Chapter 1 The anniversary

Brittany's POV

"Happy birthday, baby. And happy three years anniversary to us," my voice rang out excitedly through the phone.

"Thank you. Happy anniversary," my boyfriend of three years replied from the other end.

I blushed hard as I continued wrapping the gift I got him. We always had to celebrate his birthday and our anniversary together. Oh, how I always looked forward to this day. I never had enough but I always tried to get the best gift for him.

"Will you be home this evening? I want to come over," I said.

"You... You... Want to come over? No... No," he stuttered. "I thought you had an evening shift."

"Yes but I want to see you first." I was already done wrapping and packaging the gift in a gift bag.

"You don't have to. Let's meet tomorrow, okay? I don't want to stress you." He said.

"Alright then," I replied even though I had no plans to cancel meeting him this evening.It would be even better to make it a surprise. I disconnected the call then I took a quick last glance at the mirror, hoping that he would be satisfied with the surprise.

As I arrived at his place, I met cars parked outside and people standing at the doorway. I smiled at them and walked in confidently. So, apparently Chris hosted a party without my knowledge. I wonder if he also planned it as a surprise but I doubted because he already dismissed me for the evening.

The jamming of music and the chatter from the crowd made me very uncomfortable. I wasn't used to having a lot of people around me - the more reason why I didn't know any of his friends.

Dialing his number and sending multiple texts which was left unanswered, my mind wandered to the various places he could be that warranted him to ignore me.

"Ooh! The birthday boy is here," shouted a loud voice behind me. Everyone's attention turned to the door as they all started chanting a birthday song.

I tried to steal a view over the obstructing heads and when I finally did, I regretted instantly. Chris was in the middle of the crowd, smiling to the birthday song with his arm wrapped around a woman's waist.

It was just his arm wrapped around a woman's waist but she wasn't any woman. She was Debbie, his long-time crush from college.

I watched quietly, shaking off the thought that there was something else involved but I still felt uneasy. My suspicion was confirmed at the end of the birthday song when Chris, my own boyfriend I had broken all odds for made an announcement that shattered my thoughts.

"Thank you everyone for making it to my party. I haven't hosted a party for a very long time so I would use this opportunity to celebrate my birthday and my six months anniversary with Debbie."

What was happening? I couldn't believe my ears.

In the midst of my confusion, Chris gazed at Debbie with a kind of affection that I had never gotten from him. Finally, he grabbed her by the waist and kissed her deeply.

Squeals of delight, cheers and applause erupted from the crowd while I was left speechless. I couldn't believe this last minute betrayal by someone I had planned the future with.

Finally getting myself together, I pushed my way through the crowd until I got to the middle where my boyfriend was kissing another woman like his life depended on it.

"Happy anniversary, Chris," I said in a low voice he could hear. And just like a bee sting, he released Debbie and faced me in shock.

"Happy birthday too," I added and handed him the gift bag which he collected reluctantly.

"What're you doing here?" He asked.

"For how long, Chris? How long were you going to keep this from me?" I asked the probing question. He was speechless and only stared at me while Debbie rolled her eyes. This time, everyone's attention was on us.

"You could have just told me it was over. That you didn't want this relationship anymore instead of leading me on. For the past months I had been trying to fix this sham of a relationship, I didn't know you were busy rekindling with your lover." I scoffed, biting on my lips. "I just can't believe this."

"I wanted to break up with you after today," he said.

"Really? You kept me for six months while loving another woman and you have the guts to tell me this," I said, my voice breaking down.

"We..." He was saying before Debbie cut in.

"You really don't have to explain yourself to her. Her time is over and I'm here now."

I looked at her with disdain before facing Chris. "Tell me one last time, Chris. Do you still love me and why are you doing this?"

I was hanging onto one last hope.

He cast a glance at Debbie as if seeking her validation before replying me. "I stopped loving you, Brittany. I thought maybe... Being with you would make me forget about Debbie but it worked for a little time not until we crossed paths again. Besides, you've never even allowed me to touch you. How do you think the relationship is supposed to work?"

"But you...you said were going to wait. I told you all that I passed through and my reasons for that and you didn't even argue about it. You said you were going to wait," I said as tears welled up in my eyes.

"I couldn't wait!" He raised his voice. "You can keep your self for another unfortunate man. I don't really care anymore. I've been waiting to tell you this..."

He brought down his face to my level. "I'm tired. I still can't believe how I was able to put up with your silly lovey-dovey attitude for these past months. I guess it's over now.

"I just remembered how you would split your pay to spend on me and also on your struggling miserable family." Jace said and I couldn't take it anymore.

I raised my hand and landed a heavy slap on his face. "Don't you ever refer to my family as miserable just because I gave you a peek into my life. This is the last time you'll ever hear from me. We're done."

He was left in shock as I left him and walked out of the door. If there was anything that could bring out my protective instinct, it was my family and I didn't tolerate anyone talking down on them.

I wiped the tears that lingered on my eyelids as I walked down the street to my night shift at the restaurant.