Chapter 001

I sat alone at a cosy corner table in my favourite café, my fingers tapping nervously against the smooth surface. I arrived early, eager to see my boyfriend, Raphael, after what felt like an eternity apart. He had planned to meet for coffee, but he's the one reaching late. Or, will he even make it?

I kept looking at the time on my phone but a part of me only waited for a phone call from Raphael where he would say he couldn't make it.

I'm used to him not making it to our dates most. It wouldn't make a difference if the same thing repeats today but I want to see him this time.

As the minutes ticked by, my anticipation mingled with a growing sense of unease. I glanced at my phone, checking the time repeatedly, each passing moment stretching into an eternity.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the café door swung open, and Raphael hurried in, his expression apologetic as he approached my table. "I'm so sorry, Jenna. Traffic was a nightmare," he said, his voice tinged with genuine remorse.

My initial irritation melted away at the sight of him. I couldn't stay upset for long when he looked at me with those earnest, brown eyes. "It's alright, Raphael. I'm just glad you're here now," I replied, a smile playing at the corners of my lips.

For a brief moment, everything seemed right again. I felt the familiar warmth of our connection enveloping me, easing away the tension of the past minutes. I was excited to catch up with Raphael, to share stories and laughter over steaming cups of coffee.

But just as I began to relax into our conversation, Raphael's demeanour shifted. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small envelope, the pristine white paper standing out against the rustic charm of the café.

"I have something important to tell you, Jenna," Raphael said, his tone serious as he slid the envelope across the table.

"Oh, is it an invite to a party? You want me to be your plus one?" the way Raphael looked away after hearing my question frightened me.

I smiled and reached for the invitation even with my fingers trembling slightly. With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I unfolded the paper and read the words printed neatly inside.

It was a wedding invitation. Raphael's wedding invitation!

My heart plummeted as the reality of the situation sank in. I looked up at Raphael, my eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "What is this, Raphael?" I whispered, my voice barely above a hoarse whisper.

Raphael's gaze faltered, guilt flickering across his features. He shook his head, his expression pained. "Jenna, I'm getting married," he confessed, his words landing like a heavy weight on my chest. "And I wanted you to know. You're invited."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis as I processed his words. The man I loved, the one I thought would always be by my side, was marrying someone else. It felt like a betrayal, a dagger to the heart.

The café around me blurred into insignificance as the weight of Raphael's betrayal settled over me like a suffocating shroud.

Raphael tried to placate me, his voice soothing. "Jenna, please, let's talk about this calmly. We can figure things out."

But his words fell on deaf ears as rage consumed me. "How dare you do this to me, Raphael?!" I exclaimed, my voice rising with every word. "After everything we've been through, how could you betray me like this?!"

Raphael's attempts to calm me only fueled my anger. "Calm down, Jenna. You're making a scene," he urged, his voice strained.

All the moments we had shared, the laughter and the tears, suddenly felt like a cruel illusion. How could he have kept such a monumental secret from me, hidden behind smiles and whispered promises?

Fuck the secret! Why did he do it?!

"We've been dating for fucking two years, Raphael!" I slammed my hand on the table and shot up to my feet.

"Calm down, Jenna. You're making a scene. People are watching." Raphael warned.

But I couldn't contain the torrent of emotions coursing through me. "A scene? You think this is a scene?!" I shot back, my voice trembling with fury. "You've destroyed everything we had, Raphael!"

"You not only had a secret relationship, you deceived me and then planned to marry the other woman!" I yelled.

"Fuck this, Jenna!" Raphael got up, "You're the other woman! I'm trying to reason with you but you're only acting childish! Being married doesn't mean you can't be with me!"

"How dare you?!... How dare you do this to me, Raphael?! You disgusting piece of shit! You think you can have me as a sidepiece?!" I screamed.

"Jenna, sit down. Let's talk like reasonable adults. People are here." Raphael covers his face from the side with his right arm, realising the embarrassment surrounding our argument.

His reaction, protecting himself from the public at a moment like this only infuriated me the more.

I had waited for him, and cherished our relationship, only to be blindsided by his betrayal.

My hands shook with anger as I held back from shedding tears. I didn't notice I was biting my lower lip too hard until I felt and tasted dripping blood.

With a trembling hand, I pushed the wedding invitation away, my heart heavy with grief. 

In a moment of raw emotion, I grabbed the cup of coffee in front of me and emptied its contents over Raphael's head, the scalding liquid soaking his hair and clothes.

As the café fell silent around us, I turned on my heel and stormed out, leaving Raphael and the shattered remnants of our relationship behind.

The moment I got home, I took a bath, put on my shortest and sexiest dress and headed out. That bastard! Does he think he's the only one who can cheat? I'll show him!

A taxi dropped me in front of a popular nightclub known to be attended by wealthy men in high-class society.

'That's right. I'm gonna bag a real man tonight!'