Marry me or not

The night couldn't be more perfect as long as Riley Blake was concerened. In her books, she has never had a night as perfect as the one she was getting ready for. A red lipstick and the perfect stiletto was all a girl needed to get ready for the biggest night of her life.

" You look good Riles, don't over do it" Ana said from the other end of the video call.

Riley had placed her phone on the big bed stand while she dressed up and had Ana, her best friend since college, watch and hype her up for the big night ahead. She had tried on five dresses earlier, changed the colour of her lipstick thrice and tried four different shoes. 

Her small but cozy New jersey apartment smelt like hair products, lipsticks and ten different perfumes. It was at that time that Ana decided she has had enough of looking at her entire wardrobe and had made sure she stuck with the short and sleevless black gown she was putting on.

" Ana...you know how big this night is for me" Riley said and sat on the bed facing Ana " he is going to propose girl"

" Well, you don't exactly know that" Ana said and lifted one of her eyebrows" I mean, he didn't say that and haven't we learnt not to just assume things with these men?"

" He's just not any man, he's Adam, he's my Adam" Riley said with a big smile then stood up and went over to the mirror to touch her hair. 

" listen to me Riles, you don't want to put all of your hopes on this one man. Yes, we know he is your Adam, but, men can switch up at any time. I'm not saying you shouldn't be excited about tonight, i'm just saying you shouldn't conclude that he's gonna be popping the question" Ana said " But if he does pop the question then i'm happy for you, congratulations"

Riley turned to face Ana again but this time, she had a worried look. She hadn't thought about the possibility of adam not proposing tonight until Ana mentioned it. All the signs were there, what else could it be?. She had caught her secretary earlier that week peeping and trying on her ring on her finger, she had been so jumpy when Riley walked in on her sizing. She also noticed that her secretary will occasionally answer calls while looking at her and smiling, that was a sign right?. The major tip off of all was the call Adam made to her the previous day, inviting her for a date at the most expenive and exclusive restaurant in New jersey which also happened to be the place they met for the first time. Riley could never forget the day they met, it was on a friday and she had been invited for her first job interview since leaving college. The other party was running late and she was stranded as the waiter would occasionally walk up to her to ask if she would be leaving soon. The main embarrassment was everyone's eyes were on her empty table and the stacks of files scattered all over. She was just about giving up when Adam walked up to her, introduced himself and ordered a bottle of champagne over to her table. He spent about an hour talking with her and keeping her company and only left after the interviewer came. before he left, he succeeded in calming her nerves and getting her prepped for the interview, and finally, taking her number and offering to buy her dinner after the interview. " your congratulatory dinner" he had said. She got the job and deemed him her good luck charm.

" It has to be it Ana, it's our place you know, the place he became my person and i, his" Riley said looking into space and forcing a smile.

" Okay, i'm sorry for being a buzz kill" Ana apologized "you have to cheer up girl, it's your big day, yayy"

Riley suddenly put on a big smile and flinged her hair then used the tip of her index finger to adjust her lipstick.

" So, tell me" Riley said and spread her two hands while posing in style " does this look say 'yes mr Kennedy, i'll marry you and later tonight, i'll fuck your brains out"

" Definitly girl! it's giving me both the wife and the hoe vibes" Ana said with a big laugh "i'm happy for you baby girl"

Riley put on a big smile and blew kisses to Ana.

" Do not go to sleep till i call, okay?'' Riley said

"Yes ma'am" Ana responded " have a goodnight girl, bye"

The call to Ana almost ruined the night for her, but, she's been expecting this night for too long to let anything anyone says ruin it for her.

She picked her purse from the bed and headed out, closing the door behind her. she had told Adam not to pick her up that night as she would prefer to walk in and give him that feel from a hollywood movie where the girl walk in and the boy is completely blown away. As if it was a confirmation of a good night, a taxi was just right outside the moment she walked outside the building.

The drive to the hotel to a normal person was okay and just ordinary, but to riley, it was magical. She always dreamt of this day. Adam was the man any girl would love to spend enternity with. He was a lawyer who was financially secured, he lived in his own house and did not have any criminal record. He was caring, loving and always found a way to make Riley feel like the most special woman on earth. His family was simply amazing and Riley wanted to be a part of it so much. His mom treated her like another daughter and his sister was like the sister she never had.

Honestly, the last three years had been the best years of her life and she couldn't imagine living the rest of her life  without him.

" Ma'am we're here" The taxi man said in a tone that suggested it wasn the first time he was announcing their arrival.

" Oh, sorry" Riley apologized and dipped her hand in her purse to pay him his fare "here we go"

" Have a good night ma'am" The driver said just before driving off

" i plan to" riley said in a whisper while looking at the restaurant

The ambiance and the music on play was suitable for the kind of night Riley was hoping to have. Her big smile complimented her outfit as she walked in and was being led to her table by the waitress. She sighted Adam sitted already, she could tell he looked nervous. she smiled to herself and thanked the waitress after getting to the table.

" Hey" she said with a smile. Adam stood up with a smile and hugged her tightly.

" You are the most beautiful woman in the room tonight" he whispered softly to her ear.

Riley smiled and mouthed something that seemed like a  "thank you''.

