I took off my pajamas and put on my clothes. I walked over to my vanity and pulled my hair into a loose bun. I put on some heels and walked downstairs. I grabbed my purse and keys and headed out for my car.
I drove over to 7-11 and got my coffee and made it to work in record time. I was only twenty minutes late and no one complained today.
“Jen,” Candi began as she walked over to me, “are you okay? You look tired.”
“Well, I only had about two hours worth of sleep.”
“Why?”
“Unexpected visitor.”
“Who?”
“No one you know,” I said and began walking to my office with Candi following me.
“Tell me,” she whined.
“Fine, Dani Raabe.”
“Who is she?”
“She is an old friend and we talked about some bad issues we went through.”
“What issues?”
“Sort of like the issues we went through,” I said and sat down.
“Oh,” Candi said quietly, “it must suck for you.”
“Why?”
“Two boyfriends cheating on you with your friends. You know, I truly am sorry, I was drunk,” she began until I cut her off.
“No, I slept with her boyfriend.”
“You did?” she asked, surprised.
“Unfortunately. I felt guilty every day of my life and still do.”
“What happened?”
“Ask me one day when it’s just us two, alone, preferable at my house.”
“Okay,” she said with a smile and left my office.
**********************************************
Dani slipped her key in as quietly as she could. She opened the door softly and walked in. She pulled off her coat and set it on a chair. As she neared the bed, she jumped a little when she noticed that a dark figure was sitting there.
“Were have you been?” Chris demanded.
“Out,” Dani said.
“Tell me,” Chris said aggressively and stood up, advancing on her.
“I just went out to clear my thoughts, but I wouldn’t expect you to understand,” she said as she flick on a light.
“Where did you go?”
“Does it matter?” Dani said sarcastically.
Chris roughly grabbed Dani’s arm and pulled her to face him. He said in a low and firm voice, “Where did you go?”
“Get off me!” Dani shrieked and tried to pull her arm away as Chris added more pressure.
Suddenly, Chris laughed and let go of her arm. He looked at her, laughed again, and shook his head.
“What?” she asked and examined the red marks he left on her arm.
“Come to bed, I’m sure your tired. I know I get tired from talking to Jen, that girl could talk your ear off,” he said and gave Dani a silly grin.
“What?” Dani said shocked, “how did you know?”
He didn’t reply, he just got into bed and turned so that his back was facing her.
***********************************************
The day went by quickly and soon it was five o’clock. Austin called me earlier and told me that he would pick me up at seven and that he made reservations for seven thirty. I quickly gathered my things and headed out of my office to look for Candi. She near the bar flirting with our new bartender, Matt.
“Quit flirting on the job,” I said teasingly to Candi and Matt.
“Shut up Jen,” Candi said and flung a napkin at me.
“I’m leaving now,” I said.
“Okay,” Candi said, “have fun.”
“I will,” I said and walked out of the restaurant. I got into my car and drove back to my house. I set my keys on the dining room table and walked upstairs. I took off my shoes and sat down on the bed. I set my alarm clock for six and laid down, drifting off to sleep.
*************************************************
Austin smoothed out his pants and rung the doorbell, “Come on Jen, answer the door.”
He rung the doorbell once more, and when he received no answer, he opened the door and let himself in. “Jen,” he called out and looked around. As he neared the stairs, he heard a buzzing noise from one of the bedrooms. He quickly ran upstairs and peered in the master bedroom.
“There you are,” he said softly. He walked over to the bed and sat down. He turned off the alarm clock and smiled. He reached out and moved the blanket a little.
I fluttered my eyes open and slowly recognized Austin sitting there next to me. I smiled and then sat up, “What time is it!?”
“Don’t worry, you still have time,” he said sweetly and kissed me on the lips, “just hurry up.”
“Okay,” I said and returned the kiss. I got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. I put everything I needed in the bathroom last night. I quickly removed my clothes and put on my new, shimmery blue dress. It had a slit that went up mid thigh and was cut low on top. It was back less and had little gems around the straps.
Austin was taking me to a tiny, but expensive restaurant and I had to look beautiful for him. I brushed my hair and plugged in my curling iron. I looked at my heavy, dark rings under my eyes from lack of sleep and rubbed them. I pulled out concealer and put some on, it didn’t help much. Frustrated, I threw the tube at the wall and put on some foundation.
After I was done applying make up, I curled some of my hair and then turned it off. I walked into my bedroom and Austin looked at me.
“You look incredible, I think we should just stay home,” he said and walked over to me, taking me in his arms.
“Maybe we should,” I said and kissed him.
“We would if I didn’t have plans made.”
“What plans?
“You’ll see,” he said and kissed me.
