Fake Dating My Boyfriend's Rival For Christmas

2. Twelve Days

{Day 1; December 20th, The Ophelia Cruise Ship}

Octavia

There, tangled in the sheets, were Nathan and Ava—naked, their bodies entwined in a way that left no question about what had happened

“What the hell is this?” Dave’s voice was like thunder behind me, his eyes blazing as he took in the scene.

I felt the ground shift beneath me, the betrayal settling like a weight in my chest.

My vision blurred as tears pricked the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill. I stood frozen in the doorway, unable to process the scene before me. Nathan and Ava lay tangled in the sheets, their bodies bared and shameless, completely oblivious to our presence.

I had known Nathan was arrogant, critical, petty, and sometimes cruel—but this? Sleeping with Dave Carter’s girlfriend, of all people, just to feed his envy? This was low, even for him.

The sound of Dave's sharp intake of breath beside me jolted me back to reality. He stormed past me, his shoulder brushing mine roughly as he advanced on Nathan like a thunderstorm rolling in.

“What the hell is this?” he roared again, his voice echoing off the walls like a c***k of lightning.

Nathan and Ava didn’t stir, their sordid oblivion adding insult to injury.

Before I could stop him, Dave lunged, grabbing Nathan by the neck and yanking him out of the bed with such force that the nightstand lamp wobbled dangerously. Nathan’s groggy confusion was short-lived as Dave’s fist collided with his jaw.

“You’re a goddamn snake!” Dave snarled, his voice heavy with rage. Nathan stumbled backward, his lip already split and bleeding.

Ava sprang up, clutching the sheets to her chest. But instead of the shame or panic I might have expected, she let out an irritated sigh and reached for the glass of whiskey on the nightstand.

“Boys, honestly,” she drawled, downing the drink in one smooth motion, as though watching a brawl was nothing more than mild entertainment. “Do we really have to do this now?”

My stomach twisted in revulsion.

“Dave, stop!” I exclaimed, my voice trembling as I stepped into the room, panic flooding my chest. The noise was bound to attract attention, and the last thing I wanted was for this humiliation to become public knowledge.

I closed the door quickly, locking it behind me. The muffled sounds of flesh hitting flesh echoed in the enclosed space as Dave landed another punch squarely across Nathan’s face. A part of me—a dark, vindictive part I didn’t recognize—felt a surge of satisfaction bubble within me at seeing Nathan take the beating he so richly deserved.

“Enough!” Ava’s shrill voice pierced the air. She stood now, wrapped loosely in the sheet, glaring at Dave with exaggerated outrage.

“Aren’t you supposed to be composed? You’re making a scene.”

Composed? I stared at her, incredulous. Was she insane?

Dave’s grip on Nathan’s throat tightened as he turned his blazing gaze toward her. “You want me to be composed?” he growled, his voice low and venomous. “When this jerk took advantage of you while you were drunk?”

Ava scoffed, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “Oh, spare me the righteous act, Dave. I wasn’t that drunk.”

Dave froze, his grip loosening just enough for Nathan to gasp for air.

Ava took another sip from the whiskey bottle, her smugness dripping with malice. “Yes, I knew exactly what I was doing,” she said, her tone cold and dismissive.

Dave’s face twisted in disbelief. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Ava smirked, as if enjoying his torment. “I cheated on you, Dave. Intentionally.” Her words were cold and deliberate, each syllable twisting the knife deeper. “You’re boring. Too serious. Too cold. Too detached. Sure, you’re rich, but being with you is like dating a goddamn ice sculpture.” She laughed, a hollow, cruel sound.

“Nathan, on the other hand,” she added, turning to Nathan, who was now slumped on the floor. “He’s fun. Adventurous. And, unlike you, he actually enjoys being with me.”

The room fell into stunned silence. My heart broke for Dave as I saw the betrayal and pain ripple across his face.

“You’re unbelievable,” he whispered, his voice raw. “After everything I’ve done for you—everything I’ve given you…”

Ava’s expression flickered for a moment, as though she regretted her words. But then her arrogance returned in full force.

“Oh, spare me that self-righteousness of yours. Sure, you gave me things, Dave, but you never gave me you.”

She gestured wildly. “It’s always about your damn company, your precious empire. God forbid you take a day off to enjoy life.”

Dave staggered back, as if her words had physically struck him. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small red velvet box.

“You always said you wanted this,” he murmured, his voice almost a whisper as he opened the box to reveal an exquisite emerald-cut pink amethyst ring. It caught the light, each facet sparkling with elegance.

Ava’s eyes widened with naked greed. “Dave…”

“I planned to propose to you on Christmas Eve,” he said, his voice breaking. “I thought you were the one. But now…” He snapped the box shut. “You’re not worth it.”

For the first time, Ava’s confidence faltered. “Dave, wait—”

“No.” His tone was final, his eyes hard. “You made your choice.”

Nathan, recovering from his daze, scrambled to his feet. “Ava, don’t worry. I’ll get you a ring. Hell, I’ll get you something even better once we’re off this ship.”

I felt a hot wave of anger boil up inside me. Nathan—the man who never bothered to take me on a proper date—was now offering Ava the world without hesitation.

I turned to leave, my vision blurring with tears, but Ava’s mocking voice stopped me cold.

“Nathan,” she drawled, her tone smug, “what are you going to do with her?” She gestured toward me, her lips curling into a sneer. “I mean, I’m here now. You don’t need this… thing anymore.” Her gaze raked over me disdainfully, making my low self-esteem crumble further.

Nathan chuckled, wincing as the movement stretched his swollen cheek. “Octavia,” he said coldly, “you’re no longer my plus one—or my girlfriend. You can go throw yourself off the damn ocean for all I care. Get out of my face.”

The words stung, but I wasn’t surprised. Deep down, I’d always known this was how it would end. He’d always coveted everything Dave owned, and Ava wasn’t any different.

Without saying a word, I turned, ready to leave before my emotions spilled over—before I smashed someone’s head tonight—but Dave’s strong hand caught my wrist.

“Ava,” he said suddenly, his voice quiet but his grip on my wrist firm. “You know what? You’re right. I never gave you enough fun, did I?”

She tilted her head, smirking, clearly ready for another cruel remark.

But Dave didn’t give her the chance. He turned to me, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine.

“Octavia,” Dave said firmly, his voice breaking the tension. Our eyes met, and I was startled to see him looking at me with an intensity that made my breath hitch.

“Will you be my girlfriend?” his voice loud enough to make Ava and Nathan’s heads snap toward us. Then he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear.

“Just for the next twelve days,” he whispered. “Let’s give them the fun they want so bad.”