Riley took her seat while still fixing her gaze on him and smiling. He would occasionally smile and bow his head. To her, he was very nervous and she loved that she made him feel that way.

" So, you wanna order now?" Adam asked 

"yeah, unless you wanna do something else first" Riley said and bit her iips while running her fingers up and down Adam's hand that was placed on the table.

" Uhmmm, let's order a drink first" Adam said and signaled the waiter " i have to be drunk for this" he said to himself in a hush tone.

An order was made for a bottle of Masseto which Adam had come to know as Riley's favorite wine and, a bottle of lasorda which was his.

It didn't take long before the order was on their table and each had a glass in their hand.

" So...you like it here?'' Adam asked after his first sip.

Riley smiled a little " i always love it here" she said "if i remember correctly, i was sitted over there the first day we met" she used her eyes to lead him to a part of the restaurant.

" Yeah, i remember, and you haven't looked any less captivating since then" Adam said and kissed her hand.

" You're being exceptionally sweet tonight" Riley said and took a sip of he wine.

" I'm always sweet" Adam replied and took a deep breath " i have ermm, well, i wanted to share something with you"

Riley's heart skipped a bit as she felt a tingling sensation in her stomach.

" Okay, you don't need to ask for permission" Riley responded with a smile

Adam cleared his throat and started " Uhmm, Riles, i love you, you already know that and i don't ever want you to doubt that not even for a second"

" okayyyy...you're beginning to kinda scare me" Riley said as a bit of fear set in.

"I'm sorry, i don't..." Adam took a heavy sigh "i did something, something very horrible and i don't know how you can ever forgive me''

Riley's face was beginning to change now and everything Ana said was slowly coming back to her. " what did you do?'

" remember chad's party last year, the time you were visiting Ana in new york?'' Adam asked, riley nodded " Well, i was very drunk and i ermm, i mistakingly slept with someone"

Riley couldn't find the right words or the right expression at that point, the whole room had become totally different to her. She felt time stop and she didn't know the word to utter. 

" How do you mistakingly sleep with someone Adam?'' She finally asked trying to hold back the sobs

" We were drinking and it was all a blur, there were girls at the party and...i didn't mean to" Adam said and reached out to take Riley's hand across the table. she immediately withdrew from him and looked around then covered her mouth with her palms and sniffed almost loudly.

" And ermm, after what?, after six months, or is it seven, you called me out here, in a restaurant you know i love...you called me out here to, to tell me that?'' The tears were rolling in now and and she couldn't seem to stop it any more.

" I'm sorry, it happened just once,i was gonna just bury it, but" Adam started to say but his voice began to crack up

" But what?" Riley asked sensing there was more to come.

" She's pregnant Riles" Adam said

Riley couldn't believe that waht was supposed to be the best night of her life was turning out to be a nightmare. She picked up the glass of wine and gulped the wine down her throat at once. She looked around and it immediatley struck her. He didn't pick this place because it was her favorite place, he picked it because he knew she would never make a scene here. She wiped the tears from her eyes and starred right back at him.

"Well, seems like you're gonna be a daddy, congratulations" Riley said and stood up then began to walk out. Adam immediately called for the bills, settled it and chased her outside. 

Luck wasn't on her side this time around as no taxi was in sight. She decided to walk as fast as her legs could carry her. She had just walked a few blocks when he ran up to her and held her hand. She turned and without even thinking, slapped him.

" Three years" Riley sobbed " i gave you three years of my life, and for what?, for you to humiliate me in public like this?''

" Riles i'm sorry, it was a drunken mistake, i didn't know she was pregnant till three months ago. i didn't know what to do, i wanted to tell you, i really wanted to tell you" adam cried

They were beginning to attract attention as people starred while they walked. 

Riley wasn't thinking straight at that point, all she knew was that she loved him and he had hurt her. in a split second, she placed both palms on his cheeks and looked him in the eyes.

" Alright, i forgive you, it's fine, we can walk through this " Riley started " what do we do?, ermm, it's fine, you know, she can ermm have the baby and you can still be part of the baby's life, i'll be fine with that, yeah, i mean, i didn't want to ever be a step mother but plans change right?, yeah, i'll adjust, i'll adjust cause i love you, i love you dammit"

Adam took her hands from his face and squeezed it softly. "I'm sorry Riley, you've known me to always be this person to do the right things, and right now, i have to take responsibility"

" responsibility?" Riley said and took her hands from him " what are you saying Adam?"

" I'm sorry but, i'm gonna have to marry her and be there for her and my son, please, i hope you understand"

Riley couldn't take it anymore. she was tired and all she could think of was hurting him the same way he just hurt her. 

" screw you " She said and walked away.

This tme, he didn't pursue her. He just styaed there and watched the woman he loved walk away.

Riley didn't know what she was doing or where she was going to. She was just about to stop a taxi when she noticed a bar just by the corner. She walked in and decided the noise and the booze was just what she needed at that point. She was barely sitted when a hand tapped her, she looked back ready to devour whoever it was when she sighted a familiar face.

She had her own fair share of breaking hearts and the man standing beside her was just one of those whose hearts she broke, she didn't know what it was, but something about him being there at that time seemed right.

" Riley Blake" The familiar stranger said with a smile, a smile that was so familiar to Riley.