Chapter 1: Not My Birthday But I Got The Surprise

Sapphire's POV

I got home late after an extremely exhausting day at work. My back ached and my stomach wouldn't stop growling. I hastily took a cold shower and managed to fix up noodles which I downed with a bottle of chilled Coca-Cola. At last, l felt somewhat alive.

I glanced over my phone, there was still no calls or texts from my boyfriend, Austin which was odd because he always returned my calls. I'd been calling since this morning and still, nothing from him.

It was his birthday today. I had intended to take the day off and spend quality time with him but something came up at the office and that hindered my plans.

Nevertheless, I'd ordered a mouthwatering vanilla butter cake - his favourite and a bottle of champagne. I would go to his house and celebrate this special day with him.

I kept on calling, texting and leaving voice messages, so many that one would think he's got my kidneys or that I'm nuts. Perhaps he was angry at me for bailing out on our plans today but it didn't matter, I would make it up to him.

I decided that I would sleep over at his house tonight. We would stay up all night probably stuffing cakes in our faces and definitely doing what lovers do, if you know what I mean.

I changed into a black leather jacket and thigh-high boots. Underneath, I wore a red 3-piece lingerie that I'd bought on sale at Walmart. It was basically a lace spaghetti strap v-neck bra with strap panties and garters. I even applied light makeup.

Yeah, I know I went all out and that it's a little too much but so what? Don't judge me! I just wanted to make sure that Austin's anger would melt once he saw me. It was his birthday after all, I wouldn't mind not sleeping early tonight even though I had to go to work tomorrow.

As I drove that night to his house, my heart began to beat fast like it would explode anytime soon. What if there's a much more serious reason that made him ignore my calls? My instincts all of a sudden were telling me that something was wrong. And I hoped and prayed to God that he was not in any danger. You see, Austin's an asthmatic. Though it's been a while since his last asthma attack, one can never be too sure.

Just thinking about this caused me to start panicking. And I hoped he was okay. I tried to get it out of my head though but I couldn't. It was two years ago and he was all alone at home with his inhaler far for him to reach. He'd sprawled on the floor, wheezing and coughing and was running out of breath. Had I not stopped at his house that day to get my purse that I'd forgotten in his living room, who knows what would've happened?

I finally got to his place. I pulled over, came out of my car and walked into his house whilst holding the box of cake and champagne. Oh, I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he'd see the surprise I had in store for him. Little did I know I'd be the one getting the surprise.

I gently walked towards his bedroom trying to control the clacking of my heels until I heard funny noises coming from the bedroom. It sounded like...like...the moaning of a woman and...

Still holding the cake and wine, I somehow managed to open the door and I got the biggest shock of my life. Right there was my Austin tightly wrapped around some woman, choking her and slamming in and out of her butt-naked.

I watched as he kept going, humping like a wild beast devouring his prey. The woman just laid there with her eyes tightly shut, screaming like an idiot and squeezing the hell out of the bedsheets, the very bedsheets that I'd bought with my own money! They were so engrossed in their banging that they were completely oblivious of my presence.

I didn't realize the moment the cake and the bottle of champagne fell to the floor and shattered into bits - just like my heart. But that surely got their attention. They turned to me at once and Austin? He had a look of horror on his face like he had no idea how he got on top of the slut. Oh, it took every ounce of me not to pick up a piece of broken bottle and stab them in their guts. I turned around and walked away as fast as I could.

Austin chased after me with a towel loosely tied to his waist and grabbed me by the arm. "Sapphy listen... I can explain," he said, making a sad puppy face. How sick and disgusting and shameful!

"Exactly what do you want to explain? How you got her in your house? How you started screwing her? Or...even better, how you thought she was me and you humped on?!" I yelled in fury. He was driving me crazy, so crazy that I felt like strangling him.

"I'm sorry, it was a moment of weakness. She means nothing to me. You're the one I love, I'm sorry."

"A moment of weakness? Austin, how stupid do you think I am?" I noticed he was still holding on to my arm and I tried to break free. "Let go! Austin, let go of my arm!"

"Sapphy, please don't do this. I'm ready to do anything you want. I'll accept any punishment, just don't leave me, please," he begged with crocodile tears.

Oh no, I wouldn't let him make a fool out of me. I struggled to break free of his grip as I kept on screaming while he continued pleading, refusing to let me go. It was a really pathetic sight. I found the strength I needed and gave him a dazzling slap that would align his crooked brain.

Immediately, I ran into my car and drove off without looking back. As I did, tears continued to well up in my eyes and stream down my face like the Niagara falls. I'd never felt so broken.

Austin was not just my boyfriend but my best friend. We'd been close since our childhood days and had begun dating 5 years ago. We had so many plans together, so many dreams. I can't believe he threw all that away. I never would have thought that he'd be capable of hurting me this way. Never!

My chest tightened in agony as I drove. I realized I was in no condition to do so when I almost hit a scooter on the road. I swerved to a perfect spot and parked my car. Then I cried, I wailed like an imbecile. After what felt like hours, I took my phone and called up my friend Jamila.

"Hey girl, what's up? I'm surprised you called me, I thought you'd be doing the dirty deed with Austin by now. You know, giving him some good loving..."

I broke into tears at once and her tone instantly changed. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"Austin... He..he cheated on me," I said, the words barely coming out but somehow she still managed to hear me.

"He what? That son of a... Where are you? Are you home?"

"No. I'm somewhere."

"Text me the address, I'll come get you."

About 20 minutes later, she came to me and comforted me like the true friend that she was. Jamila was also a friend of Austin. We all went to the same highschool in Albany.

"Forget about that idiot! You know what? There's this nightclub that opened few weeks ago. Let's go there, you'll forget about that loser in no time, I promise." I wasn't feeling like going to any club but I sure was in the mood to drink so, nightclub, here I come!