Chapter 3: ACCUSATIONS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS

Larry felt the hot rays of sunshine coming from the balcony. He can feel his morning wood touched a soft mound. He was a bit confused then a sudden realization hit him. He slept with a woman last night as he recognized the woman's face he felt a little guilty. She is his girlfriend's best friend. He totally lost it last night. 

His fully aware of what he did. He actually slept naked just to savor the warmth of her body. His lust gets the best of him. Considering he knows she's not his girl to mess. He suddenly senses a piercing stare. His eyes met a teary gazed. "Cherrie...”

"What's the meaning of this?" 

Jewel opened her eyes. She heard a familiar voice. The moment she raised her upper body the pain streamed all over her. She saw Cherrie standing in front of the bed. She doesn’t know what to do, she grab the sheet around her tighter. 

"Is this how it is?" she stared at Larry mockingly "I thought you’re overly jealous and possessive. Who could have thought it was just a facade." 

"It's not what you think, this is just a mistake, we drunk a lot last night." Larry's voice sounds cold and firm. Jewel felt a knife stabbed at her heart. She was sure she was sober and she thought he was too.

Cherrie sneered at Larry and when her eyes turned to her she looked aggrieved. "Jewel, I know you liked him so much, did you really planned on taking him away?" 

"What are you saying?"  Jewel can't comprehend the situation, When did Cherrie knows her feelings for Larry. She turned to looked at Larry. On her dismay his eyes full of prejudice. His accusing eyes brought so many emotions. She wants to explain but she can't think clearly. 

"I don't want to see both of you anymore. This is the end for us Larry." Cherrie marched out of the room. Larry got up and after wearing his boxer and trousers he hurriedly follow her. 

Jewel felt a splitting headache; she endured the sharp pain in between her legs and get up. She picked up her dress and with so much effort she put on her dress. She wants to get out of here as soon as possible. She can't believe she suddenly became the third party. 

The elevator stopped and when she gets off she still saw Larry and Cherrie arguing in the lobby there are people watching the commotion, some just ogling at Larry's half naked body. She felt a stinging pain in her heart when she recalled what Larry said... She is just a drunken mistake. She used the side door to get out of the building. She did not notice that her photograph was taken. 

The next day the scandal is in the headlines of all entertainment news. The Golden Couple of West Country Split up because of the Scheming Best Friend 

Her house was surrounded by reporters. Some also released a photo of the couple arguing in the lobby, Larry half naked and her going out of the private elevator. 

She heard her phone rings. It's her dad calling from abroad. He definitely saw the news. 

"Hi Dad!"  She effortlessly hides the sadness in her voice. 

"Jewel, I heard the news, what happen? 

"I'm sorry dad for making you worry. Everything is fine. You don't have to worry it's just a misunderstanding. "

Her Dad stayed quiet for a while. 

"I'm sorry honey, I'm not there to help you."  She can hear on her Dad's voice that his upset for not being able to comfort and support her. 

"Dad, I'm fine. Just talking to you today is a great relief."

They talked for about 30 Mins. She doesn't care about what others say about her. She needs to be strong this issue shall pass. 

That day she also received a call from Simon. She didn't elaborate what happened; she just simply said it was a one night of mistake got caught. 

The next day once again Simon called ,asked how is she then he wants her to watch the news. 

It's a press conference. On her dismay Cherrie dragged the issues in this extent. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Cherrie directly sends her and Larry a message. 

"Jewel if you’re watching I just want to let you know I still love you. I can understand how hard to keep your feelings hidden. Larry I hope you can make my best friend happy. I can't forgive you just yet but all I want is for you to be happy. Jewel is a good girl. I wish both of you happiness." If Jewel doesn't know the truth she might have believed her. She cried in front of the camera looking like an angel that lost her wings. Everyone will pity her. She can't help but mocked her best friend deep in her heart. 

She needs to let her know that she knows the truth behind this break up. How could she used her as her escape goat, is it not better to break up quietly if she no longer love Larry. Then she realized Cherrie might be trying to hide the fact that she actually cheated on Larry. 

That night she called Cherrie, she still have her car and informed her she will return the car. 

She manages to sneak out without the paparazzi following her. She met Cherrie in a coffee bar not so far from the university. 

She wants to laugh out loud when she saw Cherrie. She can't look at her eyes. She could feel her awkwardness. Funny she looked guiltier than her. 

"Do you really have to announce what happen in the media? Must you really need to humiliate and shamed me like this. "

"I did not involve the media."

"Really? Then why do you need to set up a press conference?" 

"I have done what I need to do. Besides you’re the one in the wrong, seducing my boyfriend." 

She gnash at her. “During our Graduation

ball, I saw you making out with Frank and who knows where you go or what you do with him." 

