I took a cautious step back my hand flew to the necklace on my chest. Maybe he wasn’t homeless. He was probably surveying the area, find out our weak spots so he could come back and rob us.

The door to Donna’s house burst open and Donna appeared on the front porch.

‘What’s going on out there?!’ She yelled.

I swallowed, how’d I warn her not to come any closer and we were in danger.

‘Nothing Mom.’

Blood drained from my face and my shoulders slumped. Mom? He’s Russell? I swallowed the lump in my throat.

‘Your neighbor here thinks I’m rummaging in your trash for food.’ He chuckled.

He thought this was funny? My face had to be burning with blush!

‘I told you, you look homeless now look you’ve gone and scared poor Jenna.’ Donna blasted.

That made me snicker. Russell shot me a nasty look. I couldn’t stop the smile that spread on my face though.

Donna marched down the stairs and found us standing by her garbage bins. At least she didn’t have a blanket wrapped round her.

‘I ought to shave that beard in your sleep.’ Donna muttered.

‘I’m sorry Donna I thought— I’m sorry, I was just worried.’

Donna chuckled, ‘Don’t worry about it. I’d have thought Russell was homeless too if I didn’t know him.’

Russell was not amused. It was really just the oversized clothes and the wild beard. There was a lean body somewhere under all those clothing. Even a charming smile under his frown.

I said my goodbyes to Donna and an extremely awkward goodbye to Russell. I got into my car and dialed my sister’s number to tell her one of the most awkward moments of my life, but it rang went to voice mail. I thought about Danny, but I knew he was traveling back into town.

I arrived at the party a couple minutes later. Soft music played from Ben’s mansion. Several cars I knew from the office were parked outside. I saw Roy’s car parked next to Marsha's minivan. Marsha stood outside freezing her ass off. I giggled when I walked up to the door.

‘I thought you weren’t coming,’ she rubbed her gloves hands against her sweater.

‘I even brought a bottle of wine.’ I said.

‘There’s a tone of alcohol to go around here.’ Marsha said.

We walked inside together.

‘Local stores—’

I laughed, cutting her off. ‘Marsha you work too much. We’re at a party. Local stores can wait.’

She sighed and visibly relaxed. Marsha was one of those employees that didn’t take sick days not even when she was sick. You had to kick her out to get her to leave.

Most of the people I recognized from work, others from college, though I never kept in touch. Others I didn’t know at all. I half thought Neil, Ben’s brother would be here, but he spends most of his time in The Netherlands. We spoke as often as we could, but he was a busy man he always stopped by the office when he was in the country.

‘Let’s get a drink,’ I told Marsha.

‘Yes, coffee.’

I laughed, ‘No one’s drinking coffee here, Marsha.’

It wasn’t a wild party, but no one held tea or coffee in their hands. It was either wine or beer. I looked up to the second floor balcony and saw Ben standing with his girlfriend. It’s been months since he and I ended, but the fact that we ended with him telling me our relationship meant nothing to him still stung. Every night spent together, every meaningful conversation and he said it meant nothing. We gave birth to a company together. I nursed a little crush in University I foolishly thought as we spent more time it would grow into something concrete. It turned in a short lived affair.

We found Roy sampling mini pizzas in the kitchen. He smiled at us. He held a beer in his hand and a pizza in the other.

‘Hey ladies.’ He said.

I found his square glasses so cute. He was one of the ever polite ones we were around the same age I think he was older than me by a year or two.

‘Would you two like a beer or wine?’ He asked.

I accepted the wine, I handed him the one I brought.

Marsha wrinkled her nose, ‘Anything but.’

‘Come on a beer will warm you up,’ Roy said.

I snickered, she did look like a wet puppy.

‘I’m not that cold,’ she grumbled.

‘Hey! Everyone having a good time?’ Ben burst into the kitchen, holding a red disposable cup.

‘Hey Ben,’ I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. He eyed my face and the rest of my dress.

‘Well, don’t you look ravishing.’ He said.

I smiled at the ground. He’d had a few drinks already I could tell. The way his eyes drank me made my heart speed up. Roy rummaged around the kitchen for a wine opener.

‘What are you looking for there, mate?’ Ben asked, I sensed the annoyance in his tone.

