Billionaire's Best Friend

VIII. Apple and Peppermint

Nina’s POV:

It is 7 am in the morning, and the sun is burning holes in my fragile eyes. Waking up early had never been my thing. If I can, I would avoid the glorious morning sunlight altogether. Unfortunately, the grinning man sitting beside me didn’t let me sleep in.

I’m driving Matt to some party at a fancy hotel. He told me I could be his plus one and when I said no, he bribed me with food. Honestly, I just think he needs a ride there.

But seriously, who does parties at 7 am in the morning? That’s so weird! Then, he keeps pestering me about how we don’t hang out enough. Apparently, I put my fiance before friends. Sadly, that isn’t a total lie.

As I drove him to the hotel, we would catch up on irrelevant things. Even when I don’t know much about him, I know enough. I know he is the sweetest but meanest guy I ever met. He likes to tease me, a lot. When he does, I’m not entirely sure how to feel about it. One part of me gets all girly giggling that a guy like him would pay attention to a girl like me, but the other part wants to punch him in the face. I’m a woman of many emotions.

I also know when he tightens his lips and rubs his chin, it means he is in deep thoughts. Once he is in the zone, as I call it, it’s hard to get his attention. A fire can occur, and he wouldn’t even notice.

He enjoys playing soccer in his free time with his friends. As far as I know, he is good at everything. Whether it’s math, science, football, swimming, or anything we do together. He does it like a professional.

I hate people like him so much.

He also likes to drink straight black coffee, preferably homemade ones. I still don’t understand why black coffee is just ugh.

But he told me, his new favorite is black coffee with one small teaspoon of almond milk.

I remember how good it feels when I told him: “I told you so.” Which he responds with an eye roll.

When we arrive, I stare at the hotel. Pretty fancy looking hotel. Matt gestured to me to follow him, and I did. When we got into a hotel room, everyone was still asleep. Matt checked his phone and told me it was 7 pm not 7 am. Like what the hell Matt who has a party at 7 am in the morning?

I smack him angrily in the head when he told me. He pouted and ordered me breakfast as an apology. While we were eating breakfast in comfortable silence, I heard loud screams and a door slam.

I bit the pancake. “Do you think someone is fighting outside?”

“Maybe. Want to check it out?” He replied shoving in a mouthful of eggs.

I sat there debating for a few seconds and nodded. I wanted to see some morning drama.

When we open the door, my eyes widen with shock. He was standing there half-naked with hickeys and bite marks on him. I can hear my heart shattering into millions of pieces as I walked out the door.

“Kevin?” I can hear my voice break as I step out the door. He stood there with his mouth hung open. I trail my eyes over to a beautiful blonde girl with a sheet covering her body. “How could you do this to me?”

“Honey listen!” He frantically put his hands up in the air dropping his shoes and shirt

“Listen?! Listen?! I would love to hear your explanation!” Sarcasm.

“Babe it’s not like that!” He places both hands on my shoulder.

I removed his hands and gave him a bitter laugh, seeing the hallway in a blur. “Really? You’re telling me, her chasing out towards you wearing nothing but a bedsheet is nothing? There are f*****g bite marks and hickeys on you! How could you do this to me, Kevin! How?”

“What about you huh? What the f**k are you doing here in a hotel with another guy? I knew something was going on between you two.” He pointed at Matt.

I gave him another painful laugh. Is he really f*****g turning this on me? “Do you think you have the right to say that?”

“I don’t think I know.” He hovers over me with anger, but f**k him. I’m angry too.

“What are you saying?” I clenched my teeth in anger. No, I’m past angry. I’m f*****g pissed.

“I’m saying you’re f*****g him. I knew there was something between the two of you the day I met him. f*****g friend my ass. Do you think I’m blind? I see the way you two look at each other. How you gave him hugs. That f*****g matching necklace around both of your necks. All those gifts you got! How f*****g stupid do you think I am!”

“We went over this! Matt and I are just friends!” I screamed back louder than I ever had in my whole life.

“No you two aren’t just f*****g friends! I can f*****g see it in his eyes! He wants to f**k the s**t out of you when I’m out of the picture or maybe he already had.”

I raised my hand up high, my palm connected with the flesh of his cheeks, letting out a loud smack. As I put my hand down, I can feel the stinging sensation spreading across my palm. “Don’t f*****g say that about Matt!”

“Still f*****g defending him aren’t you. Tell me. How good was his d**k!”

“Shut up!” I shrieked.

“Don’t think I don’t f*****g know. Going out to celebrate a friend’s birthday? Spending time with friends in New York? Going on vacation with friends? He was f*****g there the whole time f*****g you, wasn’t he? Just admit it,” he slowly said in a deep threatening voice. One that I had never heard before during all my years with him.

Cecelia rushed out of the room and towards us. “What’s wrong?”

His eyes widened as he saw Cecelia. “You’re not here alone with him?” He said slowly as his hands caressed his stinging red cheek.

“Unlike you, I don’t come here alone with another person and lie about it, then accuse someone else!” I spat out.

He held my hand, and I snatched it away. “Baby look. It was a mistake. I didn’t know what happened last night! One minute I was taking a sip of the alcohol and the next I just blackout! I swear! I’m sorry about what I said between you two. I was angry when I saw both of you come out of the hotel room together.”

I wanted to believe him, I really do. My heart aches for him.

Tears were forming in his eyes as he grabbed my arm. “Please boo please believe me,” his voice, broken, and his eyes no longer held hate.

I felt a warm hand pulling me back, looking up I saw Matt. “Do you think you have the right to have her, after what you did?”

“This is none of your f*****g business. This is between my fiancé and me.”

"Ex-fiancé,” I snarled as I threw the engagement ring at his face.

