*Nelly POV*
It seems the universe was already set to support the decision I was about to make. Jasper got an emergency call this morning, saying the company he works for wanted to send him on a trip to Nigeria for some emergency Christmas deals. Although I'm not entirely happy because ever since we started dating, we have never shared a Christmas season apart.
The entrance door to my apartment pulled open, revealing Tessa, who was giving out an irritating look. I reckoned she was still angry at me. "What now? Your lovebird isn't around, so you now have my time in order to fill the void?" I hissed at her statement.
"Please come and have a seat." I tapped the space available on the couch that I was sitting on. She rolled her eyes at me, and with a shrug of the shoulder, she marched forward and sat down. "What do you want from me now?" Her voice was still harsh, and I hated it. I used my puppy eyes to stare. "What the f**k do you think you're doing? Better rearrange that face; I don't have time for your pity card game," she sneered.
"Babe, I said I was sorry... Please," I merged my palms together to emphasize my plea. "Fine, you're forgiven." She rolled her eyes again, flapping her brunette hair backwards.
"So, what's the matter?" Her tone of concern was back, which made me smile. "I think I'm interested in going for that stuff," I replied.
"Which stuff?" She teased, leaning her head backward to look at me properly.
"Damn, Tessa! Must you be this difficult? You know what I'm talking about?" I gritted my teeth, annoyance slowly creeping inside of me. She passed on a devilish smile before asking, "Why the change of heart?" Her head tilted to the side.
I had an inward debate if I should tell her what I saw or not. She doesn't like him already; if I tell her what he was doing, she will be beyond mad. "Nothing, I just feel really terrible for not being able to do my s****l duty; it hurts me." She took a sharp intake of breath, giving a head nod.
"I completely understand you, dear, even if I can't really relate because I have never experienced it. Just trust me. I believe you will get healed if you at least try this." I smiled warmly, nodding my head rapidly.
"Now, we have to plan tonight because we're heading to Costa Rica tomorrow morning!" She cheered, jumping up from the couch dramatically.
"We?" I blinked my eyes in surprise. "Wait... Don't tell me you're going?" She gave me a blank look. "You're really a greedy b***h, huh? Of course I'm coming. I can't miss the opportunity of getting the most intriguing orgasm of my life because of some petty relationships." I shook my head. "That's unfair. Why are you treating men like dice?"
"Sweetie, they are dice until one takes the bold steps; only a fool in this era will fall for some scumbag's promises at Forever."
"Now go get ready; let's head out. Don't be a dummy." I smiled at her, then walked to my bedroom for a change of clothing. When I returned, she was grinning foolishly at her phone.
"I'm ready, Tes." She gave a nod before shoving the phone into her purse.
"So, speaking of relationships, where will you tell Jasper that you're going? She asked when we both slid into her Porsche.
"I don't think there will be any need for that; he is out of town for a business project and won't be back till after New Year's Eve," I informed, fixing the seatbelt across from me.
"And you found nothing strange about it?" my thoughts scampered around. "What do you mean?"
She swerved the car onto the main road, driving violently. "Nothing," she answered, her eyes not leaving the road. Her eyes said it all; she doesn't trust Jasper one bit. I had been thinking of it too; companies are giving their staff vacation for the season. Why was his own different, coupled with the fact that such a situation had never occurred before? I could feel it in my gut; he is going to spend it with one worth deserving. I know no matter how I try to brush it off or give him the benefit of the doubt, deep down my gut it is giving cheating red flags.
"Wow, the Christmas tree is really so beautiful—what a huge angel," I commented at the tree placed at the entrance of the mall, illuminated with different colors of lighting, with mini Christmas caps hanging at three stems on the top. "One of my best sessions of the year," I giggled, hopping out of the car.
"Indeed, it is, but my favorite remains Valentine's season," she countered, giving out an annoying grin.
"Honestly, you have a bad taste in things. Of all seasons, Valentine?"I countered back. "Girl! I make a bunch of money from that season—" I interrupted her. "Of course you do, leading innocent men astray all in the name of vows!" We both burst into laughter, holding hands while climbing the short stairs of the mall entrance.
"We would need a lot of sexy lingerie; I don't want us to go there and start looking like our problems." I chuckled at her remark, walking beside her into a female underwear shop. "Woah, this piece speaks hot!" Tessa pointed at a particular mannequin, wearing a mid-drip fishnet, a leopard G-string, and boob tape covering the n*****s.
"That's too open," I gave out my suggestion. "You can go for it; I don't think I can wear it." She gave me a look that showed she was indeed expecting me to say that. We moved around the shop, changing from one pair of underwear to another, picking out the ones we loved. We were laughing and giggling so much while walking to the cashier stand in order to sort out the bills when suddenly I received three beeps of notification chronologically. I stood still immediately and swiped my phone to open it only to discover it was a bank debit and a huge amount had been withdrawn from the joint account I have with Jasper. "What the f**k!!!"