She can see her trembling hand, not expecting to get caught. Her eyes widened in horror. 

"What do you think will happen if I appeal to the public and let them know you cheated first?" 

"No please Jewel, I'm sorry."  Cherrie started crying she explained to her that she's just afraid of Larry not letting her go. She wants to expose her but she was her best friend after all and she did sleep with her boyfriend. 

"Don't worry Cherrie, unlike you.. I still care for you. I admit I have done wrong. I will not use your shame and hide in your disgrace."

She also needs to talk to Larry and let him know she did not plan to jump on his bed. She can't accept the fact that he thought of her as a scheming slut. He needs to be reminded that he was the one who initiated the did. She was annoyed thinking about it. 

She reached the Williams Building after 20 Mins. She hopped in the private elevator. She was stunned for a second to see Larry waiting in front of the elevator door. He was about to go. It's a good thing she came on the right time. He stayed in his place. "What are you doing here?" He looked at her disdainfully. "You still have the guts to show yourself here after you ruined my relationship with your best friend." 

She's dumbfounded; he's blaming her for everything. She chuckled and scornfully smiles at him. How could she love a person like him? She presses the elevator button, earlier she wants to let him know about Frank and Cherrie but not anymore. She gets in before the elevator doors closed "I'm sorry, I won't bother you anymore." Larry’s eyes followed her but did not stop her. 

Frank is not happy about what happened, he actually wants Larry to become a cuckold. He's annoyed to know that the reason Larry was able to keep himself from touching Cherrie it’s because he's doing it with another girl and that is his girlfriend best friend. He's only consolation now was he managed to snatched Larry's most priced girlfriend. 

The scandal only lasted for 2 weeks. After Cherrie and Jewel talked, Cherrie stopped answering questions from the reporter's and paparazzi. They are not celebrities they just belong to the richest and influential clan in West Country that's why anything they do is being watched. 

Larry tried so many times to talked to Cherrie again, since the day she caught him sleeping with her friend she refused to talk to him. The last message he got from her was on her first and last press conference about the issue. He was scolded harshly by his grandpa. But that's not the reason he wanted to talk. 

Honestly after that day his feeling confused. His love for Cherrie is one thing but his desire for Jewel is another. He blamed the latter for his confusion if not because of that night everything should be in order. He fully believed that Jewel premeditated all her actions that night to trap him. She must be aware that he hadn't touched a woman since he became Cherrie's boyfriend. Today, when he saw Jewel in front of him, it took a lot of self-control not to drag her inside his apartment. Remembering that night sends him to a cold shower every time. Did she use something to get him addicted to her?  He dialed Cherrie's cellphone number. Once again he was ignored. The traffic starts moving he saw Cherrie on one of the passing car. His face darkened she was sitting inside Frank Mason car. He drove after them, he's actually headed to Cherrie's house he almost missed her again.

They stopped at a seafood restaurant. After giving his car key to a valet, he went inside and scanned every corner of the restaurant. He saw the two of them sitting in the balcony where you can see a nice over view of the city. He stormed their way. He heard Frank compliments her. Cherrie was surprised to see him. 

"Is this the reason you don't want to talk to me and try to fix our relationship?"

He asked he can't hide the anger in his voice.

"Stay away from her now!

She makes it clear that she doesn't want to see you right."

He ignored Frank sarcasm. 

"Just like you said it's nothing but your best friend own feelings, why don't you give me another chance to prove myself." He does not care what Frank thinks of him. He just doesn’t want to lose her especially to him. 

"Oh my, who would have thought that the mighty Larry Williams will beg a woman to stay?" Frank is secretly celebrating his complete victory over him. If he didn't promised Cherrie that he won't tell anyone about their relationship yet, he really like to slap it on his face that his woman has been taken away by him not just heart but her body as well. 

Cherrie stood up. "Frank, take me home I don't have the appetite anymore." She coldly looked at Larry before she walked away. Honestly she is partly feeling guilty to see him lowered himself for her.

Larry does not want to give her up. He knows Frank is just competing for her to get back at him. He doesn’t want her to be used by this man. He grabbed her hands and dragged her out from the restaurant. Frank was stunned and before he can react they are outside of the restaurant but he manages to get a hold of them. Frank tried to break off his hold with Cherrie. 

"Stop this now Larry, no matter what since you slept with my best friend I won't come back to you." 

Larry was speechless.

"Frank takes me home." 

Larry stayed still and watched them go. He knows it's unfair but he can only blame Jewel for what happened. He drove back to his apartment. 

Frank Mason was really satisfied. He's rival is out of his wits because of a woman. Instead of taking Cherrie home they checked in to a hotel. What could be more satisfying in his eyes is to see Larry's woman squirmed under him.