1/ The Shocking Truth

Janiya POV 

“Come on, Elisa, stop lagging, don’t be scared, let’s do it. What do we need to be afraid of?” I take hold of my best friend’s arm, entering one of the most prestigious stores in the city.

The door chimed softly upon our entrance. I inhaled the richness of the air, which filled my nostrils with a subtle scent of lavender, mingling with the warm glow of soft golden lights illuminating the diamond-laden displays.

“Wow! Elisa, so this is what the rich and the famous get to experience. Look at this place. Brilliance Jewelry is somewhere I’ve always wanted to come. It’s the number one jewelry store in the world. Elisa, you know, they say that a single sparkling piece can tell a story, celebrate milestones, or make you feel like royalty. Isn’t it true? Don’t you feel special, like one of those elite rich girls?”

Elisa mumbles, her eyes roaming over at the staff, “Sure, but Janiya, haven’t you noticed how these ladies are staring at us suspiciously, like we are going to steal something? I'm ready to leave,” she whispered in my ear.

“Ignore them. We have every right to be here, like everyone else. They don’t know what’s in our bank accounts.” Janiya said snappily. “Now come on. Focus on all the beautiful jewels and stones.”

“Alright, I forgot I’m dealing with a hopeless romantic, girl, you are so daring,” Elisa says, rolling her eyes.

“Look, Elisa. Aren’t the Jewelry here exquisitely beautiful?

“Yes, exquisitely expensive. Janiya, do you know this place is where, only, the rich and famous do their shopping?”

I continue to ignore her complaining, as my eyes danced around at the rows of shimmering pieces of Jewels that sparkled like stars in the night sky. It was true, each piece did seem to tell its own story, some with intricate designs that whispered romance, others with timeless classic elegance. As I pressed my fingers against the cool glass, my eyes landed on a breathtaking engagement and wedding band set. The rings were adorned with a brilliant round diamond, surrounded by delicate petals of smaller stones.

It felt as if it were calling my name. I had to get one of these ladies to assist us. I tell Elisa, “Girl, watch me work my magic.” I knew I would have to do some name-dropping.

Then the sales associate and I looked at one another, and I politely smiled at her. The woman’s facial expression remained uninterested in assisting us; she was all stiff and unfriendly as she approached.

“How can I assist you today?” She asks in a dry tone.

I flashed my work badge, I told her. “I’m one of Dean Whitmore’s executive assistants, and I’m getting engaged. And he recommended your business.”

The woman instantly displayed a new attitude. Her eyes softened, and she gave us a warm smile. “Oh yes! Mr. Whitmore is a regular client of ours. How can I assist you, ladies, today?”

“I’m looking for both my engagement ring and wedding band,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, but excitement bubbled up in my chest.

“Congratulations! We have an exquisite collection for you to choose from,” the associate replied, now guiding us around the store with a smile on her face. She led us towards a comfortable seating area adorned with plush cushions. As we sat down, I couldn’t help but envision the moment Dean would kneel before me. He is my first love, and for him to seal our engagement with a set of beautiful rings like these made my heart race.

I felt a deeper connection with each piece I tried on, realizing that this wasn’t just about selecting Jewelry; it was about choosing symbols of love and commitment.

Each ring held a promise of the future I envisioned: a life filled with love and laughter. After a few moments of reflection, I locked eyes with the ring and took a deep breath. I turned to Elisa first and showed her the ring.

“Girl, that’s the one.”

“It’s so gorgeous.”

The sales associate, a smile spreading across her face. “I think you’ve found the ones,” she said softly, her heart brimming with happiness.

In that moment, surrounded by sparkling treasures, I knew I was one step closer to forever.

“Girl, can’t you wait until the engagement party when Dean puts a ring on your finger?”

“Why should I wait? I want to get a little sneak peek at the sparkle that defines me. That isn’t a sin, is it? Besides, I have been doing well keeping our relationship a secret for a year.

“Janiya, how are you going to get him to select the ring you want, if it’s supposed to be a surprise?”

“That’s going to be the fun part. When he returns home from his business trip, that’s when I’ll start dropping a few little hints here and there.”

Elisa shakes her head at me as we laugh together. “You are too much. But it’s good to see you so happy.”

“It feels good to finally be in love with the right man, who can provide me with the stability and love I deserve.”

“Come on, let’s continue window shopping, because we sure can’t afford to buy anything.”

“No, not yet. But I will one day. One day soon.” Janiya replies, happily.