He stood there, stunned, as the ring hit him. “Boo,” his sad voice caused a sharp pain in my heart. It took every ounce of my energy to turn my heels and head towards the elevator. As soon as the elevator door closed, tears rolled down my cheeks. Sliding down in the corner of the elevator, millions of questions circles my mind.

Am I ugly? Is he sick of me? Did I not pay enough attention to him? Was I not giving enough? Why would he think something was going on between Matt and I? Does he not love me anymore? He was supposed to be my the one. Why would he do such a thing?

Dragging my heavy legs out of the hotel, I felt the same warm hand on my wrist. I looked up, and Matt was breathing heavily. He probably ran after me. “Let me take you home.”

I nod as he grabs my hand heading towards my car. We drove in silence as I continued sniffling. I look out the window in an attempt to hide my hideous face, but I know he can see it. Closing my eyes, I can hear the drops of rain hitting the window.

When we pulled to a stop, my eyes slowly opened. “Thank you for the ride, but this is my car you know. Return it soon,” I chuckle humorlessly.

“Do you want me to stay with you tonight?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think that will be a good idea.”

It really wouldn’t be a wise idea letting another guy stay at my apartment the day I break off with my fiance. As I reached for the door handle, I realized the apartment light was on. My hands started shaking, realizing he was in there.

“Do you want to stay at my place tonight?” Matt said as he looked at my apartment. I nodded looking down at my empty left finger. He rubs a tear running down my cheeks and drives me to his place as he holds my hand, covering it.

Matt didn’t say a single thing. He would tightly hold my hand as I silently cry, inhaling through my stuffy nose. We would listen to quiet music in the background.

When we got to Matt’s hotel, I sat there, staring at my feet as tears continued dripping down on my already wet lap. I heard a slamming door bringing me back to reality. He walked over to my side and opened the door. “Thanks, M-”

He scooped me up into his arms as he handed a man my keys. “Matt, what are you doing?” I said in a dry, broken voice as I wrapped my arms around his neck, afraid to fall.

“Showing you how you should really be treated.” He tightens his arms around me. As he walks towards the elevator, I can tell people were staring at us.

Looking up, I realize how defined his face is and how tan he was compared to when he first arrived here. Pulling myself closer to him, I can smell sugary peppermint and sweet apple cologne.

“Happy Birthday Matt!” I screamed as I threw the confetti in the air.

He chuckles slightly, “So this is why Justin kept me out all day.”

“Yup! Do you like it?” I clasped my hands together and took a step aside. There were colorful light-up balloons everywhere as the walls were filled with ribbons and ground filled with confetti.

I walked back into the kitchen and ran out with a birthday hat, placing it on top of Matt’s head. Which wasn’t easy considering he was 6ft tall. He bends down slightly as I go on my tippy-toe.

He laughed loudly as he adjusted the pointy hat. “Nina I’m turning 28 not 8.”

“Come on! Show a little appreciation, I almost ended up in the ER blowing up all these balloons for you!” I threw up hands in the air, frantically pointing at the millions of balloons.

He smiled at me and kissed my forehead lightly. “Thank you. I love it.”

I blasted him a smile, grabbing his hand, and led him to the table fully decorated. “Close your eyes and wait here,” he nods, closing his eyes. I ran into the kitchen and grabbed the cake, lighting up the candles.

“Don’t peek!” I screamed.

“I can’t promise that!”

Turning off the lights, the balloons light up brighter. I walked back into the living room with the cake, slowly walking towards Matt:

“Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Dear Matt

Happy Birthday to You.

From good friends and true,

From old friends and new,

May good luck go with you,

And happiness too.”

He opens his eyes as a smile crosses his face. “You sound like a dying cat.”

“Oh shush! Make a wish and blow out your candle!” I placed the cake in front of him as he closed his eyes clasping both large hands together as if he is a little boy making a wish for a new bike.

I couldn’t help but stare at him as the candlelight hit his face. His lips tighten as he attempts to hold back a smile. My heart continues racing as it did every time I’m near him. No matter how much time I tell it to stop, it never did. I simply learn to mask my feelings.

He opened his eyes and blew out the candles.

“Okay! Present time!” I got up and sat next to him. Reaching under the table, I pulled out a neatly wrapped box. He shot me another smile and unwrapped the box, pulling out the cologne.

“I know it’s a weird combination. Apple and Peppermint but give it a shot! It smells really good!”

He chuckled slightly and pulled me into a light hug. “Thank you” he whispered in my ears. Releasing me, his face was inches from mine. As we stare into each other eyes, I can feel his hot breath hitting my face as his hand tightens around my waist.

The balloon lights were hitting his face perfectly, beautifully. Slowly, our lips inch forward -

“Woah! Why is it so dark in here!” The light flickered back on and I jumped back immediately falling on my bottom.

As he took a step in the elevator, I burst into tears when I knew we were alone. I tighten my grip on him, pulling myself into his chest as he whispers small comforting words in my ears.

When the elevator door opened, showing a few people, they were feeling quite awkward with the situation. Well, they weren’t the one who caught the love of their life cheating.

“Take the next one,” I heard Matt firmly say. “Shhh, it’s okay Short Stack. I’m here. I got you. I’ll be here for you okay? So don’t cry anymore,” he cooed into my ears.

Initially, I was only going to stay for one night but next thing I know, it turns to two and then three. Matt has been so supportive these past few days. He lets me stay at his place and feed me. He doesn’t yell at me when I leave a mess all over the place or lay on his bed wearing the same clothes. He would call me, message me, and regularly check up on me. I always thought our friendship is weird due to my intense attraction to him. But he has been a really good friend.

I called Alice and she was pissed. “I’m going to motherfucking kick his ass back into his mother’s womb.”