A. Anonymous

"Look at Julie. Doesn't our friend look happy?" I asked. I couldn't help but smile.

"You know who looks happy? Julie's groom! Look at that silly grin on his face!" Candance says, rolling her eyes.

"I guess he's thrilled to death! Julie is almost 15 years younger than him!" Charmaine states.

"Kita, I can't believe you are next."

Kita avoids her friends questioning her. "Look at this place! It's beautiful! I hope my wedding will be as romantic. I'm so happy we were here for Julie as her bridesmaids on her wedding day. Julie is one of the sweetest girls you could ever meet. Her parents are so proud of her. 

"I'm exhausted after enduring the ceremony and posing for all those pictures!" Candance states, holding onto Charmaine's arm.

 "Oh hurry, ladies, a group of guys just got up from that table!" Charmaine says quickly, walking over to the table and dropping into the cushioned chairs.

Candance took a seat, kicked off her high heels, and groaned, stating.

"I tell you, I prefer to be a bridesmaid any day than a bride if I got to marry some man I don't even know or am attracted to."   

Charmaine looks over at her friend. "So, Kita, what are you going to do? Have you talked to your father about how you feel about getting married to a stranger?"

"Come on, girls, you know how all our dads feel; this is tradition. Besides, everything has been planned already." Don't worry, I know I'll be happy. At least the guy my dad has selected for me is young and handsome. And we talk on the telephone almost every day. He's sweet and kind. I know I will fall in love with him in no time."

"Kita, you are a hopeless romantic. You've never met this man in person. You've only seen pictures of him and gotten to know him over telephone calls and text messaging. Why is that? I think you love the idea of being in love."

"Maybe," I said, looking over my shoulder and smiling at the newlywed couple.

"The way I see it, another one of our friends has bitten the dust, and you're next in line! Suppose this man doesn't try to see you before the wedding. Kita, do you know what that means?"

"No," I replied. "I'm sure you are going to tell me."

"It means he's seeing someone else!" Charmaine emphatically blurted out.

Candance replied, hanging her head down, "I agree, it's true. If they aren't trying to get some goodies from you, they're getting it from someone else, Kita. You said he was coming tonight. Look around. Where is he? This Kenneth Cole character seems like bad news. He has promised to show up on several occasions; where is he? Maybe he doesn't look like those pictures you showed us."

"Yeah, where is he, Kita? The man is never around!" Charmaine said, frustrated for her friend Kita.

"Well, Charmaine and Candance, for your information. I told you he's busy! The man is involved in several businesses. And my dad says the pictures of him are for real. Besides, my father wouldn't just select any man for me; I trust my dad. You'll see he's for real! Wait until you see him standing next to me at the wedding!" Kita says, all upbeat.

"I know you girls will miss me, but please try to be happy for me."

"Kita, I am going to miss hanging out with you. Once you get married, we won't be able to do that anymore." Charmaine says, holding Kita's hand.

"Hey, I got an idea! Since the reception is almost over. How about we all go out tonight one last time before you jump the broom and say I do!"

"I guess that'll be cool. But let me call Kenneth and tell him not to bother to come to the reception."

The girls looked at one another, gathering their purses and shaking their heads. At the same time, I think I'm hopeless. I ignored them and called my fiancé and soon-to-be hubby.

"Hey, what did he say? Kita, you better get home now! You're not single anymore! You're going to be my wife!" Candance deepens her voice and mimics what Kenneth might have said as they all laugh.

"Girl, he's not old or controlling! He's one of the youngest CEOs and has nothing but swag. He would never be distrusting like that. Besides, he'll be working late tonight at the office."

+++++

After arriving at the club about ten or fifteen minutes later, I was sipping on my glass of Zinfandel, about to relax and enjoy myself with my friends. And who did I notice walking through the doors? 'Oh, God, it was my fiancé, Kenneth!' My stomach fluttered as I watched this guy with all that swagger and those deep-seated dark eyes. I was so happy! He's gorgeous! "Hey, Charmaine and Candance, Kenneth just walked through the doors."

"What! How do you know? You've never seen him in person. Did you tell him you were coming here tonight?"

"No, he told me he would be working late, so I didn't bother. But I'm certain it's him. Kenneth looks just like his pictures. No, even better!"

"Well, what is he doing here? Stalking you?" Candance says.

"No, girl! I'm going to go and get him. Grab another chair so he can join us. Excuse me, ladies, I'll be right back."

This group of guys called club members were heading to greet Kenneth. He must be very popular here. I made it through the crowds. But I got the shock of my life!

