01. Not Your Regular Birthday Present

Pain throbbing through my ears in the exact sync in which I could literally feel my heart pounding thunderously in my chest,

Accompanied by the large and ridiculously painful lump in my throat I couldn't seem to swallow past. No matter how many times I tried, it only seemed to want to choke me even further than I already felt from the sight I just happened to behold.

My eye sight that was blurred by my very own tears obstructing my vision made my head spin as I struggled to push forward with all my strength especially when I heard him call my name and chase after me from behind sweaty and shirtless.

Although my knees felt shaky and weak, I didn't stop. I could not stop myself from leaving. The only thing I needed now more than anything, is to get the hell away from him.

As far away as possible.

Perhaps I shouldn't have come here.

My day was going on very smoothly until some minutes back.

I'm not one who usually gets excited about her birthdays but this morning, not just because of the numerous love filled texts I woke up to from my mom and best friend, but for some strange reasons, I felt really excited about the day.

It's not everyday a girl gets to turn Twenty four! And most importantly, I had also been accepted into my new place of work just last night.

I could tell it was probably the joy from getting a job at the biggest company in town extending right into this day but just for this one time, I'm letting my birthday overshadow everything for today.

I looked into my phone for the one hundredth time since I got up just barely half an hour ago, waiting for that one particular text from Rowan my boyfriend of three years but there was nothing to be seen.

No text, No call, Nothing.

With a sad pout, I tossed my phone back onto my sheets and attempted pulling myself up from bed to go take a piss but launched myself back towards my phone like a lunatic when I heard it buzz.

My anticipation was really cut short when it wasn't Rowan but my Best friend Valerie calling.

I had just woken up and didn't think I could handle over and Hour's conversation with her just yet, so I chose to ignore the call after writing myself a mental note to return her call as soon as I can.

While brushing my teeth and staring at my reflection in the mirror of my bathroom wall where I appeared like a lunatic with my thick dark blonde curls scattered all around every sides of my face enough to be likened to a bed's nest, I came up with a plan.

I wasn't mad at Rowan for forgetting about my birthday, I was mad at myself for expecting him to actually remember when he's got so much on his shoulders of recent.

He's got this huge deal with his investors he's been working on for quite some time now since the past few weeks and although he didn't say, I could tell it was stressing him alot.

I made up my mind to get dressed and head over to his house. Besides, what better way to spend my birthday than with him?

With enthusiasm and eagerness to surprise my boyfriend at his place, I threw on a very skimpy skirt just the exact same one he likes so much, an easy shirt that wouldn't stand in our way if you know what I mean and a ridiculous amount of lipgloss to touch up my light makeup of mascara and a faint blush then headed over to his place just after picking up a medium sized cake.

And, Guess who got surprised????

My heart stop beating when I pushed in through his door and my eyes met with his very shocked pair.

I remained rooted to my spot but unfortunately for the cake, it had left my hand and fallen to the ground but that literally was the very least of my problems.

Rowan was sweating and completely unclad just like the woman whom I very well recognize as his 'friend' Eva! who's hair he had in his grip some few seconds ago while he was busy thrusting madly into her from behind before I walked in.

She particularly wasn't thrilled by my presence because from the look of pleasure on her face when I walked in, I could tell she was almost near release but I just ruined all that for her because at least Rowan still had the decency to pull out the very moment he spotted me.

I wanted to scream out in pain but I couldn't.

The only thing I felt was the burning sensation I could feel strongly in my back, my chest and oh.... All over my body!

The only thing I could manage was a weak and broken smile that shielded the true expression of hurt and bitterness I could vividly feel within my entire being and at that moment, tears began to gather. I could feel it.

I turned to leave like I should but I found myself yearning for a word from him.

An explanation or something.

Anything!

"Jade! Please wait." He finally spoke out just when I took my very next step and as though I was under his spell, I halted in my Step but still had my back to him because I doubt I'll be able to look him in the eye right now.

Jade. The sound of my name from his lips that I always loved to hear. But there was something different about it this time.

I only felt my blood boil as he spoke my name.

"Jade. Baby, I can explain." He stated as he struggled to fit his still saluting member into his briefs.

"What is there to explain?" I questioned in a painfully low and cold voice and stared him right in the eye with a death glare and that must have made him kept mute.

