27

Jennifer.
I was utterly shocked that Selina was here, standing right in front of me. She approached Tomas with a bright smile, her eyes locked onto him in a way that suggested she had missed him tremendously. It was as if she were lost in a dream, and the look on his face was completely different from what he had told me-that he never loved her. My heart sank as I realized I now had two enemies, not just Maya. With Selina back in the picture, things were about to get complicated, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that settled over me. I didn’t even count the other girls around him, dancing and laughing, all of them rich and popular, and frankly, quite annoying.
As I moved closer, trying to catch a glimpse of their conversation, Selina stepped even nearer to Tomas, her gaze unwavering and intense. “Happy birthday, my only love,” she said, her voice dripping with affection and longing. I felt frozen in place, confusion swirling in my mind. I was desperate to hear his response, but when he replied, it felt like a cold shower washing over me, dousing any warmth I had felt moments before.
“Wow, you didn’t forget my birthday, Selina?!” Tomas asked, feigning surprise, his tone light yet laced with something deeper. She looked at him with a mixture of longing and bitterness, and I could see that the past was creeping back into their conversation, pulling them into a world I didn’t belong to. “How could I forget the one who broke my heart so easily? You know I’ve never truly fallen for anyone after you broke up with me,” she replied, her voice filled with emotion that resonated through the air.
Tomas raised an eyebrow, clearly unamused. “But you destroyed my reputation, too, or have you forgotten what you did?” he countered, his tone sharper than I expected. I took a few steps closer, straining to hear better, hoping he would finally acknowledge me and introduce me to Selina. But it seemed he had completely forgotten I existed, swallowed up by the history they shared.
“Oh, maybe I did, Tomas! It was girl revenge! I spent three years of my life with you, but you never treated me well. You never noticed me at all, and you didn’t even try to love me! How could I forgive you and let you live your life with another woman like this?” Selina’s voice rose with each word, echoing the pain she had endured. I felt the intensity of her feelings, and it made my own frustration bubble to the surface.
“If I had loved you, I wouldn’t have let you go so easily. But I forgive you, Tomas, because you’re just heartless. Someday, you’ll get what you deserve. Someday, a girl will hurt you, and you will feel the pain I’ve lived with until now,” she warned, a seductive glint in her eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. She licked the corner of her mouth, and my stomach turned at the sight. Tomas stepped closer to her, clearing his throat, a sign of his discomfort.
“Maybe you fell for the worst womanizer ever, Selina. That’s your fault for stalking a womanizer; it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Perhaps you’ve finally realized the reality of your situation, even if it took you too long. But you’ve learned the painful lesson, and it’s fatal,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips that made my blood boil.
“That’s only in your sick mind, Tomas! No one has ever dared to ignore my feelings like you did!” Selina yelled, her frustration palpable, and I felt the tension building like a pressure cooker about to explode.
He narrowed his eyes at her, his expression growing more intense. “What? Are you here to talk about the past now?!” he shouted, clearly irritated by her sudden emotional outburst.
She sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes as if she were above the entire situation. “Well, no, I’m here to say happy birthday,” she said sweetly, looking deeply into his eyes, as if she were trying to convey all the feelings she had kept bottled up, the unspoken words that lingered between them.
Tomas forced a smile, and I could see the effort it took. “Thank you, Selina, for caring so much and traveling all this way to say that. And I must say, you look amazing, the most beautiful actress in the world,” he complimented, leaning in to kiss her cheek. I felt a surge of annoyance and anger welling up inside me. How could he forget about me so easily? He had told me he loved me, or at least I thought he did. This reunion was like a slap in the face, and I felt like I had no place here anymore. Maya had won the war before it even began. I didn’t belong to this world of wealth and deception.
I turned away, retreating behind the trees to gather my thoughts, needing to escape the complicated emotions swirling within me. Suddenly, I heard Jack’s voice on the mic calling my name, “Jennifer? Where are you?”
I quickly hid behind a large tree, my back turned to the commotion as I felt the darkness close in around me. Then I heard Tomas’s voice yelling my name, “Jennifer? Jennifer? Where are you?” I ignored his calls. I was overwhelmed and didn’t know how to respond to this tangled mess of emotions. My mind raced with thoughts of betrayal and disappointment. This situation was becoming unbearable-so many enemies swirling around me.
Then, an idea struck me: I wasn’t alone. I had Jack. We had been friends for a long time, and he could help me navigate this chaos. But asking him for help felt like a last resort. Could I really trust him after everything that had happened? I didn’t want to reveal my vulnerabilities, so I resolved to use him without him even realizing it. After all, I wasn’t weak; I had a job to do. Even if Tomas had been a liar, even if he didn’t love me, I would still fulfill my end of the bargain. I reminded myself that I was acting as his fiancee, and that was all it was-a job.
As I rehearsed my thoughts, I realized they were still searching for me, shouting my name. It was time to reemerge. I stepped out from behind the tree, walking toward them. I approached Jack, passing Tomas without a glance, completely ignoring him as if he didn’t exist.
“Sorry, Jack, that I made you worry. I was just walking near the trees, trying to explore the place,” I said, leaning in to kiss his cheek, feeling a wave of relief wash over me as I connected with my friend.
He looked at me, concern etched on his face. “Jennifer, please don’t do this again. I’m here to be with you, to protect you,” he said earnestly, his voice filled with genuine concern that warmed my heart.
I moved closer to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’m sorry, Jack. I promise I won’t do it again,” I whispered, hoping to convey my sincerity, my need for support in this chaotic moment.
In that moment, Tomas pulled me by the arm, glaring at me with an angry expression that made my heart race. “What?!” I exclaimed, startled by his sudden aggression, my heart pounding in my chest.
