Chapter eighty three

Dallas


I pressed my lips together to suppress the anger slowly rising in me as I stared at Jenna's retreating figure. Every fiber in my body screamed at me to go after her but I forced myself to remain still. Not when I don't understand the cause of my anger. Or the bitter emotion at the back of my mind that I refused to acknowledge.

They're engaged, so what?

It's not a big deal. It's not like he wouldn't get married eventually. Not like he said he would marry me. He didn't promise me forever.

So what if I'm the first girl he's ever slept with? The first girl he's ever touched or even kissed? Doesn't mean he wants me enough to marry me. I'm not exactly wife material.

Why am I even angry about this? I knew what he was offering from the start. He never hid anything from me. I was foolish to think it could result to more. Fucking foolish to think I could have him to myself. Big fool to even think for one second that he'd –

“For fuck’s sake, Dallas,” I heard someone say before snatching my hand.

I finally tore my gaze away from Jenna's retreating figure and stared at Lisa's worried face. Heather was standing beside me with the same expression.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

I glanced at the hand she snatch and saw small trickles of blood. I had curled my fist so hard that my nails bruised my palm.

I shut my eyes and took a few deep breaths, counting one to ten in my head. When I was done, some of the anger had dissipated. I opened my eyes to see two pairs of worried ones staring at me. I managed to force a smile.

“I'm fine.” I said, but neither of them seem convinced.

Heather simply nodded and backed up a few steps. Her eyes darted around as if taking notes of what happened.

“What did the American idol say that riled you up this much?”

She's the American idol while I'm a nobody. Everyone loves her. I made headlines once for commiting fraud. She's the perfect daughter in law and wife and in just–

Nope, not going there.

“Nothing I can't handle.” I said and meant it. “Are you guys done shopping? Let's head over to the clothing section.”

“We're good to go.” Heather replied and Lisa nodded in agreement.

“Great. Let's go.” I start to walk away.

“Aren't you going to get something for yourself? It's your birthday after all.” Lisa asked.

“Nah, I'm good. I'll just buy some clothes for the party later today.” I flashed her a smile.

Her brows knitted but she didn't ask anymore questions. We walked a few steps away from the counter when a thought ran through my mind.

You know what? Fuck spending wisely.

“You guys go on, I want to do something real quick.”

I turned around, not waiting for their response and stormed towards the counter. I fetched my credit card from my purse and placed it on the glass counter.

“I want that necklace. Put it on my card.” I gave her a small smile to ease the bite in my tone.

“But Ms Jang said if you want the necklace, you can have it and she'll pay for–”

“Put it on my damn card!” I interrupted with more coldness than earlier. If she didn't notice my change in mood before, she certainly does now.

Guilt seeps into me and I felt bad for how I spoke to her. I wouldn't want anyone speaking to me like that just because I work at a luxurious mall.

“I'm sorry, I've just had a shitty day.” I offered the lamest excuse ever.

She nodded and gently picked up my card from the counter. Her expression shows she wasn't new to people speaking like that got her. The guilt sunk deeper and I shifted my weight uncomfortably as I waited for her to run the transaction.

She completed the payment process and packed up the necklace for me. I muttered another apology which she accepted with a smile, before walking towards the clothing section.

I spotted Lisa and Heather picking out dresses to try on and strolled towards them.

“What took you so long?” Heather asked when I reached them.

“Cashier took longer to run the transaction. I got this for myself.” I raised the package in my hand for them to see.

“Let's see what you got.” Lisa asked.

I brought out the small jewelry box from the gift bag and showed them the necklace.

“It's beautiful.” she muttered.

And definitely worth spending five thousand dollars – in a fit of rage – on. Heather agreed with her.

“Let's try these on and pretend we're royalties in the 90s. It'll be hilarious.” Lisa pointed to a rack of puffy ball gowns.

One of the workers who was arranging som clothes on a rack nearby heard Lisa. The lady turned slightly and threw a side glance at Lisa.

“And we'll definitely consider buying them.” Lisa quickly added.

Heather and I tried to smother our laughter. We tried the clothes on, took a lot of pictures, and had fun.
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After a long day of shopping and spa session, we returned to the mansion with shopping bags full of different types of clothes, shoes, jewelries, and purses, all purchases on Oliver's black card.

It was almost nightfall by the time we got back. We were all tired but not too tired to move on to the next thing on the agenda. The party.

Unfortunately, we're still yet to decide on a venue. Since it's only the three of us, we were trying to make the best out of it.

“What do you say we go to a nightclub?” Lisa said for the hundredth time.

“We all said no to that the first ten times you brought it up. We're too tired to dance in a crowded place.” I said.

“But we could book a spot in the VIP section.” Heather suggested.

“I don't think any of us can handle the noise right now.” I said.

They both nodded. An idea flashed across my mind and a smile curled at the corner of my lips.

“Guys, I have an idea.”

They both turned to me, their faces eager.

“Everybody go freshen up and come down when you're done. Let's get this party started.”
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An hour later, I stood in front of the mirror, admiring my reflection. I was wearing one of the dresses I got at the mall. A black mini gown that stopped mid-thighs, with an halterneck. It has a low back and shimmery design on the front. My long hair –now straightened –was pinned to the back covering my bare back.

Satisfied with my look, I turned on my heel and walked to the door. I opened it to see my friends standing by the door, about to knock.

“Oh my God!” Heather exclaimed.

“You look hot, girl.” Lisa added.

“Thank you, you look incredibly hot too.”

They were both wearing short gowns also, but with different designs. Lisa was wearing a red long sleeved gown with a V shape in the front. It was simple yet elegant. Her dark hair was pulled into a high ponytail.

Heather's dress was blue. It had tiny straps on the shoulder and blue rubies, designing the front. She decided to let her hair down but curled it at the end. They both looked beautiful.

“Is everything ready?” I asked.

“Yes.” They said at the same time.

“I still stand on my word that he'd be really pissed when he gets back.” Heather said quietly.

I rolled my eyes. I'll deal with me later. It's time to have the best twenty fifth birthday ever.

“Alright. Let's do this.”