****

It’s been a month since Dean asked me to marry him, and now that I have selected the ring I want. I couldn’t help but start browsing magazines searching for the perfect wedding gown. Oh, that’s right, I need a new dress for the engagement party we are about to plan. I'm looking forward to celebrating these special events with family and friends. It was a Friday afternoon, the day Dean arrived home from his long two-week business trip. It felt like I hadn’t seen my new fiancé forever. Ever since we privately got engaged, he’s been so busy. I can’t wait to have him all to myself. I am going to surprise him with some quality time together. I spoke with his secretary, Margaret, to see which evenings he has free, then I made a reservation at our favorite restaurant, hoping to make the moment memorable.

That Friday evening, I arrived at Dean's office so elated to lay eyes on my handsome man. It felt like the most extended business trip ever, and I couldn’t wait to wrap him in my arms and kiss him. When you're in love, every minute apart seems like an eternity.

I smiled at Margaret, who informed me that I could go in. However, I paused when the sound of voices came from Dean’s office.

Then I heard him say my name. I promise it wasn’t my intent to listen to his conversation, but what I heard made me unable to move another step.

“Janiya is perfect! She’s a beautiful girl with a great body, is limber, and is enthusiastic. Her sexual gymnastics are off the chain!

What can I say? The chemistry we have when we are together is incredible!” Dean chuckled. “And she’s witty and funny too, but…”

“But…what?” Franklin asked his friend and business partner.

“As much as I enjoy diving between her silky thighs. As a businessman, I need more. A man of my status needs to marry someone with connections, and that’s on my level financially. And these two weeks I’ve been away from Janiya, I’ve come to my senses. I know it isn’t her fault that she’s a third-rate girl, but I can’t see myself marrying her, and yet I don’t want to let her go. What we have going on is so good.”

“Wait, I’m confused. Dean, didn’t you ask Janiya, only a month ago, to marry you? And wasn’t it just two weeks ago, on a private island in Cancun, you got down on one knee and put an engagement ring on Brooklyn Henson's hand?” Franklin asked, heavily sighing.

“Yes, and that’s call handling business. I secured a multibillion-dollar deal. I’ve decided partnering up with Brooklyn Henson would be more advantageous, and she has the right connections.

“But Dean, you already committed yourself to Janiya only a few weeks earlier, remember?”

“Franklin, you know my business comes before the love of any woman. My company is doing fine. Not great, but fine. And ever since I discovered Brooklyn’s father is the one who spearheaded AI, my aspirations have changed. I had to meet his daughter, and one thing led to another. You saw her at that AI conference, how well she can work in a room. Brooklyn is going to be good for my business because of her affluent background and her family's connection to AI development, and I want in on that.

And you witnessed it for yourself, how she even charmed you, which isn’t an easy thing to do. I spent last week with her family after the engagement party, and that went smoothly. I know she can handle all the necessary social functions required of me to get in this market.”

“I’m your friend and you know I have your best interest at heart, man, are you sure you don’t want to rethink things through?”

“Look, what can Janiya do about it? I’ll answer that. Absolutely nothing. I’m all set to get married. Brooklyn is the one I gave the engagement ring to, and the date is set.

Neither of the girls knows about the other, and I plan to keep it that way. What I have with Janiya, it doesn’t have to end.” Dean smirked.

“Why can’t I have the best of both worlds after marriage? Brooklyn will be my dutiful wife, and Janiya can be my sweet little side piece.”

“You’re playing with fire. Are you sure Janiya will be content with being your mistress?”

I stood there frozen at his office door, pressing myself against the wall, heart pounding so loud I feared they might hear me. My entire world spun on the edge of Dean’s words, as he confessed his secrets. I wasn’t supposed to be privy to this information. His plans to marry this woman, Brooklyn, and his intent to keep me “a side piece," for his pleasure. For the first time, I was learning how effortlessly he had been lying to me. My legs felt like limp noodles when I tried to move them, and I couldn’t believe my ears that this was the man I loved, the man I was about to throw my whole future into. A wave of nausea washed over me as I tried to steady my breathing. The voices inside the office grew quieter, their conversation shifting, but the damage was done.

I stepped back, unseen, into the hallway. Do I confront him? Or should I run? Or do I play alone, just long enough to find out the truth?

The voices behind the door continued to talk. I had to stay; I was hoping what I was hearing wasn’t true. But more was revealed, leaving me speechless.