He definitely was trying to find the right words to say.

The loud yawn from Eva now wrapped in the sheets helped him escape my glare because it was now settled on her who laid on the bed without remorse watching us both with her head held up by her elbow digging into the bed.

What the hell am I still even doing here?

Without another word, I charged out of his door and hurried out down the hallway. Fighting through my tears that were threatening to fall the entire time.

My sloggish movements allowed him the time to get in his pants and chase behind me just as I didn't want him to.

I was stupid to yearn for an explanation.

There was no explanation for this.

There could never be.

I got into the elevator before he could reach me and it closed on his face. Perfectly shielding me away from him like I craved.

The short private moment in that metal box taking me down slowly was all I needed to break down.

I let the salty tiny droplets carelessly roll down my cheeks and I sobbed alongside.

When I stepped out the elevator, I couldn't care less about the many questioning glances shot in my direction as I struggled my way towards my car but on getting to it, I couldn't trust myself to drive nor could I wait around till whenever I feel up to the task of driving because I didn't wanna risk giving Rowan a chance to meet with me again if at all he still followed after me.

"Taxi!" I screamed out with a weak voice and I'm certain it was only the movement of my hand that made him stop because my voice sounded nothing more than a mere broken whisper.

After a single statement to him on my address, I held my eyes shut and let the tears burn my lids like hot coal that I could also feel in my throat.

It felt as though I wasn't showing my pain well but what I was feeling inside me was something I could never explain.

Hurt alone sounds like too less a word for my exact feeling.

My phone didn't stop buzzing in my purse but I didn't even bother to pull it out neither did I flick my eyes open even for a single moment until I reached the building I live in alone with some particularly nosy neighbors.

"Oh. Hi Jade!" A familiar voice called out to me as I began my slow walk forward.

In as much as I wasn't in the mood to hold a conversation with whoever it is, I couldn't help it as the individual brought himself right to my front and helped me realize he is Alex, Rowans colleague.

The fact that he was in one way related with Rowan made me even the more pissed.

"Uhmm.... Are you alright?" He questioned.

Obviously I am not alright! Isn't my tears smudged mascara enough proof????????

"I'm fine. What do you want?" I questioned as politely as I could although I actually still sounded very cold.

"I'm sorry, I can see now's not a good time but I rushed over to you immediately I saw you. I've been meaning to give this to Rowan, he left it at my office, I was thinking you could help give it to him for me?" He explained and I scoffed as I eyed the large brown paper bag he held out to me.

There! He goes ahead and mentions his name.

"Why don't you give it to him yourself at the office tomorrow?" I questioned the next thought that came to my head and he looked at me as though I was insane.

"You mean, you don't know?" Came his next question and even though I was disgusted, his statement managed to arouse my curiosity.

"I don't understand. What don't I know? What do you mean??" I questioned all at once and I noticed his shoulders tense.

"Rowan lost his job almost four months ago" he explained and I had this Stupified expression on my face next.

Wait a damn minute! Lost his job?? Four months ago? Meaning the excuse of not being able to make it to appointments with me because he's working on a 'huge business deal' is all a lie????

For fear of what other truth could be revealed to me which I didn't think I could manage at this point, I rushed away from Poor Alex like he had just grown a horn or probably a second head.

Without taking the bag from him or even so much as another word, I scurried away till I found myself by my door.

I rushed into my apartment and slammed the door shut then held my back to it only to peel my eyes open and find a pair of wide blue eyes staring at me, worried and mostly confused.

When I was about to hit the stranger with the "who are you and how did you get in my house?" Question, I realized it was my best friend Valerie and she did have a spare key to my apartment.

"What happened?!! I've been calling you and you wouldn't take my call!" She complained and searched my face for God knows what before I squeezed into her embrace seeking comfort so I could let out all my tears and scream out my pain like a lunatic.

"What's the matter? What happened?" She questioned softly and through my sobs I tried to reply.

"I went to see Rowan" I explained simply and felt a fresh refill of tears at the mention of his name.

"And what happened? He didn't get you a present?" Came her next question as she tapped my back gently while my face remained buried in the crook of her neck.

Oh.. He did get me a present quite alright.

And that is Cheating on Me!

Well, Happy Birthday to me.