“What are you saying to him? Where have you been?” he yelled, his frustration evident, and I could feel the heat radiating from his body.
“Oh, sorry, Tomas, I didn’t realize you’d notice I was missing-especially when you’re surrounded by all those beautiful women,” I retorted, a smile of disgust creeping onto my face, my irritation spilling over.
Maya was nearby, laughing loudly while covering her mouth with her hand. She reveled in my discomfort, clearly pleased with her manipulation. It felt like she was winning the war, but I couldn’t let her take me down. I had a job to do, and I wouldn’t fail it.
Selina moved closer, placing a hand on Tomas’s shoulder, her eyes glinting with a mix of challenge and mockery. “So, honey, why didn’t you introduce me to her?” she asked, her tone dripping with condescension, and I felt my anger flare.
I glared at her, feeling the tension thickening in the air. “Yes, right, Tomas. Why didn’t you introduce me? Oh, wait! I should do that instead of you,” I said, turning to face him. With an exaggerated smile, I added, “I’m Jennifer, his fiancee, Miss Selina.”
Selina rolled her eyes and turned back to Tomas, her disbelief evident. “Tomas, is this true? You’re engaged now? And who is she? You broke up with me for her?” she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and confusion, and I could feel the heat of the moment rising.
Tomas and I exchanged glances, both of us silent as we processed the tension in the air. I pulled my arm from his grasp and walked over to Jack, trying to assert my presence. “Honey, since it’s my birthday, why don’t you let me sing our special song together?” I suggested, trying to shift the focus away from the escalating drama.
“What? Really? But I thought you told me you would never sing again,” Jack responded, his eyes wide with surprise, and I could sense the weight of expectation hanging in the air.
I laughed, feeling a glimmer of confidence. “Yes, I think I did say that before, but now I’m in a good mood. I want to join you for a song. Besides, I’ve made a new decision,” I said, ignoring Tomas completely, focusing instead on the possibility of reclaiming my moment.
Jack looked intrigued, his interest piqued. “What decision, Jennifer?” he asked, leaning in closer.
“Do you remember what you asked me on our last date?” I prompted him, hoping to steer the conversation back to safer ground.
“Um, yes. I asked you to start singing. You have a great chance to be the number one singer in the world! I even offered to produce your first CD if you agreed,” he recalled, enthusiasm lighting up his face, and I could feel the excitement building between us.
Suddenly, Tomas interjected, his voice sharp and demanding. “What?! Sing!” he shouted, clearly agitated by my sudden change of focus.
I brushed him off and continued speaking to Jack, determined not to let Tomas’s attitude derail me. “My decision is that I accept your offer, Jack. I want to start singing. I want to be famous and rich. After all, God gifted me with this beautiful voice for a reason, right?” I declared, my heart racing with excitement and the thrill of possibility.
Jack’s expression was a mix of surprise and delight. “Are you serious?” he asked, still trying to process my sudden enthusiasm, and I could see the hope in his eyes.
Without waiting for a response, I grabbed the mic from him, feeling a rush of adrenaline. “Let’s sing, Jack! We have an audience, and they should vote on whether I should start my new career as a singer or not!” I insisted, gesturing for him to begin, ready to reclaim the spotlight.
As I began to sing “Je t’aime” by Lara Fabian, I pushed Tomas out of my way, feeling liberated as I took center stage. He retreated to a table, seething with anger, while I focused on the music, letting the melody wash over me. I closed my eyes and poured my heart into the performance, feeling the energy of the crowd enveloping me. Everyone around me fell silent, captivated by my voice, and I could sense the shift in the atmosphere.
When I finished, applause erupted from the guests, lifting my spirits high, except for Maya and Selina, who stood with sour expressions, clearly unimpressed. I hugged Jack, who lifted me off the ground, his excitement palpable. “You were amazing, Jennifer!” he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious and comforting.
But then Tomas came rushing over, his face twisted in fury, and I felt the tension crackle in the air. He grabbed my hand, pushing Jack aside with a force that sent a chill down my spine. “What?” Jack questioned, standing his ground, ready to defend me.
I turned to Tomas, pulling Jack closer to me. “Don’t, Jack,” I warned him softly, trying to diffuse the situation before it escalated.
“No, Jennifer! You’re my best friend, and I won’t let him do anything to hurt you. Everyone knows that Tomas is a womanizer!” Jack insisted, his protective instincts kicking in, and I felt a swell of gratitude for his loyalty.
“I don’t even know how both of you met or how you’re engaged to him! You’re from different worlds!” Jack exclaimed, looking back and forth between us, his confusion evident.
Tomas’s expression hardened as he glared at Jack, then pushed him to the ground, the force of it shocking everyone around us. I knelt beside Jack, cradling his head in my hands, panic flooding my system. “Are you okay, Jack?” I asked, concern flooding my voice as I brushed his hair back from his forehead.
Tomas loomed over us, his anger palpable, and I felt a surge of defiance rise within me. “What are you doing?!” I shouted at him, standing up defiantly. “Just go join your friends and your horde of stalking girls!”
I raised my eyebrows at Tomas, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to project confidence despite my racing heart. “What do you mean, Jennifer?!” he demanded, his voice low and threatening, and I could sense the storm brewing between us.
“I mean that Maya was right! I can’t compete with her or with Selina or any of your other rich, famous girls! You’re a womanizer!” I declared, my voice shaking slightly but resolute.
“We are from opposite worlds! I can’t deal with this heavy, annoying feeling anymore, Tomas! I can’t accept all of this. I’m sorry!” I said, my voice breaking slightly as I walked away from him, feeling the weight of everything crashing down around me. The reality of our situation hit me like a tidal wave, and I knew there was no turning back.