When Trouble Meets Mr. Perfect

"Don't say yes to him, please". Anger started to bubble inside me as I heard my best friend spouting bullshit over the phone. I shouldn't have called her. "Why wouldn't I? I love him and you know that, Daria" I gritted. Tonight is going to be the best night of my life. Morgan said he wanted to talk, but I know, deep down, that he’s going to propose. "Don't do this stupidity, Kris. He is not a good guy, he has hurt you." My eyes welled up with angry tears. How could she bring this topic again when she clearly knows how much it hurts me. "He is a manwhore--" It's enough she can't just insult my boyfriend like this. He is not a cheater. "f**k off, Daria and don't call me ever again." I tossed my old iphone on the bed and turned off Mariah Carey playing on the dvd because all I want for Christmas is a stable life with my boyfriend. He had hurt me but I don't need the reminder. I didn't talk to him after that night for days, but he was sorry and I have forgiven him. He had promised that he would never raise his hand on me again and he didn't. Sighing, I put on the red lipstick he, loves so much. He likes it when I dress the way he prefers. He says it makes me look more beautiful. I know it's cliché, but I’m just a girl in love with her boyfriend. He likes to claim me, he has said to me once he doesn't like me showing off my skin because it gives off hints to other guys. Though, I didn't like it when he said that but I also don't like making him sad. After all, a relationship must have compromises. Both can't win all the time, or it leads to those nasty breakups. We’ve been dating for two years. We live together. And I’m twenty-four and I won't get any younger. So, It feels like the right time to take the next step. A day ago I heard him talking to someone about ring and engagement, so I know it's it. It all feels surreal, imagining us finally moving forward from this girlfriend-boyfriend phase. We might not have a lot of money, but we have each other. I flutter my lashes with mascara, making my electric blue eyes look brighter, more alive. I take out the fake diamond studs from the drawer and put them on. The latest gift Morgan gave me. I smile at myself in the mirror. 'I can only get you these fake ones for now, but one day, when I’m rich, I’ll buy you real diamonds.' He had said those words to me. He was sad because he couldn't afford real diamonds but also promised me that he would find a job when I gave him the watch he wanted, from the little money I saved for the new coffee machine I was planning to buy for my café. He gave me those studs with love, and it's enough for me. A modest red dress reaching till my ankles, red lips, brown hair blow-dried to perfection, and cherry-red stilettos, I was all set to go. With a deep breath, I leave for the restaurant. I'm nervous, I feel like my whole life is about to change. The cab drops me off at 'Rositta' a small downtown restaurant owned by an Italian couple. I walk inside the packed restaurant, my eyes scanning the sea of people. Morgan, if you are late tonight like always, I swear I will kill you. Suddenly, my mind diverted as I heard a commotion to my right, a crowd gathered in a circle, laughing and clapping. Then a familiar voice echoed through the restaurant. “This song is for the love of my life.” I freeze. I know that voice. Morgan. A wide smile spreads across my face as I move toward the crowd. My heart starts hammering, my palms turning warm. Our favorite song plays over the speakers, and I’m certain this is it, this is the moment. God, he’s so... My knees buckle. Warm tears pool in my eyes as the scene unfolds in front of my eyes. Morgan is on one knee, holding out a ring… to his best friend instead of me. “Will you marry me, Nancy Lockwood?” he asks softly. Morgan, my boyfriend of two years is proposing to someone else. No. No, this has to be a prank. Were all those promises of forever and ever, nothing but lies? Something was breaking inside me. How could I not know, when it was all happening right in front of my eyes. He was betraying me while I was dreaming about our future. My eyes brimmed with fresh tears as I saw them kissing, smiling and staring lovingly at each other, as if they are in love. Maybe they are and I was a stupid fool to trust him. “Morgan… you two-timing, pathetic piece of s**t” I scream before I can stop myself. The music cuts. The laughter dies. Every head turns toward me. “Kristie…” he whispered, and looked at me with his disgusting olive eyes. I march toward him and slap him so hard that my palm stings. “I did everything for you, forgave you when you treated me like s**t and you cheated on me. You motherfucker...” I yelled at the top of my lungs. I removed my heel and smacked on his face again and again with the leather sole "Kristie...stop it hurts" he cried but I was far gone. Before I could hit him again, Nancy shoved me away. I stumble and my foot twists, and I fell on my butt. My stomach churned with embarrassment. While that b***h Nancy tended his face. "You think he loved you, Kristie...you were nothing but a side chick to him" Nancy spoke and I smiled. I got up and sneered, "So, he needed a side chick because you couldn't satisfy him?" Her face fell and at this moment I pity her. "Morgan it's time you show her...her real place" she whined like a b***h and walked back to that cheater. "Yes baby...I will and she wasn't even a good f**k" a tear slipped from my eyes at his sheer audacity. He is not even shying away from humiliating me. I wiped my cheek and stride towards them. They can't break me. I held Nancy's hand and stared deadly into my ex-boyfriend's eyes, whose face was red and my sandals sole was imprinted over his cheek. "Your begging won't melt my mind, Kristie". Nancy spoke and a bitter chuckle left from my mouth. Suddenly, a painful cry escaped from her as I twisted her hand behind her back and pulled out the ring from her finger. It was the ring my nono gave me and like a stupid I gave it to him because he needed money for the repairment of his Mercedes. But I didn't know he would use me like this. Another cry escaped from her mouth as I pushed her away "what the f**k is wrong with you Kristie?" Morgan yelled, while consoling the love of his life. "You are marrying the man who proposed to you with his ex-girlfriend's ring. Good luck with my unwanted leftovers, Nancy." I turned around and walked away from them. I could hear the laughter from other people. At least I had the upper hand. As I walked out, I didn’t even realize tears were slipping down my cheeks. I should have listened to Daria. God, why me?