to shift the tides, anything that will make them beg at my feet, I will gladly do it. I reach my one-room apartment, a small space I call home. It’s the only thing I own, the only thing that’s mine. I collapse onto the bed, my broken body aching. I can't believe what just happened. After some minutes, I pick up my phone to delete memories of Tommy that I have with me. An article pops up on my screen. It is a notification from a local news website. The headline reads: “Summerlit Billionaire on a Date Rampage Meets 360 Women Already This Year.” My eyes skim the article. It talks about Floyd 'Diamond' Howard, a billionaire, who is holding a daily date-a-ton. The goal is to date 365 women across the year. He is the richest that Summerlit has produced and I scoff. The most amazing part of it is that any woman he goes out with has a chance to make one wish which the billionaire will grant. “What kind of fairytale is this?” I wonder. But then I look at the article again. Below the article is a button: Apply Now. A flash of defiance ignites within me. My body for a wish from a billionaire? Maybe. Maybe this is my chance to get back at Tommy, Cassy, and Enid. I click the button. The application form pops up. I register and upload a picture of myself. Three seconds later, a popup appears on my screen. It reads: “Lakeisha X, you will give your all to Mr Floyd on the 24th of December 2024. Christmas Eve.” My eyes widen. That’s in three days!