A day to forget

Marrissa's point of view:

“Thank you,” I beamed with a smile as I collected the cake from the counter. I walked out of the bakery to my car. I entered and drove off thousands of thoughts swirling in my head. 

It was I and Tom's one-year anniversary today. And not just that, Tom proposed to me last month, and our wedding is at the end of the year!  

Oh, I'm so excited. Every pain, every effort, every sacrifice was worth it. I have everything any girl could dream of.

Confused? Don't be dear, I'll fill you in on that some other time. 

So, I got off work early to celebrate with my love and took a quick trip to Crumbles and Bake. I had to wait a few minutes before the cake was ready, but it was worth it. 

Let me tell you a secret, “I finally decided to consummate our relationship. Yes, Tom had been patient and hadn't thrown a fit when I told him I wasn't ready to have sex yet. But today, I am going to give him my V card. And I came prepared. Having taken lessons on the Internet, I bought some sexy underwear that would turn him crazy.”

Oh my! Today is going to be so much fun. I bubbled with excitement as I parked my car in the lot and walked into the building. As I got to the door, I didn't bother ringing the bell because I was sure he'd be at work; I just punched in the key code and let myself in. 

I strode towards the kitchen to get some cutlery for the cake when I heard weird noises coming from the bedroom. I was sure Tom was not home, so maybe he left the TV in the bedroom. 

Yeah… Maybe he did; he was this forgetful type of person, so I couldn't be any surprised. 

As I moved closer to the room, the sound got louder. I wasn't worried because it wasn't a female's voice.

Of course, it can't be. Tom could never cheat on me. I boasted and opened the door to the room.

I froze at the sight in front of me. My legs shook and my heartbeat increased. If anyone had told me this was even possible, I would never have believed it.

Tom was bent over, and a broad, sweaty looking guy was plunging into him.

The sight, the sound they made and everything made my heart break.

I screamed, and Tom looked up.

“Marissa! What…..what are you doing here?” He asked, releasing himself from the other guy and trying to put on his boxers.

“Shouldn't I be the one asking the questions here?” I said, looking at him. 

“Calm down Marissa”, I can explain.

“Wow, you can explain, okay, I'm listening. I'd like to understand the science behind this, that for one year we have been together, and you have been a gay? And you even made the effort to propose to me last month. For what exactly? To be your trophy - wife? Do you even love me?” I would have kept speaking if the other guy hadn't scoffed.

I looked at him, and asked, "What exactly is funny Mr. Macho Man?”

He was already dressed at this time, and he looked so handsome, looking like every girl's crush.

“Look, I know this might have been a shock to you, seeing us this way, but truth be told, I am only doing you a favor; you couldn't satisfy him.”

“What do you mean by that?” I struggled to string my words together. 

I stared at Tom, who was looking so innocent in all of this. 

“Marrissa, I'm sorry, but this doesn't change anything, my marriage proposal still stands, no one has to know about this," Tom said.

"Is your audacity for me,” I whispered,"you actually want me to marry you even though you are gay, and what would I be?”

“I don't want to lose you Marrissa, we've come a long way, we are all adults, we can make this work," Tom pleaded.

I laughed, "this looks like a prank”. I thought, "is this really happening?" 

“Hey, you do know you aren't really beautiful; I don't know why you think you're special or untouchable just because you're a virgin. This is the 21st century lady; and what Tommy is proposing is a win-win situation,” the man spilled, and I froze. 

“What did you just say to me?” My ears rang. I advanced towards him, ready to slap the living daylight out of him. Tom stopped me.

“Get your filthy hands off me, you're lying bastard,” I screamed at his face and yanked my hand out of his grip. 

“You will have yourself killed if you don't control yourself. Go home. Let's continue this conversation tomorrow when you are stable. ” Tom said in a sharp tone. 

“No Tom, there is nothing to discuss tomorrow, this ends now," I said , removing the engagement ring from my finger and hitting him hard with it.

“Marrissa, don't do what you will regret later. You know you can’t find someone better than me. Besides, what would be your reason for calling off our wedding? No one will believe you if you ever mention today's incident to anyone.”

I was so shocked, I couldn't even recognize the man spilling all of this nonsense out. 

"He was so despicable, I can't even believe he'd suggest something so outrageous. He had no shame. I wonder how I hadn't suspected this a long time ago.” 

“Enjoy your life Tom”, I said, and slammed the cake on his face before marching out of the room in tears. 

I couldn't decide what hurt the most, the fact that Tom didn't respect me enough to tell me he was gay, or the fact that he wanted me to go ahead with the wedding as if nothing happened, or the words of his lover.

As I sat down in the club downing the drink I bought, my mind went back to the very beginning.

Flashback 

“Hey ugly duckling, guess what day is it?” 

I turned towards the voice and a sack of flour hit me, making me white instantly.

“It's baking day,” they mocked.

Eggs came next on my face and all kinds of baking things.

I was used to all the bullying already. What hurts me most was that these stupid rich kids don't know how expensive these things are.

The nickname stuck all through my days in high school.I had no friends, no one to defend me, and, of course, no guy wanted to date me.

I grew up thinking that I would be sad and alone forever and that thought moved me to change my future.

After high school, I did everything just to have the perfect shape.

God, I almost died, but I never gave up and when I started dating Tom, I applauded myself, my hard work had gotten me the hottest guy every girl wished for.

End of flashback 

“Love is cruel, the world is cruel and life itself is cruel,” I whispered. 

“Well, there is only one thing left to do”, I thought, getting on my feet.