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.

I know she is concerned about me , and I appreciate that very much.

"He is a manwhore--"

It's enough she can't just insult my boyfriend like this. He is not a cheater.

"How can you say that Daria? why don't understand that I love him." I tried to reason with her. She never liked Morgan but he was there with me in my bad times.

I heard her sigh "But does he love you?"

I bit my lip, my voice trembled preventing me from saying anything. "he loves me" I whispered, my voice trembled.

There was a long silence between us, and I finally decided to speak again "I am going to say yes to him." I said, and I could literally hear the disappointment coming from her. "If this is what makes you happy, then I am happy for you Krystalina."

She took my full name, she is not happy with my decision. But I can't leave Morgan.

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 a 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.

Maybe one day Daria will come around and I won't have to grind between my boyfriend and best friend.

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.

I step forward, smiling, already rehearsing the way I’ll tease him later for being dramatic. My palms are warm, my heart beating so loud it drowns out the music.

Then I see her.

Nancy.

She’s wearing red. The exact shade Morgan once said made me unforgettable.

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.

And for one foolish second, my brain still tries to save me. Maybe this is a joke. Maybe she’s helping him. Maybe I’m wrong.

“Will you marry me, Nancy Lockwood?” he asks softly.

Nancy gasps like this is the happiest surprise of her life. I watched as he slide ring onto her finger, smoothly without any guilt. 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.

He planned it long ago,he wanted to humiliate me.

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 shit” I scream before I can stop myself. The music cuts. The laughter dies. Every head turns toward me. I explode.

“Kristie…” he whispered, and looked at me with his disgusting olive eyes. There was not an ounce of guilt in those 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 shit and you cheated on me. How could you do that...” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

I tried not to break down in front of him, he has hurt me enough. Suddenly, Nancy shoved me away. I stumble and my foot twists, making me fall on my butt.

My stomach churned with embarrassment. While that bitch 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 bitch and walked back to that cheater.

"Yes baby...I will and she wasn't even a good fuck" 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 heart, 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 fuck 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.

I don't know when I slumped on the concrete ground of some dark ally, my wails echoing. Why do I always fail at things that I matters to me so much? Why can't I be just perfect?

Why did he have to choose someone else over me, humiliate me in front of the whole world? And the worst part, I don't even deserve anyone's sympathy because I had dug my own grave.

I hope they both rot in hell.