‘Cork screw. Jenna wants wine.’ Roy replied.

Ben nodded. ‘I’ve got a nice bottle upstairs… I keep the good stuff up there, care to join me?’

‘Uh, sure.’ I told Marsha I’d be right back.

I followed Ben up the wide open staircase to his office. The room smelled of peppermint and lavender air freshener. A lamp by the desk illuminated the office, making the red carpet look brownish and the curtains look an even darker shade of gold. There was a book shelf up against the wall with ornaments and books I was sure were just décor. There was a safe by the desk next to the window. Where did he keep the wine?

I was about to ask Ben that when his hands crawled up my arms.

‘Ben?’

He gently guided me until my back hit the wall. I sucked in a breath and inhaled his perfume and the scent of strong beer.

‘You look so beautiful,’ he whispered.

‘Uh—’

His lips came crushing down and I had to turned my head and press my palms against his chest to stop him.

‘Whoa, Ben!’

‘You’re killing me here Jenna.’ He said, he rested his head against the wall.

‘You have a girlfriend, get a grip!’ I shoved him away.

‘You’re really going to turn me away, Jenna?’

I crossed my arms. He pushed me away first. He ran a hand through his jet back hair. I remembered a time those hands yanked my hair in heated passion.

‘I think I should go now.’ I said.

‘No, don’t. I have an announcement and I think all my friends should hear it including my business partner.’

I noticed for the first time how out of it he looked. Maybe he had way more to drink than I thought.

‘Maybe you should drink a bottle or two of water. Just to wake you up a bit.’

He groaned. I scurried out of his office, I didn’t want anyone catching us. There wasn’t any wine to begin with. I wanted to blame it on the alcohol that a sober Ben wouldn’t pull such a stunt, but I wasn’t so sure.

I walked downstairs, my body slightly trembling. Marsha stood next to Roy they seemed to be engaged. I couldn’t tell her what happened.

I stood beside Marsha. I started fidgeting a little when I saw Ben’s girlfriend with a small group of people. Nothing happened up there, I stopped it. Ben marched down the stairs. I half thought he’d tumble down the stairs, but he stopped midway. He shoved his hands into his jeans and smiled. I followed his focus to the woman with beautiful thick black hair who returned his affection. I didn’t want to be jealous, yet there I was burned with envy.

‘Listen up guys!’

The room quieted expect for a few cheers from the crowd.

‘Arti, will you join me?’ He laughed.

Arti… his girlfriend walked up the stairs and took his hand. He wrapped his hand around her waist and made her stand in front of him.

‘Thank you all for being here today. Arti and I have an announcement to make.’ They beamed at each other.

‘There’s a bun in the oven!’ A guy yelled.

Arti laughed and her hand landed on her flat belly. I grinded my teeth, it couldn’t be.

‘No, not yet!’

I breathed a sigh of relief.

‘But we are engaged. She said yes!’ Ben yelled and my heart broke into a million pieces.

I should be happy, but I couldn’t help wonder when I would meet mister right. Or any mister to accept me as I was. Quiet and adventurous inwards more than outwards.

Ben lifted Arti's hand and showcased the seven carrot rock on her finger. My jaw dropped, the cut on that thing had be custom made. I knew Ben had money, but the ring had to have cost a fortune.

Snow began to fall outside and I told myself it was time to go. Ben only wanted me to stay so he could flaunt his new lady.

I got home and changed out of my dress. I pulled out a half drunk bottle of sweet wine from the cabinet in the kitchen and curled up on the couch.

‘I don’t want to be that person,’ I said to myself. I shouldn’t be jealous of them.

Maybe the crash and burn of our relationship was a blessing in disguise. I don’t want to be with someone for the sake of it. I want to feel that they love me and I want to know that I’m willing to sacrifice for the person because I love him.

Ben and I were never sparks flying nor ride or die. I drowned my wine. I’d find the one for me I knew it. My phone pinged with a message. It was an unknown number.

The necklace looked beautiful around your neck. You have no idea how happy it makes me that you like it. Yours Truly.

My heart rate spiked. He was there, he was at the party! I knew this person we’ve been in contact. Why didn’t he just say anything. My fingers wrapped around the emerald stone.

‘Who are you?’