I slipped on my new high heels and put on some jewelry. I grabbed my coat and walked down stairs with Austin.
“You ready?” he asked as we headed towards the door.
“Yes,” I said.
It didn’t take to long for us to get there. As we were walking in, there were tons of people there. We were walking to our table when I saw a sign that was outside the ballroom.
“You don’t like *NSYNC, do you? I could possibly get you an autograph,” Austin offered.
“No way. I don’t want an autograph,” I said as I examined the sign. It was a charity event and *NSYNC were obviously the guests of honor.
Awhile later, we were done with dinner and Austin paid for dinner. As we were walking outside, I said, “Austin, thank you for such a wonderful evening.”
“Your welcome. Thank you for coming. You looked absolutely stunning tonight.”
“Thank you,” I said and kissed him on the lips.
He kissed me again and wrapped his arms around, turning me so that my back was facing the street. He presses his forehead against mine and said, “Have I ever told you how much I love you?”
“No,” I said and smiled.
“I love you so much Jen. I want to go to bed every night with you by my side and wake up every morning and receive a kiss from you. I want us to start a family and have those two dogs and three children. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“What are you trying to say?”
He didn’t say anything, just smiled at me. Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the billboard light up. I turned away from Austin and looked at it. My mouth dropped open in shock. It read it bright, shiny lights; “Will You Marry Me?”
“Will you please do me the honor of being my wife,” Austin said and got down on one knee. He pulled out a black box and opened it. It was a diamond ring with little rubies around it.
“Yes,” I said as tears streamed down my cheeks. He shakily slipped the ring on my finger and stood up, pulling me into a hug. I kissed him on the lips and closed my eyes.
A few people clapped, but I could hear a sarcastic, yet distinct voice behind me, “Aww how cute.”
I let go of Austin and turned around. There stood practically everyone from my past. Michelle, Justin, Dani, Chris, JC, Bobbi, Joey, Lance, and two other girls that I didn’t know.
“What do you want?” I asked coldly because they just ruined the happiest moment of my life.
“I see your back with Austin, stuck with losers now? Is he able to keep his dick in his pants now?” Michelle asked with a snort.
“That’s none of your concern,” I said.
“Oh whatever, Jennifer dear,” she said and rolled her eyes, “please do get a life.”
“I have one thank you very much.”
“Michelle,” Austin began, “why don’t you try staying out of other people’s businesses. You have no right to say…”
“Come on Austin, let’s just go,” I said, interrupting him.
“No Austin, please continue,” Michelle said.
“My brother has told me every little thing you tell him every time you call him, you know,” Austin said, staring intently at Michelle.
“What?” Justin and I said at the same time.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Michelle said nervously.
“You have no right to call my fiancée the names that you do. I don’t even think anyone knows about your little secret life.”
“Shut up,” Michelle said.
“Let’s just go,” I said and tried to pull Austin away.
“What? You don’t want to know that your sister’s nothing but a slut. Always have been, always will be. You may call Jen a slut, Michelle, but you have no room to talk,” Austin said.
“Shut up,” Michelle said, her face flushed with embarrassment.
“No. I want you to do me three favors. Stay away from me, stay away from Jen, and stay away from my brother,” Austin said and walked away. I looked one last time at Michelle and then I followed Austin.
“What was he talking about?” Justin demanded.
“I don’t know,” Michelle stuttered, “maybe Jen’s making up stories again, maybe the dye has gone to her brain.”
“Michelle,” Dani said curtly, “why don’t you try shutting that hole you call a mouth for awhile and quit digging the hole deeper. I’m sick of you bad mouthing Jen. She’s your sister, your flesh and blood. I’m sick of you ranting and raving about how your sister’s a slut when you need to take a look into a damn mirror.”
“Oh Danielle,” Michelle said annoyed, “it sounds like your defending Jen. You know, your married to the poor guy she seduced.”
“Yeah, well maybe we have some facts wrong,” Dani said.
“What?” Dani heard some of them say.
Chris glared at Dani and got into the awaiting limo.
“Then maybe you should walk home if you feel that way,” Michelle said and got into the limo with Justin following. One by one, everyone got into the limo except for Joey.
“Are you coming Joey?” JC asked.
“No, I’m going to stay with Dani,” he said.
Michelle poked her head out the window and said, “Why? I thought you were Chris’s friend.”
“I am. We just don’t need Dani being killed in the middle of the street or something.”
“Hmm…Maybe we do,” Michelle said with a taunting laugh.
“What did you say Michelle?” Dani asked walked closer to the limo and grabbed a handful of Michelle’s hair. Michelle cried out in pain and Dani came face to face with her, “I’d shut my mouth if I were you Michelle.”
Chapter Five
Chapter Three
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