SOPHIA
"So tomorrow is your boyfriend's birthday. Do you have any plans for a birthday gift?" Juliet asked me the minute she parked her car neatly at the parking lot of the hospital where i worked at. I have been contemplating on a gift to give to him all week and so far, I haven't made any significant progress.
"To be honest, I don't know what to gift Jason." I answered honestly. "I want to get him a perfect birthday present because he's been a great guy despite all my shortcomings.
He loves and takes care of me so much. Sometimes, I even feel like i don't deserve to be with someone like him. He's just too good for me.
Jason is my boyfriend and aside tomorrow being his birthday, it was also the two year anniversary of our relationship as a couple and i wanted to do something special to surprise him but I've been so swarmed with work at the hospital to even come up with a single thought.
She shot me a curious look. A strand of hair falling to her face freely which she pushed back with little or no effort. "And what do you mean by that?"
I shrugged. "Well, I'm not as hot and pretty as those girls he used to date in the past and i don't have a good body and figure like you. I feel like I'm not even up to his standards if i were to measure correctly. He's a very handsome guy and I'm just me."
"Look at me." She lifted my chin with her index finger so that i was staring directly at her face. "You're a very beautiful woman Sophia and Jason is so lucky to have you. None of those women he ever dated in the past compares to you and to top it off, you have a career. You're a working class woman that comes from a good family so what more could he ask for?"
I adjusted my big glasses with a snort. "Maybe you're right." I rubbed my hands nervously. "Maybe I'm just overthinking things like i usually do."
Apart from being the sweetest and loveliest best friend in the entire world, Juliet was also a super model. She had a perfect face and perfect body that every guy in the city drooled after.
If i were to set her up in a pedestal, she would fall nothing short than a goddess because that's what she is. We've been friends since high school and I was nothing compared to her.
In school, she was considered a princess while i was nicknamed her side kick or most times, the ugly ducking. The only good thing i had going for myself was the fact that i had wealthy parents who were always at my beck and call.
Although my parents nicknamed me as their one and only princess, I knew that i was far from that name. I was chubby with dirty hair and freckles that would scare even the most unattractive man away. I had an eye defect, hence the glasses i wore which made my look even more unbearable.
My appearance made me feel small, shy and insecure but Juliet and Jason were the only ones who loved and accepted me for who i was and that's why I'll forever be grateful for meeting two amazing people like them in my life.
Unlocking the car door, i pushed it open and stepped out. "Thanks again for dropping me off at work again Jules. I owe you one."
"Will you be fine taking a cab home after work because i won't be free to pick you up later since I'll be going out of town for business."
I brushed her off. "Thank you but i have a night shift today so i won't need a ride. I'll see you when you get back. Have fun at the shoot!"
"Alright sugar." She blew me a kiss and drove away. I waved at her car until it was out of sight. As soon as she left, i made my way inside the hospital building to get started with work right now. Life of a nurse was not all rosy and shiny as the media had made it seem, it was hell.
"So what are you going to gift Jason for his birthday Mrs Meyer's." My work friend Amelia teased me halfway through our shift. Everyone at work knew that i was dating Jason and as much as some of them congratulated me for it, the others were quite jealous that i had landed such a hot dude without even trying too hard.
"Well, i don't know yet. i wanted to organize a little get together dinner party but i can't because I'll be too tired to do so after work today." I answered sadly. I wonder how Jason had always managed to put up with me despite all my excuses and my tight schedule. I was a terrible girlfriend and i knew it.
"Then do it. A hot guy like Jason doesn't come around everyday." Amelia encouraged me. "You're lucky to score a guy like him Sophia so don't blow it up."
"But my night shift—"
"I'll cover for you." She interrupted. "As long as you give me all the juicy and naughty details of the party when you get back."
"Really?" I asked wide-eyed. "You would do that for me?"
"Of course." She nodded in affirmation. "Just finish up your normal work for today and I'll cover for you on your night shift. It'll be better than babysitting my kid sister at home anyway. I need a break from my family dilemma."
"Thank you so much Amelia." I squealed in delight. Today was finally looking up after all. Reaching for my phone, i dialled Juliet's number but it sent me straight to voicemail. I guess she's probably busy. She doesn't usually answer the phone whenever she's away for work but I'll definitely give her the news when i get back.
I knocked off work and before deciding on going home, i stopped by at the market to pick up a few things for Jason's surprise dinner. I was going to make him his favorite dish and bring it over to his place so that we can have some alone time with each other before the big day tomorrow.
I got all the ingredients for dinner rushed back home to prepare it. After that, i showered and changed into my outfit. I tried my best to look a little more presentable for him so i settled for one my best outfits.
Satisfied with my look, i covered up the dishes before packing it up. I dialled Juliet's number again. It rang this time around but she didn't answer. I guess being a supermodel is harder than I thought. What do i know?
Rushing out of our apartment, i flagged down a cab and got in after giving him Jason's address. I arrived in less than thirty minutes and made my way inside after passing through the security. Just as i am about to enter, a familiar sight halted me in my tracks. It was Juliet's car and from where i stood, i sighted her red heels at the front porch too.
Was i dreaming? I know it's hers because i saw her wear it this morning when we both left the house together. Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me. I'm guessing that since today is Jason's birthday then he invited some friends over. That's the only logical explanation to this. Juliet is out of town and two or more persons can own the exact pair of shoes and car right?
Pulling mine aside, i let myself in. I set the food aside and went in search of Jason in his bedroom. I approached the door and just as i am about to knock, i heard giggling followed by the moronic sound of Jason's laughter.
With shaky hands, i dialled Juliet's number again. I heard it ring and my heart skipped a beat and i could feel my nerves building up. A strange tension creeping inside me. It can't be. I was breaking down but i didn't even know the next step to take.
"I thought i told this bitch that I'll be out of town for an entire day." I overheard her irritated voice. "I don't know why she keeps on calling." She said and clicked her tongue in utter frustration. It was indeed Juliet. My best friend.
"Jason, why can't you just tell her that we're in a relationship with each other?" She said angrily. "Or are you starting to develop feelings for her? is that why you can't tell her about us? How long do i have to keep on pretending that i enjoy her company? She irks me and in the weirdest way."
I could swear I felt my heart skip several beats as i heard her say those words.
"I told you to be patient didn't i?" Jason's voice came through. "The fact that you're right here with me at this moment is enough proof that i love you."
"Sophia's parents are wealthy." Jason started. "They're loaded with money and if we want to live the life that we both dreamed of then we have to keep up this charade until we have her at the back of our palm so until then, you have to be nice to her."
I felt my drop heart to the floor then break into a million pieces. I shook my head vehemently trying to tell myself that it was all a lie. Jason was cheating on me with my best friend. It felt like i was punched in the gut, the pain taking its time to spread round my whole body. I felt broken. Too broken.
My phone slipped and fell to the ground, the sound deafening and just as i was about to pick it up, the door to the bedroom pushed open and there they were, staring at me. Both of them naked with nothing but a fleece blanket covering them up. My boyfriend and my supposed best friend.
"H-How could you?" I stuttered. My words failing me as tears slid down my cheeks. "How on earth could both of you do this to me!" I screamed at the top of my lungs hoping for this to be a lie but sadly it wasn't.