I know he didn't see me. But he was all hugged and whispering in some other woman's ear. I stood there in shock! I watched him come in the direction I was standing in, but I couldn't move. My demeanor went from shock! To hurt! Then full blown-up anger! My emotions were everywhere! I realized my breathing was nonexistent. It was as though Kenneth had sucked all the air out of the room! For maybe a second, I felt a spurt of panic!

When the two came into my clear vision. It got even worse! The girl he was with was a stunning, curvy woman who hugged his arm. My eyes popped open even wider! Seeing him with this girl, my heart just about imploded tonight! Not only was Kenneth heading in my direction, but his eyes connected with mine; he recognized me! I looked away. I was so hurt and embarrassed and yet angry! So hurt and furious!"

I took a liberal sip of my Zinfandel that I was still holding in my hand as my brain scrambled to figure out what to do. Seeing him in person, his demeanor was bold and daring. It didn't matter that he looked like I was seeing him with someone else! I had believed his lies, and now I see he's disloyal! Not to mention an arrogant cheater! A man who feels entitled to do whatever!

Anger overtook me. I moved toward them through the crowd as fast as my five-inch heels would take me to confront him.

"Kenneth Cole!" I called out his name. I glared at the girl he had on his arm.

"Hey babe, we need to talk," he immediately says casually, like this was nothing to him or me!

"Oh, there is nothing for us to talk about. I have eyes! I can see what's going on!"

"Woe! Slow your role. It isn't what you think."

I rolled my eyes, stating, "Yeah, right, nothing serious. I know. I've heard that statement more than I care to." Instead of trying to prove anything to the girl he was with, I ignored her as if she didn't exist. I focused my attention solely on his face. Directly glaring at him." He smiled. The smile on his face was so fake that it hurt. Kenneth didn't look happy. The girl with him snaked her arm around his arm, stroking up and down his bicep. That only made the tension even more apparent. She wanted some of my attention, so I gave it to her.

I asked her loudly as his crowd of friends circled us. "So, how long have you been sleeping with my fiancé?"

The girl looked shocked and dumbfounded that I had brought her into the spotlight! I smirked, shaking my head sarcastically, stating for everyone to hear, "Sweetheart, don't waste your time trying to answer that! You can keep him, and I wish you the best! Because you are going to need it! Once a cheater, always a cheater! And you can take that to the bank! You two deserve one another!"

She rolled her eyes. "Humph! Don't worry about me; I know how to care for my man! Unlike some people!" she said, rolling her eyes.

"You tramp! You mean someone else's man!" And before I knew it. My glass of Zinfandel went flying into her face and his!

When I turned to walk away, who did I feel grabbing hold of my elbow and pulling me toward him?

"Get your hands off of me!" I yelled out loud. That's when the DJ stops playing music. My words must have been deafening because a wall of men came and stood behind me before I knew it. They must have been his security who worked at the nightclub.

I snatched away from him, making Kenneth release my arm. All the chaos drew the attention of most of the people in the nightclub. My friends came running to my side.

"Hey! What's going on?" Charmaine, my good friend, asked.

"I got to go!"

My friends finally got to see Kenneth. His eyes turn almost a fireball red! Then he narrows them into slits glaring at me. He thinks I'm challenging his manhood. He stood there with the girl by his side, wiping the wine from her face with his handkerchief. I could see they both were seething.

"Let's go! Before I do something I might regret tonight!" I yelled.

"Wait! Wait! Kita, we need to talk. It isn't over!" He yelled as I walked away. Then I stopped and looked at him over my shoulder.

"Don't bother, Kenneth; your charade will be over once I tell my father about this!" I said, walking away. I am so done with his arrogance, pompousness, and selfishness! But as I turned my back to him, I could feel a fiery heat from his demeanor.

I'm going home, girls; I'll talk to you two tomorrow."

"Oh no, we are leaving too. That good-looking jerk ruined everything!" Charmaine shouted angrily.

"I know you ladies are upset, but don't leave on my account. I'll call an Uber, and we'll talk tomorrow."

"Okay, are you sure?"

"Yes, right now, I just want to be alone."

"Alright, I'm so sorry, Kita. Be safe getting home, and we will talk to you tomorrow." My friends hugged me.

"Will do, thanks."

On my way home, I kept seeing that look Kenneth held in his eyes. I didn't know exactly what it meant. But I didn't feel at ease. "Maybe I should have had one of the girls come home with me. I certainly don't trust him. I'm calling the engagement off! My dad will agree once he hears what happened tonight."  But will Kenneth Cole agree?