TIFFIN 2

97

After Hero made his way back down the hallway, I did my best to fix my appearance. I stood in front of the large vanity mirror, looking at my flushed skin. 

I had just finished having the time of my life with the man I loved... but... why did I still feel inadequate?

Why was Ellen still on my mind, her effortless beauty standing out? 

You are beautiful, Kristina. You are beautiful. 

No. What in the world did a redhead hold with some blonde bombshell? Oh, what was I saying? Did I really think that my fiance was going to change direction from me to that... bully?

When I made it out to the main floor, I was all but attacked by my friends. I was shocked to see that the club was still fairly empty. 

Oh right. Wasn't it a private party for us? 

"Are you alright?" Rose asked desperately. "You're not catching a cold, are you?" 

I rubbed my stomach, trying to pretend like I was in a good deal of pain. 

"It's a mild tummy ache. I should be fine though. I think I drank too much wine." 

Rose smiled, though she didn't seem too convinced. 

"If you say so... well, you missed... um... Raybans." 

I gasped. 

"Really?" 

She shook her head. 

"Sort of. He's on stage now." 

That he was.

He looked vastly different from his normal skateboard boy appearance. Tonight, he garnered a more seductive look with a tight speedo and his wild hair flopped across his forehead.

"Well, great," I replied, doing my best not to look at his obvious bulge, "are you going to spend some time talking with him?" 

Rose frowned.

"No. I think I'll save that for the wedding. He's on the clock right now." 

I nodded, though I failed to understand her logic. She was still unable to speak to the guy. She was unwilling to admit that there was a man in the world that would be able to break through her walls. 

"What time is it?" I questioned attempting to change the subject. 

Brendan checked his watch, yelling over the blasting music. 

"It's nearly ten!" 

Oh wow. Time really did fly when you were having fun. 

"I should be going to bed." I replied. "I know Rose, here, will have an aneurism if I don't."

We all laughed as we drank the waters on a nearby table. My nerves reverberated through my body as I realized just how close my wedding was.

It was so near... I couldn't almost taste it. 

BUZZ. My phone went off. Sliding it out of my pocket, I eyed the TMZ headline that struck my interest, or maybe even fear. 

Kristina Addison's beau out on the town with new girl?

Clicking on the article, I saw one grainy photo. I could see a boy and a girl, melded closely together.

Yes, they were too close for comfort, but... not to the point where I believed Hero wanted it. 

Ellen, with her silky hair, had both her hands latched onto his arms. His face was stern and was angled away as if he were focusing on something else. 

Below read the following article: 

Our sources believed the newlyweds Tiffin and Addison would be spotted out on the town. We weren't able to spot Ms. Kristina, but her fiance, Hero was caught cuddling up to an old friend of Addison's. 

We spoke to Ellen, who has known Kristina since they were babies. 

"She was always a mean girl," Ellen said, "though I tried to advise her to be nicer, she never took my advice." 

This, we hadn't expected. When we pushed her dear friend further for more answers on why she was seen with Hero, she was more than willing. 

"It's always been a fantasy of his to be with me. It's true that Kristina is one of those snooty bible thumpers, but in all honesty, I believe that's why he strayed. She's so uptight you wouldn't believe it-

I forced myself to shove my phone away. This was all too much to hear. At times, that bitch was on point, but she was just laying it on so thick.

Hero had never even met her.

What dream was she riding on? This couldn't be right. I needed to see him. 

"Kristina?" Josephine's voice drifted through my haze. "Are you okay?" 

"Um..." 

I trailed off. This was something I could only talk to my closest friend about. She was the only one who would understand my predicament without judging too much. 

Taking ahold of her arm, I dragged her to the side of the room. I then shoved the phone into her hands.
 
"Read this."

After she scanned the article briefly, she scoffed in disbelief. It took her a moment to come up with a conclusion.

"Is he really cheating-?" 

I rolled my eyes. 

"No. Take a closer look at the photo." 

After another moment of silence, she sucked in a sharp breath.

"Wait..."
 
I nodded. 

"Yeah. At first I was pissed and thought that too, but I know him better. That and the fact that this happened so suddenly after we ran into that cunt- sorry. But she really is one."

Jo laughed at my joke.

"What are you going to do?" 

I sighed. 

"I feel confident enough to do this, but take me home. We'll still abide by the rules. I just need answers."

Since when did Ellen trade places with Kylie 🤪